ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                           H.B. 635

5-year action agenda for achieving school readiness, presented to the Subcabinet for
Children, Youth, and Families by the Leadership in Action Program; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Education

SUBTITLE 6. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMS.
8-601.

(A)     IN THIS SUBTITLE, "EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATIONAL AND
DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM" INCLUDES:

(1)      HEAD START PROGRAMS;

(2)      JUDY CENTERS;

(3)      PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS;

(4)      EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS; AND

(5)      CHILD CARE CENTERS.

(B)     EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMS IN
THE STATE, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL
NETWORK, MAY ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT TO PROMOTE EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMS.

(C)     THE PURPOSE OF THE AGREEMENT IS TO BRING TOGETHER EARLY
CHILDHOOD EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMS IN THE STATE TO
COLLABORATE AND DEVELOP A PLAN TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO A PARENT OR
GUARDIAN OF INDIGENT OR AT-RISK CHILDREN REGARDING:

(1)      THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION;

(2)      THE AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE MARYLAND
CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL NETWORK;

(3)      THE AVAILABILITY OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR YOUNG
CHILDREN AND CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES;

(4)      THE AVAILABILITY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD AND PRENATAL HEALTH
SCREENING;

(5)      THE AVAILABILITY OF FAMILY AND HOME-BASED SUPPORTS,
EDUCATION ON PRENATAL CARE, AND PARENTAL EDUCATION; AND

(6)     THE AVAILABILITY OF SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAMS.

8-602.

THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CHILD CARE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, SHALL:

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