SECOND REGULAR SESSION

SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL NO. 1511

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

     Reported from the Committee on Education, April 12, 2006, with recommendation that the Senate Committee Substitute do pass and be placed on the Consent Calendar.

TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.

4604S.04C

AN ACT

To repeal section 160.930, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof two new sections relating to early childhood education.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A.  Section 160.930, RSMo, is repealed and two new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 160.930 and 161.213, to read as follows:

            160.930.  Pursuant to section 23.253, RSMo, of the Missouri sunset act:

            (1)  The provisions of the program authorized under sections 160.900 to 160.925[,section 162.700, RSMo,] and section 376.1218, RSMo, shall automatically sunset two years after August 28, 2005, unless reauthorized by an act of the general assembly; and

            (2)  If such program is reauthorized, the program authorized under sections 160.900 to 160.925[,section 162.700, RSMo,] and section 376.1218, RSMo, shall automatically sunset twelve years after the effective date of the reauthorization of sections 160.900 to 160.925[,section 162.700, RSMo,] and section 376.1218, RSMo; and

            (3)  Sections 160.900 to 160.925[, section 162.700, RSMo,] and section 376.1218, RSMo, shall terminate on September first of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the program authorized under sections 160.900 to 160.925[, section 162.700, RSMo,] and section 376.1218, RSMo, is sunset.

            161.213.  1.  The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop standards for high-quality early childhood education no later than June 30, 2007.  The standards shall be applicable to all public school prekindergarten programs that receive Title I or Missouri preschool project funds.

            2.  Such standards shall include, but not be limited to, the following principles:

            (1)  Access for all children whose parents or guardians choose to participate;

            (2)  Focus on cognitive, language, physical, and social/emotional development;

            (3)  Assessment of needs of children and their families;

            (4)  Highly qualified and properly certified teachers; and

            (5)  Delivery of comprehensive services supported by strong and accessible technical assistance and professional development.

            3.  In developing such standards, the department shall involve representatives of the business community, parents as teachers, head start, early childhood start, early childhood special education, Missouri preschool project, first steps, Title I preschools, school district personnel, private providers, and faith-based providers.

            4.  Unless otherwise prohibited by federal law, public school districts shall not be prohibited from charging tuition and related charges for early childhood education programs.

            5.  Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, RSMo, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536, RSMo, and, if applicable, section 536.028, RSMo.  This section and chapter 536, RSMo, are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536, RSMo, to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2006, shall be invalid and void.

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