(a) The Legislature finds that: (1) High quality early childhood development substantially improves the intellectual and social potential of children and reduces societal costs; (2) A child care program quality rating and improvement system provides incentives and resources to improve the quality child care programs; and (3) A child care program quality rating and improvement system provides information about the quality of child care programs to parents so they may make more informed decisions about the placement of their children. (b) It is the intent of the Legislature to require the Secaretary of the Department of Human Services promulgate a legislative rule and establish a plan for the phased implementation of a child care program quality rating and improvemelnt system not inconsistent with the provisions of this article. (c) The Secretary of the Department of Human Services shall create a Quality Rating and Improvement System Advisory Council to provide advice on the development of the rule and plan for the phased implementation of a child care program quality rating and improvement system and the ongoing program review and policies for quality improvement. The secretary shall facilitate meetings of the advisory council. The advisory council shall include representatives from the provider community, advocacy groups, the Legislature, providers of professional development services for the early childhood community, regulatory agencies and others who may be impacted by the creation of a quality rating and improvement system. (d) Nothing in this article requires an appropriation, or any specific level of appropriation, by the Legislature.
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