Senate Bill 2702

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-21-55, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE INTERAGENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES TO COORDINATE ALL EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SERVICES THROUGH THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 37-21-55, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-21-55. (1) The Interagency Advisory Committee for Early Childhood Services is created to develop and make recommendations to the Early Childhood Services Interagency Coordinating Council established under Section 37-21-53 as deemed necessary to implement the council's responsibilities relating to all programs serving preschool children and their families in Mississippi.

(2) The membership of the Interagency Advisory Committee for Early Childhood Services shall be as follows:

(a) The Chairmen of the Senate Education, Public Health and Welfare and Appropriations Committees, or their Senate designees;

(b) The Chairmen of the House Education, Public Health and Welfare and Appropriations Committees, or their House designees;

(d) A representative of the State Department of Education;

(e) A representative of the State Department of Health;

(f) A representative of the Department of Human Services;

(g) A representative of the State Department of Mental Health;

(h) A representative of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services;

(i) The following representatives of the early childhood profession:

(i) The President of the Mississippi Head Start Association;

(ii) A representative from a regulated family child care home network appointed by the Governor;

(iii) A representative from a licensed child care center appointed by the President of the Senate;

(iv) A representative from a public school prekindergarten program appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(v) A representative from a private school prekindergarten program appointed by the Governor;

(vi) A representative from a half-day church sponsored prekindergarten program appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(vii) A representative from a university or college early childhood program appointed by the President of the Senate;

(viii) A representative of a tribal early childhood program appointed by the Governor;

(ix) A representative of an early childhood professional organization appointed by the President of the Senate;

(x) A representative of an advocacy organization appointed by the Speaker of the House; and

(xi) A representative of a community or junior college early childhood program appointed by the Governor;

(j) A parent of a preschool-age child appointed by the Governor;

(k) A parent of a preschool-age child with special needs appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(l) A representative of the cooperative extension services appointed by the President of the Senate;

(m) A physician who is a member of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, appointed by the Director of the University Medical Center;

(n) The Director of the Mississippi Public Education Forum, or his designee; and

(o) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Economic Council, or his designee.

To the extent possible, any representative of a state agency designated to serve on the Interagency Advisory Committee shall be the same individual designated to assist the Interagency Coordinating Council in performing its duties and responsibilities.

(3) The advisory committee shall meet upon call of the Early Childhood Services Interagency Coordinating Council before August 1, 2000, and the council shall appoint a chairman from among the membership of the advisory committee. The chairman shall serve for a one-year term and may be reappointed for subsequent terms. The advisory committee shall adopt internal organizational procedures necessary for efficient operation of the advisory committee and may establish subcommittees for conducting specific programs and activities. Advisory committee procedures must include duties of officers, a process for selecting officers, duties of subcommittees, quorum requirements for conducting business and policies for any staff. The members of the Early Childhood Services Interagency Coordinating Council shall designate necessary staff of their departments to assist the advisory committee in performing its duties and responsibilities. The advisory committee shall meet and conduct business at least quarterly. Quarterly meetings of the advisory committee shall be open to the public, and opportunity for public comment must be made available at each meeting. The staff of the advisory committee shall notify all persons who request such notice as to the date, time and place of each meeting.

(4) The Interagency Advisory Committee for Early Childhood Services, in addition to responsibilities assigned by the Early Childhood Services Interagency Coordinating Council, shall perform each of the following duties:

(a) Assist in the implementation of the study conducted by the Task Force on the Development and Implementation of Comprehensive Early Childhood Services in Mississippi established under Laws, 1999, Chapter 584;

(b) Identify services to children which impact early childhood development and education;

(c) Identify and recommend methods to facilitate interagency coordination of service programs for preschool children; and

(d) Serve as a forum for information exchange regarding recommendations and priorities in early childhood development and education. * * *

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(5) The Advisory Board of the Interagency Council, with the consent of a majority of its members, shall have the authority to direct any state entity with early childhood responsibilities to be coordinated through the Office of Children and Youth for the purposes of alignment of the State of Mississippi's early childhood educational efforts.

(6) Beginning in July 1, 2006, the Advisory Board of the Interagency Council shall meet at the discretion of the Director of the Office of Children and Youth to assess the appropriate criteria for determining, and implementation of, the educational components of the state's tiered reimbursement structure.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.