Bill > SJR17

This Joint Resolution proposes to amend the New Mexico Constitution to create a new cabinet-level Early Childhood Education Department, headed by a secretary with at least ten years of experience in the field, responsible for providing voluntary early childhood education services, including prenatal support and programs for children from birth to age five. It also amends existing constitutional provisions to allow public schools and this new department to use educational funds, excluding those from land grants, to offer or contract for these early childhood educational services, ensuring they are nonreligious, nonsectarian, and nondenominational. This proposed constitutional change would be put to a vote by the people at the next general or a special election.