iga-2017-hb1004-digest.txt

*EH1004.3*

Reprinted
March 28, 2017

ENGROSSED
HOUSE BILL No. 1004
_____
DIGEST OF HB 1004 (Updated March 27, 2017 3:18 pm - DI 129)
Citations Affected: IC 12-7; IC 12-17.2; IC 20-19; noncode.
Synopsis: Prekindergarten education. Provides that, after June 30,
2017, the early education grant pilot program (prekindergarten pilot
program) includes eligible providers in any county in Indiana. Changes
references to the "pilot program" to the "prekindergarten pilot
program". Adds additional requirements for an eligible provider to
participate in the prekindergarten pilot program. Adds additional
requirements for an eligible child to qualify for or receive a grant under
the prekindergarten pilot program. Provides that children who meet
certain criteria and are in foster care are eligible for a grant under the
prekindergarten pilot program and excludes the children in foster care
from other eligibility requirements. Provides that the office of the
secretary of family and social services (office) may award a grant to a
potential eligible provider or existing eligible provider for an expansion
plan if certain requirements are met. Requires a potential eligible
provider or existing eligible provider to repay to the office the total
amount of the grant awarded if the potential eligible provider or
existing eligible provider fails to use the grant funds in accordance with
the expansion plan or in compliance with the agreement with the office.
Requires the office to: (1) monitor the educational outcomes resulting
from the implementation of expansion plans; and (2) annually provide
the governor and legislative council a report of the findings of the
office concerning the educational outcomes. Requires the office to
make random onsite inspections, as determined necessary by the office,
of facilities of eligible providers and potential eligible providers or
existing eligible providers each year. Provides that the office may
determine that an eligible provider or potential eligible provider or
existing eligible provider is no longer eligible under the
prekindergarten pilot program. Requires the division of family
resources to develop a provider rate reimbursement schedule that uses
money appropriated by the general assembly as an incentive for
providers eligible to receive voucher payments under the federal Child
Care and Development fund voucher program to meet the standards of
quality recognized by a Level 3 or Level 4 Paths to QUALITY program
rating. Requires the department of education (department) to approve
an early learning development framework for prekindergarten.
Requires the office to apply for waivers from all applicable federal
agencies to receive any federal funding for child care or
prekindergarten education in one block grant to use for child care and
prekindergarten programs in the state. Establishes the prekindergarten
pilot program fund (fund). Allows the office to develop and implement
a reimbursement program to reimburse costs incurred by parents to
provide technology based, in-home early education services to a child.
Allows money in the fund to be used to pay for the reimbursements.
Makes an appropriation to the fund of $16,000,000 in both state fiscal
years 2017 and 2018. Specifies that of the $16,000,000 appropriated in
a state fiscal year, $1,000,000 of that amount must be used for
reimbursement of in-home early education services. Requires the
department, in consultation with the family and social services
administration, to conduct a survey to determine the number of
children who were four years of age and enrolled in a prekindergarten
program during the 2015-2016 school year. Requires, not later than
December 1, 2017, the department to submit a report concerning the
survey to the general assembly. Repeals the provisions concerning the
early education matching grant program.