HOUSE 3rd Reading Unamended April 25, 2012 HOUSE Amended 2nd Reading April 24, 2012Second Regular Session Sixty-eighth General Assembly STATE OF COLORADO REENGROSSED This Version Includes All Amendments Adopted in the House of Introduction LLS NO. 12-0622.01 Julie Pelegrin x2700 HOUSE BILL 12-1218 HOUSE SPONSORSHIP Peniston, Massey, Hamner, Solano SENATE SPONSORSHIP Hudak, King K., Hodge, Steadman, Williams S. House Committees Senate Committees Education Appropriations A BILL FOR AN ACT Concerning extending the early childhood and school readiness legislative commission. Bill Summary (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://www.leg.state.co.us/billsummaries.) Under existing law, the early childhood and school readiness legislative commission (commission) will repeal July 1, 2012. The bill extends the repeal date to July 1, 2017, authorizes reimbursement for the members of the commission, and authorizes the legislative staff to work with the commission. The commission will meet at least 4 times per year. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 26-6.5-201.5 as follows: 26-6.5-201.5. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds that: (a) The most economically efficient time to develop children's skills and social abilities is in the very early years when developmental education across all of the four domains of early learning, family support and education, health care, social-emotional health, and mental health can have the most effect; (b) Children, families, and society benefit from quality investments in early childhood development and learning. Comprehensive early childhood development provides children and their families with the resources they need for early nurturing and for early language development and learning experiences and the physical health supports they need to help them arrive at school thriving and ready to learn. (c) High-quality early childhood care and education during the crucial growth years from birth to five years of age is necessary to enable children to succeed when they start kindergarten and as they continue their education; (d) Research demonstrates that parental support and involvement, combined with a high-quality preschool education program, increases students' school readiness and achievement in kindergarten and significantly contributes to overcoming the effects of students' varying socio-economic circumstances; and (e) Research further shows that improving educational performance through improved school readiness costs much less than special education, remediation, and grade retention. (2) The general assembly concludes therefore that it is in the best interests of the state to create a legislative commission to meet on a regular basis to study issues and recommend legislation concerning early childhood and school readiness, including health care, mental health, parental involvement, family support, and early learning. SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26-6.5-203, amend (2) (a) and (2) (b); repeal and reenact, with amendments, (1) (d), (2) (d), and (3); and add (2) (e) as follows: 26-6.5-203. Early childhood and school readiness legislative commission - creation - membership - duties. (1) (d) The members of the commission shall be compensated for attendance at meetings of the committee as provided in section 2-2-307, C.R.S. (2) (a) Beginning on or before August 1, 2009, The commission shall meet at least six four times annually. and as needed thereafter; except that the commission shall not meet during the 2010 interim. (b) The commission shall study issues concerning early childhood and school readiness, including but not limited to health care, mental health, parental involvement, family support, and early learning. The commission may recommend legislative changes which shall be treated as bills recommended by an interim legislative committee for purposes of any introduction deadlines or bill limitations imposed by the joint rules of the general assembly. (d) The legislative council staff and the office of legislative legal services shall assist the commission in carrying out its duties. (e) The commission shall report to the legislative council by the date specified in Joint Rule 24 (b)(1)(D). The report may include recommendations for legislation, including but not limited to legislation continuing the commission and an explanation of the additional time and procedures that the commission may implement to achieve the committee's study goals. Legislation recommended by the commission shall be treated as legislation recommended by any other interim committee for the purposes of any introduction deadlines or bill limitations imposed by the joint rules of the senate and house of representatives. (3) The chair of the legislative council shall approve all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the commission. The approved expenses shall be paid by vouchers and warrants drawn as provided by law from moneys allocated to the legislative council for legislative studies from appropriations made by the general assembly. SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 26-6.5-204 as follows: 26-6.5-204. Repeal of part. This part 2 is repealed, effective July 1, 2012 2015. SECTION 4. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.