Education (Early Childhood)

Directs the State Board of Education to allow play-based learning to be considered instructional time for students in kindergarten through grade five.

Digest: Tells DELC to provide information to some people who are looking for child care. Allows ODHS to provide that information on behalf of DELC. (Flesch Readability Score 67.7). ] Directs the Department of Early Learning and Care to provide standardized information on all publicly funded early learning and care programs and resources available in this state to people who apply for or are placed on the waitlist for the Employment Related Day Care subsidy program. Allows the Early Learning System Director to delegate this responsibility to the Department of Human Services by interagency agreement with the Director of Human Services. [ Directs the Department of Early Learning and Care, in consultation with the Department of Education and the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, to review and develop recommendations on background check requirements for publicly funded staff working under the jurisdiction of these agencies and submit a report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to education and early learning and care no later than September 15, 2026. ] Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Establishes the Oregon Imagination Library Program to provide a free book each month to eligible children, encourage children to develop a love of reading and learning and improve school readiness, third-grade reading proficiency and high school graduation rates. Directs the Department of Early Learning and Care to implement and administer the program. Authorizes the Early Learning Council, in consultation with the department, to adopt rules necessary to implement the program. Establishes the Oregon Imagination Library Account within the department for purposes of funding the program.