Bill Text: PA HB1407 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: In early learning programs, further providing for Head Start expansion and for duties of department.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 19-4)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-06-20 - Laid on the table [HB1407 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-HB1407-Amended.html

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PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1681 PRINTER'S NO. 1754
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1407 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY CLYMER, BARRAR, BRENNAN, R. BROWN, DENLINGER, FABRIZIO, GEIST, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, HARHAI, HARHART, HENNESSEY, HESS, MAHER, MILLER, MILNE, RAPP, READSHAW, SCAVELLO, TALLMAN, VULAKOVICH AND GROVE, APRIL 28, 2011
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, MAY 4, 2011
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in early learning programs, further
providing for Head Start expansion and for duties of
department.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1505-D of the act of March 10, 1949
(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
amended by adding subsections to read:
Section 1505-D. Head Start expansion.
* * *
(c) Moratorium.--
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a
moratorium is established on the implementation of 22 Pa.
Code § 405.44(a) (relating to staffing and professional
development) until December 31, 2015 2012. <--
(2) The department shall post on its Internet website
and send written notification to school entities and eligible
providers registered with the Commonwealth of the moratorium
of the implementation of 22 Pa. Code § 405.44(a).
Section 2. Section 1513-D of the act, added July 20, 2007
(P.L.278, No.45), is amended to read:
Section 1513-D. Duties of department.
(a) General rule.--The department shall have the following
powers and duties:
(1) To promulgate regulations and establish guidelines
and standards necessary to implement this subarticle. In
promulgating the initial regulations, the department shall
follow the procedures provided in the act of July 31, 1968
(P.L.769, No.240), referred to as the Commonwealth Documents
Law, and the act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181), known as
the Regulatory Review Act, for promulgation and review of
final-omitted regulations. Subsequent regulations promulgated
under this subarticle or amendments to the initial
regulations shall not be in final-omitted form.
(2) To establish the process through which eligible
providers may apply for grant funds, allowable and required
grant uses and per-student funding levels and the criteria
used to identify approved providers for grant funds.
(3) To identify one or more assessments to be used by
approved providers, the cost of which shall be paid as part
of an approved provider's grant award.
(4) To encourage the development and maintenance of
community coordination and partnerships.
(5) To perform all other functions necessary to carry
out the program, including the monitoring of approved
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providers.
(6) To enter into agreements with third-party entities,
to include intermediate units, to carry out the provisions of
this subarticle.
(7) To publish the process through which eligible
providers may apply for grant funds, the criteria used to
identify approved providers for grant funds and the per-
student funding levels of approved providers, by county, on
the department's Internet website and in the Pennsylvania
Bulletin within 60 days of the effective date of this
section.
(b) Moratorium.--
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a
moratorium is established on the implementation of 22 Pa.
Code § 405.44(a) (relating to staffing and professional
development) until December 31, 2015 2012. <--
(2) The department shall post on its Internet website
and send written notification to school entities and eligible
providers registered with the Commonwealth of the moratorium
of the implementation of 22 Pa. Code § 405.44(a).
(c) Work group.--
(1) The department shall convene a work group of program
operators, association representatives and department
personnel to conduct a review of early childhood programs
funded through the department and the Department of Public
Welfare as follows:
(i) Departmental location and organizational
structure shall be assessed regarding the various early
childhood programs' legal authority, overlap of duties
and responsibilities and communication mechanisms.
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(ii) Programs, policies and guidelines shall be
reviewed and revised to reduce unnecessary and
duplicative administrative procedures and paperwork.
(iii) Existing eligibility requirements for both
providers and program participants shall be reviewed to
ensure the greatest amount of opportunity across all
programs to the students most at risk.
(iv) Certification and inspection requirements shall
be reviewed and consolidated.
(v) Funding criteria and distribution across early
childhood programs shall be evaluated to ensure
compliance with legal requirements, focus on quality
programs and equity in the distribution where possible.
(vi) Reporting and information systems shall be
reviewed and limited to those data elements needed to
meet Federal program requirements and ensure program
quality and accountability.
(vii) Program copays across all early childhood
programs shall be reviewed for consistency of application
and administration and a determination of when copays
should be instituted to increase access to early
childhood programs.
(2) The majority of the work group shall consist of
program operators selected in consultation with the chairman
and minority chairman of the Education Committee of the
Senate and the chairman and minority chairman of the
Education Committee of the House of Representatives. The work <--
group shall consult with representatives of higher education
institutions and with child advocacy groups.
(3) No later than February 1, 2012, the work group shall
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submit to the Education Committee of the Senate and the
Education Committee of the House of Representatives a report
identifying recommended legislative and program changes,
provided that all changes shall be child and funding neutral.
Each Education Committee director shall distribute the report <--
to the chairmen of other relevant committees of the
respective chamber.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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