Bill > H552

This bill aims to improve the quality of early education and care in Massachusetts. It requires the Department of Early Education and Care to establish a revised rate structure and sliding fee scale for subsidized early education and care programs to ensure they can provide high-quality services. The bill also creates an early childhood mental health consultation grant program to support children's social-emotional development and reduce expulsions and suspensions in child care settings. Additionally, the bill directs the department to develop performance standards to limit the use of suspension and expulsion in licensed early education programs. Finally, the bill establishes an early education and care educator scholarship program to help early childhood educators pursue associate or bachelor's degrees to meet quality standards.