1. (1) There is created in the state treasury the early childhood cash fund that consists of such money as may be appropriated to the fund by the general assembly and credited to the fund pursuant to subsection (2) of this section. The money in the fund is subject to annual appropriation by the general assembly for the direct and indirect costs associated with the implementation of this part 2.
2. (2) The department is authorized to seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from private and public sources for the purposes of this part 2. All private and public money received through gifts, grants, or donations must be transmitted to the state treasurer, who shall credit the same to the fund. The money in the fund is subject to annual appropriation by the general assembly to the department for the direct and indirect costs associated with the implementation of this part 2.
3. (3) Any money in the fund not expended for the purposes of this part 2 may be invested by the state treasurer as provided by law. All interest and income derived from the investment and deposit of money in the fund must be credited to the fund.
4. (4) The department may expend up to, but not exceeding, five percent of the money annually appropriated from the fund to offset the costs incurred in implementing this part 2.
5. (5) Any unexpended and unencumbered money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year remains in the fund and is not credited or transferred to the general fund or another fund.

Source: L. 2022: Entire article added with relocations, (HB 22-1295), ch. 123, p. 600, § 3, effective July 1. L. 2023: (2) amended, (HB 23-1235), ch. 434, p. 2543, § 2, effective June 7. L. 2025: (1) amended, (SB 25-275), ch. 377, p. 2083, § 236, effective August 6.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 26-6.5-109 as it existed prior to 2022.