Bill Text: CT SB00026 | 2014 | General Assembly | Comm Sub

Connecticut Senate Bill 26 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: An Act Expanding Opportunities For Early Childhood Education.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-04-29 - Moved to Foot of the Calendar, Senate [SB00026 Detail]

Download: Connecticut-2014-SB00026-Comm_Sub.html

General Assembly		*Substitute Bill No. 26*
*February Session, 2014*		_____SB00026APP___042214____

AN ACT EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 10-16p of the 2014 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):

(a) As used in sections 10-16o to 10-16s, inclusive, 10-16u, 17b-749a and 17b-749c:

(1) "School readiness program" means a nonsectarian program that (A) meets the standards set by the department pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and the requirements of section 10-16q, as amended by this act, and (B) provides a developmentally appropriate learning experience of not less than four hundred fifty hours and one hundred eighty days for eligible children, except as provided in subsection (d) of section 10-16q, as amended by this act;

(2) "Eligible children" means children three and four years of age and children five years of age who are not eligible to enroll in school pursuant to section 10-15c, or who are eligible to enroll in school and will attend a school readiness program pursuant to section 10-16t;

(3) "Priority school" means a school in which forty per cent or more of the lunches served are served to students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunches pursuant to federal law and regulations, excluding such a school located in a priority school district pursuant to section 10-266p or in a former priority school district receiving a grant pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and, on and after July 1, 2001, excluding such a school in a transitional school district receiving a grant pursuant to section 10-16u;

(4) "Severe need school" means a school in a priority school district pursuant to section 10-266p or in a former priority school district in which forty per cent or more of the lunches served are served to students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunches;

(5) "Accredited" means accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a Head Start on-site program review instrument or a successor instrument pursuant to federal regulations, or otherwise meeting such criteria as may be established by the commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Services, unless the context otherwise requires;

(6) "Seeking accreditation" means a school readiness program seeking accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children or a Head Start on-site program review instrument or a successor instrument pursuant to federal regulations, or attempting to meet criteria as may be established by the commissioner;

[(6)] (7) "Year-round" means fifty weeks per year, except as provided in subsection (d) of section 10-16q, as amended by this act;

[(7)] (8) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Education; and

[(8)] (9) "Department" means the Department of Education.

(b) (1) The Department of Education shall be the lead agency for school readiness. For purposes of this section and section 10-16u, school readiness program providers eligible for funding from the Department of Education shall include local and regional boards of education, regional educational service centers, family resource centers and providers of child day care centers, as defined in section 19a-77, Head Start programs, preschool programs and other programs that meet such standards established by the Commissioner of Education. The department shall establish standards for school readiness programs. The standards may include, but need not be limited to, guidelines for staff-child interactions, curriculum content, including preliteracy development, lesson plans, parent involvement, staff qualifications and training, transition to school and administration. The department shall develop age-appropriate developmental skills and goals for children attending such programs. The commissioner, in consultation with the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the Commissioner of Social Services and other appropriate entities, shall develop a professional development program for the staff of school readiness programs.

(2) For purposes of this section:

(A) Prior to July 1, 2015, "staff qualifications" means there is in each classroom an individual who has at least the following: (i) A childhood development associate credential or an equivalent credential issued by an organization approved by the Commissioner of Education and twelve credits or more in early childhood education or child development, as determined by the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, after consultation with the Commissioners of Education and Social Services, from an institution of higher education (I) accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or State Board of Education, and (II) regionally accredited; (ii) an associate's degree with twelve credits or more in early childhood education or child development, as determined by the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, after consultation with the Commissioners of Education and Social Services, from such an institution; (iii) a four-year degree with twelve credits or more in early childhood education or child development, as determined by the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, after consultation with the Commissioners of Education and Social Services, from such an institution; or (iv) certification pursuant to section 10-145b with an endorsement in early childhood education or special education;

(B) From July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2020, "staff qualifications" means that for each early childhood education program accepting state funds for infant, toddler and preschool spaces associated with such program's child day care program or school readiness program, (i) at least fifty per cent of those individuals with the primary responsibility for a classroom of children hold (I) certification pursuant to section 10-145b with an endorsement in early childhood education or early childhood special education, or (II) a bachelor's degree with a concentration in early childhood education, including, but not limited to, a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child study, child development or human growth and development, from an institution of higher education accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or Office of Higher Education, and regionally accredited, provided such bachelor's degree program is approved by the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Department of Education, and (ii) such remaining individuals with the primary responsibility for a classroom of children hold an associate degree with a concentration in early childhood education, including, but not limited to, an associate's degree in early childhood education, child study, child development or human growth and development, from an institution of higher education (I) accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or Office of Higher Education, and (II) regionally accredited, provided such associate degree program is approved by the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Department of Education; and

(C) On and after July 1, 2020, "staff qualifications" means that for each early childhood education program accepting state funds for infant, toddler and preschool spaces associated with such program's child day care program or school readiness program, one hundred per cent of those individuals with the primary responsibility for a classroom of children hold (i) certification pursuant to section 10-145b with an endorsement in early childhood education or early childhood special education, or (ii) a bachelor's degree with a concentration in early childhood education, including, but not limited to, a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child study, child development or human growth and development, from an institution of higher education (I) accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or State Board of Education, and (II) regionally accredited, provided such bachelor's degree program is approved by the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Department of Education.

(3) Any individual with a bachelor's degree who, on or before June 30, 2015, is employed as a teacher by an early childhood education program that accepts state funds for infant, toddler and preschool spaces associated with such program's child day care program or school readiness program and meets the staff qualifications required under subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of this subsection shall be considered to meet the staff qualifications required under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subdivision (2) of this subsection. No such early childhood education program shall terminate any such individual from employment for purposes of meeting the staff qualification requirements set forth in subparagraph (B) or (C) of subdivision (2) of this subsection. Any such individual who terminates his or her employment with such early childhood education program and accepts a teacher position at another early childhood education program accepting state funds for spaces associated with such program's child day care program or school readiness program shall submit documentation of such individual's progress toward meeting the staff qualification requirements set forth in subparagraph (B) or (C) of subdivision (2) of this subsection in a manner determined by the Department of Education.

(4) Any individual with a bachelor's degree other than those bachelor's degrees specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subdivision (2) of this subsection may submit documentation concerning such degree for review and assessment by the Department of Education as to whether such degree has a sufficient concentration in early childhood education so as to satisfy the requirements set forth in said subparagraphs (A) and (B).

(c) The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Services, shall establish a grant program to provide spaces in accredited school readiness programs for eligible children who reside in priority school districts pursuant to section 10-266p or in former priority school districts as provided in this subsection. Under the program, the grant shall be provided, in accordance with this section, to the town in which such priority school district or former priority school district is located. Eligibility shall be determined for a five-year period based on an applicant's designation as a priority school district for the initial year of application, except that if a school district that receives a grant pursuant to this subsection is no longer designated as a priority school district at the end of such five-year period, such former priority school district shall continue to be eligible to receive a grant pursuant to this subsection. Grant awards shall be made annually contingent upon available funding and a satisfactory annual evaluation. The chief elected official of such town and the superintendent of schools for such priority school district or former priority school district shall submit a plan for the expenditure of grant funds and responses to the local request for proposal process to the Departments of Education and Social Services. The departments shall jointly review such plans and shall each approve the portion of such plan within its jurisdiction for funding. The plan shall: (1) Be developed in consultation with the local or regional school readiness council established pursuant to section 10-16r, as amended by this act; (2) be based on a needs and resource assessment; (3) provide for the issuance of requests for proposals for providers of accredited school readiness programs, provided, after the initial requests for proposals, facilities that have been approved to operate a child care program financed through the Connecticut Health and Education Facilities Authority and have received a commitment for debt service from the Department of Social Services pursuant to section 17b-749i, are exempt from the requirement for issuance of annual requests for proposals; and (4) identify the need for funding pursuant to section 17b-749a in order to extend the hours and days of operation of school readiness programs in order to provide child day care services for children attending such programs.

(d) (1) The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Services, shall establish a competitive grant program to provide spaces in accredited school readiness programs or school readiness programs seeking accreditation for eligible children who reside (A) in an area served by a priority school or a former priority school as provided for in subdivision (2) of this subsection, (B) in a town ranked one to fifty when all towns are ranked in ascending order according to town wealth, as defined in subdivision (26) of section 10-262f, whose school district is not a priority school district pursuant to section 10-266p, [or] (C) in a town formerly a town described in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, as provided for in subdivision (2) of this subsection, or (D) in a town designated as an alliance district, as defined in section 10-262u, whose school district is not a priority school district pursuant to section 10-266p. A town in which a priority school is located, a regional school readiness council, pursuant to subsection (c) of section 10-16r, as amended by this act, for a region in which such a school is located or a town described in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision may apply for such a grant in an amount not [to exceed] less than one hundred seven thousand dollars per priority school or town. Eligibility shall be determined for a five-year period based on an applicant's designation as having a priority school or being a town described in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision for the initial year of application. Grant awards shall be made annually contingent upon available funding and a satisfactory annual evaluation. The chief elected official of such town and the superintendent of schools of the school district or the regional school readiness council shall submit a plan, as described in subsection (c) of this section, for the expenditure of such grant funds to the Department of Education. In awarding grants pursuant to this subsection, the commissioner shall give preference to applications submitted by regional school readiness councils and may, within available appropriations, provide a grant [in excess of one hundred seven thousand dollars to towns with two or more priority schools in such district] to such town or regional school readiness council that increases the number of spaces for eligible children who reside in an area or town described in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, of this subdivision, in an accredited school readiness program or a school readiness program seeking accreditation. A town or regional school readiness council awarded a grant pursuant to this subsection shall use the funds to purchase spaces for such children from providers of accredited school readiness programs or school readiness programs seeking accreditation.

(2) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, commencing with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, if a town received a grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection and is no longer eligible to receive such a grant, the town may receive a phase-out grant for each of the three fiscal years following the fiscal year such town received its final grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(B) The amount of such phase-out grants shall be determined as follows: (i) For the first fiscal year following the fiscal year such town received its final grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, in an amount that does not exceed seventy-five per cent of the grant amount such town received for the town or school's final year of eligibility pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection; (ii) for the second fiscal year following the fiscal year such town received its final grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, in an amount that does not exceed fifty per cent of the grant amount such town received for the town's or school's final year of eligibility pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection; and (iii) for the third fiscal year following the fiscal year such town received its final grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, in an amount that does not exceed twenty-five per cent of the grant amount such town received for the town's or school's final year of eligibility pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(C) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, and each fiscal year thereafter, any town that received a grant pursuant to subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, shall continue to receive a grant under this subsection even if the town no longer meets the criteria for such grant pursuant to subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(e) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, and each fiscal year thereafter, priority school districts and former priority school districts shall receive grants based on the sum of the products obtained by (A) multiplying the district's number of contracted slots on March thirtieth of the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which the grant is to be paid, by the per child cost pursuant to subdivision [(2)] (1) of subsection (b) of section 10-16q, as amended by this act, except that such per child cost shall be reduced for slots that are less than year-round, and (B) multiplying the number of additional or decreased slots the districts have requested for the fiscal year in which the grant is to be paid by the per child cost pursuant to subdivision [(2)] (1) of subsection (b) of section 10-16q, as amended by this act, except such per child cost shall be reduced for slots that are less than year-round. If said sum exceeds the available appropriation, such number of requested additional slots shall be reduced, as determined by the Commissioner of Education, to stay within the available appropriation.

(2) (A) If funds appropriated for the purposes of subsection (c) of this section are not expended, the Commissioner of Education may deposit such unexpended funds in the account established under section 10-16aa and use such unexpended funds in accordance with the provisions of section 10-16aa.

(B) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, and each fiscal year thereafter, if funds appropriated for the purposes of subsection (c) of this section are not expended, an amount up to five hundred thousand dollars of such unexpended funds may be available for the provision of professional development for early childhood education program providers offered by a professional development and program improvement system within the Connecticut State University System and available for use in accordance with the provisions of this subparagraph for the subsequent fiscal year. The Commissioner of Education may use such unexpended funds on and after July 1, 2012, in consultation with the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, to support early childhood education programs accepting state funds in satisfying the staff qualifications requirements of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section. The Department of Education shall use any such funds to provide assistance to individual staff members, giving priority to those staff members attending an institution of higher education (i) accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or State Board of Education, and (ii) regionally accredited, at a maximum of five thousand dollars per staff member per year for the cost of higher education courses leading to a bachelor's degree or, not later than December 31, 2013, an associate's degree, as such degrees are described in said subparagraphs (B) and (C) at an in-state public institution of higher education or a Connecticut-based for-profit or nonprofit institution of higher education, provided such staff members have applied for all available federal and state scholarships and grants, and such assistance does not exceed such staff members' financial need. Individual staff members shall apply for such unexpended funds in a manner determined by the Department of Education. The Commissioner of Education shall determine, in consultation with the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, how such unexpended funds shall be distributed.

(C) If funds appropriated for the purposes of subsection (c) of this section are not expended pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, deposited pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, or used pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, the Commissioner of Education may use such unexpended funds to support local school readiness programs. The commissioner may use such funds for purposes including, but not limited to, (i) assisting local school readiness programs in meeting and maintaining accreditation requirements, (ii) providing training in implementing the preschool assessment and curriculum frameworks, including training to enhance literacy teaching skills, (iii) developing a state-wide preschool curriculum, (iv) developing student assessments for students in grades kindergarten to two, inclusive, (v) developing and implementing best practices for parents in supporting preschool and kindergarten student learning, (vi) developing and implementing strategies for children to transition from preschool to kindergarten, (vii) providing for professional development, including assisting in career ladder advancement, for school readiness staff, [and] (viii) providing supplemental grants to other towns that are eligible for grants pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, and (ix) developing a plan to provide spaces in an accredited school readiness program or a school readiness program seeking accreditation to all eligible children who reside in an area or town described in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of subsection (d) of section 10-16p, as amended by this act.

(3) Notwithstanding subdivision (2) of this subsection, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2008, to June 30, 2013, inclusive, the Department of Education may retain up to one hundred ninety-eight thousand two hundred dollars of the amount appropriated for purposes of this section for coordination, program evaluation and administration.

(f) Any school readiness program that receives funds pursuant to this section or section 10-16u shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion or disability. For purposes of this section, a nonsectarian program means any public or private school readiness program that is not violative of the Establishment Clause of the Constitution of the State of Connecticut or the Establishment Clause of the Constitution of the United States of America.

(g) Subject to the provisions of this subsection, no funds received by a town pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of this section or section 10-16u shall be used to supplant federal, state or local funding received by such town for early childhood education, provided a town may use an amount determined in accordance with this subsection for coordination, program evaluation and administration. Such amount shall be at least twenty-five thousand dollars but not more than seventy-five thousand dollars and shall be determined by the Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Social Services, based on the school readiness grant award allocated to the town pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of this section or section 10-16u and the number of operating sites for coordination, program evaluation and administration. Such amount shall be increased by an amount equal to local funding provided for early childhood education coordination, program evaluation and administration, not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars. Each town that receives a grant pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of this section or section 10-16u shall designate a person to be responsible for such coordination, program evaluation and administration and to act as a liaison between the town and the Departments of Education and Social Services. Each school readiness program that receives funds pursuant to this section or section 10-16u shall provide information to the department or the school readiness council, as requested, that is necessary for purposes of any school readiness program evaluation.

(h) [For the first three years a town receives grants] Any town receiving a grant pursuant to this section [, such grants may be used] may use such grant, with the approval of the commissioner, to prepare a facility or staff for operating a school readiness program and shall be adjusted based on the number of days of operation of a school readiness program if a shorter term of operation is approved by the commissioner.

(i) A town may use grant funds to purchase spaces for eligible children who reside in such town at an accredited school readiness program located in another town. A regional school readiness council may use grant funds to purchase spaces for eligible children who reside in the region covered by the council at an accredited school readiness program located outside such region.

(j) Children enrolled in school readiness programs funded pursuant to this section shall not be counted (1) as resident students for purposes of subdivision (22) of section 10-262f, or (2) in the determination of average daily membership pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 10-261.

(k) Up to two per cent of the amount of the appropriation for this section may be allocated to the competitive grant program pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. The determination of the amount of such allocation shall be made on or before August first.

Sec. 2. Section 10-16q of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):

(a) Each school readiness program shall include: (1) A plan for collaboration with other community programs and services, including public libraries, and for coordination of resources in order to facilitate full-day and year-round child care and education programs for children of working parents and parents in education or training programs; (2) parent involvement, parenting education and outreach; (3) (A) record-keeping policies that require documentation of the name and address of each child's doctor, primary care provider and health insurance company and information on whether the child is immunized and has had health screens pursuant to the federal Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment Services Program under 42 USC 1396d, and (B) referrals for health services, including referrals for appropriate immunizations and screenings; (4) a plan for the incorporation of appropriate preliteracy practices and teacher training in such practices; (5) nutrition services; (6) referrals to family literacy programs that incorporate adult basic education and provide for the promotion of literacy through access to public library services; (7) admission policies that promote enrollment of children from different racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds and from other communities; (8) a plan of transition for participating children from the school readiness program to kindergarten and provide for the transfer of records from the program to the kindergarten program; (9) a plan for professional development for staff, including, but not limited to, training (A) in preliteracy skills development, and (B) designed to assure respect for racial and ethnic diversity; (10) a sliding fee scale for families participating in the program pursuant to section 17b-749d; and (11) an annual evaluation of the effectiveness of the program. On and after July 1, 2000, school readiness programs shall use the assessment measures developed pursuant to section 10-16s in conducting their annual evaluations.

[(b) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, the per child cost of the Department of Education school readiness component of the program offered by a school readiness provider shall not exceed six thousand six hundred fifty dollars.]

[(2)] (b) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, [2009] 2015, and each fiscal year thereafter, the per child cost of the Department of Education school readiness program offered by a school readiness provider shall [not exceed] be within available appropriations and shall not be less than eight thousand [three] six hundred [forty-six] seventy dollars.

[(3)] (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (e) of section 10-16p, as amended by this act, the Department of Education shall not provide funding to any school readiness provider that (A) on or before January 1, 2004, first entered into a contract with a town to provide school readiness services pursuant to this section and is not accredited on January 1, 2007, or (B) after January 1, 2004, first entered into a contract with a town to provide school readiness services pursuant to this section and does not become accredited by the date three years after the date on which the provider first entered into such a contract, except that the Commissioner of Education may grant an extension of time for a school readiness program to become accredited or reaccredited, provided (i) prior to such extension, the Department of Education conducts an on-site assessment of any such program and maintains a report of such assessment completed in a uniform manner, as prescribed by the commissioner, that includes a list of conditions such program must fulfill to become accredited or reaccredited, (ii) the program is licensed by the Department of Public Health if required to be licensed by chapter 368a, (iii) the program has a corrective action plan that shall be prescribed by and monitored by the Commissioner of Education, and (iv) the program meets such other conditions as may be prescribed by the commissioner. During the period of such extension, such program shall be eligible for funding pursuant to said section 10-16p.

[(4)] (3) A school readiness provider may provide child day care services and the cost of such child day care services shall not be subject to such per child cost limitation.

(c) A local or regional board of education may implement a sliding fee scale for the cost of services provided to children enrolled in a school readiness program.

(d) A town or school readiness council may file a waiver application to the Department of Education on forms provided by the department for the purpose of seeking approval of a school readiness schedule that varies from the minimum hours and number of days provided for in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 10-16p, as amended by this act, or from the definition of a year-round program pursuant to subdivision (7) of said subsection (a). The Department of Education may, in consultation with the Department of Social Services, approve any such waiver if the departments find that the proposed schedule meets the purposes set forth in the provisions of section 10-16o concerning the development of school readiness programs and maximizes available dollars to serve more children or address community needs.

Sec. 3. Section 10-16r of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):

(a) A town seeking to apply for a grant pursuant to subsection (c) of section 10-16p, as amended by this act, or section 10-16u shall convene a local school readiness council or shall establish a regional school readiness council pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. Any other town may convene such a council. The chief elected official of the town or, in the case of a regional school district, the chief elected officials of the towns in the school district and the superintendent of schools for the school district shall jointly appoint and convene such council. Each school readiness council shall be composed of: (1) The chief elected official, or the official's designee; (2) the superintendent of schools, or a management level staff person as the superintendent's designee; (3) parents; (4) representatives from local programs such as Head Start, family resource centers, nonprofit and for-profit child day care centers, group day care homes, prekindergarten and nursery schools, and family day care home providers; (5) a representative from a health care provider in the community; and (6) other representatives from the community who provide services to children. The chief elected official shall designate the chairperson of the school readiness council.

(b) The local school readiness council shall: (1) Make recommendations to the chief elected official and the superintendent of schools on issues relating to school readiness, including any applications for grants pursuant to sections 10-16p, as amended by this act, 10-16u, 17b-749a and 17b-749c; (2) foster partnerships among providers of school readiness programs; [(3) assist in the identification of (A) the need for school readiness programs and the number of children not being served by such a program, and (B) for priority school districts pursuant to section 10-266p, the number of children not being served by such a program and the estimated operating cost of providing universal school readiness to eligible children in such districts who are not being served; (4)] (3) submit biennial reports to the Department of Education on the number and location of school readiness spaces and estimates of [future needs; (5) submit biennial reports on factors identified pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection; (6)] the number of children not being served by school readiness programs and the estimated cost of providing spaces to all eligible children, as described in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of subsection (d) of section 10-16p, as amended by this act, in an accredited school readiness program or a school readiness program seeking accreditation; (4) cooperate with the department in any program evaluation and, on and after July 1, 2000, use measures developed pursuant to section 10-16s for purposes of evaluating the effectiveness of school readiness programs; [(7)] (5) identify existing and prospective resources and services available to children and families; [(8)] (6) facilitate the coordination of the delivery of services to children and families, including (A) referral procedures, and (B) before and after-school child care for children attending kindergarten programs; [(9)] (7) exchange information with other councils, the community and organizations serving the needs of children and families; [(10)] (8) make recommendations to school officials concerning transition from school readiness programs to kindergarten; and [(11)] (9) encourage public participation.

(c) Two or more towns or school districts and appropriate representatives of groups or entities interested in early childhood education in a region may establish a regional school readiness council. If a priority school is located in at least one of such school districts, the regional school readiness council may apply for a grant pursuant to subsection (d) of section 10-16p, as amended by this act. The regional school readiness council may perform the duties outlined in subdivisions (2) to [(10)] (8), inclusive, of subsection (b) of this section.

Sec. 4. (Effective July 1, 2014) The Commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood established pursuant to section 1 of substitute senate bill 25 of the current session, shall develop a plan to provide spaces to all eligible children, as defined in section 5 of this act, in an accredited school readiness program, as defined in section 5 of this act, or a school readiness program seeking accreditation, as defined in section 5 of this act. The commissioner shall submit such plan to the Governor on or before January 1, 2015.

Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2014) (a) For purposes of this section:

(1) "Eligible town" means a town in which a priority school, as defined in section 10-16p of the general statutes, as amended by this act, is located or a town ranked one to fifty when all towns are ranked in ascending order according to town wealth, as defined in subdivision (26) of section 10-262f of the general statutes, whose school district is not a priority school district pursuant to section 10-266p of the general statutes;

(2) "Eligible regional school readiness council" means a regional school readiness council, pursuant to subsection (c) of section 10-16r of the general statutes, as amended by this act, for a region in which a priority school is located;

(3) "Eligible children" means children (A) three and four years of age and children five years of age who are not eligible to enroll in school pursuant to section 10-15c of the general statutes, or who are eligible to enroll in school and will attend a school readiness program pursuant to section 10-16t of the general statutes, and (B) who reside (i) in an area served by a priority school or a former priority school, as described in subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of section 10-16p of the general statutes, as amended by this act, (ii) in a town ranked one to fifty when all towns are ranked in ascending order according to town wealth, as defined in subdivision (26) of section 10-262f of the general statutes, whose school district is not a priority school district pursuant to section 10-266p of the general statutes, (iii) in a town formerly a town described in clause (ii) of this subparagraph, as provided for in subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of section 10-16p of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or (iv) in a town designated as an alliance district, as defined in section 10-262u of the general statutes, whose school district is not a priority school district pursuant to section 10-266p of the general statutes;

(4) "School readiness program" has the same meaning as provided in section 10-16p of the general statutes, as amended by this act;

(5) "Priority school" has the same meaning as provided in section 10-16p of the general statutes, as amended by this act;

(6) "Accredited" has the same meaning as provided in section 10-16p of the general statutes, as amended by this act; and

(7) "Seeking accreditation" has the same meaning as provided in section 10-16p of the general statutes, as amended by this act.

(b) The Commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood, established pursuant to section 1 of substitute senate bill 25 of the current session, shall establish a grant program for eligible towns and eligible regional school readiness councils for (1) start-up of school readiness classrooms, and (2) providing spaces to all eligible children in accredited school readiness programs and school readiness programs seeking accreditation. An eligible town or eligible regional school readiness council may apply for such grant to the commissioner, at such time and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes.

Sec. 6. Section 19a-80 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):

(a) No person, group of persons, association, organization, corporation, institution or agency, public or private, shall maintain a child day care center or group day care home without a license issued in accordance with sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, and 19a-82 to 19a-87a, inclusive. Applications for such license shall be made to the Commissioner of [Public Health] the Office of Early Childhood, established pursuant to section 1 of substitute senate bill 25 of the current session, on forms provided by the commissioner and shall contain the information required by regulations adopted under said sections. The forms shall contain a notice that false statements made therein are punishable in accordance with section 53a-157b.

(b) (1) Upon receipt of an application for a license, the [Commissioner of Public Health] commissioner shall issue such license if, upon inspection and investigation, said commissioner finds that the applicant, the facilities and the program meet the health, educational and social needs of children likely to attend the child day care center or group day care home and comply with requirements established by regulations adopted under sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, and sections 19a-82 to 19a-87a, inclusive. The commissioner shall offer an expedited application review process for an application submitted by a municipal agency or department. The commissioner shall have discretion to determine whether a change of operator, ownership or location request from a currently licensed person or entity, as described in subsection (a) of this section, shall require the filing of a new license application from such person or entity. Each license shall be for a term of four years, shall be nontransferable, and may be renewed upon receipt by the commissioner of a renewal application and accompanying licensure fee. The commissioner may suspend or revoke such license after notice and an opportunity for a hearing as provided in section 19a-84 for violation of the regulations adopted under sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, and sections 19a-82 to 19a-87a, inclusive.

(2) The [Commissioner of Public Health] commissioner shall collect from the licensee of a day care center a fee of five hundred dollars prior to issuing or renewing a license for a term of four years. The commissioner shall collect from the licensee of a group day care home a fee of two hundred fifty dollars prior to issuing or renewing a license for a term of four years. The commissioner shall require only one license for a child day care center operated in two or more buildings, provided the same licensee provides child day care services in each building and the buildings are joined together by a contiguous playground that is part of the licensed space.

(3) The commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, shall make an unannounced visit, inspection or investigation of each licensed child day care center and group day care home at least once each year. At least once every two years, the local health director, or the local health director's designee, shall make an inspection of each licensed child day care center and group day care home.

(c) The [Commissioner of Public Health] commissioner, within available appropriations, shall require each prospective employee of a child day care center or group day care home in a position requiring the provision of care to a child to submit to state and national criminal history records checks. The criminal history records checks required pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. The commissioner shall also request a check of the state child abuse registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k. Pursuant to the interagency agreement provided for in section 10-16s, the Department of Social Services may agree to transfer funds appropriated for criminal history records checks to the [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood. The commissioner shall notify each licensee of the provisions of this subsection.

(d) The commissioner shall inform each licensee, by way of a plain language summary provided not later than sixty days after the regulation's effective date, of new or changed regulations adopted under sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, or sections 19a-82 to 19a-87a, inclusive, with which a licensee must comply.

Sec. 7. Section 19a-87b of the 2014 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):

(a) No person, group of persons, association, organization, corporation, institution or agency, public or private, shall maintain a family day care home, as defined in section 19a-77, without a license issued by the Commissioner of [Public Health] the Office of Early Childhood, established pursuant to section 1 of substitute senate bill 25 of the current session. Licensure forms shall be obtained from the [Department of Public Health] office. Applications for licensure shall be made to the commissioner on forms provided by the [department] office and shall contain the information required by regulations adopted under this section. The licensure and application forms shall contain a notice that false statements made therein are punishable in accordance with section 53a-157b. Applicants shall state, in writing, that they are in compliance with the regulations adopted by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (f) of this section. Before a family day care home license is granted, the [department] office shall make an inquiry and investigation which shall include a visit and inspection of the premises for which the license is requested. Any inspection conducted by the [department] office shall include an inspection for evident sources of lead poisoning. The [department] office shall provide for a chemical analysis of any paint chips found on such premises. Neither the commissioner nor the commissioner's designee shall require an annual inspection for homes seeking license renewal or for licensed homes, except that the commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall make [unannounced visits, during customary business hours, to at least thirty-three and one-third per cent of the licensed family day care homes each year] an unannounced visit, inspection or investigation of each licensed family day care home at least once every year. A licensed family day care home shall not be subject to any conditions on the operation of such home by local officials, other than those imposed by the [department] office pursuant to this subsection, if the home complies with all local codes and ordinances applicable to single and multifamily dwellings.

(b) No person shall act as an assistant or substitute staff member to a person or entity maintaining a family day care home, as defined in section 19a-77, without an approval issued by the [Commissioner of Public Health] commissioner. Any person seeking to act as an assistant or substitute staff member in a family day care home shall submit an application for such approval to the [department] office. Applications for approval shall: (1) Be made to the commissioner on forms provided by the [department] office, (2) contain the information required by regulations adopted under this section, and (3) be accompanied by a fee of fifteen dollars. The approval application forms shall contain a notice that false statements made in such form are punishable in accordance with section 53a-157b.

(c) The [Commissioner of Public Health] commissioner, within available appropriations, shall require each initial applicant or prospective employee of a family day care home in a position requiring the provision of care to a child, including an assistant or substitute staff member, to submit to state and national criminal history records checks. The criminal history records checks required pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. The commissioner shall also request a check of the state child abuse registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k. The commissioner shall notify each licensee of the provisions of this subsection.

(d) An application for initial licensure pursuant to this section shall be accompanied by a fee of forty dollars and such license shall be issued for a term of four years. An application for renewal of a license issued pursuant to this section shall be accompanied by a fee of forty dollars and a certification from the licensee that any child enrolled in the family day care home has received age-appropriate immunizations in accordance with regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (f) of this section. A license issued pursuant to this section shall be renewed for a term of four years.

(e) An application for initial staff approval or renewal of staff approval shall be accompanied by a fee of fifteen dollars. Such approvals shall be issued or renewed for a term of two years.

(f) The [Commissioner of Public Health] commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to assure that family day care homes, as defined in section 19a-77, shall meet the health, educational and social needs of children utilizing such homes. Such regulations shall ensure that the family day care home is treated as a residence, and not an institutional facility. Such regulations shall specify that each child be protected as age-appropriate by adequate immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, hemophilus influenzae type B and any other vaccine required by the schedule of active immunization adopted pursuant to section 19a-7f. Such regulations shall provide appropriate exemptions for children for whom such immunization is medically contraindicated and for children whose parents object to such immunization on religious grounds. Such regulations shall also specify conditions under which family day care home providers may administer tests to monitor glucose levels in a child with diagnosed diabetes mellitus, and administer medicinal preparations, including controlled drugs specified in the regulations by the commissioner, to a child receiving day care services at a family day care home pursuant to a written order of a physician licensed to practice medicine in this or another state, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-94a or a physician assistant licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-12d, and the written authorization of a parent or guardian of such child. Such regulations shall specify appropriate standards for extended care and intermittent short-term overnight care. The commissioner shall inform each licensee, by way of a plain language summary provided not later than sixty days after the regulation's effective date, of any new or changed regulations adopted under this subsection with which a licensee must comply.

Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2014) The Office of Early Childhood, established pursuant to section 1 of substitute senate bill 25 of the current session, shall constitute a successor department, in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39 of the general statutes, to the Department of Public Health for the purpose of the conduct of regulation of youth camps pursuant to sections 19a-420 to 19a-434, inclusive, of the general statutes, as amended by this act.

Sec. 9. Section 19a-420 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):

As used in this chapter:

(1) "Youth camp" means any regularly scheduled program or organized group activity advertised as a camp or operated only during school vacations or on weekends by a person, partnership, corporation, association, the state or a municipal agency for recreational or educational purposes and accommodating for profit or under philanthropic or charitable auspices five or more children, who are at least three years of age and under sixteen years of age, who are (A) not bona fide personal guests in the private home of an individual, and (B) living apart from their relatives, parents or legal guardian, for a period of three days or more per week or portions of three or more days per week, provided any such relative, parent or guardian who is an employee of such camp shall not be considered to be in the position of loco parentis to such employee's child for the purposes of this chapter, but does not include (i) classroom-based summer instructional programs operated by any person, provided no activities that may pose a health risk or hazard to participating children are conducted at such programs, (ii) public schools, or private schools in compliance with section 10-188 and approved by the State Board of Education or accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the State Board of Education, which operate a summer educational program, (iii) licensed day care centers, or (iv) drop-in programs for children who are at least six years of age administered by a nationally chartered boys' and girls' club;

(2) "Resident camp" means any youth camp which is established, conducted or maintained on any parcel or parcels of land on which there are located dwelling units or buildings intended to accommodate five or more children who are at least three years of age and under sixteen years of age for at least seventy-two consecutive hours and in which the campers attending such camps eat and sleep;

(3) "Day camp" means any youth camp which is established, conducted or maintained on any parcel or parcels of land on which there are located dwelling units or buildings intended to accommodate five or more children who are at least three years of age and under sixteen years of age during daylight hours for at least three days a week with the campers eating and sleeping at home, except for one meal per day, but does not include programs operated by a municipal agency;

(4) "Person" means the state or any municipal agency, individual, partnership, association, organization, limited liability company or corporation;

(5) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of [Public Health] the Office of Early Childhood; and

(6) ["Department" means the Department of Public Health.] "Office" means the Office of Early Childhood established pursuant to section 1 of substitute senate bill 25 of the current session.

Sec. 10. Section 19a-421 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):

No person shall establish, conduct or maintain a youth camp without a license issued by the [department] office. Applications for such license shall be made in writing at least thirty days prior to the opening of the youth camp on forms provided and in accordance with procedures established by the commissioner and shall be accompanied by a fee of eight hundred fifteen dollars or, if the applicant is a nonprofit, nonstock corporation or association, a fee of three hundred fifteen dollars or, if the applicant is a day camp affiliated with a nonprofit organization, for no more than five days duration and for which labor and materials are donated, no fee. All such licenses shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance unless surrendered for cancellation or suspended or revoked by the commissioner for violation of this chapter or any regulations adopted under section 19a-428, as amended by this act, and shall be renewable upon payment of a eight-hundred-fifteen-dollar license fee or, if the licensee is a nonprofit, nonstock corporation or association, a three-hundred-fifteen-dollar license fee or, if the applicant is a day camp affiliated with a nonprofit organization, for no more than five days duration and for which labor and materials are donated, no fee.

Sec. 11. Section 19a-422 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):

To be eligible for the issuance or renewal of a youth camp license pursuant to this chapter, the camp shall satisfy the following requirements: (1) The location of the camp shall be such as to provide adequate surface drainage and afford facilities for obtaining a good water supply; (2) each dwelling unit, building and structure shall be maintained in good condition, suitable for the use to which it is put, and shall present no health or fire hazard as so certified by the [department] office and the State Fire Marshal or local fire marshal, as indicated by a current fire marshal certificate dated within the past year and available on site when the youth camp is in operation; (3) there shall be an adequate and competent staff, which includes the camp director or assistant director, one of whom shall be on site at all times the camp is in operation, activities specialists, counselors and maintenance personnel, of good character and reputation; (4) prior to assuming responsibility for campers, staff shall be trained, at a minimum, on the camp's policies and procedures pertaining to behavioral management and supervision, emergency health and safety procedures and recognizing, preventing and reporting child abuse and neglect; (5) all hazardous activities, including, but not limited to, archery, aquatics, horseback riding and firearms instruction, shall be supervised by a qualified activities specialist who has adequate experience and training in such specialist's area of specialty; (6) the staff of a resident and nonresident camp shall at all times include an adult trained in the administration of first aid as required by the commissioner; (7) records of personal data for each camper shall be kept in any reasonable form the camp director may choose, and shall include (A) the camper's name, age and address, (B) the name, address and telephone number of the parents or guardian, (C) the dates of admission and discharge, and (D) such other information as the commissioner shall require. Any youth camp licensed under this chapter shall operate only as the type of camp authorized by such license. Such camps shall not advertise any service they are not equipped or licensed to offer. The license shall be posted in a conspicuous place at camp headquarters and failure to so post the license shall result in the presumption that the camp is being operated in violation of this chapter.

Sec. 12. Section 19a-423 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):

(a) The commissioner may take any of the actions authorized under subsection (b) of this section if the youth camp licensee: (1) Is convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude, the record of conviction being conclusive evidence thereof; (2) is legally adjudicated insane or mentally incompetent, the record of such adjudication being conclusive evidence thereof; (3) uses any narcotic or any controlled drug, as defined in section 21a-240, to an extent or in a manner that such use impairs the licensee's ability to properly care for children; (4) fails to comply with the statutes and regulations for licensing youth camps; (5) furnishes or makes any misleading or any false statement or report to the [department] office; (6) refuses to submit to the [department] office any reports or refuses to make available to the [department] office any records required by it in investigating the facility for licensing purposes; (7) fails or refuses to submit to an investigation or inspection by the [department] office or to admit authorized representatives of the [department] office at any reasonable time for the purpose of investigation, inspection or licensing; (8) fails to provide, maintain, equip and keep in safe and sanitary condition premises established for or used by the campers pursuant to minimum standards prescribed by the [department] office or by ordinances or regulations applicable to the location of such facility; or (9) wilfully or deliberately violates any of the provisions of this chapter.

(b) The [Commissioner of Public Health] commissioner, after a contested case hearing held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, may take any of the following actions, singly or in combination, in any case in which the commissioner finds that there has been a substantial failure to comply with the requirements established under sections 19a-420 to 19a-428, inclusive, as amended by this act, the Public Health Code or regulations adopted pursuant to section 19a-428, as amended by this act: (1) Revoke a license; (2) suspend a license; (3) impose a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars per violation for each day of occurrence; (4) place a licensee on probationary status and require such licensee to report regularly to the [department] office on the matters that are the basis of the probation; (5) restrict the acquisition of other facilities for a period of time set by the commissioner; or (6) impose limitations on a license.

(c) The commissioner shall notify the licensee, in writing, of the commissioner's intention to suspend or revoke the license or to impose a licensure action. The licensee may, if aggrieved by such intended action, make application for a hearing, in writing, over the licensee's signature to the commissioner. The licensee shall state in the application in plain language the reasons why the licensee claims to be aggrieved. The application shall be delivered to the commissioner not later than thirty days after the licensee's receipt of notification of the intended action.

(d) The commissioner shall hold a hearing not later than sixty days after receipt of such application and shall, at least ten days prior to the date of such hearing, mail a notice, giving the time and place of the hearing, to the licensee. The hearing may be conducted by the commissioner or by a hearing officer appointed by the commissioner, in writing. The licensee and the commissioner or hearing officer may issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses. The licensee shall be entitled to be represented by counsel and a transcript of the hearing shall be made. If the hearing is conducted by a hearing officer, the hearing officer shall state the hearing officer's findings and make a recommendation to the commissioner on the issue of revocation or suspension or the intended licensure action.

(e) The commissioner, based upon the findings and recommendation of the hearing officer, or after a hearing conducted by the commissioner, shall render the commissioner's decision, in writing, suspending, revoking or continuing the license or regarding the intended licensure action. A copy of the decision shall be sent by certified mail to the licensee. The decision revoking or suspending the license or a decision imposing a licensure action shall become effective thirty days after it is mailed by registered or certified mail to the licensee. A licensee aggrieved by the decision of the commissioner may appeal in the same manner as provided in section 19a-85.

(f) The provisions of subsections (c) to (e), inclusive, of this section shall not apply to the denial of an initial application for a license under section 19a-421, as amended by this act, provided the commissioner notifies the applicant of any such denial and the reasons for such denial by mailing written notice to the applicant at the applicant's address shown on the license application.

(g) If the [department] office determines that the health, safety or welfare of a child or staff person at a youth camp requires imperative emergency action by the [department] office to halt an activity being provided at the camp, the [department] office may issue a cease and desist order limiting the license and requiring the immediate cessation of the activity. The [department] office shall provide the licensee with an opportunity for a hearing regarding the issuance of a cease and desist order. Such hearing shall be held not later than ten business days after the date of issuance of the order. Upon receipt of such order, the licensee shall cease providing the activity and provide immediate notification to staff and the parents of all children attending the camp that such activity has ceased at the camp until such time as the cease and desist order is dissolved by the [department] office.

Sec. 13. Section 19a-425 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):

Any person who establishes, conducts or maintains a youth camp without a license as required by this chapter for a first offense shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars, and for a second or subsequent offense shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than one thousand five hundred dollars, and each day during which a youth camp is conducted or maintained without a license, after notification to such person by the commissioner, shall constitute a separate offense. The [Commissioner of Public Health] commissioner may apply to the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford, or for the judicial district where the defendant named in such application resides, for an injunction to restrain the operation or maintenance of a youth camp by any person other than a licensed operator. The application for such injunction or the issuance of the same shall be in addition to and shall not relieve any such person from the imposition of a civil penalty under this section. In connection with any such application for an injunction, it shall not be necessary to prove that an adequate remedy at law does not exist.

Sec. 14. Section 19a-426 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):

The [Department of Public Health] office shall inspect or cause to be inspected the facilities to be operated by an applicant for an original license before the license shall be granted, and shall annually thereafter inspect or cause to be inspected the facilities of all licensees. No annual inspection shall be required under this section in the case of facilities of a licensee located in any dormitory, classroom or other building or any athletic facility owned and maintained by any college or university, provided a timely safety inspection of such building or facility, satisfactory to the [department] office, is conducted by or on behalf of such college or university.

Sec. 15. Section 19a-427 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):

The [Commissioner of Public Health] commissioner is authorized to accept, on behalf of the state, any grants of federal or private funds made available for any purposes consistent with the provisions of this chapter. The commissioner, with the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, may direct the disposition of any such grants so accepted in conformity with the terms and conditions under which given.

Sec. 16. Section 19a-428 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):

(a) The [Commissioner of Public Health] commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, relating to the safe operation of youth camps, including, but not limited to, personnel qualifications for director and staff; ratio of staff to campers; sanitation and public health; personal health, first aid and medical services; food handling, mass feeding and cleanliness; water supply and waste disposal; water safety, including use of lakes and rivers, swimming and boating equipment and practices, vehicle condition and operation; building and site design; equipment; and condition and density of use, as the commissioner may deem necessary or desirable. Such regulations shall be construed to be minimum standards subject to the imposition and enforcement of higher standards by any town, city or borough.

(b) The [Commissioner of Public Health] commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, allowing physical examinations or health status certifications required by youth camps prior to the date of arrival at youth camps to be made by a physician, an advanced practice registered nurse or registered nurse licensed pursuant to chapter 378 or a physician assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 370. Such regulations shall permit a physical examination that is required for school purposes to also be used to satisfy any such required youth camp examination or certification, subject to such conditions regarding the timeliness of such examination as the commissioner deems appropriate.

(c) The [Commissioner of Public Health] commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, that specify conditions under which youth camp directors and staff may administer tests to monitor glucose levels in a child with diagnosed diabetes mellitus, and administer medicinal preparations, including controlled drugs specified in the regulations adopted by the commissioner, to a child enrolled in a youth camp at such camp. The regulations shall require authorization pursuant to: (1) The written order of a physician licensed to practice medicine or a dentist licensed to practice dental medicine in this or another state, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 378, a physician assistant licensed under chapter 370, a podiatrist licensed under chapter 375 or an optometrist licensed under chapter 380; and (2) the written authorization of a parent or guardian of such child.

Sec. 17. Section 19a-429 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):

Any person having reasonable cause to believe that a youth camp, as defined in section 19a-420, as amended by this act, is operating without a current and valid license or in violation of regulations adopted under section 19a-428, as amended by this act, or in a manner which may pose a potential danger to the health, welfare and safety of a child receiving youth camp services, may report such information to the [Department of Public Health] office. The [department] office shall investigate any report or complaint received pursuant to this section. In connection with any investigation of a youth camp, the [Commissioner of Public Health] commissioner or [said] the commissioner's authorized agent may administer oaths, issue subpoenas, compel testimony and order the production of books, records and documents. If any person refuses to appear, to testify or to produce any book, record or document when so ordered, a judge of the Superior Court may make such order as may be appropriate to aid in the enforcement of this section. The name of the person making the report or complaint shall not be disclosed unless (1) such person consents to such disclosure, (2) a judicial or administrative proceeding results therefrom, or (3) a license action pursuant to section 19a-423, as amended by this act, results from such report or complaint. All records obtained by the [department] office in connection with any such investigation shall not be subject to the provisions of section 1-210 for a period of thirty days from the date of the petition or other event initiating such investigation, or until such time as the investigation is terminated pursuant to a withdrawal or other informal disposition or until a hearing is convened pursuant to chapter 54, whichever is earlier. A formal statement of charges issued by the [department] office shall be subject to the provisions of section 1-210 from the time that it is served or mailed to the respondent. Records which are otherwise public records shall not be deemed confidential merely because they have been obtained in connection with an investigation under this section.


This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1	July 1, 2014	10-16p
Sec. 2	July 1, 2014	10-16q
Sec. 3	July 1, 2014	10-16r
Sec. 4	July 1, 2014	New section
Sec. 5	July 1, 2014	New section
Sec. 6	July 1, 2014	19a-80
Sec. 7	July 1, 2014	19a-87b
Sec. 8	July 1, 2014	New section
Sec. 9	July 1, 2014	19a-420
Sec. 10	July 1, 2014	19a-421
Sec. 11	July 1, 2014	19a-422
Sec. 12	July 1, 2014	19a-423
Sec. 13	July 1, 2014	19a-425
Sec. 14	July 1, 2014	19a-426
Sec. 15	July 1, 2014	19a-427
Sec. 16	July 1, 2014	19a-428
Sec. 17	July 1, 2014	19a-429