To amend chapter 174, RSMo, by adding seven new sections relating to the establishment of child development training centers at certain state institutions of higher education, with an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI,

AS FOLLOWS:

Section A. Chapter 174, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto seven new sections, to be known as sections 174.770, 174.773, 174.776, 174.779, 174.781, 174.783 and 174.785, to read as follows:

174.770. As used in sections 174.770 to 174.785 of this act, the following terms mean:

(1) "Community college", a public institution of higher education as defined in subsection 5 of section 163.191, RSMo;

(2) "Institution", a state institution of higher education, including a community college or state college or university.

174.773. 1. In consultation with the student government association or a recognized student group which represents the student body, the board of any community college district or the board of regents or board of curators of any state college or university may establish a child development training center and offer courses and programs in child development in accordance with this act and with prior approval and the supervision of the coordinating board for higher education.

2. Each child development training center shall be a child care center established to provide child care during the day and at variable hours, including evenings and weekends, primarily for the children of students who are age eighteen and over. At least fifty percent of the child care slots shall be made available to students who demonstrate financial need, as defined by the governing board of each institution. The remaining child care slots may be used by the center to serve the children of other adult students who attend the institution, as well as the children of the institution's staff, faculty and employees, but no designated slots shall be allotted for staff, faculty or employees. Whenever possible, the center shall be located on the campus of the institution. The board of a community college district or any other institution may, however, elect to provide child care services through alternative mechanisms, which may include contracting with private providers.

174.776. There shall be a board of directors of each child development training center, consisting of the president of the institution or a designee, the student government or other recognized student body president or a designee, the chair of the department participating in the center or a designee, and one client for each twenty-five children enrolled in the center to be elected by majority vote of the clients having children enrolled in the center. There shall be a director of each center, selected by the board of directors of the center. The director shall be an ex officio, nonvoting member of the board. The board of the community college district shall establish local policies and perform local oversight and operational guidance for the center.

174.779. Each center established under this act may charge fees for the care and services it provides. The board of the community college district or board of regents or board of curators in which any center is located shall establish mechanisms to facilitate access to center services for students with financial need, which shall include a sliding fee scale and other methods adopted by the board to reduce or defray payment of fees for students. The board of the community college district is authorized to seek and receive grants, gifts, donations and other public and private resources to support the operation of the child development center.

174.781. In addition to revenues derived from child care fees charged to parents and other external resources, each child development training center may be funded by a portion of funds from student activity and service fees authorized by an institution and the capital improvement funds and procedures authorized by sections 8.310, 21.527 and 177.088, RSMo. For the purpose of this act, an institution is authorized to transfer funds as necessary from the institution's general fund to support the operation of the child development training center.

174.783. The coordinating board of higher education shall adopt rules for the establishment, operation and supervision of the child development training centers. These rules shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) A defined methodology for establishing the center;

(2) Participation in the operation of the center by the student government association or other recognized student group that represents the student body;

(3) Guidelines for the clinical training program and provision of instruction in parenting skills to clients at each center as well as in the community;

(4) Guidelines for the receipt and management of funds from fees, grants and other sources of funds consistent with existing state law.

The coordinating board of higher education shall require centers to obtain appropriate licensing and accreditation.

174.785. This act does not preclude the continuation of or in any way affect child care centers operated by public community colleges, state colleges or state universities which were established by their governing boards prior to the effective date of this act.

Section B. Sections 174.770 to 174.785 of this act shall become effective July 1, 1997.