1. (1) There is created the department of early childhood, the head of which is the executive director of the department of early childhood, which office is created. The governor shall appoint the executive director, with the consent of the senate, and the executive director serves at the pleasure of the governor. The reappointment of an executive director after an initial election of a governor is subject to the provisions of section 24-20-109.
2. (2) The early childhood leadership commission created in part 3 of article 1 of title 26.5 is transferred to the department of early childhood. The early childhood leadership commission is a type 2 entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions under the department of early childhood.
3. (3) The Colorado child abuse prevention board, created in section 26.5-3-204, is a type 2 entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions under the department of early childhood.
4. (4) The Colorado child care assistance program, as described in part 1 of article 4 of title 26.5, is a type 2 entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions under the department of early childhood.

Source: L. 2021: Entire section added, (HB 21-1304), ch. 307, p. 1846, § 3, effective July 1, 2022. L. 2022: Entire section amended, (HB 22-1295), ch. 123, p. 842, § 62, effective July 1; (2) amended, (SB 22-162), ch. 469, p. 3379, § 80, effective August 10. L. 2023: (3) and (4) amended, (HB 23-1301), ch. 303, p. 1824, § 31, effective August 7.

Editor's note: Amendments to subsection (2) by SB 22-162 and HB 22-1295 were harmonized.

Cross references: For the short title (the Debbie Haskins 'Administrative Organization Act of 1968' Modernization Act) in SB 22-162, see section 1 of chapter 469, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.