HBA-ATS H.C.R. 271 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.C.R. 271 By: Wise State Affairs 5/14/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE With the development of new medical imaging technology and more delicate tools, research in neurobiology has begun to reveal how the human brain develops from the time of birth. The importance of this research is the implication of its application to understanding the correlation between brain development and early childhood learning. Researchers conclude that during the first years of life the brain undergoes a series of extraordinary changes. It is estimated that trillions of neuron connections are created shortly after birth. Soon thereafter, synapses begin to form, connecting the neurons. One study reports that by the age of two, a child's brain contains twice as many synapses and consumes twice as much energy as the brain of a normal adult. It is during this period of human development when such profound changes occur so rapidly that a child's learning ability is at its greatest. Consequently, it should be expected that parents and other adult caregivers will play a critical role in influencing a child's development during this time. Researchers conclude that it is important for parents or caregivers to provide infants with stimulating experiences, to find the time to cuddle a baby or talk with a toddler or read to a child. Recognizing the links between good child care and an early educational head start, some states have launched early childhood initiatives designed to boost the brain power of youngsters through the institution of high-quality preschool and day care environments. Although some Texas state government agencies have launched several early childhood initiatives as well, these agencies have not coordinated their assistance to parents and families. Strengthening these state programs to include parents and community leaders may help the early childhood initiatives better meet the needs of the state's children. H.C.R. 271 requests the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of representatives to create an interagency advisory task force (task force) to develop and implement a state plan for serving children three years and younger, with a special emphasis on applying research on infant and toddler brain development based upon education recommendation 8 (ED 8) of the Texas Performance Review. The task force is to develop a plan and budget document by September 1, 2000, and make a complete report, including findings and recommendations for statutory changes, to the 77th Legislature when it convenes. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this resolution does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS H.C.R. 271 requests the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of representatives to create an interagency advisory task force (task force) to develop and implement a state plan for serving children three years and younger, with a special emphasis on applying research on infant and toddler brain development based upon education recommendation 8 (ED 8) of the Texas Performance Review. Sets forth the composition of the task force and identifies the 11 nonvoting advisory members. Provides that of the governor's three citizen appointees one must represent Texas child-care providers, one must represent Parents as Teachers, and one must represent Head Start. Provides that the commissioner of health and human services should implement the state plan by drawing upon funds appropriated from the operating account of the children's trust fund (trust fund) and, if necessary, state law should be amended to permit programs funded by the trust fund to encourage the healthy development of Texas children three years and younger. Provides that the task force develop a plan and budget document by September 1, 2000, and that the task force make a complete report, including findings and recommendations for statutory changes, to the 77th Legislature when it convenes.