CHAPTER 368
H.P. 1058 - L.D. 1513
An Act To Require Coordination of Early Childhood Programs for Children 4 Years of Age in Maine
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §4255 is enacted to read:
§4255. Coordinated early childhood programs for children 4 years of age
1. Approval process for early childhood education. Any school administrative unit that wishes to develop an early childhood program for children 4 years of age must submit a proposal for approval to the department. Evaluation of the proposal must include consideration of at least the following factors:
A. Demonstrated coordination with other early childhood programs in the community to maximize resources;
B. Consideration of the extended child care needs of working parents; and
C. Provision of public notice regarding the proposal to the community being served, including the extent to which public notice has been disseminated broadly to other early childhood programs in the community.
2. Rulemaking. The department may adopt rules to implement this section, and any rules adopted must include standards for early childhood programs for children 4 years of age that are developed by school administrative units. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 2. Standards. The Department of Education, in collaboration with representatives of the early childhood programs in the State, shall establish standards for early childhood programs for children 4 years of age developed by school administrative units.
Effective September 17, 2005.
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