SECTION 1: PURPOSE

The Commission wishes to track legislation regarding FIRST 5 and/or subjects related to early childhood development (e.g., preschool and health care for children). The protocol provides Commissioners a uniform approach to tracking legislation and determining what, if any, action the Commission may wish to undertake.

SECTION 2: PROTOCOL

Commissioners and/or staff may identify legislation relating to FIRST 5 or early childhood development. Such legislation will be referred to the Program Committee to track the legislation’s progress and to recommend the action the Commission should consider. The Program Committee forwards legislation to the full Commission requesting specific action to be taken to either support or not support specific bills or initiatives.

SECTION 3: PROCESS

At the request of the Program Committee, FIRST 5 staff will track specific legislation and provide monthly written updates to the Committee regarding changes to the bill or initiative’s status. The Program Committee may forward the item to the full Commission for endorsement. The Commission determines whether or not to support the item, and may determine that the decision be communicated in writing to the appropriate party. In the event that a written communication is desired, the Chair of the Commission and/or the Executive Director will sign the document. If neither party is available for signature or when time constraints are an issue on a bill or initiative that already has full Commission support, the Program Committee Chair is granted the authority to represent the interests of the Commission and may sign a written document. The written document will be included in the next month’s Commission meeting packet to provide the full Commission with an update on the action taken.

This process will enable the Commission to be informed about specific legislation, to inform the public about their support or non-support of legislation, and to maintain proper handling of all written actions taken regarding the legislation.