A bill

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 63-11-1720, relating to composition of the First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees, so as to include the director of the department of mental health as an ex officio voting member; by amending Section 63-11-1725, relating to data sharing initiatives supported by the advisory council, so as to include state, local, and federal funding sources among the sources of data collected by the initiative; and by adding Section 63-11-1726 so as to provide All early childhood serving agencies shall participate in the data sharing initiatives supported by the advisory council.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.   Section 63-11-1720(C)(6) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

   (6) the chief executive officer of each of the following shall serve as an ex officio voting member:

         (a) Department of Social Services;

         (b) Department of Health and Environmental Control;

         (c) Department of Health and Human Services;

         (d) Department of Disabilities and Special Needs;

         (e) State Head Start Collaboration Officer; and

         (f) Children's Trust of South Carolina; and

         (g) Department of Mental Health.

SECTION 2.   Section 63-11-1725(D)(4) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

   (4) develop recommendations regarding the establishment of a unified data collection system for public early childhood education and development programs, and services, and state, local, and federal funding sources throughout the State;

SECTION 3.   Chapter 11, Title 63 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

   Section 63-11-1726.   All early childhood serving agencies shall participate in data sharing initiatives supported by the advisory council in furtherance of the requirements listed in Section 63-11-1725.

SECTION 4.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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