Section 20-1A-3 - Commissioner; board; duties and powers; salary; personnel; rules and regulations(a) There is created a Board of Early Care and Learning and a commissioner of early care and learning.(b) The board shall consist of one member from each congressional district appointed by the Governor. In as far as it is practical, the members of the board shall be representative of all areas and functions encompassed within the early childhood care and education community. In appointing members to their initial terms, the Governor shall designate five members for two-year terms, four members for three-year terms, and four members for five-year terms. Subsequent appointments shall be for five-year terms. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed. In the event of a vacancy on the board for any reason other than expiration of a term, the Governor shall appoint a person from the same congressional district to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.(c) The board shall elect from its members a chairperson and such other officers as the board considers necessary. The board shall adopt bylaws for the conduct of its activities. The members of the board shall receive per diem and expense reimbursement as shall be determined and approved by the Office of Planning and Budget in conformity with rates and allowances determined for members of other state boards.(d) The board shall determine policies and promulgate rules and regulations for the operation of the department, including:(1) Functions formerly performed by the Office of School Readiness, including, but not limited to, Even Start;(2) Functions transferred to the department from the Department of Human Resources (now known as the Department of Human Services) relating to day-care centers (now known as child care learning centers), group day-care homes (now known as child care learning centers), family day-care homes (now known as family child care learning homes), and other functions as agreed upon by the department and the Department of Human Resources (now known as the Department of Human Services) in accordance with Code Section 20-1A-8; and(3) Functions relating to early childhood education programs transferred from the Department of Education by agreement in accordance with Code Section 20-1A-17.(e) The board shall oversee the budget of the department and shall submit an annual request for funding to the Office of Planning and Budget in accordance with Code Section 45-12-78.(f) The commissioner shall be the chief administrative and executive officer of the department. The commissioner shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The commissioner shall be in the unclassified service as defined by Code Section 45-20-2 and shall receive a salary to be determined by the Governor.(g) The commissioner shall have the authority to employ all personnel of the department, subject to the provisions of this chapter, all applicable provisions of other laws governing public employment, and the policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the board.Amended by 2020 Ga. Laws 521,§ 20, eff. 7/29/2020.Amended by 2019 Ga. Laws 296,§ 5-3, eff. 7/1/2019.Amended by 2015 Ga. Laws 163,§ 1, eff. 1/1/2016.Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 32,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2013.Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 630,§ 2-21, eff. 7/1/2012.Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 155,§ 1, eff. 5/5/2009.Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 102,§ 2-9, eff. 7/1/2009.Added by 2004 Ga. Laws 565, § 1, eff. 10/1/2004. Provisions of S.B. 456 relating to the appointment of members of the board and the commissioner of the Department of Early Care and Learning become effective July 1, 2004.