SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 17

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

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 AND PROVIDE FOR ITS RESPONSIBILITIES AND AMENDING SECTION 3 TO ALLOW PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THAT DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE OR CONTRACT FOR VOLUNTARY NONRELIGIOUS, NONSECTARIAN AND NONDENOMINATIONAL EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATIONAL 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 to provide for voluntary early childhood education, including prenatal education and referral services for pregnant women and for children from birth to age five or other appropriate age, depending on the service provided. The department shall have such powers and duties as provided by law. The department shall be a cabinet department headed by a secretary of early childhood education, who shall be appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate. The secretary shall have at least ten years of experience studying, providing, supervising and administering early childhood education programs."

     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; provided that funds other than land grant funds that are appropriated, levied or collected for educational purposes may be used by the public schools and the early childhood education department to provide or contract for the provision of nonreligious, nonsectarian and nondenominational early childhood education services as provided by law."

     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.

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