HJR176 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Wes KitchensSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Joint Legislative Study Commission on Expanding Access to Quality Pre-kindergarten Early Education Programs, created

Summary

HJR176 creates a joint legislative study commission to explore expanding access to high-quality Pre-K in Alabama and to report recommendations by the 2022 Regular Session.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a 10-member Joint Legislative Study Commission (5 Senators and 5 House members) tasked with studying funding, access, and quality for Pre-K programs. The commission will examine funding practices, barriers to quality improvement for childcare centers, and obstacles to universal access to high-quality Pre-K for eligible children, then propose legislative actions. It must report its recommendations to the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate on the first legislative day of the 2022 Regular Session and will be dissolved after that session begins. Appointments are due within 30 days of adoption, the first meeting must occur by July 1, 2021, and staff support plus member compensation are provided.

Who It Affects

• Three-year-old and four-year-old children and their families in Alabama could gain expanded access to high-quality Pre-K programs as a result of the commission's work.
• Childcare centers and early education providers statewide, who may face guidance and potential policy changes aimed at improving program quality and meeting NIEER standards.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Joint Legislative Study Commission on Expanding Access to High Quality Pre-K Education.
• Commission membership: five Senate members appointed by the President Pro Tempore and five House members appointed by the Speaker; appointments should reflect diversity in gender, race, and geography.
• Duties: evaluate funding practices to expand Pre-K within Alabama's mixed delivery system; identify barriers to quality improvement systems for childcare centers to implement NIEER structural quality standards; assess obstacles to full access to high-quality Pre-K classrooms statewide.
• Reporting and dissolution: must submit recommendations for legislative action on the first day of the 2022 Regular Session; the commission is dissolved when that session begins.
• Operations: appointments within 30 days of adoption; first meeting by July 1, 2021; officers elected at first meeting; staff support provided by House, Senate, and Legislative Services Agency; legislators receive compensation, per diem, and travel expenses per Amendment 871.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Resolutions, Legislative