CHAPTER 284

HB 1299 – FINAL VERSION

05Mar2008… 0628h

05/15/08 1842s

04Jun2008… 2092eba

2008 SESSION

08-2373

04/03

HOUSE BILL 1299

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the feasibility of creating a preschool incentive fund program.

SPONSORS: Rep. Gile, Merr 10; Rep. J. Johnson, Ches 6; Rep. Gargasz, Hills 5; Rep. P. Allen, Ches 6; Rep. Julie Brown, Straf 1; Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 24

COMMITTEE: Education

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a commission to study the feasibility of creating a preschool incentive fund program.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

05Mar2008… 0628h

05/15/08 1842s

04Jun2008… 2092eba

08-2373

04/03

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eight

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the feasibility of creating a preschool incentive fund program.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

284:1 Purpose. Numerous studies confirm that the returns on investments of high quality preschool programs for children attending schools in school districts with enhanced educational needs lead to successful child outcomes, higher graduation rates, a reduction in economic and social problems, and an easing of the burden on public resources.

284:2 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study the feasibility of creating a preschool incentive fund program.

284:3 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a) Three members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be from the children and family law committee, and one of whom shall be from the education committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(c) The committee may solicit advice from any individual or organization with relevant information or expertise, including but not limited to:

(1) An early childhood education specialist.

(2) A representative from the child development bureau, division of children, youth, and families, department of health and human services.

(3) The executive director of Early Learning New Hampshire, or designee.

(4) A representative from the Children’s Alliance of New Hampshire.

(5) The president of the New Hampshire Association for the Education of Young Children, or designee.

(6) The department of education director of Title I funds received through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, or designee.

(7) An early childhood education professional affiliated with the university system of New Hampshire.

(8) The chair of the advisory council on child care as established in RSA 126-A:17, or designee.

II. Legislative members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

284:4 Duties. The committee shall:

I. Study the feasibility of creating a preschool incentive fund program and determine priorities for the dissemination of such resources. Particular consideration shall be given to schools which have enhanced needs or which have expressed interest in participating in such programs.

II. Survey and confirm local school districts’ interest in using federal, state, local, or private funds to establish high quality preschool pilot programs using evidence-based curricula and teacher certification and compensation standards.

III. Study and document availability of federal funds from Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the No Child Left Behind Act, and any other education financial sources, including public/private partnerships, designated for direct services to students, particularly those living in school districts with enhanced educational needs.

IV. Research preschool curricula such as Perry Preschool, Chicago Parent-Child Centers, the New Hampshire Head Start and Even Start programs, and other programs that have demonstrated positive results for students that have been sustained beyond elementary school.

V. Research an appropriate model for evaluation of preschool programs. Particular attention shall be given to valid and reliable assessment that considers a child’s physical, social, emotional, cognitive, language, and literacy development.

284:5 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

284:6 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2008.

284:7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: June 27, 2008

Effective Date: June 27, 2008