HB 1375: Early childhood care and education; publicly funded providers.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Early childhood care and education; publicly funded providers. Provides that any locality wishing to participate in the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) must submit a proposal by May 15 of each year identifying a lead VPI agency responsible for developing a local plan for the delivery of preschool services to at-risk children. A local match based on the composite index of local ability to pay is required to fund such a proposal. The proposal must include the number of at-risk four-year-olds and three-year-olds to be served and eligibility criteria for participation. Upon acceptance, the Department will disburse state VPI funds to the lead VPI agency in such localities, which may be used with local matching funds to provide preschool education, health services, social services, parental involvement services, and transportation. The Department must establish academic standards for VPI programs that prepare students to successfully enter kindergarten. Full day VPI programs must operate for a minimum of five and a half instructional hours per day, while half day VPI programs operate for a minimum of three instructional hours per day. The bill requires the Department of Education to collect information from VPI and the Mixed Delivery Grant Program to compile a comprehensive report on the use of state funds, including the number of slots and funding allocated to each local program or provider and the number of slots that have been filled. The bill codifies the Child Care Subsidy Program, which is currently established pursuant to regulations of the Board of Education, for the purpose of assisting families who meet certain eligibility criteria with the cost of child care provided by approved vendors. The bill requires the Child Care Subsidy Program to be overseen by the Department of Education and permits the Department to contract with state and local agencies to administer the Program. The bill requires the Department and Board of Education, as applicable, to establish rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards for the Program. The bill also codifies the Mixed Delivery Grant Program, which is currently established pursuant to the general appropriation act, for the purpose of awarding grants on a competitive basis to local public entities that enter into partnerships with local private early childhood care and education entities and other community organizations, as applicable, to provide, under the direction and leadership of a lead agency identified in the grant proposal, high-quality care and education, either part time or full time, for at-risk infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children who reside in the locality. The bill requires the Mixed Delivery Grant Program to be administered by the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation in partnership with the Department of Education and, consistent with any provisions relating to the Program in the general appropriation act, requires the Foundation and the Department to establish policies, procedures, and standards for the Program.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 15

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. November 19, 2024Left in Finance and Appropriations
2. February 27, 2024Continued to 2025 in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
3. February 26, 2024Impact statement from DPB (HB1375H1)
4. February 14, 2024Referred to Committee on Finance and Appropriations
5. February 14, 2024Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
6. February 13, 2024VOTE: Passage (90-Y 9-N)
7. February 13, 2024Read third time and passed House (90-Y 9-N)
8. February 12, 2024Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB1375H1
9. February 12, 2024Committee substitute agreed to 24106243D-H1
10. February 12, 2024Read second time
11. February 9, 2024Read first time
12. February 8, 2024House committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered

Showing 12 most recent of 19 actions. Full history