Directs the executive office of health and human services to increase Medicaid rates for the Early Intervention and First Connections programs allowing for payment of competitive wages for qualified professionals.
Increases the annual appropriation for the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program from one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to one million dollars ($1,000,000).
Replaces the coastal resources management council with a state department of coastal resources and transfers all of the powers and duties between the two (2) authorities.
Increases minimum sentence for first degree sexual assault and provides first 10 years of a sentence for first degree sexual assault not be subject to a suspension or deferment of sentence.
Allows an individual school district that can utilize its own buses or vendors at a lower cost than the statewide system, to obtain reimbursement for these costs from state funds.
Provides for an appropriation by the general assembly in the amount of two million dollars ($2,000,000) to the various school districts and municipalities to employ additional social workers.
Directs the departments of human services and education to work together to sustain and strengthen existing workforce development and compensation programs for educators working in licensed child care and early learning programs statewide.
Establishes the office of early childhood development and learning to manage a statewide early learning system for children from birth through age five (5), and ensure all children enter school ready to learn.
Establishes guidelines for the continued implementation and expansion of high quality public prekindergarten education programs in the state.
Directs the department of education to develop and adopt regulations for energy capable school buildings.
