Section 1. Establishment; purpose [of early learning scholarship program]. Clarifies that the purpose of the early learning scholarship program is to close opportunity gaps by providing access to high-quality programs for children from birth to age five.

Section 2. Family eligibility [for early learning scholarships]. Expands eligibility to include children who are not yet five years old on September 1 of the current school year. Makes other conforming changes.

Section 3. Administration [of the early learning scholarship program]. Directs the commissioner to give highest priority for scholarships to children who have a parent under age 21 who is pursuing a high school degree or general education equivalency diploma, are in foster care or otherwise in need of protection or services, or have experienced homelessness within the last 24 months. Strikes obsolete language.

Section 4. Appropriation; targeted home visiting for high risk populations. Appropriates money to the commissioner of health for community-led targeted home visiting services.

Section 5. Appropriations. Appropriates money to the commissioner of education for the early learning scholarship program, including departmental administrative costs. Authorizes a portion of the appropriation to be transferred to the commissioner of human services for expansion of the quality rating and improvement system (QRIS).

Effective dates. All sections are effective July 1, 2017.