K.S.A. § 75-7701 — KS Code / Chapter 75 / Article 77 / Section 75-7701
75-7701 - Kansas office of early childhood established; appointment of the director of early childhood by governor; management of office; appropriations requests.
Status: in_force

75-7701. Kansas office of early childhood established; appointment of the director of early childhood by governor; management of office; appropriations requests. (a) There is hereby established within the executive branch the Kansas office of early childhood for the purpose of creating greater transparency, safety and efficiency to Kansans with the oversight of all funds, programs and policies related to early childhood care services provided in Kansas.

(b) The Kansas office of early childhood shall be administered under the direction and supervision of the director of early childhood.

(c) The governor shall appoint the director of early childhood, subject to confirmation by the senate as provided in K.S.A. 75-4315b, and amendments thereto. Except as provided in K.S.A. 46-2601, and amendments thereto, no person appointed as director shall exercise any power, duty or function as director until confirmed by the senate.

(d) The director shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act and shall receive an annual salary to be fixed by the governor. The director shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.

(e) Except as provided in K.S.A. 38-2103, and amendments thereto, all budgeting, purchasing and related management functions of the Kansas office of early childhood shall be administered under the direction and supervision of the director of early childhood.

(f) All expenditures shall be made in accordance with appropriation acts upon warrants of the director of accounts and reports issued pursuant to vouchers approved by the director of early childhood or the director's designee. The director shall submit to the legislature the annual request for the Kansas office of early childhood for appropriations, including the use of moneys subject to K.S.A. 38-2102 and 38-2103, and amendments thereto. The office's request shall be prepared and submitted in the form and manner provided by K.S.A. 75-3716 and 75-3717, and amendments thereto.

(g) The Kansas governmental operations accountability law applies to the Kansas office of early childhood, and the office shall be subject to audit, review and evaluation under such law.

(h) The director shall maintain an office in Topeka, Kansas.

(i) (1) On or before July 1, 2025, the governor shall appoint an interagency transition team to begin office operations.

(2) On or before January 1, 2026:

(A) The governor shall appoint the director; and

(B) the office shall begin transitioning programs identified in K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 75-7705, and amendments thereto, from state agencies to the office.

(3) On or before July 1, 2026, all identified programs shall be under the direction and supervision of the director, including staff and other operational functions.

(j) Nothing in this act shall be construed to preempt, supersede or impinge on the authority of the Kansas department for children and families provided in K.S.A. 75-3084 through 75-3089, and amendments thereto.