SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 3

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

Michael Padilla

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING TO AMEND ARTICLE 12 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO BY ADDING A NEW SECTION TO CREATE THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE FOR VOLUNTARY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SERVICES AND AMENDING SECTION 3 OF THAT ARTICLE TO ALLOW THAT DEPARTMENT TO CONTRACT FOR NONSECTARIAN, NONDENOMINATIONAL EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SERVICES.

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

     SECTION 1. It is proposed to amend Article 12 of the constitution of New Mexico by adding a new section to read:

     "The "early childhood education department" is created as a cabinet department to provide for voluntary early childhood education services for children up to age five, including prenatal education and referral services. The governor, with the consent of the senate, shall appoint a secretary with at least ten years of experience studying, providing, supervising and administering early childhood education programs to head the department."

     SECTION 2. It is proposed to amend Article 12, Section 3 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

     "The schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions provided for by this constitution shall forever remain under the exclusive control of the state. [and] No part of the proceeds arising from the sale or disposal of any lands granted to the state by congress, or any other funds appropriated, levied or collected for educational purposes, shall be used for the support of any sectarian, denominational or private school, college or university, except that those funds, other than the proceeds arising from the sale or disposal of any lands granted to the state by congress, may be used by the early childhood education department to contract for the provision of nonsectarian, nondenominational early childhood education services."

     SECTION 3. The amendment proposed by this resolution shall be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at the next general election or at any special election prior to that date that may be called for that purpose.

- 2 -