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HF 1147

School-age care programs authorized to provide services to eligible prekindergarten students.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nathan Coulter and 4 co-sponsors

SAC programs would be allowed to enroll and provide services to eligible prekindergarten students, expanding access to after-hours early learning.

Author added Feist
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Bill Summary · HF 1147

Summary: HF 1147 (2025-2026) — School-age Care Programs Authorized to Provide Services to Eligible Prekindergarten Students

Overview

HF 1147 proposes to authorize school-age care (SAC) programs to provide services to eligible prekindergarten (pre-K) students. The bill aims to expand access to early learning and care by permitting SAC providers, which typically serve school-aged children, to extend offerings to eligible preschoolers prior to kindergarten. The measure is sponsored by multiple legislators and has been referred between committees during the 2025-2026 session.

Purpose and Intent

  • Expand access to child care and educational services for prekindergarten students by utilizing existing school-age care infrastructure and providers.
  • Leverage SAC programs to support families with school-aged children and preschoolers, potentially enhancing continuity of care and learning experiences across age groups.
  • Align SAC programming with early childhood and pre-K objectives, promoting consistent supervision, enrichment, and developmental supports outside standard school hours.

Key Provisions (What the Bill Would Do)

  • Allow SAC programs to enroll and provide services to eligible prekindergarten students.
  • Establish criteria for eligibility and enrollment in SAC programs for pre-K children (e.g., age range, parental or guardian consent, program capacity, and any state-specific eligibility standards tied to funding or subsidies).
  • Define permissible services within SAC programs for pre-K students (e.g., supervised activities, educational enrichment, meals/snacks, transportation considerations, safety protocols).
  • Outline program standards, including staffing qualifications, staff-to-child ratios appropriate for the combined age group, health and safety requirements, and quality measures.
  • Address funding mechanisms, including potential eligibility for state subsidies, grants, or child care assistance to support SAC providers serving pre-K students.
  • Integrate with existing state early childhood and school-age care regulatory frameworks to ensure consistency and oversight.
  • Include reporting, compliance, and accountability provisions for SAC providers serving pre-K students.

Who Would be Affected

  • School-age care programs: Authorized to serve eligible prekindergarten children, expanding their participant pool and service offerings.
  • Prekindergarten students: Eligible to participate in SAC programming outside typical school hours or settings, subject to eligibility criteria.
  • Families/Guardians: May access SAC-based services for both older children and pre-K, potentially improving accessibility and continuity of care.
  • Child care providers and centers: Might adjust operations to accommodate the combined age group and meet any new regulatory requirements.
  • State agencies: Departments overseeing child care licensing, early learning programs, and education policy would implement and enforce the provisions, including any funding and reporting requirements.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Initial action: Introduction and first reading, with referral to Education Policy (as of February 19, 2025).
  • Subsequent action: Referred to and considered by the Children and Families Finance and Policy committee (as of February 26, 2025, after a recall/re-referral vote).
  • Current status: Bill progressing through committee stages; specific dates for hearings, amendments, and potential floor action are not provided in the summary.
  • Notable sponsor activity: Multiple co-sponsors, indicating broad legislative interest and cross-chamber collaboration.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Access: Could increase the availability of supervised care and early learning opportunities for pre-K children, particularly for working families.
  • Quality and Oversight: Requires clear standards for instruction, safety, and staffing to ensure age-appropriate programming and child welfare.
  • Funding: Dependent on state appropriations or subsidies; providers may need support to scale services for younger children.
  • Integration: Necessitates alignment with existing early childhood education and school-age care regulations to avoid gaps in licensing, reporting, and accountability.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to specific readers (e.g., parents, providers, policymakers) or add a proposed timeline with likely next steps based on typical Minnesota legislative process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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