Bill Text: CT SB01101 | 2015 | General Assembly | Chaptered
Bill Title: An Act Concerning The Office Of Early Childhood.
Spectrum: Committee Bill
Status: (Passed) 2015-07-07 - Signed by the Governor [SB01101 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2015-SB01101-Chaptered.html
Substitute Senate Bill No. 1101
AN ACT CONCERNING THE OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subsection (c) of section 10-16p of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(c) The commissioner shall establish a grant program to provide spaces in accredited school readiness programs located in priority school districts, as described in section 10-266p, or in former priority school districts 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 commissioner. The commissioner shall review and approve such plans. 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, on or before June 30, 2014, and on or after July 1, 2014, from the office, 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.
Sec. 2. Subdivision (1) of subsection (d) of section 10-16p of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(d) (1) The commissioner 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] located in (A) [in] an area served by a priority school or a former priority school, (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, (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, 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 less than one hundred seven thousand dollars per priority school or town] equal to the number of spaces in an accredited school readiness program or a school readiness program seeking accreditation multiplied by the per child cost set forth in subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 10-16q. 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 commissioner. 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 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.
Sec. 3. Subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 10-16p of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(B) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, 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] one million dollars of such unexpended funds may be available for the provision of professional development for early childhood care and education program providers, and staff employed in such programs, provided such programs accept state funds for infant, toddler and preschool slots. Such unexpended funds may be available for use in accordance with the provisions of this subparagraph for the subsequent fiscal year. The commissioner may use such unexpended funds on and after July 1, 2015, 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 commissioner shall use any such funds to provide assistance to individual staff members, giving priority to those staff members (i) attending an institution of higher education accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or the Office of Higher Education, and approved by the Office of Early Childhood, and regionally accredited, at a maximum of [five] ten 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, 2015, an associate's degree, as such degrees are described in said subparagraphs (B) and (C), or (ii) receiving noncredit competency-based training approved by the office, at a maximum of one thousand dollars per staff member per year, 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 commissioner. The commissioner shall determine how such unexpended funds shall be distributed.
Sec. 4. Subparagraph (C) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 10-16p of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(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 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, (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 this section. [10-16p. ]
Sec. 5. Subsection (b) of section 10-16r of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(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) [submit biennial reports to the Department of Education on the number and location of school readiness spaces and estimates of 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, 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; [(5)] (4) identify existing and prospective resources and services available to children and families; [(6)] (5) 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; [(7)] (6) exchange information with other councils, the community and organizations serving the needs of children and families; [(8)] (7) make recommendations to school officials concerning transition from school readiness programs to kindergarten; and [(9)] (8) encourage public participation.
Sec. 6. Section 17b-749 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(a) The Commissioner of Early Childhood shall establish and operate a child care subsidy program to increase the availability, affordability and quality of child care services for families with a parent or caretaker who (1) is working or attending high school, or [who] (2) receives cash assistance under the temporary family assistance program from the Department of Social Services and is participating in an approved education, training or other job preparation activity. Services available under the child care program shall include the provision of child care subsidies for children under the age of thirteen or children under the age of nineteen with special needs. The Office of Early Childhood shall open and maintain enrollment for the child care subsidy program and shall administer such program within the existing budgetary resources available. The office shall issue a notice on the office's Internet web site [and shall provide written notice to recipients of program benefits and to service providers] any time the office closes the program to new applications, changes eligibility requirements, changes program benefits or makes any other change to the program's status or terms, provided the office shall not be required to issue such notice when the office expands program eligibility. Any change in the office's acceptance of new applications, eligibility requirements, program benefits or any other change to the program's status or terms for which the office is required to give notice pursuant to this subsection, shall not be effective until thirty days after the office issues such notice.
(b) The commissioner shall establish income standards for applicants and recipients at a level to include a family with gross income up to fifty per cent of the state-wide median income, except the commissioner (1) may increase the income level to up to seventy-five per cent of the state-wide median income, (2) upon the request of the Commissioner of Children and Families, may waive the income standards for adoptive families so that children adopted on or after October 1, 1999, from the Department of Children and Families are eligible for the child care subsidy program, and (3) on and after March 1, 2003, shall reduce the income eligibility level to up to fifty-five per cent of the state-wide median income for applicants and recipients who qualify based on their loss of eligibility for temporary family assistance. The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to establish income criteria and durational requirements for such waiver of income standards.
(c) The commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Services, shall establish eligibility and program standards including, but not limited to: (1) A priority intake and eligibility system with preference given to serving (A) recipients of temporary family assistance who are employed or engaged in employment activities under the Department of Social Services' "Jobs First" program, (B) working families whose temporary family assistance was discontinued not more than five years prior to the date of application for the child care subsidy program, (C) teen parents, (D) low-income working families, (E) adoptive families of children who were adopted from the Department of Children and Families and who are granted a waiver of income standards under subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section, (F) working families who are at risk of welfare dependency, and (G) any household with a child or children participating in the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership federal grant program for a period of up to twelve months based on Early Head Start eligibility criteria; (2) health and safety standards for child care providers not required to be licensed; (3) a reimbursement system for child care services which account for differences in the age of the child, number of children in the family, the geographic region and type of care provided by licensed and unlicensed caregivers, the cost and type of services provided by licensed and unlicensed caregivers, successful completion of fifteen hours of annual in-service training or credentialing of child care directors and administrators, and program accreditation; (4) supplemental payment for special needs of the child and extended nontraditional hours; (5) an annual rate review process for providers which assures that reimbursement rates are maintained at levels which permit equal access to a variety of child care settings; (6) a sliding reimbursement scale for participating families; (7) an administrative appeals process; (8) an administrative hearing process to adjudicate cases of alleged fraud and abuse and to impose sanctions and recover overpayments; (9) an extended period of program and payment eligibility when a parent who is receiving a child care subsidy experiences a temporary interruption in employment or other approved activity; and (10) a waiting list for the child care subsidy program that reflects the priority and eligibility system set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection, which is reviewed periodically, with the inclusion of this information in the annual report required to be issued annually by the office to the Governor and the General Assembly in accordance with section 17b-733. Such action will include, but not be limited to, family income, age of child, region of state and length of time on such waiting list.
(d) [(1)] Not later than [January 1, 2011] July 1, 2015, an applicant determined to be eligible for program benefits by the Commissioner of Early Childhood shall remain eligible for such benefits for a period [of not less than eight months from the date that such applicant is determined to be eligible, provided the Commissioner of Social Services has not determined, during such eight-month period, that the applicant's circumstances have changed so as to render the applicant ineligible for program benefits. The Commissioner of Social Services shall not make an eligibility determination for a recipient of program benefits more than one time per eight-month period, except as provided in subsection (f) of this section] prescribed by federal law.
[(2) On and after July 1, 2014, the Commissioner of Early Childhood shall succeed the Commissioner of Social Services for the purpose of making the eligibility determinations pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection. ]
(e) Within available appropriations, a recipient of program benefits who takes unpaid leave from such recipient's employment due to the birth or impending birth of a child shall be granted not more than six weeks of payment eligibility during the leave if: (1) The recipient intends to return to work at the end of the unpaid leave; (2) the recipient verifies that eligibility is needed to prevent the loss of a slot in a school-based program or licensed child care setting; and (3) the child receiving child care services under the program continues to attend the program during the recipient's leave.
[(f) (1) Not later than October 15, 2011, the Commissioner of Social Services shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies concerning eligibility redeterminations made on an eight-month basis. Such report shall include an analysis of overpayments of program benefits made by the Department of Social Services and administrative costs incurred by the department as a result of eligibility redeterminations made on an eight-month basis. On and after October 15, 2011, and until June 30, 2014, the Commissioner of Social Services may make eligibility redeterminations on a six-month basis if, after January 1, 2011, the department's overpayments of program benefits have increased in comparison with the period between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2010, as a result of having an eight-month eligibility redetermination period.
(2) On and after July 1, 2014, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Early Childhood shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and appropriations concerning eligibility redeterminations made on an eight-month basis. Such report shall include an analysis of overpayments of program benefits made by the office and administrative costs incurred by the office as a result of eligibility redeterminations made on an eight-month basis. On and after July 1, 2014, the commissioner may make eligibility redeterminations on a six-month basis if the office's overpayments of program benefits have increased in comparison with the period between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2010, as a result of having an eight-month eligibility redetermination period. ]
[(g)] (f) A provider under the child care subsidy program that qualifies for eligibility and subsequently receives payment for child care services for recipients under this section shall be reimbursed for such services until informed by the office of the recipient's ineligibility.
[(h)] (g) All licensed child care providers and those providers exempt from licensing shall provide the office with the following information in order to maintain eligibility for reimbursement: (1) The name, address, appropriate identification, Social Security number and telephone number of the provider and all adults who work for or reside at the location where care is provided; (2) the name and address of the child's doctor, primary care provider and health insurance company; (3) 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 (4) the number of children cared for by the provider.
[(i)] (h) On or after July 1, 2014, the commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.
[(j)] (i) The commissioner shall submit to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies a copy of the Child Care and Development Fund Plan that the commissioner submits to the Administration for Children and Families pursuant to federal law. The copy of the plan shall be submitted to the committees not later than thirty days after submission of the plan to the Administration for Children and Families.
Sec. 7. Section 19a-79 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(a) The Commissioner of Early Childhood shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the purposes of sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 19a-82 to 19a-87, inclusive, and to assure that child [day] care centers and group [day] child care homes shall meet the health, educational and social needs of children utilizing such child [day] care centers and group [day] child care homes. Such regulations shall (1) specify that before being permitted to attend any child [day] care center or group [day] child care home, each child shall 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, including appropriate exemptions for children for whom such immunization is medically contraindicated and for children whose parents object to such immunization on religious grounds, (2) specify conditions under which child [day] care center directors and teachers and group [day] child 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 child [day] care services at such child [day] care center or group [day] child care home pursuant to the written order of a physician licensed to practice medicine or a dentist licensed to practice dental medicine in this or another state, or 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, (3) specify that an operator of a child [day] care center or group [day] child care home, licensed before January 1, 1986, or an operator who receives a license after January 1, 1986, for a facility licensed prior to January 1, 1986, shall provide a minimum of thirty square feet per child of total indoor usable space, free of furniture except that needed for the children's purposes, exclusive of toilet rooms, bathrooms, coatrooms, kitchens, halls, isolation room or other rooms used for purposes other than the activities of the children, (4) specify that a child [day] care center or group [day] child care home licensed after January 1, 1986, shall provide thirty-five square feet per child of total indoor usable space, (5) establish appropriate child [day] care center staffing requirements for employees certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the National Safety Council, American Safety and Health Institute or Medic First Aid International, Inc. , (6) specify that on and after January 1, 2003, a child [day] care center or group [day] child care home (A) shall not deny services to a child on the basis of a child's known or suspected allergy or because a child has a prescription for an automatic prefilled cartridge injector or similar automatic injectable equipment used to treat an allergic reaction, or for injectable equipment used to administer glucagon, (B) shall, not later than three weeks after such child's enrollment in such a center or home, have staff trained in the use of such equipment on-site during all hours when such a child is on-site, (C) shall require such child's parent or guardian to provide the injector or injectable equipment and a copy of the prescription for such medication and injector or injectable equipment upon enrollment of such child, and (D) shall require a parent or guardian enrolling such a child to replace such medication and equipment prior to its expiration date, (7) specify that on and after January 1, 2005, a child [day] care center or group [day] child care home (A) shall not deny services to a child on the basis of a child's diagnosis of asthma or because a child has a prescription for an inhalant medication to treat asthma, and (B) shall, not later than three weeks after such child's enrollment in such a center or home, have staff trained in the administration of such medication on-site during all hours when such a child is on-site, and (8) establish physical plant requirements for licensed child [day] care centers and licensed group [day] child care homes that exclusively serve school-age children. When establishing such requirements, the Office of Early Childhood shall give consideration to child [day] care centers and group [day] child care homes that are located in private or public school buildings. With respect to this subdivision only, the commissioner shall implement policies and procedures necessary to implement the physical plant requirements established pursuant to this subdivision while in the process of adopting such policies and procedures in regulation form. Until replaced by policies and procedures implemented pursuant to this subdivision, any physical plant requirement specified in the office's regulations that is generally applicable to child [day] care centers and group [day] child care homes shall continue to be applicable to such centers and [group day care] homes that exclusively serve school-age children. The commissioner shall print notice of the intent to adopt regulations pursuant to this subdivision in the Connecticut Law Journal not later than twenty days after the date of implementation of such policies and procedures. Policies and procedures implemented pursuant to this subdivision shall be valid until the time final regulations are adopted.
(b) The commissioner may adopt regulations, pursuant to chapter 54, to establish civil penalties of not more than one hundred dollars per day for each day of violation and other disciplinary remedies that may be imposed, following a contested-case hearing, upon the holder of a license issued under section 19a-80, as amended by this act, to operate a child [day] care center or group [day] child care home or upon the holder of a license issued under section 19a-87b, as amended by this act, to operate a family [day] child care home.
(c) The commissioner shall exempt Montessori schools accredited by the American Montessori Society or the Association Montessori Internationale from any provision in regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section which sets requirements on group size or child to staff ratios or the provision of cots.
(d) Upon the declaration by the Governor of a civil preparedness emergency pursuant to section 28-9 or a public health emergency pursuant to section 19a-131a, the commissioner may waive the provisions of any regulation adopted pursuant to this section if the commissioner determines that such waiver would not endanger the life, safety or health of any child. The commissioner shall prescribe the duration of such waiver, provided such waiver shall not extend beyond the duration of the declared emergency. The commissioner shall establish the criteria by which a waiver request shall be made and the conditions for which a waiver will be granted or denied. The provisions of section 19a-84 shall not apply to a denial of a waiver request under this subsection.
Sec. 8. Section 19a-87b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(a) No person, group of persons, association, organization, corporation, institution or agency, public or private, shall maintain a family [day] child care home, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, without a license issued by the Commissioner of Early Childhood. Licensure forms shall be obtained from the Office of Early Childhood. Applications for licensure shall be made to the commissioner on forms provided by the 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] child care home license is granted, the 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 office shall include an inspection for evident sources of lead poisoning. The 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 an unannounced visit, inspection or investigation of each licensed family [day] child care home at least once every year. A licensed family [day] child care home shall not be subject to any conditions on the operation of such home by local officials, other than those imposed by the 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] child care home, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, without an approval issued by the commissioner. Any person seeking to act as an assistant or substitute staff member in a family [day] child care home shall submit an application for such approval to the office. Applications for approval shall: (1) Be made to the commissioner on forms provided by the 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, within available appropriations, shall require each initial applicant or prospective employee of a family [day] child 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] child 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. In the case of an applicant submitting an application for renewal of a license that has expired, and who has ceased operations of a family child care home due to such expired license, the commissioner may renew such expired license within thirty days of the date of such expiration upon receipt of an application for renewal that is accompanied by such fee and such certification.
(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 shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to assure that family [day] child care homes, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, shall meet the health, educational and social needs of children utilizing such homes. Such regulations shall ensure that the family [day] child 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] child 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] child care services at a family [day] child 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.
(g) Upon the declaration by the Governor of a civil preparedness emergency pursuant to section 28-9 or a public health emergency pursuant to section 19a-131a, the commissioner may waive the provisions of any regulation adopted pursuant to this section if the commissioner determines that such waiver would not endanger the life, safety or health of any child. The commissioner shall prescribe the duration of such waiver, provided such waiver shall not extend beyond the duration of the declared emergency. The commissioner shall establish the criteria by which a waiver request shall be made and the conditions for which a waiver will be granted or denied. The provisions of section 19a-84 shall not apply to a denial of a waiver request under this subsection.
Sec. 9. Section 10-4 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(a) Said board shall have general supervision and control of the educational interests of the state, which interests shall include preschool, elementary and secondary education, special education, vocational education and adult education; shall provide leadership and otherwise promote the improvement of education in the state, including research, planning and evaluation and services relating to the provision and use of educational technology, including telecommunications, by school districts; shall prepare such courses of study and publish such curriculum guides including recommendations for textbooks, materials, instructional technological resources and other teaching aids as it determines are necessary to assist school districts to carry out the duties prescribed by law; shall conduct workshops and related activities, including programs of intergroup relations training, to assist teachers in making effective use of such curriculum materials and in improving their proficiency in meeting the diverse needs and interests of pupils; shall keep informed as to the condition, progress and needs of the schools in the state; and shall develop or cause to be developed evaluation and assessment programs designed to measure objectively the adequacy and efficacy of the educational programs offered by public schools and shall selectively conduct such assessment programs annually and report, pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, on an annual basis.
(b) Said board shall submit to the Governor and to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education an account of the condition of the public schools and of the amount and quality of instruction therein and such other information as will assess the true condition, progress and needs of public education.
(c) Said board shall prepare every five years a five-year comprehensive plan for elementary, secondary, vocational, career and adult education. Said comprehensive plan shall include, but not be limited to, a policy statement of the State Board of Education's long-term goals and short-term objectives, an analysis of cost implications and measurement criteria and how said board's programs and operations relate to such goals and objectives and specific action plans, target dates and strategies and methods of implementation for achieving such goals and objectives. The State Board of Education shall establish every five years an advisory committee to assist the board in the preparation of the comprehensive plan. Members of the advisory committee shall be appointed by the State Board of Education with representation on the committee to include, but not be limited to, representatives of the Connecticut Advisory Council on Vocational and Career Education, education organizations, parent organizations, student organizations, business and industry, organized labor and appropriate state agencies. Notwithstanding any requirement for submission of a plan for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1984, pursuant to section 10-96a of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 1983, the State Board of Education shall not be required to submit the master plan for vocational and career education but shall submit, pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the comprehensive plan for elementary and secondary, vocational, career and adult education to the Governor and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education on or before September 1, 1996, and every five years thereafter provided, the master plan currently in effect shall remain in effect until the comprehensive plan is submitted. The State Board of Education shall be responsible for annually updating the progress in implementing the goals and objectives of the comprehensive plan and shall report on such progress to the Governor and to said standing committee annually. The State Board of Education shall provide opportunity for public comment prior to its adoption of a plan.
[(d) Not later than December 15, 2012, and biennially thereafter, within available appropriations, the board shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that summaries of reports required pursuant to subdivisions (4) and (5) of subsection (b) of section 10-16r are submitted. The board shall summarize the reports and submit such summaries, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education. ]
Sec. 10. Subdivision (4) of subsection (c) of section 4-28e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(4) For each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 2016, to June 30, 2025, inclusive, the sum of ten million dollars shall be disbursed from the Tobacco Settlement Fund to the smart start competitive operating grant account established by section 10-507, as amended by this act, for grants-in-aid to towns for the purpose of establishing or expanding a preschool program under the jurisdiction of the board of education for the town.
Sec. 11. Section 10-507 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) There is established an account to be known as the "smart start competitive capital grant account" which shall be a [separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund] capital projects fund. The account shall contain the amounts authorized by the State Bond Commission in accordance with section 10-508 and any other moneys required by law to be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account shall be expended by the Office of Early Childhood for the purposes of the Smart Start competitive grant program established [by subsection (a) of section 10-501,] pursuant to section 10-506, as amended by this act. [and section 3 of public act 14-41. ]
(b) There is established an account to be known as the "smart start competitive operating grant account" which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain moneys required by law to be deposited in the account, in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (4) of subsection (c) of section 4-28e, as amended by this act. Moneys in the account shall be expended by the Office of Early Childhood for the purposes of the Smart Start competitive grant program established pursuant to section 10-506, as amended by this act.
Sec. 12. Subsection (a) of section 10-506 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(a) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2015, to June 30, 2024, inclusive, the Office of Early Childhood, in consultation with the Department of Education, shall design and administer the Connecticut Smart Start competitive grant program to [reimburse] provide grants to local and regional boards of education for capital and operating expenses related to establishing or expanding a preschool program under the jurisdiction of the board of education for the town. A local or regional board of education may submit an application to the office, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, and may receive (1) a grant for capital expenses in an amount not to exceed seventy-five thousand dollars per classroom for costs related to the renovation of an existing public school to accommodate the establishment or expansion of a preschool program, and (2) an annual grant for operating expenses (A) in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars per child served by such grant, or (B) in an amount not to exceed seventy-five thousand dollars for each preschool classroom, provided no town shall receive a total annual grant for operating expenses greater than three hundred thousand dollars. Each local or regional board of education that establishes or expands a preschool program under this section shall be eligible to receive an annual grant for operating expenses for a period of five years, provided such preschool program meets standards established by the Commissioner of Early Childhood. Such local or regional board of education may submit an application for renewal of such grant to the office.
Sec. 13. Subsection (a) of section 10-16z of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(a) There is established the Early Childhood Cabinet. The cabinet shall consist of: (1) The Commissioner of Early Childhood, or the commissioner's designee, (2) the Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee, (3) the Commissioner of Social Services, or the commissioner's designee, (4) the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, or the president's designee, (5) the Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee, (6) the Commissioner of Developmental Services, or the commissioner's designee, (7) the Commissioner of Children and Families, or the commissioner's designee, (8) the executive director of the Commission on Children, or the executive director's designee, (9) the project director of the Connecticut Head Start State Collaboration Office, (10) a parent or guardian of a child who attends or attended a school readiness program appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, (11) a representative of a local provider of early childhood education appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, (12) a representative of the Connecticut Family Resource Center Alliance appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, (13) a representative of a state-funded child care center appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, (14) two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom is a member of a board of education for a town designated as an alliance district, as defined in section 10-262u, and one of whom is a parent who has a child attending a school in an educational reform district, as defined in section 10-262u, (15) two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom is a representative of an association of early education and child care providers and one of whom is a representative of a public elementary school with a prekindergarten program, (16) [four] eight appointed by the Governor, one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut Head Start Association, one of whom is a representative of the business community in this state, one of whom is a representative of the philanthropic community in this state, [and] one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut State Employees Association, [and] one of whom is an administrator of the child care development block grant pursuant to the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, one of whom is responsible for administering grants received under section 1419 of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1419, as amended from time to time, one of whom is responsible for administering the provisions of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, 20 USC 6301 et seq., and one of whom is responsible for coordinating education services to children and youth who are homeless, (17) the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee, (18) the Lieutenant Governor, or the Lieutenant Governor's designee, (19) the Commissioner of Housing, or the commissioner's designee, and (20) the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or the commissioner's designee.
Sec. 14. Section 17b-12 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
The Commissioner of Early Childhood may accept and receive, on behalf of the Office of Early Childhood, [or on behalf of the Children's Trust Fund, established pursuant to section 17b-751,] any bequest or gift of personal property for services for a person who is, or members of whose immediate family are, receiving assistance or services from the office or for services for a former recipient of assistance from the Department of Social Services or a potential recipient of assistance from the office. [or for programs or services described in section 17b-751. ] Any federal funds generated by virtue of any such bequest or gift may be used for the extension of services to such person or family members.
Sec. 15. Section 17b-751b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(a) The [executive director] Commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood shall establish the structure for a state-wide system for a Nurturing Families Network, which demonstrates the benefits of preventive services by significantly reducing the abuse and neglect of infants and by enhancing parent-child relationships through hospital-based assessment with home outreach follow-up on infants and their families within families identified as high risk.
(b) The [executive director of the Office of Early Childhood] commissioner shall: (1) Develop the comprehensive risk assessment to be used by the Nurturing Families Network's providers; (2) develop the training program, standards, and protocols for the pilot programs; and (3) develop, issue and evaluate requests for proposals to procure the services required by this section. In evaluating the proposals, the executive director shall take into consideration the most effective and consistent service delivery system allowing for the continuation of current public and private programs.
(c) The [executive director of the Office of Early Childhood] commissioner shall establish a data system to enable the programs to document the following information in a standard manner: (1) The level of screening and assessment; (2) profiles of risk and family demographics; (3) the incidence of child abuse and neglect; (4) rates of child development; and (5) any other information the commissioner deems appropriate.
(d) The [executive director] commissioner shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, on the establishment, implementation and progress of the Nurturing Families Network, on [January first and] July first [,] of each year.
Sec. 16. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) The Commissioner of Early Childhood may resolve any disciplinary action against a licensee pursuant to sections 19a-84 and 19a-87e of the general statutes, as amended by this act, by accepting the voluntary surrender of the license of such licensee.
Sec. 17. Section 19a-87e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(a) The Commissioner of Early Childhood may (1) refuse to license under section 19a-87b, as amended by this act, a person to own, conduct, operate or maintain a family [day] child care home, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, (2) refuse to approve under section 19a-87b, as amended by this act, a person to act as an assistant or substitute staff member in a family [day] child care home, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, or (3) suspend or revoke the license or approval or take any other action that may be set forth in regulation that may be adopted pursuant to section 19a-79, as amended by this act, if the person who owns, conducts, maintains or operates the family [day] child care home, the person who acts as an assistant or substitute staff member in a family [day] child care home or a person employed in such family [day] child care home in a position connected with the provision of care to a child receiving child [day] care services, has been convicted, in this state or any other state of a felony, as defined in section 53a-25, involving the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force against another person, or has a criminal record in this state or any other state that the commissioner reasonably believes renders the person unsuitable to own, conduct, operate or maintain or be employed by a family [day] child care home, or act as an assistant or substitute staff member in a family [day] child care home, or if such persons or a person residing in the household has been convicted in this state or any other state of cruelty to persons under section 53-20, injury or risk of injury to or impairing morals of children under section 53-21, abandonment of children under the age of six years under section 53-23, or any felony where the victim of the felony is a child under eighteen years of age, a violation of section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-70b, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, illegal manufacture, distribution, sale, prescription, dispensing or administration under section 21a-277 or 21a-278, or illegal possession under section 21a-279, or if such person, a person who acts as assistant or substitute staff member in a family [day] child care home or a person employed in such family [day] child care home in a position connected with the provision of care to a child receiving child [day] care services, either fails to substantially comply with the regulations adopted pursuant to section 19a-87b, as amended by this act, or conducts, operates or maintains the home in a manner which endangers the health, safety and welfare of the children receiving child [day] care services. Any refusal of a license or approval pursuant to this section shall be rendered in accordance with the provisions of sections 46a-79 to 46a-81, inclusive. Any person whose license or approval has been revoked pursuant to this section shall be ineligible to apply for a license or approval for a period of one year from the effective date of revocation.
(b) When the commissioner intends to suspend or revoke a license or approval or take any other action against a license or approval set forth in regulation adopted pursuant to section 19a-79, as amended by this act, the commissioner shall notify the licensee or approved staff member in writing of the commissioner's intended action. The licensee or approved staff member may, if aggrieved by such intended action, make application for a hearing in writing over the licensee's or approved staff member's signature to the commissioner. The licensee or approved staff member shall state in the application in plain language the reasons why the licensee or approved staff member claims to be aggrieved. The application shall be delivered to the commissioner within thirty days of the licensee's or approved staff member's receipt of notification of the intended action. The commissioner shall thereupon hold a hearing within sixty days from 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 or approved staff member. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the denial of an initial application for a license or approval under section 19a-87b, as amended by this act, provided the commissioner shall notify 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 or approval application.
(c) Any person who is licensed to conduct, operate or maintain a family [day] child care home or approved to act as an assistant or substitute staff member in a family [day] child care home shall notify the commissioner of any conviction of the owner, conductor, operator or maintainer of the family [day] child care home or of any person residing in the household or any person employed in such family [day] child care home in a position connected with the provision of care to a child receiving child [day] care services, of a crime which affects the commissioner's discretion under subsection (a) of this section, immediately upon obtaining knowledge of such conviction. Failure to comply with the notification requirement of this subsection may result in the suspension or revocation of the license or approval or the taking of any other action against a license or approval set forth in regulation adopted pursuant to section 19a-79, as amended by this act, and shall subject the licensee or approved staff member to a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars per day for each day after the person obtained knowledge of the conviction.
(d) It shall be a class A misdemeanor for any person seeking employment in a position connected with the provision of care to a child receiving family [day] child care home services to make a false written statement regarding prior criminal convictions pursuant to a form bearing notice to the effect that such false statements are punishable, which statement such person does not believe to be true and is intended to mislead the prospective employer.
(e) Any person having reasonable cause to believe that a family [day] child care home, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, is operating without a current and valid license or in violation of the regulations adopted under section 19a-87b, 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 child [day] care services, may report such information to the Office of Early Childhood. The office shall investigate any report or complaint received pursuant to this subsection. 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 from such report or complaint, or (3) a license action pursuant to subsection (a) of this section results from such report or complaint. All records obtained by the 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 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.
Sec. 18. Section 19a-423 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(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 office; (6) refuses to submit to the office any reports or refuses to make available to the 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 office or to admit authorized representatives of the 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 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, 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, the Public Health Code or regulations adopted pursuant to section 19a-428: (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 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, 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 office determines that the health, safety or welfare of a child or staff person at a youth camp requires imperative emergency action by the office to halt an activity being provided at the camp, the office may issue a cease and desist order limiting the license and requiring the immediate cessation of the activity. The 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 office.
(h) In addition to the authority provided to the commissioner in subsection (a) of this section, the commissioner may resolve any disciplinary action with respect to the voluntary surrender of a youth camp license.
Sec. 19. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) Any person or entity who is the subject of an investigation or disciplinary action pursuant to sections 19a-80f, 19a-84, 19a-87a, 19a-87e, as amended by this act, 19a-423, as amended by this act, or 19a-429 of the general statutes, while holding a license issued by the Office of Early Childhood or having held such a license within eighteen months of the commencement of such investigation or disciplinary action, shall be considered to hold a valid license for purposes of such investigation or disciplinary action.
Sec. 20. Subsection (a) of section 19a-77 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(a) As used in this section and sections [19a-77] 19a-77a to 19a-80, inclusive, as amended by this act, and sections 19a-82 to [19a-87] 19a-87a, inclusive, ["child day care services" shall include] "child care services" includes:
(1) A ["child day care center"] "child care center" which offers or provides a program of supplementary care to more than twelve related or unrelated children outside their own homes on a regular basis;
(2) A ["group day care home"] "group child care home" which offers or provides a program of supplementary care (A) to not less than seven or more than twelve related or unrelated children on a regular basis, or (B) that meets the definition of a family [day] child care home except that it operates in a facility other than a private family home;
(3) A ["family day care home"] "family child care home" which consists of a private family home caring for not more than six children, including the provider's own children not in school full time, where the children are cared for not less than three or more than twelve hours during a twenty-four-hour period and where care is given on a regularly recurring basis except that care may be provided in excess of twelve hours but not more than seventy-two consecutive hours to accommodate a need for extended care or intermittent short-term overnight care. During the regular school year, a maximum of three additional children who are in school full time, including the provider's own children, shall be permitted, except that if the provider has more than three children who are in school full time, all of the provider's children shall be permitted;
(4) "Night care" means the care provided for one or more hours between the hours of 10: 00 p. m. and 5: 00 a. m. ;
(5) "Year-round" program means a program open at least fifty weeks per year.
Sec. 21. Subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 19a-80 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(b) (1) Upon receipt of an application for a license, the 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] child care home and comply with requirements established by regulations adopted under this section and sections 19a-77 to [19a-80] 19a-79a, inclusive, as amended by this act, 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 this section and sections 19a-77 to [19a-80] 19a-79a, inclusive, as amended by this act, and sections 19a-82 to 19a-87a, inclusive. In the case of an application for renewal of a license that has expired, the commissioner may renew such expired license within thirty days of the date of such expiration upon receipt of a renewal application and accompanying licensure fee.
Sec. 22. Section 10-265n of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
The [Department of Education] Office of Early Childhood shall administer, within available appropriations, an even start family literacy program, in accordance with the William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy Program under the No Child Left Behind Act, P. L. 107-111, to provide grants to establish new or expand existing local family literacy programs that provide literacy services for children and the parents or guardians of such children.
Sec. 23. Subsection (b) of section 17a-106e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(b) The department shall refer any child exhibiting developmental or social-emotional delays pursuant to such screenings to the birth-to-three program. The department shall refer any child who is not found eligible for services under the birth-to-three program to the Help Me Grow prevention program [of the Children's Trust Fund] under the Office of Early Childhood, pursuant to section 17b-751d, or a similar program which the department deems appropriate.
Sec. 24. Subsection (d) of section 10-500 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(d) The Office of Early Childhood shall constitute a successor department, in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39, to (1) the Department of Education with respect to sections 8-210, 10-16n, 10-16p to 10-16r, inclusive, as amended by this act, 10-16u, 10-16w, 10-16aa, 17b-749a, 17b-749c and 17b-749g to 17b-749i, inclusive; (2) the Department of Social Services (A) with respect to sections 17b-12, as amended by this act, 17b-705a, 17b-730, 17b-733 to 17b-736, inclusive, 17b-738, 17b-739, 17b-749, as amended by this act, 17b-749d to 17b-749f, inclusive, 17b-749j, 17b-749k, 17b-750 to 17b-751a, inclusive, and 17b-751d, [and 17b-751e,] and (B) for the purpose of administering the child care development block grant pursuant to the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990; and (3) the Department of Public Health (A) with respect to sections 10a-194c, 12-634, 17a-28, 17a-101 and 19a-80f, (B) for the purpose of regulating child day care services pursuant to sections 19a-77, as amended by this act, 19a-79, as amended by this act, 19a-80, as amended by this act, 19a-82 and 19a-84 to 19a-87e, inclusive, as amended by this act, (C) for the purpose of the conduct of regulation of youth camps, pursuant to sections 19a-420 to 19a-434, inclusive, and (D) for the purpose of administering the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program authorized under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, P. L. 111-148.
Sec. 25. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) (a) Whenever the term "child day care center" is used in any public or special act of 2015 or in the following sections of the general statutes, the term "child care center" shall be substituted in lieu thereof: 8-210, 10-16p, as amended by this act, 10-16r, as amended by this act, 10-500, as amended by this act, 10-501, 10a-194c, 16-50p, 17a-101, 17b-733, 17b-738, 17b-749f, 19a-77, as amended by this act, 19a-79a, 19a-80, as amended by this act, 19a-80e to 19a-80g, inclusive, 19a-86, 19a-87a, 19a-87f, 19a-131k, 19a-900, 21a-278a and 21a-279.
(b) Whenever the term "group day care home" is used in any public or special act of 2015 or in the following sections of the general statutes, the term "group child care home" shall be substituted in lieu thereof: 8-2, 10-16r, as amended by this act, 10a-194c, 17a-101, 17b-733, 17b-738, 17b-749a, 19a-79a, 19a-80, as amended by this act, 19a-80e, 19a-80f, 19a-82, 19a-86 to 19a-87a, inclusive, 19a-87f, 19a-131k and 19a-900.
(c) Whenever the term "family day care home" is used in any public or special act of 2015 or in the following sections of the general statutes, the term "family child care home" shall be substituted in lieu thereof: 8-2, 8-3j, 10-16r, as amended by this act, 17a-101, 17b-705, 17b-733, 17b-738, 17b-749a, 17b-749c, 19a-79a, 19a-80f, 19a-82, 19a-87a to 19a-87d, inclusive, 19a-87f and 19a-131k.
(d) Whenever the term "child day care service" or "child day care services" is used in any public or special act of 2015 or in the following sections of the general statutes, the term "child care service" or "child care services" shall be substituted in lieu thereof: 8-210, 10-16q, 10-500, as amended by this act, 12-81n, 17a-145, 17b-90, 17b-261g, 17b-733, 17b-737, 17b-749a, 17b-749c, 19a-77, as amended by this act, 19a-77a, 19a-79a, 19a-80, as amended by this act, 19a-87a, 19a-131k and 28-5.
(e) Whenever the term "child day care program" or "child day care programs" is used in any public or special act of 2015 or in the following sections of the general statutes, the term "child care program" or "child care programs" shall be substituted in lieu thereof: 4b-23, 10-16p, as amended by this act, 17b-730, 17b-749d, 17b-749f and 19a-80e.
(f) The Legislative Commissioners' Office shall, in codifying the provisions of this section, make such technical, grammatical and punctuation changes as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
Sec. 26. Subdivision (7) of subsection (b) of section 10-500 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(7) Developing [and implementing] a state-wide developmentally appropriate kindergarten [assessment tool] entrance inventory that measures a child's level of preparedness for kindergarten, but shall not be used as a measurement tool for program accountability;
Sec. 27. Sections 17b-751 and 17b-751e of the general statutes are repealed. (Effective July 1, 2015)