Department of Early Childhood Clean-Up

The bill makes changes and clarifications in the provisions related to the department of early childhood (department). The bill:

• Eliminates the scheduled repeal of licensing exemptions for informal child care provided by family, friends, or neighbors in an in-home setting;
• Updates provisions related to early care and education provider reimbursement for services performed before final eligibility determinations in the Colorado child care assistance program;
• Lowers the age limit for children served by the early childhood mental health consultation program from 8 years old to 6 years old and adjusts that program's reporting requirements;
• Clarifies the role of school districts and charter schools in administering and determining certain funding priorities for 3-year-olds in the universal preschool program;
• Adds information about the sources of money appropriated to the universal preschool program;
• Clarifies that child care facilities approved, certified, or licensed by tribal governments are exempt from the department's licensing rules; and
• Adjusts the membership requirements and duties of the early childhood leadership commission and subcommittee membership requirements for the rules advisory council.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)