NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates HB2 and SB2

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State Department of Public Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Senate Public Affairs Committee Amendment

The Senate Public Affairs Committee (SPAC) amendment specifies the ages of children to be served by this program (ages 5-8).

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 35 appropriates funds to SDE for the early childhood-family support and education training programs to provide before- and after-school programs to students who are eligible to receive temporary assistance for needy families.

Significant Issues

Laws 1998, First Special Session, Chapter 14, appropriated $2,482.5 from the general fund to the Human Services Department to develop early childhood-family support and education training programs with the State Department of Education to provide before- and after-school programs to students who are participants as defined in the New Mexico Works Act. The appropriation is reported by HSD as maintenance of effort.

According to SDE, $2,110.1 was awarded to ten public school districts identified as areas lacking certified child-care services to develop early childhood-family support and education training programs. Programs are being implemented in forty-seven elementary schools serving approximately 3,642 children. The programs provide early childhood education and child care for children ages 5 to 8 years old, while parents gain employment, parenting, and job skills.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

This bill appropriates $2,500.0 from the general fund to SDE for expenditure in fiscal year 2000. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

Senate Bill 35 allows SDE to utilize up to ten percent of the appropriation or $250.0 for administrative costs.

In November 1998, SDE budgeted $112.0 for administrative costs out of the FY99 appropriation for early childhood-family support and education training programs which included one full-time term position to provide technical assistance and training in the schools.

DUPLICATION

Senate Bill 35 duplicates the LFC recommendation which includes $2,482.5 in the Income Support Programs of the Human Services Department, and also counts toward the maintenance of effort requirement of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

SDE indicates this bill does not address the ages of the children to be served by the programs and recommends adding the following:

Page 1, line 22, add "ages 5 to 8 years old" after the word "students".

Page 2, line 1, add a new sentence: "School districts shall maintain fiscal agent responsibility" after the word "costs".

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