S346

	Resolved, that a special commission is hereby established to study and make recommendations for adequately and equitably funding high-quality early education and care in the Commonwealth so that all children build the foundational skills they need to thrive in school and life.
	Resolved, that the study shall determine the feasibility of creating a foundation budget for early education and care. The scope of the study shall include all current and potential funding streams for the continuation of the mixed-provider delivery of formal and informal programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children during out-of-school time. The study shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas: (i) determine the true cost of delivering high-quality early education and care in Massachusetts, taking into account provider type, age group, region, high-need population levels, and fair staff wages; (ii) examine all existing and potential funding streams including federal, state, local, philanthropic, employers, and families and how best to coordinate them; (iii) explore the opportunity to build upon the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) through municipal, state and potentially private investments to create increased access through local partnerships and collaborations; (iv) review the successes and challenges of the utilization of the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Grant Program by providers; (v) investigate methods to design funding streams to address providers’ underfunding or unmet needs such as child mental and behavioral health services, early intervention and special education services, capital improvements, summer learning, transportation, and other needs as determined by the commission; (vi) examine effective ways to create diverse and robust career pathways for early educators, including cross-sectoral approaches, apprenticeship opportunities, access to career training, accessible and equitable credential and endorsement opportunities, and approaches to tie pathways to improving staff compensation; and (viii) any other aspect related to the subject matter of the commission that the commission deems necessary to fulfill its mandate.  During its study, the commission shall ensure that the voices and perspectives of diverse providers, parents, and vulnerable stakeholders from the early education and care system are elevated and considered by all members.   
	Resolved, the commission shall consist of the following members or their designees: the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on education, who shall serve as co-chairs; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities; 1 member to be appointed by the president of the senate; 1 member to be appointed by the speaker of the house; 1 member to be appointed by the chair of the senate committee on ways and means; 1 member to be appointed by the chair of the house committee on ways and means; the secretary of education; the commissioner of the department of early education and care; the commissioner of the department of elementary and secondary education; the commissioner of the department of higher education; the secretary of the executive office of health and human services; the secretary of the executive office of labor and workforce development; a representative from the Massachusetts Association of Early Education and Care; a representative of Strategies for Children; a representative from Neighborhood Villages; a representative from United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley; a representative from Massachusetts Early Education Funders Collaborative; Massachusetts Business Roundtable; a representative from the Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy; a representative from the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center; a representative from the Massachusetts Taxpayer’s Foundation; a representative from the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents who must also be from a current CPPI community; a representative from an advanced CPPI community; a representative from the Massachusetts Head Start Association; a representative from SEIU 509, which represents family child care providers; a representative from an independent family child care program; a representative from the Massachusetts Resource and Referral Network; a representative from the Massachusetts Municipal Association; a representative from Care that Works; a representative of the Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership, a representative from the Massachusetts Alliance of YMCAs; a representative of the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs; a representative from Massachusetts Association for Community Action; and no more than 5 additional members to be appointed by the co-chairs, at least one of whom shall represent parents and families. 
	Commissioners shall use principles of economic and social justice to guide their work and shall collaborate with existing working groups and task forces. The commission shall create findings and recommendations based on their study and should consider and recommend ways that resources can be utilized most efficiently, effectively, and equitably.   
	All appointments should be made no later than 60 days after the effective date of this act.  
	Resolved, that not later than June 30, 2026, the commission shall issue a report with findings and recommendations, including any legislative or regulatory changes that may be necessary to implement these recommendations. The report shall be submitted to the clerks of the house of representatives and senate, the joint committee on education, and the house and senate committees on ways and means.  
	3000-XXXX For the operation of the commission established under this act, including but not limited to, staffing and administrative expenses …………………………………………………… $100,000