Powers and functions

(a) Authority Section 642(b) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837(b)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (4)— (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking and at the end; (B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); and (C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: (B) continuous programming to support the health, mental health, and well-being of adults and children; and; (2) in paragraph (6), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking At and all that follows through offer and inserting Annually offer; (3) in paragraph (11), by striking limited English proficient children and inserting children who are developing English proficiency; (4) by redesignating paragraph (16) as paragraph (17); and (5) by inserting after paragraph (15) the following: (16) Establish effective procedures for identifying children with disabilities who are eligible for reasonable accommodations under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794), and informing parents of such children about their rights and the reasonable accommodations, necessary to help promote the school readiness of such children, that are available through its program.. (b) Collaboration and coordination Section 642(e) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837(e)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (3), by inserting the program under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), before programs under subtitle B; and (2) in paragraph (5)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 and inserting the Head Start for America's Children Act; and (B) in subparagraph (A)(ii)— (i) in subclause (IX), by striking and at the end; (ii) by redesignating subclause (X) as subclause (XI); and (iii) by inserting after subclause (IX) the following: (X) services provided to children with disabilities under section 619 and part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.); and. (c) Quality standards, curricula, and assessment Section 642(f) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837(f)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (3)— (A) in subparagraph (D), by striking and at the end; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (F) incorporate the principles of universal design for learning;; (2) in paragraph (9), by striking and at the end; (3) in paragraph (10)— (A) by striking children who are limited English proficient and inserting children who are developing English proficiency; and (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting; and; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (11) develop procedures for identifying children with disabilities who are eligible for reasonable accommodations under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794), and informing parents of such children about their rights and the reasonable accommodations, necessary to help promote the school readiness of such children, that are available through its program.. (d) Extended operation Section 642 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837) is amended by adding at the end the following: (j) Extended operation (1) In general Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, by September 30, 2027, each Head Start agency (including, for purposes of this subsection, an Early Head Start agency) providing center-based services under this subchapter shall provide the services on a full calendar year schedule. (2) Exemption The Secretary may exempt such an agency from operating fewer hours than the hours in a full calendar year schedule only if the Secretary finds reasonable evidence that operation on such a schedule— (A) would cause significant reductions in enrollment in slots; and (B) does not meet the needs of eligible children and families in the area served, and the agency operates a program that meets those needs, which may include a locally designed option to meet the developmental needs of children as demonstrated through a regularly conducted community needs assessment. (3) Exception Migrant and seasonal Head Start agencies and Native American Head Start agencies are exempt from paragraph (1)..