Bill > HB4022

This bill establishes the Oregon Imagination Library Program, which aims to improve children's literacy by providing free, age-appropriate books each month to eligible children from birth to five years old, with the goal of fostering a love of reading, enhancing school readiness, and increasing graduation rates. The Department of Early Learning and Care will oversee the program, contracting with a statewide nonprofit entity that will coordinate operations, ensure statewide availability, provide funds to a national nonprofit foundation for book costs and mailing, promote enrollment, and manage private donations. State funds will cover no more than 50% of the book and mailing costs annually, and a dedicated Oregon Imagination Library Account will be established within the Department of Early Learning and Care Fund to hold all program moneys, which are continuously appropriated for program expenses.