HOUSE BILL NO. 1909

By Representatives Head, McMillan

Substituted for: Senate Bill No. 1846

By Senator Haun

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to programs for cognitive development of children.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. The Department of Education shall develop by regulation a pilot program for the cognitive development of children to be conducted in six (6) counties. Such program shall be based on the "Touching the Lives of Children" program implemented in the state of North Carolina. The department shall establish criteria for selection of counties to volunteer to participate in the pilot program. Such criteria shall include the requirement that a group of volunteers teach the program and that the application from the county include information on the volunteer group which will teach the program. No grant made for such pilot programs shall exceed the sum of eight thousand dollars ($8,000). The department shall report no later than February 15, 1998, to the Education Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on the pilot program and whether or not it recommends expanding, continuing or terminating the program.

SECTION 2. The provisions of this act shall not be construed to be an appropriation of funds and no funds shall be obligated or expended pursuant to this act unless such funds are specifically appropriated by the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 3. No more than two (2) pilot programs established pursuant to this act shall be located in any grand division.

SECTION 4. For the purpose of promulgating regulations, this act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it. For all other purposes, this act shall take effect on July 1, 1997, the public welfare requiring it.