Bill > H3573

This bill aims to establish a universal Head Start and Early Head Start program in South Carolina with the goal of expanding access to evidence-based early childhood education for eligible families. The bill requires the Office of First Steps to School Readiness to develop a comprehensive five-year plan to progressively increase Head Start program availability, targeting a 20% annual expansion. The plan may include strategies such as expanding existing programs, seeking federal and foundation grants, and using social impact bonds. The bill mandates the development of an automatic enrollment process through medical providers, including checkboxes on pediatric exam and foster care/adoption paperwork to facilitate program enrollment. The office must collaborate with the State Department of Education to improve alignment between Head Start and public school programs. Importantly, the bill includes robust privacy protections, ensuring that any personal data collected is deidentified, minimally shared, and only used for program administration, with strict guidelines about data access and disclosure. Head Start and Early Head Start are defined according to federal guidelines, and the program aims to serve families who meet existing federal eligibility criteria. The bill will take effect upon the Governor's approval, with the office required to begin implementing various provisions within specified timeframes, ranging from 60 to 120 days after the effective date.

Education

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3573&session=126&summary=B