Schoolcraft Bill Creates Early Childhood Task Force That Only Recommends

The text as introduced · 645 words

89R10937 MM-D

By: Schoolcraft
H.B. No. 3802

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the governor's task force on the

governance of early childhood education and care.

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

SECTION 1. Subtitle D, Title 4, Government Code, is amended

by adding Chapter 455 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 455. GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON GOVERNANCE OF EARLY

CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE

Sec. 455.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "task force"

means the governor's task force on the governance of early

childhood education and care established under this chapter.

Sec. 455.002. ESTABLISHMENT. (a) The governor's task

force on the governance of early childhood education and care is

established to address the governance and operational challenges of

the early childhood education system in this state.

(b) The task force is administratively attached to the Texas

Education Agency.

Sec. 455.003. MEMBERS. (a) The task force shall include a

steering committee composed of the following members:

(1) the executive commissioner of the Health and Human

Services Commission;

(2) the commissioner of the Texas Education Agency;

(3) the commissioner of the Texas Workforce

Commission;

(4) relevant division directors designated by the

individuals described by Subdivisions (1), (2), and (3); and

(5) the Texas Education Agency's inter-agency deputy

director of early childhood support.

(b) The task force is composed of the following members:

(1) a representative from the Texas Head Start State

Collaboration Office appointed by the governor;

(2) a representative from the Department of State

Health Services appointed by the governor;

(3) representatives from the Texas Early Learning

Council designated by the steering committee described by

Subsection (a); and

(4) individuals with knowledge of or experience with

early childhood education and care, including business and

community leaders, representatives of nonprofit organizations, and

other relevant stakeholders, appointed by the governor.

(c) The governor shall appoint the chair of the task force.

(d) To the extent of a conflict with this chapter, Chapter

2110 does not apply to the task force.

Sec. 455.004. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The task force shall:

(1) examine governance and operational challenges in

the early childhood education and care system, including federal

and local child-care programs and regulations governing those

programs;

(2) conduct a comprehensive review of the existing

functions and responsibilities of the Health and Human Services

Commission, Texas Education Agency, and Texas Workforce Commission

related to early childhood education and care;

(3) assess the need for a large-scale redesign of the

administration of early childhood programs to improve service

delivery, quality of care, and the efficient use of funding;

(4) align goals and metrics of the Health and Human

Services Commission, Texas Education Agency, and Texas Workforce

Commission to measure progress, including aligning statewide data

systems; and

(5) require the Health and Human Services Commission,

Texas Education Agency, and Texas Workforce Commission to complete

periodic progress reports and regularly refine statewide goals and

strategic plans to ensure alignment with evolving early childhood

education and care needs and collaboration with the Texas Early

Learning Council.

(b) From money appropriated or otherwise available for the

purpose, the Texas Education Agency shall pay the costs of data

system integration, research, and administration for the task

force.

Sec. 455.005. REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2026, the

task force shall develop and submit to the legislature policy and

budget recommendations designed to improve early childhood

education and care governance that will lead to increased

affordable child care capacity and improved kindergarten

readiness.

Sec. 455.006. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and

this chapter expires September 1, 2027.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.