There are two administrative rule sets open for public comment beginning Friday, April 1, 2022. Public comment will close for the rule sets Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 5 p.m. Submit public comment by either attending public hearings (linked below) OR send testimony in Word or PDF format to Remy Watts, Rule Coordinator.

Kindergarten Readiness Partnership & Innovation (KPI) Program 

View full proposed rule language here.

Summary: The purpose of the KPI Program is to improve the readiness for kindergarten of children who are at-risk. KPI was modified in HB 2054 of the 2021 Oregon Legislative Session to update allowable programs and administration of funding.

Process: The ELD engaged internal and external partners in draft rule development, including convening a Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) in February through March 2022. The RAC flagged equity and fiscal concerns for programs funded by KPI. Equity concerns included keeping KPI funding flexible to meet needs of local communities, some of which are very rural with no other preschool services. The RAC helped develop strategies in rule language to address these concerns, which are included in the submitted language to the Secretary of State.

Public Hearing & Meeting Materials: There will be a public hearing on Tuesday, April 19, at 5:30 p.m. Please see the calendar link for more information, including how to register for the hearing and full proposed rule text.

TEMPORARY: Allowing Recorded Programs and License-Exempt Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) Providers into Central Background Registry

Summary: N.B. These rules will be proposed for temporary adoption. This rulemaking will allow recorded programs, which are currently unlicensed facilities, to be enrolled in the Central Background Registry. Furthermore, license-exempt ERDC providers will be required to enroll in the Central Background Registry. This rulemaking gives ELD the authority to include both recorded programs and license exempt subsidy recipients into the pool of “subject individuals”. ELD will be enrolling providers into the CBR as their ODHS background checks expire and will allow additional time to enroll them prior to becoming DELC.

Process: These rules will be temporary and in effect for 120 days. The ELD is planning robust external engagement with affected providers during the 120-day window before presentation of administrative rules for permanent adoption in an upcoming ELC meeting. There is no public hearing scheduled at this time; there will be a public hearing scheduled for permanent administrative rule adoption.

How to provide public comment: These rules will be proposed for temporary adoption at the  Wednesday, April 27 Early Learning Council Meeting. Please see the calendar link for more information on how to submit public comment for the Early Learning Council meeting.