AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD.

SB 137 establishes the Early Childhood Cabinet, a new state coordinating body with 21 members including agency leaders and appointed stakeholders like parents, educators, and child care providers. It creates the Connecticut Smart Start grant program, providing school districts with funding to start or expand preschool programs through capital grants (up to $75,000 per classroom for facility renovations) and annual operating grants (up to $6,500 per child or $97,500 per classroom). These grants, available for five years, target local and regional school boards to support preschool programs meeting state standards. The bill directly affects public school districts, early childhood education providers, and families accessing preschool services in Connecticut, effective July 2026.