1. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. “Cabinet” means the Children’s Cabinet established in section 19131. [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]
B. “Council” means the Maine Children’s Cabinet Early Childhood Advisory Council established in subsection 2. [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]
C. “Young children” means children from birth until they complete grade 3. [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]

[PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]

Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 5 Sec. 24051

2. Establishment. The Maine Children’s Cabinet Early Childhood Advisory Council, as established in section 12004?J, subsection 18, is created to develop, maintain and evaluate under the direction of the cabinet a plan for sustainable social and financial investment in healthy development of the State’s young children and their families.

[PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]

3. Membership. The council consists of the members listed in this subsection, who must have a strong interest in early childhood and early care and education and must be influential in their communities:
A. Two members of the Senate, one from each of the 2 political parties having the greatest number of members in the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]
B. Two members of the House of Representatives, one from each of the 2 political parties having the greatest number of members in the House, appointed by the Speaker of the House; [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]
C. The Governor or the Governor’s designee; [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]
D. One person who is the parent of a young child, appointed by the Speaker of the House; [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]
E. Two persons with experience in public funding and philanthropy, appointed by the Governor; [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]
F. One person representing child abuse and neglect prevention, appointed by the President of the Senate; [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]
G. One person representing postsecondary education, appointed by the Governor; [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]
H. Three persons representing statewide, membership or constituent organizations that advance the well?being of young children and their families, including early care and education programs, child care centers, Head Start programs, resource development centers, programs for school-age children, child development services, physicians and child advocates, nominated by their organizations and appointed by the cabinet; [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]
I. Two persons representing statewide, membership or constituent organizations for public and private family child care providers, nominated by their organizations and appointed by the cabinet; [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]
J. One person representing a business roundtable on early childhood investment, appointed by the Governor; [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]
K. One person with expertise in children’s health or public health, appointed by the Governor; [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]
L. Two ex officio nonvoting members who are employees of the Department of Education and direct or work in programming that affects young children, appointed by the Commissioner of Education; and [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]
M. Two ex officio nonvoting members who are employees of the Department of Health and Human Services and direct or work in programming that affects young children, appointed by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services. [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]

[PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]

4. Terms of appointment. Except for ex officio members, members of the council are appointed for terms of 3 years. Members who are Legislators are appointed for the duration of the legislative terms in which they were appointed. Members who are not Legislators may serve beyond their designated terms until their successors are appointed.

[PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]

5. Chair. The Governor shall appoint a chair for the council.

[PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]

6. Staffing; funding. The council may hire staff as necessary for its work and as resources permit. The council may accept grant funding and other funding as may be available for the work of the council from the Federal Government, any department, office or political subdivision of the State or any individual, foundation or corporation.

[PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).