HOUSE BILL 173

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Christine Trujillo

AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO FUND A WORKFORCE AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS.

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

     SECTION 1. APPROPRIATION.--

          A. One million dollars ($1,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the children, youth and families department for expenditure in fiscal year 2018 to fund an ongoing workforce and professional development program to increase the quality of early childhood education for children from birth to the age of eligibility for kindergarten. Participants in the ongoing workforce and professional development program shall be early childhood educators who qualify under children, youth and families department rules. The appropriation shall be in the following amounts for the following purposes:

                (1) three hundred eighty-eight thousand five hundred dollars ($388,500) for workforce retention incentives; and

                (2) six hundred eleven thousand five hundred dollars ($611,500) for continuing education and professional development.

          B. The children, youth and families department shall contract for implementation and management of the workforce and professional development program through a nonprofit entity or entities experienced in promoting quality early childhood education.

          C. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2018 shall revert to the general fund.

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