Section 26.5-2-203 - Early childhood councils - established - rules(1) There is established a statewide integrated system of early childhood councils to improve and sustain the availability, accessibility, capacity, and quality of early childhood services for children and families throughout the state. The councils have consistent function and structure statewide and are governed by the department with input, cooperation, and support services from the departments of human services, education, and public health and environment.(2) The statewide system of early childhood councils consists of existing early childhood councils, renamed through this part 2 as "early childhood councils", and new councils designated and convened pursuant to this part 2, subject to available appropriations.(3) For new councils or for existing councils or partnerships that decide to reconfigure pursuant to this part 2, the board or boards of county commissioners shall designate a convening entity, which may include but is not limited to a local resource and referral agency, a county department of human or social services, a local school district, a department of public health, or, prior to July 1, 2023, a Colorado preschool program council. The convening entity may convene a council either as part of a single county or as part of a multi-county regional network.(4) The executive director shall determine by rule the criteria necessary for establishing a single council for an area.(5) Nothing in this part 2 requires an existing council to reconfigure or reconvene.(6) Nothing in this part 2 requires a county to establish an early childhood council or to be a part of a multicounty council.Amended by 2024 Ch. 155,§ 21, eff. 8/7/2024.Renumbered from C.R.S. §26-6.5-103 and amended by 2022 Ch. 123, §3, eff. 7/1/2022.Amended by 2018 Ch. 90, §2, eff. 8/8/2018.L. 97: Entire article added, p. 1124, § 1, effective May 28. L. 99: IP(3) amended and (4), (5), and (6) added, p. 1339, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2000: (3)(b.7) added, p. 40, § 9, effective May 14; (3) amended and (3.5), (7), and (8) added, p. 817, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2002: (3.7) added, p. 1620, § 2, effective July 1. L. 2005: (3.5), (3.7), and (8) amended, p. 899, § 3, effective June 2. L. 2007: Entire section R&RE, p. 1635, § 4, effective May 31. L. 2009: (2), (3), (5), and (6) amended, (HB 09 -1343), ch. 355, p. 1855, §4, effective June 1; (3) amended, (SB 09 -292), ch. 369, p. 1976, §101, effective August 5. L. 2011: (1) amended, (SB 11 -247), ch. 239, p. 1038, §5, effective May 27. L. 2018: (2) amended, (SB 18-099), ch. 90, p. 718, § 2, effective August 8.This section is similar to former § 26-6.5-103 as it existed prior to 2022.
2024 Ch. 155, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).