summary
Introduced
02/06/2026
02/06/2026
In Committee
04/13/2026
04/13/2026
Crossed Over
04/13/2026
04/13/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The bill creates the cradle to career grant program (grant program) in the state department of human services (state department) to provide grants that promote coordinated community-based supports and services that open opportunities for economic mobility from poverty. The grant program must connect children and youth with high-quality educational and extracurricular programming and families with key health and social services in order to improve prenatal and early childhood outcomes, student achievement, and workforce readiness. A local government, local education provider, state institution of higher education, Indian tribe or tribal organization, or community-based nonprofit or not-for-profit organization (eligible entity) is eligible for a grant award. The bill creates an advisory board to approve the state department's potential grant recipients and to collaborate with the state department to develop grant program guidelines and criteria for awarding grants. To receive a grant, an eligible entity must submit an application that includes an economic mobility needs assessment and a comprehensive proposal to address the needs within its designated service area. The application must identify community partners as prospective subcontractors. Each grant recipient must annually report to the state department on a set of performance indicators assessing the economic mobility outcomes and impacts associated with the grant award. The state department must make a related report to the general assembly each year. The state department may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations for grant-program-related purposes. The state department is not required to implement the grant program until sufficient money is available to adequately fund grant program operations. The general assembly shall not appropriate general fund dollars for grant program operations in its first year. General fund appropriations for grant program operations in subsequent years are limited to 50% of the gifts, grants, and donations that the program received in the prior calendar year.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the "Cradle to Career Grant Program" within the state department of human services to provide grants to eligible entities, such as local governments, educational providers, higher education institutions, tribal organizations, and non-profits, aimed at reducing poverty and promoting economic mobility. The program will fund coordinated community-based supports and services that connect children and youth with quality educational and extracurricular activities, and families with essential health and social services, to improve outcomes from prenatal care through workforce readiness. An advisory council will be created to approve grant recipients and help develop program guidelines and criteria, with grant applications requiring a needs assessment and a comprehensive proposal for the designated service area, which is defined as a geographic area with a high concentration of poverty. Grant recipients must report annually on their progress, and the state department will report to the general assembly. The program's funding will primarily come from gifts, grants, and donations, with limited general fund appropriations in subsequent years, and the program will only be implemented if at least $900,000 is available. The program is scheduled for review and potential repeal in 2033.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education, Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (14)
James Coleman (D)*,
Regina English (D)*,
Meghan Lukens (D)*,
Cleave Simpson (R)*,
Judy Amabile (D),
Lisa Cutter (D),
Jessie Danielson (D),
Tony Exum (D),
Julie Gonzales (D),
Iman Jodeh (D),
Cathy Kipp (D),
William Lindstedt (D),
Janice Marchman (D),
Katie Wallace (D),
Last Action
House Education Hearing (13:30:00 4/30/2026 Room 0107) (on 04/30/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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