Bill Summaries: H74 (2021)

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  • Summary date: Feb 11 2021 - View summary

    Includes whereas clauses. Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Child Development and Early Education (Division) to establish a three-year pilot project implementing the "ApSeed" program (program), which aims to ready preschool-aged children for prekindergarten through a learning device called a seedling. Requires participation from the following counties: Forsyth, Hoke, New Hanover, Watauga, and Yadkin. Directs selection of children to participate based on greatest need.

    Appropriates $2.5 million from the General Fund to the Division for each year of the 2021-23 biennium to provide equipment and cover associated costs of the pilot project. Requires allocation to the participating counties, with each county receiving up to $500,000, as determined by the Division, for each year.

    Directs the Director of Budget to include the needed nonrecurring funds in the base budget for 2023-24 to support the pilot project, with unexpended funds reverting to the General Fund.

    Requires the Division to report to the specified NCGA committees and division within six months of the pilot project's completion. Details required content of the report, including the number of children served by age and county, the extent of parental involvement, and the amount of funds needed to expand the program statewide. 

    Effective July 1, 2021.