Amendment ID: S3041-1

Amendment 1

Early Education and Care Access for Low-income Children

Mr. Moore, Ms. Kennedy, Messrs. Keenan and Collins, Ms Howard, Messrs. Payano and O'Connor, Ms. Edwards, Ms. Miranda and Messrs. Lewis and Driscoll move that the proposed new text be amended in Section 2A, by inserting after item 1596-2624 the following item:-

"1596-2702 For efforts to reduce the waitlist for income-eligible early education and care programs; provided, that funds from this item shall be expended in coordination with funds from item 3000-4060; provided further, that funds may be expended for teen parents and homeless families at risk of becoming eligible for transitional aid to families with dependent children; provided further, that funds may be expended for informal early education and care benefits for families meeting income-eligibility criteria; provided further, that not less than $10,700,000 shall be expended for the department’s fiscal year 2027 procured contracted early education slots; provided further, that not less than $8,000,000 shall be expended for educator costs associated with personal childcare; provided further, that not less than $7,500,000 shall be expended for an early education and care educator loan forgiveness program established in section 19G of chapter 15A of the General Laws; provided further, that the funds for the department’s fiscal year 2027 procured contracted early education slots and for educator costs associated with personal childcare shall not be utilized for or transferred for other purposes or any other early education eligible populations; provided further, that the early education and care services funded from this item shall be distributed in a geographically equitable manner that provides fair and adequate access to early education and care for all eligible individuals; provided further, that the commissioner of early education and care may transfer funds between this item and items 3000-1000, 3000-3060 and 3000-4060; and provided further, that not later than May 1, 2026, the department of early education and care shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the number of families projected to be removed from the waitlist through this item . . . . . . . . . . . .     $38,700,000".