House Sponsors: COULSON-WIRSING-MULLIGAN-HOWARD-GARRETT, FLOWERS, SCHOENBERG, BOLAND, HAMOS, GASH, DART, SCULLY, BELLOCK, SHARP, FRITCHEY, SCOTT, MCKEON, LOPEZ, BLACK, BASSI, WINTERS, OSTERMAN, MAUTINO, DAVIS,MONIQUE, SCHMITZ, PERSICO, WOJCIK, SAVIANO, NOVAK, MATHIAS AND MCGUIRE. Senate Sponsors: DONAHUE-DILLARD-OBAMA-PARKER-TROTTER Short description: GREAT START PROGRAM Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that beginning October 1, 2000, the Department of Human Services shall operate a Great START (Strategy To Attract and Retain Teachers) program to improve children's educational outcomes in child care by encouraging increased professional preparation by staff and staff retention. Provides that the Department shall provide wage supplements to licensed child care center personnel, licensed family day care home personnel, and licensed group day care home personnel, paying increasing amounts for higher levels of educational attainment beyond minimum qualifications and recognizing longevity of employment. Provides that the Department shall convene an advisory commission to make recommendations on the components of the Great START program. Provides that the Department shall evaluate the Great START program and submit a report to the General Assembly by December 31, 2002. Effective immediately. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 2. Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the bill as introduced with the following changes. Provides that the Great START program may include incentives other than wage supplements. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall convene a working committee of its standing Child and Development Advisory Council rather than an advisory commission to make recommendations on the components of the Great START program. Provides that various department heads shall be included in the working committee when necessary. Makes other changes. Retains the immediate effective date. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Provides a termination date of July 1, 2004 for the Great START program. Last action on Bill: PUBLIC ACT.............................. 91-0831 Last action date: 00-06-15 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 1 SENATE - 1 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status