Amendment #965 to H4000

EEC Advisory Committee and Council

Ms. Peisch of Wellesley moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:-

"SECTION XXXX. Chapter 15D of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 3A and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 3A. There shall be a state advisory committee on early education and care, the members of which shall represent a reasonable geographic balance and shall reflect the diversity of the commonwealth in race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation. The advisory committee shall consist of at least 3 persons to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 1 person to be appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; 3 persons to be appointed by the president of the senate; 1 person to be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; the commissioner of higher education or a designee; the secretary of labor and workforce development or a designee; and 1 person from each of the following organizations: Nurtury; the Massachusetts Association of School Committees; the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents; the Massachusetts Elementary School Principals Association; the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools; the Massachusetts Teachers Association; the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts; the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education; the Massachusetts Association of Community Partnerships for Children, Inc.; Strategies for Children/Early Education for All; the Child Care Resource and Referral Network; the Massachusetts Association of Day Care Agencies; the Massachusetts community colleges executive office; the president of a community college or a designee; the Massachusetts Head Start Association, Inc.; the Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children, Inc.; the Massachusetts Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators; the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, Inc.; Strategies for Children, Inc.; the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs, Inc.; the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, Inc.; the Massachusetts Business Roundtable; the Alliance for Business Leadership, Inc.; the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; the Massachusetts Independent Child Care Organization; a representative of SEIU Local 509; and a representative of a family child care provider chosen by the commissioner of early education and care.

Additional advisory committee members may also be recommended by the commissioner and appointed by the board. All appointees shall have a special expertise or interest in high quality early childhood education and care and shall represent a mix of representatives of the early childhood community, the civic, labor, and business communities, academics, parents, teachers, social service providers and health care providers.

Members shall not, by virtue of their membership, be considered state employees under chapter 268A. The members of the advisory committee shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed, subject to appropriation, for expenses necessarily and reasonably incurred in the performance of their responsibilities. Members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. No member shall serve for more than 2 consecutive terms. The advisory committee shall meet not fewer than 4 times annually.

The commissioner shall consult with the advisory committee on support for the early education and care workforce and alignment with strategic plan for early education and care.

The advisory committee may review and offer comments on any rules or regulations before promulgation by the board, and may, from time to time, make recommendations to the board that it considers appropriate for (i) changes and improvements in early education and care programs and services or (ii) changes and improvements in early education and care professional development, training and career support.

The commissioner may consult with the advisory committee on additional topics as needed."

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #965 to H4000

EEC Advisory Committee and Council