R.B. 345, An Act Concerning School Readiness and the Even Start Program, would appropriate $11.7 million (received by Connecticut as FY 2004 TANF high performance bonus payments) to the School Readiness and Even Start programs for the purpose of (1) providing spaces for eligible participants and (2) professional development for staff of such programs.

R.B. 5427, An Act Concerning Funding for School Readiness Professional Development and Local Program Administration permits SDE, in cases of towns eligible for grants in priority school districts or former priority school districts that do not submit a plan for the entire amount of eligible funds, to use any amounts (rather than 50% under current law) to provide supplemental grants to other eligible towns (same as current law) or to enhance the system of professional development for pre-school educators in school readiness programs (new).

R&B. 5428, An Act Concerning School Readiness Staff Qualification, would address the credits and credentials issues for school readiness staff qualifications. The bill is intended (according to the statement of purpose) to ease staff shortages without diminishing the quality of individuals employed for school readiness programs by amending staff qualifications.

R&B. 5426, An Act Concerning School Readiness Grant Eligibility, eliminates the requirement that eligibility for competitive school readiness grants is determined for a five-year period based on an applicant's designation as having a priority school for the initial year of application and to provide that eligibility be determined annually based on priority school designations each year. Builds in a “grandfather clause” to permit towns and SR councils funded under the old system to continue eligibility for grants without reapplication until the end of the 5-year period under which they most recently were made eligible.

S.J.Res. 4, Resolution Memorializing Congress to Amend the No Child Left Behind Act, criticizes the federal No Child Left Behind Act for its “rigid mandates that Congress has not funded” and calls on Congress “to provide for a mechanism for the granting of waivers from the mandates” of the Act to “Connecticut and other states that (1) have implemented effective, high standards and accountability measures, (2) consistently achieve within the” top 10th percentile for student performance and participation in national assessments, (3) have annual school district profiles, and “(4) direct additional resources for school readiness and reading programs and school construction projects to school districts with a high concentration of students performing below the level of proficiency” [emphasis added].

H.B. 5344 An Act Concerning Childhood Nutrition in School Recess and Lunch Breaks. Requires school districts to offer healthier food choices like fruit, low fat dairy products and 100% natural fruit juices. It also would require 20 minutes of physical activity per school day.

H.B. 5346 An Act Concerning Continued Eligibility for the Child Care Subsidy Program. Opens enrollment for the Care4Kids program to low income working families and restores some funds.

H.B. 5350, An Act Improving Outcomes for Children from Birth to Three Years of Age. The bill requires DMR to develop a plan to expand the birth to three program to children at risk for developmental delays due to environmental causes.

H.B. 5368, An Act Concerning Paid Family Leave by Certain Companies and Establishing a Related Tax Credit. Provides tax incentives to businesses that offer paid family leave.

S.B. 86 An Act Concerning Community-Based Behavioral Health Programs and Services for Children and Youth in the Juvenile Justice System. Requires DCF and CSSD to collaborate to provide behavioral health services to children with family needs and youth in crisis. Requires an evaluation on the outcomes for preventing juvenile arrest and recidivism.

S.B. 129 An Act Concerning Establishing Regional Court Services for Children’s Matters. Authorizes the Probate Court to establish a regional court for children’s matter. (Pilot to be established in the 10-town New Haven region)

S.B. 357 An Act Concerning Childhood Obesity: Includes the requirement for school districts to offer healthy food choices and physical exercise. Requires DPH to establish three pilots to review school health forms and report on the body mass index of students to be determine to be at risk for diabetes to ensure screening and prevention.

H.B. 5590 An Act Concerning Civic Education: Establishes a grant program within the Secretary of State’s Office to promote civics education.

H.B. 5572 An Act Concerning Child Poverty Requires the executive and legislative branches of government to develop a comprehensive plan to reduce poverty by 50% by 2010.

H.B. 5583 An Act Concerning Parental Involvement Reporting in School Profiles Requires local school districts to report on parental involvement as part of the school profiles in order to raise the importance of parent involvement in education.

S.B. 457 An Act Concerning Restoration of Social Services Programs The bill would eliminate co-payment, cost sharing and premium requirements mandated in the HUSKY, Medicaid and state administered general assistance programs in accordance with public act 03-3 of the June 30 special session and public act 03-1 of the September 8 special session to restore benefits to SAGA and restore presumptive eligibility for HUSKY and restore eligibility in the Husky Program, Part A to relatives and needy caretakers.

H.B. 5387 An Act Concerning A Family Strength Plan The bill requires DSS and the Commission on Children to develop a comprehensive plan to strengthen and support families through better coordination and implementation of best practices.