HB 24-1387

House Bill 24-1387, also known as the Preschool Programs Cash Fund Act, ensures that leftover money from a special fund can be used by the Department of Early Childhood to provide more preschool services for low-income families and those who qualify based on other factors. It also sets aside some of this money as a reserve, which the department can request additional funding from if needed. This bill has been signed into law and took effect on April 18, 2024, meaning it is now in practice to support preschool programs for eligible children in Colorado.

Official Summary

The act clarifies that the department of early childhood (department) may use the remaining money annually appropriated from the preschool programs cash fund (fund) to provide additional preschool services for children who are in low-income families or who meet at least one qualifying factor and to provide services for the furtherance of the universal preschool program. The act prohibits the general assembly from appropriating the full balance of the fund prior to the start of a state fiscal year. The unappropriated balance in the fund is the reserve. The department may submit a request for a supplemental appropriation from the reserve to the joint budget committee. APPROVED by Governor April 18, 2024 EFFECTIVE April 18, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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