Bill Text: CT SB00424 | 2014 | General Assembly | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: An Act Concerning Access To Preschool Programs For Children In The Care And Custody Of The Department Of Children And Families.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-1-1)

Status: (Passed) 2014-06-13 - Signed by the Governor [SB00424 Detail]

Download: Connecticut-2014-SB00424-Introduced.html

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General Assembly		Raised Bill No. 424
February Session, 2014		LCO No. 2054
		*02054_______ED_*
Referred to Committee on EDUCATION
Introduced by:
(ED)

AN ACT CONCERNING ACCESS TO PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN IN THE CARE AND CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2014) (a) For purposes of this section:

(1) "Preschool-aged child" means any child age three to five, inclusive; and

(2) "Eligible preschool program" means (A) a school readiness program, as defined in section 10-16p of the general statutes, (B) a preschool program administered by a local or regional board of education, (C) a preschool program accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, or (D) a school readiness program that is part of a Head Start program.

(b) The Department of Children and Families shall enroll in an eligible preschool program each preschool-aged child who is (1) placed in out-of-home care by the Commissioner of Children and Families pursuant to an order of commitment under section 46b-129 of the general statutes, and (2) not enrolled in an eligible preschool program or kindergarten at the time of such placement, unless such enrollment is determined by the department to not be in the child's best interest. The department shall document such enrollment or the reasons why such enrollment was determined not to be in the child's best interest in the child's written plan for care, treatment and permanent placement, as described in section 17a-15 of the general statutes.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1	July 1, 2014	New section

Statement of Purpose:

To provide access to preschool for all children who are in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]