HOUSE BILL 296 50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first
session, 2011 Rhonda S. King RELATING TO EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION; ENACTING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION ACT;
CREATING THE STATE EARLY LEARNING ADVISORY COUNCIL AND SETTING
FORTH ITS DUTIES; CREATING A FUND. BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
--This act may be cited as the "Early Childhood Care and
Education Act". SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Early
Childhood Care and Education Act: A. "council" means the state
early learning advisory council; B. "department" means the
children, youth and families department; C. "early childhood"
means from prenatal to the age of five years; D. "fund" means
the early childhood care and education fund; E. "pre-
kindergarten" means a voluntary developmental readiness program
for children who have attained their fourth birthday prior to
September 1; and F. "secretary" means the secretary of children,
youth and families. SECTION 3. FINDINGS AND PURPOS