HF4728

Purpose

• Create a dedicated Task Force on Early Childhood Educator Licensure to develop a framework for an individual licensure system for early childhood educators in Minnesota. The effort aims to move toward a licensure model based on demonstrated competencies rather than solely on a postsecondary degree and to outline steps for increasing educator compensation in line with licensure levels. The bill requires a formal report with findings and an implementation timeline.

Key Provisions

• Establishment

  • Creates the Task Force on Early Childhood Educator Licensure to design a new, individual-based licensure system for early childhood educators.

• Membership

  • The task force includes:
  • 2 members from the House (one appointed by the Speaker; one from the House DFL caucus).
  • 2 members from the Senate (one appointed by the majority leader; one from the minority leader).
  • 2 employees of a licensed child care center (one from greater Minnesota, one from the metro area) and 2 license holders of a family child care program (one from greater Minnesota, one from the metro area).
  • 2 employees of an early care and education program run by a public school district or charter school (one from greater Minnesota, one from the metro area).
  • 1 representative of a federally recognized Tribe in Minnesota with expertise in Tribal early care and education.
  • 1 Head Start or Early Head Start program representative.
  • 2 parents of children currently or recently in early care and education (one from greater Minnesota, one from the metro area).
  • 1 pediatrician with expertise in developmental/behavioral pediatrics or a licensed mental health professional with expertise in early childhood development.
  • 1 faculty member or researcher from higher education or a research institution with expertise in early childhood education or development.
  • The commissioner or a designee.
  • Appointments must reflect diversity and include people with experience serving children with disabilities; appointments by August 1, 2026; members serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority or until the task force expires; vacancies filled accordingly.

• Operations

  • The first meeting must be convened by September 1, 2026.
  • The task force must elect a chair (and may elect other officers) and meet at least monthly, with meetings governed by open meeting laws.
  • Members serve without compensation; the commissioner provides staff, space, and administrative support.

• Duties

  • Develop at least:
  • A plan for a new individual-based licensure system for early childhood educator qualifications.
  • Clear, comparable competency frameworks for demonstrating professional qualifications without relying solely on a postsecondary degree.
  • A method for increasing early childhood educator compensation in line with licensure levels.
  • May examine other related issues consistent with the purpose.

• Reporting

  • By March 1, 2027, the task force must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over child care licensing. The report should summarize work, findings, and recommendations and include an implementation timeline to transition Minnesota to the proposed individual licensure system.

• Expiration

  • The task force expires the day after it submits its report.

How this changes existing law

• Creates a new advisory body and process to redefine how early childhood educators are licensed in Minnesota.
• Shifts emphasis from traditional credentialing (potentially tied to a postsecondary degree) toward an individual licensure system based on competency and demonstrated qualifications.
• Introduces a formal, timeline-driven plan and funding considerations for implementing a new licensure framework, including steps to improve compensation aligned with licensure.
• Requires ongoing collaboration across diverse sectors (education, child care providers, families, tribes, and health professionals) and a public report with an implementation timetable.

Timeline and Funding Context

• Appointments to the task force by August 1, 2026.
• First meeting by September 1, 2026.
• Report due by March 1, 2027.
• Possible appropriation of funds to support the task force’s work (though specific amounts are not stated in the text).

Terminology and Concepts Highlight

• Early childhood
• Individual licensure
• Licensure for early childhood educators
• Competency frameworks
• Demonstrating professional qualifications
• Postsecondary degree
• Compensation increases tied to licensure
• Open meetings and governance (Minnesota Statutes chapter 13D)
• Minnesota Rules chapter 9503 (child care centers) and chapter 9502 (family child care)
• Metropolitan area vs. greater Minnesota
• Tribal representation
• Head Start / Early Head Start
• Public school district or charter school programs
• Developmental and behavioral pediatrics / mental health professionals
• Schools of higher education / research institutions
• Commissioner of Children, Youth and Families

Practical Implications

• Potential long-term changes in how early childhood educators are credentialed and compensated.
• Greater emphasis on standardized competencies and non-degree-based qualification pathways.
• Broad stakeholder involvement increases the likelihood that the new system would reflect diverse experiences and needs of children and families across Minnesota.

Relevant Terms early childhood, licensure, individual licensure, competency frameworks, professional qualifications, postsecondary degree, compensation, Task Force on Early Childhood Educator Licensure, Minnesota Rules chapter 9503, Minnesota Rules chapter 9502, open meetings, metropolitan area, greater Minnesota, tribal representation, Head Start, Early Head Start, public school district, charter school, pediatrician, developmental pediatrics, behavioral pediatrics, mental health professional, higher education, research institution, commissioner, Minnesota Statutes chapter 13D, child care licensing, report date March 1, 2027