House Bill 04-1277

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Hefley, Carroll, Cloer, Romanoff, Rose, Stafford, Williams S., Clapp, Frangas, Paccione, White, Boyd, Butcher, Marshall, and Plant;

also SENATOR(S) Cairns, Groff, Hagedorn, Hanna, Tapia, Tupa, and Windels.

SECTION 1. 26-6-301, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

26-6-301. Short title. This part 3 shall be known and may be cited as the "Child Care "EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL READINESS Commission Act".

SECTION 2. 26-6-302 (1), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

26-6-302. Legislative declaration. (1) (a) The general assembly hereby finds that the future of Colorado children is of primary concern to the citizens of this state and that the quality of care provided to these young children is an integral component in the development of happy, functional, and contributing adults. However, the general assembly has learned that the safety and quality of available child care is at issue in Colorado. Reports by the state auditor's office released in April of 1995 and in August of 1998 have identified several areas in which the safety and quality of child care in Colorado has been compromised.
(b) The general assembly further finds that, based upon the evidence presented to the interim committee on child care established pursuant to SJR 99-034, there are many programs that should be considered, tested, evaluated, or established that may better serve children in this state and help to provide them with high quality, affordable child care. The general assembly recognizes that the interim committee on child care addressed a wide range of issues in proposed legislation, but further notes that many issues were of too great a nature to be thoroughly studied by the committee in the very limited time available to it.
(c) Accordingly, the general assembly finds that it is appropriate and in the best interests of the citizens of the state of Colorado to establish a commission on child care to continue studying the critical issues impacting child care in the state of Colorado in an effort to improve the quality of child care provided to the youngest citizens of the state.
(d) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY RECOGNIZES THAT IT IS THE PRIMARY RIGHT AND OBLIGATION OF PARENTS TO DETERMINE AND PROVIDE THE PROPER EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FURTHER RECOGNIZES THAT PRESCHOOL CHILDREN RECEIVE THE BEST START IN LIFE WHEN THEIR PARENTS ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THEIR DAILY ACTIVITIES AND ARE DIRECTLY PROVIDING THEIR CARE AND EDUCATION. RECOGNIZING THESE PRINCIPLES, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DIRECTS THE COMMISSION TO WORK TOWARD EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEMS THAT FOSTER AS MUCH PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT AS POSSIBLE AND MAINTAIN THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR
(e) IN ADDITION, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT THE REPORTS OF THE COMMISSION FILED WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SINCE NOVEMBER 1, 2001, AS WELL AS RECENT STATE AND NATIONAL LONGITUDINAL STUDIES, INDICATE THAT EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION ARE DIRECTLY LINKED TO CHILDREN'S SCHOOL READINESS. THESE STUDIES SHOW THAT QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION RESULT IN CHILDREN BEING ABLE TO ENTER SCHOOL WITH THE BASIC SKILLS NECESSARY TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL. STUDIES ALSO INDICATE THAT QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION ARE THE FOUNDATIONS FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY IN LIFE.
(f) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FURTHER FINDS THAT THROUGH THE PROCESS OF STUDYING AND ANALYZING EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION ISSUES, THE COMMISSION HAS LOCATED NUMEROUS STATEWIDE INITIATIVES THAT HAVE DEVELOPED LONG-RANGE COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIES AND PLANS RELATED TO EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEMS AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL.
(g) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT THE COMMISSION, WITH SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE CONCERNING THE LINKS BETWEEN EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION, EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, AND SCHOOL READINESS, SHOULD EXPAND UPON ITS STUDY, REVIEW, AND EVALUATION OF SCHOOL READINESS AND EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION AND SHOULD CONTINUE ITS PLANS FOR CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM.

SECTION 3. 26-6-303 (3), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended, and the said 26-6-303 is further amended BY THE ADDITION OF THE FOLLOWING NEW SUBSECTIONS, to read:

26-6-303. Definitions. As used in this part 3, unless the context otherwise provides: (3) "Commission" means the child care EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL READINESS commission created in section 26-6-304.
(4) "EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION" MEANS CARE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN THAT NURTURES SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT, IS PROVIDED IN A SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN, AND IS PROVIDED BY FOR-PROFIT AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT CHILD CARE CENTERS, CHILD CARE HOMES, AND PRESCHOOLS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FAITH-BASED CARE.
(5) "EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM" MEANS A COLLABORATIVE, INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF CARE-GIVERS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND AGENCIES, THAT REGULARLY INTERACT IN FORMING COMPREHENSIVE PARTNERSHIPS AND COOPERATIVES AROUND CHILD PHYSICAL HEALTH, CHILD MENTAL HEALTH, EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION, AND FAMILY SUPPORT WITH THE PURPOSE OF SUPPORTING FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.
(6) "SCHOOL READINESS" MEANS THE ABILITY OF A CHILD TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL BASED ON THE CHILD'S PHYSICAL HEALTH AND MOTOR DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT, AND COGNITION AND GENERAL KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT FROM BIRTH TO AGE EIGHT, AND ALSO INCLUDES THE ABILITY OF SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN'S LEARNING AND SUCCESS.

SECTION 4. 26-6-304, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

26-6-304. Early childhood and school readiness commission -created. (1) (a) In order to provide legislative oversight, and the continued study, and further development of recommendations for improvements in the delivery of child care in the state of Colorado, there is hereby created in the state department the child care commission. IN ORDER TO CONTINUE THE STUDY AND REVIEW OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF COLORADO, THERE IS HEREBY CREATED IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT THE EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL READINESS COMMISSION. The commission shall consist of fifteen members to be appointed for terms of three years; except that, of the members first appointed, five members shall be appointed for one year, five members for two years, and five members for three years. The appointing authorities shall jointly determine which commission members shall serve reduced terms; except that the members described in paragraph (b) of this subsection (1) shall be included in the group of members first appointed for two years. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the original appointing authority for the remainder of the unexpired term. Initial appointments shall be made to the commission no later than August 1, 2000.
(b) The governor shall appoint nine members of the commission, no more than five of whom shall be from the same political party, who shall be representative of the cultural and geographic diversity of the state and at least one of whom shall have experience working with children with disabilities. The members of the commission appointed by the governor shall also be representative of the following interests, organizations, state agencies, and boards:
(I) The division of child care in the state department of human services;
(II) The community consolidated child care services pilot program established pursuant to article 6.5 of this title;
(III) Educators teaching children in preschool, kindergarten, or grades one through five;
(IV) The state board for community colleges and occupational education;
(V) The county departments of social services;
(VI) Child care facilities;
(VII) Parents of children currently enrolled in a public or private early childhood care and education program;
(VIII) The business community;
(IX) Non-profit or not-for-profit organizations that evaluate the quality of early childhood care and education programs and assign ratings thereto in an effort to assess the success of such programs and to improve the ultimate delivery of early childhood care and education. 
(b.5) NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SUBSECTION (1), ON AND AFTER JULY 1, 2004, THE GOVERNOR'S APPOINTMENTS TO THE COMMISSION SHALL BE INCREASED BY TWO, RESULTING IN ELEVEN TOTAL APPOINTMENTS TO THE COMMISSION BY THE GOVERNOR, NO MORE THAN SIX OF WHOM SHALL BE FROM THE SAME POLITICAL PARTY. THE ADDITIONAL PERSONS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR SHALL BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CULTURAL AND GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY. OF THE STATE. THE GOVERNOR'S APPOINTMENTS TO THE COMMISSION SHALL BE FURTHER MODIFIED AS FOLLOWS:
(I) THE MEMBER REPRESENTING CHILD CARE FACILITIES APPOINTED PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (VI) OF PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SUBSECTION (1) SHALL BE DEEMED REMOVED AS OF JUNE 30, 2004, AND THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT TWO MEMBERS TO REPRESENT CHILD CARE FACILITIES, ONE OF WHOM REPRESENTS A NONPROFIT CHILD CARE FACILITY AND ONE OF WHOM REPRESENTS A PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT CHILD CARE FACILITY;
(II) THE MEMBER WHO IS A PARENT OF A CHILD CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM APPOINTED PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (VII) OF PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SUBSECTION (1) SHALL BE DEEMED REMOVED AS OF JUNE 30, 2004, AND THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT A NEW MEMBER WHO IS A PARENT OF A CHILD CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN A NONPROFIT OR PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM WHO IS NOT OTHERWISE ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF CHILD CARE OR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION;
(III) THE MEMBER REPRESENTING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY APPOINTED PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (VIII) OF PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SUBSECTION (1) SHALL BE DEEMED REMOVED AS OF JUNE 30, 2004, AND THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT A NEW MEMBER TO REPRESENT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, WHICH MEMBER SHALL NOT BE ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF CHILD CARE OR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION; AND (IV) THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT A NEW MEMBER WHO IS A DIRECTOR OF A COLORADO HEAD START GRANTEE PROGRAM.
(c) Six of the members of the commission shall be members of the general assembly and shall be appointed as follows: 
(I) The president of the senate shall appoint two members from the senate and the minority leader of the senate shall appoint one member from the senate to serve on the commission, no more than two of whom shall be members of the same political party;
(II) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint three members from the house of representatives to serve on the commission, no more than two of whom shall be members of the same political party.
(d) NOTWITHSTANDING THE TERMS OF APPOINTMENT REFERENCED IN PARAGRAPH (a) OF THIS SUBSECTION (1), ON AND AFTER JULY 1, 2004, THE MEMBERS REMAINING ON THE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPHS (b) AND (c) OF THIS SUBSECTION (1) AND THE NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (b.5) OF THIS SUBSECTION (1) SHALL EACH SERVE FOR A TERM OF THREE YEARS, WITH THE TERM COMMENCING ON JULY 1, 2004.
(2) The members of the commission who are members of the general assembly shall be compensated as provided in section 2-2-307, C.R.S., FROM THE EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL READINESS CASH FUND CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION 26-6-306.5. and Members of the commission who are not members of the general assembly shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties while serving on the commission FROM THE EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL READINESS CASH FUND CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION 26-6-306.5.
(3) A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. A quorum shall have full and complete power to act upon and resolve in the name of the commission any matter or question properly before it at any meeting. The commission, as soon after appointment as practicable and each year thereafter, shall elect EXECUTIVE OFFICERS TO PRESIDE AT ALL MEETINGS OF THE COMMISSION from among its members a chairperson or vice-chairperson and who shall hold office until their successors are elected. The chairperson or his or her designee, shall preside at all meetings of the commission, and The secretary, or his or her designee, shall make a record of the proceedings thereof that shall be preserved in the office of the state department.
(4) The commission shall meet as often as necessary to carry out its duties as specified in this part 3. In completing its duties, the commission shall solicit input from parents, child care providers, and other interested persons.

SECTION 5. 26-6-305, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

26-6-305. Early childhood and school readiness commission -duties. (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL CONTINUE TO STUDY, REVIEW, AND EVALUATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLANS FOR CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM. IN RELATION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLANS FOR CREATING AN EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM, the commission shall have the following duties: 
(a) To continue the study of the overall quality of child care in Colorado; TO EVALUATE PLANS FOR THE CREATION OF AN EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF COLORADO;
(b) To continue the study of the quality, training, and experience of persons providing child care and to make recommendations concerning the improvement of the quality of such providers; TO WORK WITH THE STATE AND LOCAL DEPARTMENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WELFARE, CHILD CARE, AND EDUCATION OF THE CHILDREN OF THE STATE OF COLORADO TO DEVELOP A LOCALLY DRIVEN, STATE-COORDINATED SYSTEM OF CARE THAT IMPROVES THE SCHOOL READINESS AND THE QUALITY AND DELIVERY OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM;
(c) To continue the study of criminal history background checks of child care providers; 
(d) To continue the study of licensing requirements for, and flexibility needs of, child care providers; TO INVOLVE PARENTS, BUSINESSES, COMMUNITIES, EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS, SERVICE DELIVERY PROVIDERS, AND POLICYMAKERS IN PROMOTING AN EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM; AND
(e) To continue the study of methods for encouraging or facilitating the location of child care facilities in workplaces; TO SERVE AS A RESOURCE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM.
(f) To study the level of training requirements of and credentialing options available to child care providers, including a study of the successes and shortcomings of the credentialing programs implemented by community consolidated child care pilot site agencies pursuant to article 6.5 of this title; 
(g) To evaluate the possibility of alternative approaches to monitoring, inspecting, and investigating child care facilities in an effort to use state department resources more efficiently, to eliminate, if appropriate, unnecessary inspections, and to implement self-auditing procedures, where appropriate;
(h) To study the extent, quality, and impact of unlicensed child care in Colorado;
(i) To study the possibility of complimentary state loan programs;
(j) To study methods for encouraging qualified individuals to enter the child care profession;
(k) To evaluate the community consolidated child care services pilot program established in article 6.5 of this title, taking into consideration the evaluation that is to be completed by October 1, 2001, pursuant to section 26-6.5-105 (3);
(l) To study such further issues related to child care that may improve the quality and delivery of child care in Colorado; 
(m) To evaluate the data and results of the state tax credits and state tax exemptions impacting the child care industry that may be implemented in Colorado;
(n) To evaluate and make recommendations how the state department and county departments use federal child care development funds and other federal moneys toward the improvement of child care in the state of Colorado.

SECTION 6. 26-6-306 (1), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

26-6-306. Report - proposed legislation. (1) The child care commission shall report to the members of the general assembly on or before November 1, 2001 2005, and on or before November first each year thereafter for the following two years JULY 1, 2007, concerning the matters it has studied and addressed. The report shall include recommendations of the child care commission. The state department shall work with the commission in preparing the report.

SECTION 7. Part 3 of article 6 of title 26, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to read:

26-6-306.5. Early childhood and school readiness commission-authority to contract for staff - authority to seek and accept gifts, grants, or donations - creation of fund - expenditures from fund.
(1) THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR STAFF ASSISTANCE TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS AND PURPOSES OF THIS PART 3 IF THE STATE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS IN AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO FUND STAFF ASSISTANCE.
(2) THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS AUTHORIZED TO SEEK AND ACCEPT GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SOURCES FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PART 3. ALL PRIVATE AND PUBLIC FUNDS RECEIVED THROUGH GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS SHALL BE TRANSMITTED TO THE STATE TREASURER, WHO SHALL CREDIT THE SAME TO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL READINESS CASH FUND, WHICH FUND IS HEREBY CREATED AND REFERRED TO IN THIS PART 3 AS THE "FUND". THE MONEYS IN THE FUND SHALL BE SUBJECT TO ANNUAL APPROPRIATION BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PART 3. ANY UNEXPENDED AND UNENCUMBERED MONEYS REMAINING IN THE FUND AT THE END OF A FISCAL YEAR SHALL REMAIN IN THE FUND AND SHALL NOT BE CREDITED OR TRANSFERRED TO THE GENERAL FUND OR ANOTHER FUND. ALL UNEXPENDED AND UNENCUMBERED MONEYS REMAINING IN THE FUND AS OF JULY 1, 2007, SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE CHILD CARE CASH FUND, CREATED IN SECTION 26-6-114 (5).
(3) COMPENSATION AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 26-6-304 (2) FOR COMMISSION MEMBERS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL BE APPROVED BY THE CHAIR OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND PAID BY VOUCHERS AND WARRANTS DRAWN AS PROVIDED BY LAW FROM FUNDS APPROPRIATED FOR SUCH PURPOSE AND ALLOCATED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM THE FUND.
(4) (a) IT IS THE INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT NO GENERAL FUND MONEYS SHALL BE OBLIGATED OR APPROPRIATED TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PART 3.
(b) IF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL READINESS CASH FUND CREATED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION DOES NOT CONTAIN MONEYS SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004-05 BY DECEMBER 1, 2004, THEN THE STATE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOTIFY THE COMMISSION, THE STATE TREASURER, AND THE REVISOR OF STATUTES, AND THIS PART 3 SHALL BE REPEALED, EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2004.
(c) IF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL READINESS CASH FUND CREATED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION DOES NOT CONTAIN MONEYS SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005-06 BY DECEMBER 1, 2005, THEN THE STATE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOTIFY THE COMMISSION, THE STATE TREASURER, AND THE REVISOR OF STATUTES, AND THIS PART 3 SHALL BE REPEALED, EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2005.
(d) IF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL READINESS CASH FUND CREATED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION DOES NOT CONTAIN MONEYS SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006-07 BY DECEMBER 1, 2006, THEN THE STATE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOTIFY THE COMMISSION, THE STATE TREASURER, AND THE REVISOR OF STATUTES, AND THIS PART 3 SHALL BE REPEALED, EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2006.

SECTION 8. 26-6-307, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

26-6-307. Repeal of part. This part 3 is repealed, effective July 1, 2004 2007; EXCEPT THAT, THIS PART 3 MAY BE REPEALED PRIOR TO JULY 1, 2007, IF REPEAL IS REQUIRED BY SECTION 26-6-306.5 (4).

SECTION 9. The introductory portion to 26-6.5-106 (5) and 26-6.5-106 (9) (b), Colorado Revised Statutes, are amended to read:

26-6.5-106. School readiness and early childhood child care subsidization program. (5) School-readiness rating system. The state child care EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL READINESS commission created pursuant to section 26-6-304 shall adopt a voluntary school-readiness rating system. Such rating system shall measure the level of preparedness of and quality of services provided by a child care provider to prepare children to enter elementary school. The school-readiness rating system shall:
(9) Evaluation - report. (b) On or before October 1, 2005, the state department, or any private entity with which the state department is hereby authorized to contract for this purpose, shall submit a consolidated statewide report, based upon the reports prepared and submitted by the county departments and pilot site agencies, addressing the items set forth in paragraph (a) of this subsection (9) to the state child care EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL READINESS commission and to the members of the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate of the general assembly. The general assembly shall review the appropriateness of continuing school-readiness subsidies pursuant to this section during the 2006 regular session.

SECTION 10. Appropriation. (1) In addition to any other appropriation, there is hereby appropriated, out of any moneys in the early childhood and school readiness cash fund, created pursuant to section 26-6-306.5 (2), Colorado Revised Statutes, not otherwise appropriated, to the department of human services, for allocation to the division of child care, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2004, the sum of twenty-six thousand one hundred dollars ($26,100), or so much thereof as may be necessary, for the implementation of this act.
(2) In addition to any other appropriation, there is hereby appropriated, out of any moneys in the early childhood and school readiness cash fund, created pursuant to section 26-6-306.5 (2), Colorado Revised Statutes, not otherwise appropriated, to the legislative department, for allocation to the legislative council, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2004, the sum of six hundred dollars ($600), or so much thereof as may be necessary, for the implementation of this act.

SECTION 11. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.

____________________________                   ____________________________
Lola Spradley                                                                                        John Andrews
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE                                                          PRESIDENT OF
OF REPRESENTATIVES                                                                   THE SENATE

____________________________                   ____________________________
Judith Rodrigue                                                                                      Mona Heustis
CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE                                                 SECRETARY OF
OF REPRESENTATIVES                                                                   THE SENATE

APPROVED________________________________________

_________________________________________
Bill Owens
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

Capital letters indicate new material added to existing statutes; dashes through words indicate deletions from existing statutes and such material not part of act.
NOTE: This bill has been prepared for the signature of the appropriate legislative officers and the Governor. To determine whether the Governor has signed the bill or taken other action on it, please consult the legislative status sheet, the legislative history, or the Session Laws.