BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1722
81R10274 MCK-F By: Uresti
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Recent brain research confirms that the environment and relationships a child experiences before the age of three lay a foundation that affects the rest of their life. Central to the development of these capacities is the quality of the daily interactions between child-care providers and babies and toddlers. For that reason, it is crucial that Texas direct funds to programs that promote infant-toddler child-care best practices.
Prior to 2001, the federal government established that states are required to spend at least four percent of child care development funds for the purpose of improving the quality of care in child-care facilities. Since establishing the requirement, Texas has reallocated the funds in the Child Care Development Fund from child-care quality initiatives to standard licensing and monitoring activities.
Under current law, all money received in the form of gifts, grants, and donations for the purpose of enhancing the child-care industry is placed into the state's general revenue fund. The comingling of funds limits the majority of Texas' infant and toddler child-care facilities from receiving the adequate resources necessary to promote the high-quality initiatives in child care.
As proposed, S.B. 1722 provides that the early child care development account is an account in the general revenue fund that is authorized to be appropriated only to the Department of Family and Protective Services for certain purposes and activities and for reasonable administrative expenses. This bill sets forth the purposes of the account.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 42.0521, Human Resources Code, as follows:
Sec. 42.0521. New heading: EARLY CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT; DEPOSIT OF FEES. (a) Provides that the early child care development account (account) is an account in the general revenue fund that is authorized to be appropriated only to the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) for the purposes and activities authorized by this section and for reasonable administrative expenses under this chapter.
(b) Provides that the account consists of the fees authorized by this chapter and received by DFPS, all money appropriated for the purposes of this section, any gifts, grants, or donations received for the purposes of this section, and interest earned on money in the account. Makes a nonsubstantive change.
(c) Exempts the account from the application of Section 403.095 (Use of Dedicated Revenue), Government Code.
(d) Provides that the purpose of the account is to support continuing education initiatives that implement infant and toddler child care best practices for caregivers of children from birth to age three; promote the development of secure, consistent, responsive relationships and attachments between child care workers and the infants and toddlers in their care; and provide training and knowledge on the importance of the emotional development of infants and toddlers. Deletes existing text requiring that the fees authorized by this chapter and received by DFPS be deposited in the general revenue fund. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.