Childcare: local planning councils.

Existing law states the intent of the Legislature that local childcare and development planning councils provide a forum for the identification of local priorities for childcare and the development of policies to meet the needs identified within those priorities. Existing law requires the county board of supervisors and the county superintendent of schools to select members for the local planning council for that county. Existing law requires local planning councils, upon approval by the county board of supervisors and the county superintendent of schools, to submit to the State Department of Education the local priorities it has identified that reflect all childcare needs in the county, as provided. This bill would require local planning councils to provide information to cities and counties regarding facility needs for early childhood education, including, but not limited to, childcare and preschool, in their jurisdictions. By imposing new duties on local planning councils, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.