HOUSE BILL 555

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Christine Trujillo

AN ACT

RELATING TO EARLY CHILDHOOD; ESTABLISHING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND.--

          A. The "early childhood educator scholarship fund" is created in the state treasury. The state treasurer shall deposit in the fund all amounts appropriated to the fund. The children, youth and families department shall administer the fund. Money shall be disbursed only on warrant of the secretary of finance and administration upon voucher signed by the secretary of children, youth and families or the secretary's authorized representative. Earnings from investment of the fund shall be credited to the fund. Money in the fund shall not revert to any other fund at the end of a fiscal year.

          B. Money in the early childhood educator scholarship fund is appropriated to the children, youth and families department to be used to create scholarships to enhance the ability of early childhood caregivers and educators to obtain either:

                (1) a child development associate credential issued by the national credentialing program of the council for professional recognition; or

                (2) a New Mexico child development certificate issued by the children, youth and families department.

          C. The children, youth and families department shall adopt and promulgate rules to establish criteria for making awards from the early childhood educator scholarship fund based on evaluation of applications submitted by eligible applicants.

          D. Awards from the early childhood educator scholarship fund:

                (1) may be used for eligible expenses; but

                (2) shall not be used to cover educational expenses for which a recipient has received a state income tax credit.

          E. No more than five percent of the total awards made during each fiscal year shall be expended from the fund for administrative costs.

          F. As used in this section:

                (1) "eligible applicant" means a resident of the state who:

                     (a) is currently working in a child care or education setting with children under five years of age; and

                     (b) has not previously earned either a child development associate credential issued by the council for professional recognition or a New Mexico child development certificate issued by the children, youth and families department; and

                (2) "eligible expense" means any fee, book, supplies or educational preparatory program used while in pursuit of a child development associate credential issued by the council for professional recognition or a New Mexico child development certificate issued by the children, youth and families department.

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