Early childhood office receives funds for fiscal year 2027

Sets aside money for the Office of Early Childhood to operate programs and provide grants. The funding covers office operations, child-care programs, child-care facilities, loan guarantees, grants, and federal early-childhood expenses. State operations funding totals $14,635,808, including money for salaries, operating costs, professional fees, and grants. The act lists $188,667,976 for federal early-childhood expenses, $9,000,000 for child-care program grants and expenses, $36,786 for loan guarantees and grants, and $200,000 for child-care facility grants. Spending must follow state fiscal, purchasing, salary, and budget laws and any applicable regulations. Some funds depend on federal funds being designated by the Chief Fiscal Officer or cash funds being identified by that officer. The appropriations apply to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, and the act takes effect July 1, 2026.

Sets maximum staffing levels for the Office of Early Childhood. The office may have up to 138 regular employees and up to 13 part-time or temporary employees known as extra help. The extra-help employees may be used when needed. Extra-help pay may not exceed the rates allowed under state classification and compensation law or this act. The staffing limits apply during the 2026-2027 fiscal year.