MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2008 Regular Session
To: Education; Appropriations
By: Senator(s) Blount
AN ACT TO CREATE AND PROVIDE FOR A TASK FORCE TO STUDY AND REPORT ON THE FUNDING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF UNIVERSAL PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS IN MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) To assist the Legislature in developing and funding quality research-based prekindergarten programs, there is hereby established the "Task Force to Study and Report on the Funding and Implementation of Universal Prekindergarten Programs in Mississippi." The task force shall study and report on, at a minimum, the following:
(a) The effectiveness of prekindergarten programs that exist in other states;
(b) A review of the structure and administration of such programs;
(c) Funding mechanisms used in other states;
(d) Collaboration of providers to include public schools, Head Start, and private providers;
(e) Effective curricula and services;
(f) Facility requirements, nutrition services and transportation;
(g) Compilation and review of the prekindergarten services currently provided in Mississippi; and
(f) Any other issues determined by the task force.
(2) The task force shall be composed of the following members:
(a) House and Senate Education Chairmen;
(b) House and Senate Appropriation Chairmen;
(c) House Public Health and Human Services and Senate Public Health and Welfare Chairs;
(d) State Superintendent of Education;
(e) Director, Mississippi Department of Human Services;
(f) Director, The Early Childhood Institute, Mississippi State University;
(g) A Representative of each public university's school of education appointed by the Commissioner of Higher Education;
(h) A Representative of the state's Head Start Programs appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(i) A Representative of the state's prekindergarten private providers appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;
(j) A local school superintendent appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(k) A recognized expert in early childhood education appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;
(l) A business leader in the state appointed by the Governor.
(3) Appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days after the passage of this act by the Legislature, and, within fifteen (15) days thereafter on a day to be designated by the State Superintendent of Education, the task force shall meet and organize by selecting from its membership a chairman and a vice chairman. The vice chairman shall also serve as secretary and shall be responsible for keeping all records of the task force. A majority of the members of the task force shall constitute a quorum. In the selection of its officers and the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative vote of a majority of the task force shall be required. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings, such notices to be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the date on which a meeting is to be held.
(4) The task force shall have the authority to contract for any services necessary to complete its work and shall tour at least one nationally recognized successful prekindergarten program offered in another state. The Legislature shall fund the contractual cost and travel associated with attending meetings and for the onsite visit to an out-of-state prekindergarten program.
(5) Members of the task force who are not legislators, state officials or state employees shall be compensated at the per diem rate authorized by Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, and shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 25-3-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, for mileage and actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Legislative members of the task force shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same manner as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session; however, no per diem or expense for attending meetings of the task force will be paid while the Legislature is in session. No task force member may incur per diem, travel or other expenses unless previously authorized by vote, at a meeting of the task force, which action shall be recorded in the official minutes of the meeting. Nonlegislative members shall be paid from any funds made available to the committee for that purpose.
(6) The State Department of Education and the Department of Human Services shall jointly provide staff to assist the task force with carrying out its work. The task force shall, no later than January 2, 2009, submit to the Legislature and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations to implement and fund a comprehensive prekindergarten program in Mississippi. Upon presentation of its report to the 2009 Regular Session, the task force shall be dissolved.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2008.