Early Childhood and School-Age Care Policy Notes

Senate Appropriations has scheduled committee work on 5 bills relating to early childhood and school-age care next week. This is an opportunity to watch previous discussion on these bills and contact committee members prior to the meetings if you have additional information or clarification you'd like to share.

Early childhood and school-age care in the news this week:

Official responds to complaints about childcare background checks at North Dakota Health and Human Services (WDAY News Talk, 2/6/23)

Grant proposal in West Fargo seeks to tackle both child care and workforce needs (inforum.com, 2/6/23)

Plain Talk with Rob Port (inforum.com, 2/8/23): "'We're drowning out here' says child care provider frustrated by an inept state bureaucracy"

Childcare Shortage in North Dakota Reaches Eddy County (cityofnewrockford.com)

If you become aware of additional issues impacting the field or if you have any questions, please contact ND Afterschool Network or Child Care Aware of ND.

Afterschool Day on the Hill - Join Us!

Join us for Afterschool Day on the Hill on February 22! We invite any out-of-school time program working with youth ages PreK through Grade 12 to register to attend and showcase to legislators and state agency representatives the ways you are positively impacting North Dakota's youth, families, and communities. Not only is this a great way to advocate for school-age youth, but also to involve youth in the legislative process! Travel reimbursement is available.

What We're Watching

SB 2301: Relating to the establishment of a child care stabilization program.

Committee work scheduled 2/13 at 3:30pm with Senate Appropriations.

SB 2012: A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of various divisions of the department of health and human services; to provide an exemption; and to provide for a report.

Committee work Scheduled 2/14 at 8:30am and 2/14 at 2:00pm with Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division

SB 2190: Relating to the child care assistance program; and to provide a statement of legislative intent.

Committee work scheduled 2/15 at 2:30pm with Senate Appropriations.

SB 2238: Relating to criminal history checks for early childhood services providers; and to provide for a legislative management study.

Committee work scheduled 2/15 3:30pm with Senate Appropriations

SB 2323: A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the department of health and human services for early childhood programs.

Committee work scheduled 2/15 at 4:00pm with Senate Appropriations

ND Afterschool Network submitted informational testimony in support of including a school-age pathway in Bright and Early and incentivizing engaging in continuous quality improvement for school-age programs. (quality rating for afterschool programs was removed from language as of 2/3)

HB 1521: Relating to alternative curriculum outside of a classroom.

Last Official Action: Reported back amended; do pass, amendment placed on calendar.

SB 2182: Relating to the definition of early childhood services.

Last Official Action: Second reading, passed, yeas, nays 0

SB 2237: Relating to child care income tax credits; and to provide an effective date.

Last Official Action: Rereferred to Senate Appropriations Watch Video

HB 1488: Relating to permission for a student to participate in extracurricular activities, cocurricular activities, and clubs.

Last Official Action: Committee Hearing 2/8 Watch Video

HB 1298: Relating to proof of liability insurance for early childhood programs; and to provide an effective date.

Last Official Action: Failed passage in House on 2/2/23with 33 Yeas, 60 Nays

Child Care Aware of ND submitted informational testimony for this bill.

HB 1144: Relating to required training for mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect for public and nonpublic school teachers, administrators, and counselors, and early childhood services providers.

Last Official Action: 1/30 Second reading in House, passed (yeas 78, nays 16) Watch Video

SB 2084: Relating to child care assistance payments to providers.

Last Official Action: 1/13 Second reading in Senate, passed (yeas 46 nays 0); 1/16 House received from Senate. Watch Video

SB 2104: Relating to early childhood services, resource and referral services, workforce development, early childhood inclusion support program, best in class program, and disclosure of child abuse and neglect confirmed decisions involving early childhood services.

Last Official Action: 1/13 Second reading in Senate, passed (yeas 45 nays 1); 1/16 House received from Senate. Watch Video

North Dakota Legislative Solutions

North Dakota State Agency Recommendations

Committee & Floor Schedule: February 10 - February 18

Committee Hearing Schedule

House Floor Calendar

Senate Floor Calendar

Your Voice Matters

Visit our Policy Page to find:

Advocacy Toolkit with tips, templates, and tools to help you tell your story
North Dakota Legislative Solutions
ND State Agency Recommendations
Advocacy Training Video, with overview of needs, solutions, and ways to be involved
Comprehensive analysis of current needs
Afterschool Day on the Hill Registration - February 22, 2023

Legislative Calendar

~~January 3 Session Begins~~
~~January 18 Deadline for Representatives to introduce bills~~
~~January 23 Deadline for Senators to introduce bills~~
February 24 Crossover date for bills
February 27/28 Recess
April 28 Session limited to 80 legislative days

https://ndafterschoolnetwork.com/afterschool-policy/

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