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Senate Finance hears bill to license early childhood educators, sets tiers, fees and transition paths
Summary
Senate Finance reviewed S206, which would move individual licensure of early childhood educators to the Office of Professional Regulation, create four license tiers, set fees, allow multi‑year transitional licenses and require a 2031 status report; OPR said fees should cover costs but lawmakers pressed on workforce and cost impacts.
The Senate Finance Committee on March 10 took up S206, a bill that would add early childhood educators to the Office of Professional Regulation’s (OPR) roster, create a new chapter in Title 26 and license individuals rather than only child‑care programs.
Legislative counsel and OPR staff told the committee the proposal establishes four license types — ECE1 (assistant educator), ECE2 (lead educator), ECE3 (senior/mentor) and a family child‑care provider category — with different education and experience thresholds. The measure creates a Board of Early Childhood Educators to set standards and rules, and it includes exemptions for teachers licensed under Title 16 and staff who work exclusively in public schools.
OPR director Jennifer Poland told the panel that an “ECE1 would count towards ratios,” confirming that the bill is meant to align staffing rules with…
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