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SF0096

Transfer of Early Childhood Education Programs to the Department of Education

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This bill proposes to move early childhood education programs and staff from the health, family services, and workforce departments to the department of education, effective July 1, 2019.

What it does

  • Transfers early childhood education programs, staff, funds, and property from the department of health, department of family services, and department of workforce services to the department of education.
  • Requires the governor to transfer necessary positions, personnel, appropriations, property, and equipment to the department of education by July 1, 2019.
  • Designates the state superintendent as the authority for early childhood education programs, including administering preschool services for children with developmental disabilities.
  • Requires the four involved departments to work together and report to the joint education interim committee on implementation recommendations and necessary legal changes by November 1, 2018.
  • Updates state laws to reflect that the department of education, rather than the department of health, manages educational services for young children with disabilities.
  • Sets a local match requirement of 3% for developmental preschool services funded by the state.

Who it affects

  • The Wyoming Department of Education, which would take over administration of these programs.
  • The Wyoming Department of Health, Department of Family Services, and Department of Workforce Services, which would transfer their programs and staff.
  • The Governor, who would be required to make the necessary personnel and property transfers.
  • Local community boards and agencies that contract with the state for early childhood services.

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill did not pass in the 2018 session; it was postponed indefinitely on February 22, 2018.
  • The specific list of staff and property to be transferred is not detailed in the bill text, only that the governor must determine what is necessary.
  • The bill states that the validity of existing rules, regulations, contracts, and agreements is not affected, but does not specify how they will be managed under the new department.

Plain language

Terms to know

Early childhood education
Educational programs and services for young children, including preschool and services for children with developmental disabilities.
Developmental disabilities
Conditions that affect a child's physical, mental, or social development, requiring specialized educational support.
Local match
A portion of the cost of a program that local agencies or community boards must pay, rather than relying entirely on state or federal funds.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Official bill pageIntroduced textOfficial digestCurrent bill text

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Sep 12, 10:57 AM

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker states that the bill will significantly increase expenditures without producing results, making him prefer the current organizational arrangement.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:30:00 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker expresses concern about creating a new agency in Cheyenne and losing the local input currently provided by local boards.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:33:58 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports introducing the bill because it coordinates existing early childhood education programs across multiple agencies to identify efficiencies and redundancies without changing funding or creating new positions.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:42:57 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

3 roll calls

S COW:Failed 15-15-0-0-02018-02-22 · Senate15 yes 15 no
Yes
15
No
15
Absent
0
Excused
0
Conflict
0

Yes 15

Bill LandenR · S27Brian BonerR · S02Bruce Burns Jr.S21Cale CaseR · S25Chris RothfussD · S09Curtis MeierS03Fred A BaldwinS14Fred M EmerichS05Henry R CoeS18Jeff WasserburgerS23John HastertS13Liisa L Anselmi-DaltonS12Michael J Mr. Von FlaternS24Stephan PappasR · S07Tara NethercottR · S04

No 15

Affie EllisS08Anthony BouchardS06BEBOUT PRESCharles ScottR · S30Dan DockstaderR · S16David A KinskeyS22Drew A PerkinsS29Glenn W MonizS10Jim AndersonR · S28Larry HicksR · S11Leland G ChristensenS17Ogden DriskillR · S01Paul R BarnardS15Ray R PetersonS19Wyatt AgarS20
S04 - Education:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02018-02-19 · Senate5 yes 0 no
Yes
5
No
0
Absent
0
Excused
0
Conflict
0

Yes 5

Affie EllisS08Chris RothfussD · S09Henry R CoeS18Jeff WasserburgerS23Stephan PappasR · S07
S Introduced and Referred to S04 - Education 22-8-0-0-02018-02-14 · Senate22 yes 8 no
Yes
22
No
8
Absent
0
Excused
0
Conflict
0

Yes 22

Affie EllisS08Bill LandenR · S27Brian BonerR · S02Bruce Burns Jr.S21Cale CaseR · S25Chris RothfussD · S09Curtis MeierS03David A KinskeyS22Drew A PerkinsS29Fred M EmerichS05Glenn W MonizS10Henry R CoeS18Jeff WasserburgerS23John HastertS13Larry HicksR · S11Liisa L Anselmi-DaltonS12Michael J Mr. Von FlaternS24Ogden DriskillR · S01Ray R PetersonS19Stephan PappasR · S07Tara NethercottR · S04Wyatt AgarS20

No 8

Anthony BouchardS06BEBOUT PRESCharles ScottR · S30Dan DockstaderR · S16Fred A BaldwinS14Jim AndersonR · S28Leland G ChristensenS17Paul R BarnardS15

Official activity

Bill history

  1. S postponed indefinitelySenate
  2. S COW:Failed 15-15-0-0-0Senate
  3. S Placed on General FileSenate
  4. S04 - Education:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0Senate
  5. S Introduced and Referred to S04 - Education 22-8-0-0-0Senate
  6. S Received for IntroductionSenate
  7. Bill Number AssignedLSO

Changes

Amendments

1 stored

SF0096SS001

Adopted Standing Committee by SEducation