A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO CREATE THE TASK FORCE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  There is created the Task Force on Early Childhood Education (Task Force) to study the governance of State government‑wide management and provision of services for early childhood education and development and the role of a centralized agency or office that would be responsible for early childhood related issues.
SECTION 1.(b)  The Task Force shall consist of the following 10 members:
(1)	Two members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(2)	Two members of the House Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(3)	The Superintendent of Department of Public Instruction or the Superintendent's designee.
(4)	The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services or the Secretary's designee.
(5)	Two public members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate who represent organizations that focus on early childhood education and development.
(6)	Two public members appointed by the Speaker of House of Representatives who represent organizations that focus on early childhood education and development.
The Task Force shall have two cochairs, one designated by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and one designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives from among their appointees. The Task Force shall meet upon the call of the cochairs. Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority. A quorum of the Task Force shall be a majority of the members.
SECTION 1.(c)  The Task Force shall study the following:
(1)	The development and best methods of implementation of a plan for a coordinated system of early care, education, and child development services with a focus on program outcomes in satisfying the health, safety, developmental, and educational needs of all children from birth to eight years of age that includes at least the following:
a.	Any recommendations to the Superintendent of Public Instruction on necessary organizational changes within the Department of Public Instruction, including an outline of projected efficiencies that would be realized through the operation of a new organizational structure for the coordination of early childhood programs within the Department.
b.	Consultation with the administrators and personnel of the NC Infant Toddler Program and the North Carolina Pre‑K Program on coordination of the administration of those two programs.
c.	The development of an early childhood information system that facilitates and encourages the sharing of data between and among early childhood service providers and State agencies.
d.	An early childhood accountability plan that includes identification of appropriate population indicators and program and system performance measures of the health, safety, and kindergarten readiness, and identifying markers of early success of children, including the North Carolina Pathways to Grade‑Level Reading measures of success.
(2)	The best methods to implement a statewide longitudinal evaluation of the educational progress of children from prekindergarten programs through grade three.
(3)	The collaboration needed amongst the Department of Public Instruction, the Department of Health and Human Services, and other relevant State agencies to achieve the goal of a coordinated system of early care, education, and child development services for children from birth to eight years of age.
(4)	The delivery of services to young children and their families to ensure optimal health, safety, and learning for each young child.
(5)	The collaboration and sharing of data elements necessary to perform quality assessments and longitudinal analysis across early childhood education and development services.
(6)	The coordination of home visitation services across programs for young children.
(7)	Access to information and technical assistance to persons seeking early care and education and child development programs and services.
(8)	Available assistance for State agencies and municipalities in obtaining available federal funding for early care and education and child development programs and services.
(9)	Available technical assistance to providers of early care and education programs and services to obtain licensing and improve program quality.
(10)	The coordination of a comprehensive statewide system of professional development for providers and staff of early care and education and child development programs and services.
(11)	Integration of early childhood care and education and special education services.
(12)	Areas of duplication in monitoring and evaluation of early care and education and child development programs and services.
(13)	The coordination and support of public and private partnerships to aid early childhood initiatives.
(14)	The reports submitted, pursuant to Section 12B.5 of S.L. 2016‑94, to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Public Instruction, and other agencies or organizations that administer, support, or study early education programs in this State on (i) the development and implementation of a statewide vision for early childhood education and (ii) the development and implementation of a program for transitioning children from preschool to kindergarten.
(15)	Any other issues the Task Force deems relevant.
SECTION 1.(d)  The Task Force, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4. The Task Force may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services, as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02. If the Task Force hires a consultant, the consultant shall not be a State employee or a person currently under contract with the State to provide services. Members of the Task Force shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowance as provided in G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as appropriate. The expenses of the Task Force shall be considered expenses incurred for the joint operation of the General Assembly.
SECTION 1.(e)  The Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist the Task Force in its work. The Director of Legislative Assistants of the House of Representatives and the Director of Legislative Assistants of the Senate shall assign clerical support to the Task Force.
SECTION 1.(f)  The Task Force shall submit an interim report on the results of its study to the General Assembly on or before April 1, 2018, by filing a copy of the report with the Office of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Legislative Library. The Task Force shall submit a final report, including any proposed legislation, to the 2019 General Assembly by filing a copy of the report with the Office of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Legislative Library. The Task Force shall terminate on December 15, 2018, or upon the filing of its final report, whichever comes first.
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.