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Senate reviews licensure bill to create OPR board and tiered licenses for early childhood educators; agencies warn of transition costs
Summary
The committee heard a comprehensive licensure proposal that would add early childhood educators to professions regulated by the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), create a nine‑member board, define ECE 1/2/3 and family child‑care categories, and authorize appropriations; Department for Children and Families and Agency of Education cautioned about work needed on transition, funding and compliance with national educator standards.
The Senate Health & Welfare Committee on Feb. 10 considered a licensure bill to professionalize early childhood education through a new chapter in Title 26, a governor‑appointed board and three tiers of licenses (ECE 1, 2 and 3) plus family child‑care recognition.
Katie McDonough explained the bill would add early childhood educators to the list of professions regulated by the Office of Professional Regulation, create a nine‑member board with five‑year staggered appointments, and authorize rulemaking. The board would adopt education, experiential and competency requirements for each license tier; transitional licenses are available for a limited period.
Janet McLaughlin, deputy commissioner…
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