We get this paper.

I want to see the reader.

Good morning.

Welcome to the New York City Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education.

Please do not oppose today's chair.

We are ready to begin.

Thank you.

Good morning, everyone.

I'm Councilmember Jennifer Gutierrez, Chair of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education.

Welcome to today's vote.

First, I want to acknowledge my colleagues who are present for the committee.

We have Councilmember Riley and Councilmember Juan.

Yes?

Okay, I take it back.

Just Councilmember Riley.

Today the subcommittee will consider a package of legislation geared towards improving New York's early childhood education system.

We have reached a defining moment in the movement for universal child care in New York City.

A few weeks ago, the state legislator legislature made a landmark investment in child care.

The boost in every childhood education funding in early childhood education funding plus the buy-in from leadership across all levels of New York government has created an opportunity to truly transform the lives of children and families.

But we need to ensure that the system we are expanding upon is strong.

Over the course of the last several months, the subcommittee has held hearings where we've heard from providers, families, and advocates about a range of issues within the New York City early childhood education system.

Welcome to Deputy Speaker Natasha Williams, who's joining us.

Let's go next.

I'm proud to be the lead sponsor of one of the bills.

The subcommittee will be considering proposed intro 579A in relation to an education and outreach campaign to enroll students in early childhood education programs, would require the Department of Education to develop and implement an annual outreach and education campaign regarding early childhood education programs.

The outreach would include information on the benefits of participating in early childhood education, the options for early childhood education, the application process, and the resources to find programs that may have available seats.

This year, roughly the same number of New York City parents applied to preschool programs as they did last year.

We need to ensure that we're reaching all families about the early childhood education options available to them.

This bill aims to engage more families about those options and boost enrollment in early childhood education programs.

The subcommittee will also be considering proposed intro 9A, sponsored by Councilmember Linda Lee in relation to a study and report on the processes for obtaining permits and licenses or registrations to operate a child care program.

This bill would require the mayor's office of child care to continue its work on reviewing child care holistically by studying the process to get a permit from DOHMH and to get a license or registration from the New York State Office of Child and Family Services.

This bill would require a report on the office's study of those processes and shine a light on any overlaps and contradictions and provide recommendations for streamlining.

The subcommittee will also consider two resolutions that call on the New York State legislature to pass legislation in relation to child care.

Resolution 165, sponsored by our deputy speaker, calls on the New York State legislature to introduce and pass and the governor to sign legislation to amend the workers' compensation law in relation to allowing unused paid family leave to be transferred to grandparents and other designated caregivers.

Proposed res 365A, sponsored by Councilmember Riley, calls on the New York State Legislature to pass and the governor to sign uh Senate Bill in 1994, Assembly Bill 2218 to remove the minimum wage and hours requirements for applicants of child care assistance.

These state bills make small important changes that impact the ability of families in accessing child care support.

All of the legislation we've considered today responds to everyday challenges people face when interacting with the early childhood education system in New York City.

I encourage my fellow committee members to support this legislative package.

Today we can make small improvements to one of our city's most foundational systems.

Finally, I would like to thank the subcommittee staff, Julia Goldsmith Pinkham, Katie Selena, Grace Amato, Andrew Lane Lawless, and Margaret Barnes Lee, as well as my own staff, Frank Hulka and Elalau for their work to prepare this meeting and to my baby.

Lulu.

Oh, and pause.

Oh, okay.

I get to read more.

Okay, sorry.

It's okay.

I'm gonna gotta I'm gonna read this on behalf of uh Councilmember Lee who's passing legislation today.

Um regarding intro 9A.

For too many families in New York City, child care is not just expensive, it is impossible to find.

Parents are ready to go back to work, but cannot find a safe, reliable place for their child.

Providers are ready to serve more families, but are forced to spend months navigating paperwork, inspections, approvals, and unclear agency processes.

That is time families do not have.

When a parent cannot find child care, a whole household is affected, a mother town turns down a shift, a father misses work, a family loses income, a child loses the chance to begin learning, playing, and growing in a safe early childhood setting.

Intro 9A is about taking that problem seriously.

The bill does not weaken health and safety standards.

It does the opposite.

It says the that safety rules should be clear, coordinated, and workable.

Providers should know what is required, which agency is responsible, and how long each step should take.

If we want universal child care to become real, we cannot allow good providers to get stuck in a maze before they even open their doors.

New York City needs more child care seats.

But we also need a system that helps create those seats responsibly, quickly, and fairly.

Intro 9A is a practical step towards that goal.

It will help us identify the delays, listen to providers and families, and build a permitting process that protects children without blocking access to care.

I'm grateful to chair to me, Speaker Menon, and all the advocates, providers, and families who have helped move this bill forward.

Thank you.

Congrats, Councilmember Lee.

Okay, we're ready for a vote, friend.

Thank you.

Good morning.

William Martin, committee clerk, roll call vote committee on subcommittee on early childhood education.

All items are coupled, Chair Gutierrez.

Aye, proudly I.

Riley.

Aye.

Thank you.

Brewer.

I vote I.

I do think that the ready, so I always worry about burdens having worked for many of them in the past, but I vote aye.

Joseph.

Aye.

One.

Felder.

Alright, how does it look all over there?

But can you vote?

And then we'll we'll ask the question later.

Alright.

Thank you.

Yes.

Thank you.

Santos.

With a vote of five in the affirmative, zero on the negative and no abstentions.

All items have been approved by the subcommittee.

Thank you.

We're all done.

Thank you.