Sec. 14.2. (a) As used in this section, “program” refers to the paths to QUALITY program established by subsection (b).

     (b) The paths to QUALITY program is established. The program is a voluntary child care facility quality rating and improvement system implemented by the division in partnership with the following organizations under the trademark “Paths to QUALITY”:

(1) Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children.

(2) Indiana Association for Child Care Resource and Referral.

(3) Indiana Head Start Collaboration Office.

(4) Department of education established by IC 20-19-3-1.

(5) Early Childhood Alliance.

(6) 4C of Southern Indiana.

     (c) The program shall use four (4) levels at which a child care facility participating in the program may be rated, with Level 4 indicating the highest level of quality child care.

     (d) The office of the secretary shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to administer the paths to QUALITY program rating system. The rules must include procedures that outline eligibility and application procedures for the program, the establishment of procedures relating to the rating process, and the establishment or alteration of standards used in the rating process.

     (e) The office of the secretary shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to establish the steering council of the program to make recommendations to the division on program issues and resources. Rules adopted under this subsection must require that council members be appointed from partner organizations that assist in the implementation of the program and serve to coordinate the program plan.

As added by P.L.2-2014, SEC.68.