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Children and Families Program
Enacted State Legislation on Child Care and Special Needs Children 1995-1999
February 2000
Florida
1996 Fla. Laws, Chap. 175, Sec. 74 - Requires the state, upon request, to provide technical assistance to parents and child care providers about serving children with disabilities.
Hawaii
1998 Hawaii Sess. Laws, Act 43 -- Changes the authority of the state to procure services, rather than make grants, for community-based, family-centered early intervention services for infants and toddlers with special needs.
Indiana
1999 Ind. Acts, PL 211, Sec. 3 -- Establishes the Board for the Coordination of Child Care Regulation. Specifies membership, terms and duties. Requires that the board make recommendations to the legislature.
Iowa
1996 Iowa Acts, Chap. 1084, Sec. 7 -- Requires coordination of the state family support program for people with disabilities and their families with juvenile justice, child welfare, education, and other programs.
Louisiana
1995 La. Acts, Act 1228 -- Expands the definition of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with special needs. Requires a needs assessment of family resources, priorities and concerns to enhance the development of infants and toddlers with special needs, as part of a family service plan. Expands Part H services beyond Part B eligibility and adds parental consent standards to the minimum Part H requirements.
Maine
1999 Me. Laws, Chap. 296 -- Requires the state to award annual grants for educational programs for children under age 6 who have developmental delays. Establishes a funding formula and contract procedure requirements. Requires the state to review regional budgets for compliance with program requirements. Defines developmental delays for children ages 0 to 3 and from 3 to 6.
1996 Me. Laws, Chap. 534 -- Clarifies which developmental delays qualify children from birth to age 6 for early intervention, special education and related services. Encourages collaboration between departments that deliver such services and school administrative units.
1995 Me. Laws, Chap. 207 -- Authorizes the State Board of Education to adopt rules for the certification and authorization of early childhood providers of educational programs, developmental therapy and special instruction to children with disabilities.
Minnesota
1995 Minn. Laws, Chap. 207, Art. 4, Sec. 1 -- Requires child care providers at licensed child care facilities, as part of their on-going training, to be trained in cultural dynamics and disabilities.
Missouri
1998 Mo. Laws, HB 1274 -- Requires Head Start grantees to make specific interagency efforts to enable effective participation of children with disabilities and their families.
Ohio
1998 Ohio Laws, HB 408, Sec. 5104.30(F) -- Eliminates the maximum state child care reimbursement rate so counties can request increased reimbursement for the special needs of a child, special family circumstances or unique market conditions.
1995 Ohio Laws, HB 117 -- Establishes the Early Start Program to provide services to children under age 3 who are at significant development risk. Authorizes health and child welfare funds for the program. Establishes rule making procedures and a county distribution formula.
Oklahoma
1998 Okla. Sess. Laws, HB 2474 -- Requires state agencies to evaluate and increase as needed the child care reimbursement rate for providers who serve infants and toddlers, children with disabilities, and weekend, evening or shift care.
1998 Okla. Sess. Laws, SB 901 - Appropriates an increase of $1.4 million for early intervention services for disabled infants and toddlers.
Rhode Island
1998 R.I. Pub. Laws, H 8350 -- Appropriates $250,000 to expand child care availability, including before and after school programs, with priority given to school-linked programs, infants and toddlers and children with special health needs or developmental risks.
Texas
1999 Tex. Gen. Laws, Chap. 33 -- Requires the governor to designate certain board members to handle issues related to children under age 3 with developmental delays. Expands the public's powers to speak to the board about issues. Requires board members to complete a training program. Sets board member restrictions, a complaint process and responsibilities. Requires early identification of children under age 3 with a developmental delay and interagency work on such children who are vulnerable to abuse or neglect. Requires parental involvement and an automated system. Requires an assessment of service effectiveness. Establishes a provider selection process. Requires the Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention to seek funding that maximizes federal, private and local sources. Requires a report to the legislature.
1997 Tex. Gen. Laws, Chap. 923, Sec. 9 -- Establishes a lead agency to ensure that children under age 3 who have or are at risk of a developmental delay receive comprehensive early intervention services. Allows criminal history record information to be checked on prospective employees or volunteers who will have contact with children receiving early intervention services.
Wisconsin
1997 Wis. Laws, Act 27, Sec. 1788m -- Specifies uses of federal child care and TANF funds, including child care resource and referral services and training and technical assistance for children with special needs.
Compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures' Child Care project and updated in February 2000.
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