Introduced Version
SENATE BILL No. 204
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 12-17.2-7.
Synopsis: Pre-kindergarten grant program. Establishes the
pre-kindergarten grant program within the bureau of child care to fund
child care and pre-kindergarten for certain low income families.
Establishes the pre-kindergarten grant fund. Makes an annual
appropriation.
Effective: July 1, 2012.
Breaux, Arnold, Broden, Hume,
Lanane, Mrvan, Randolph, Rogers,
Simpson, Skinner, Tallian, Taylor,
Young R
January 4, 2012, read first time and referred to Committee on Education and Career
Development.
Introduced
Second Regular Session 117th General Assembly (2012)
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SENATE BILL No. 204
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
human services and to make an appropriation.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
SOURCE: IC 12-17.2-7; (12)IN0204.1.1. -->
SECTION 1. IC 12-17.2-7 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
AS A
NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2012]:
Chapter 7. Pre-kindergarten Grant Program and Fund
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "fund" refers to the
pre-kindergarten grant fund established by section 7 of this
chapter.
Sec 2. As used in this chapter, "program" refers to the
pre-kindergarten grant program established by section 3 of this
chapter.
Sec. 3. The pre-kindergarten grant program is established to
fund child care or preschool for children of low income families
during the school year immediately preceding the school year
during which the child is expected to enter kindergarten.
Sec. 4. (a) The bureau of child care shall, not later than August
31, 2012, adopt rules, including emergency rules, under IC 4-22-2
to establish criteria for participation in the program.
(b) The criteria established by subsection (a) must include the
following requirements:
(1) A recipient is a child who:
(A) is eligible for participation in the children's health
insurance program under IC 12-17.6;
(B) is not eligible for participation in the federal Child
Care and Development Fund voucher program
administered under 45 CFR 98 and 45 CFR 99; and
(C) subject to subdivision (2), attends one (1) of the
following during the school year preceding the school year
during which the child enters kindergarten:
(i) A child care home.
(ii) A child care center.
(iii) A child care ministry.
(iv) A program described in IC 12-17.2-2-8(2) or
IC 12-17.2-2-8(3), including a preschool.
(2) An organization or program described in subdivision
(1)(C)(i) through (1)(C)(iv) must have received at least a level
3 certification on the child care quality rating and
improvement system administered by the bureau of child
care.
Sec. 5. The bureau of child care shall begin accepting
applications to receive a grant under the program not later than
November 1, 2012.
Sec. 6. (a) The bureau of child care shall begin funding grants
from the pre-kindergarten grant fund not later than August 1,
2013.
(b) The bureau of child care shall develop a sliding scale of
grant amounts for recipients.
(c) The sliding scale of grant amounts required by subsection (b)
must:
(1) be based on the recipient's annual gross family income;
and
(2) provide for a:
(A) minimum grant amount equal to fifty percent (50%);
and
(B) maximum grant amount equal to one hundred percent
(100%);
of the average annual cost of child care in Indiana, as
determined by the bureau of child care.
(d) Subject to the minimum and maximum amounts described
in subsection (c), the bureau of child care may annually adjust the
scale of grant amounts adopted under this section.
Sec. 7. (a) The pre-kindergarten grant fund is established for the
purpose of funding grants under this chapter. The fund shall be
administered by the bureau of child care.
(b) The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from
money in the fund.
(c) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not
currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same
manner as other public money may be invested. Interest that
accrues from these investments shall be deposited in the fund.
(d) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not
revert to the state general fund.
(e) The fund consists of:
(1) gifts and appropriations to the fund;
(2) appropriations from the state general fund; and
(3) interest from investments deposited in the fund.
(f) There is annually appropriated to the pre-kindergarten grant
fund from the state general fund an amount sufficient to fund the
grants distributed under this chapter.