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Numeric List Budget Accountability Health & Human Services Justice System Education State Employees Taxation & Revenue Wildlife & Environment Worker & Public Safety Tribal Affairs Senior Citizens	HB 12: Developmental Preschool Funding 2006 Budget Session Sponsor: Select Committee on Developmental Programs          HB 12 expanded the services the state currently provides to preschool children who have mental, physical or psychological disabilities that impair their learning ability.          Under current Wyoming law, such services are provided to children three to five years old who have learning disabilities. HB 12 extended services to children with disabilities from birth to five years of age.          HB 12 required that payment to developmental preschools be adequate to compensate educators and therapists at the same level as local school district compensation levels, and to pay for professional development activities. Payment must also be adequate to fund a statewide program to identify children in need of developmental preschool services. Developmental preschools will be required to use evidence-based best educational practices.          The Developmental Disabilities Division of the Wyoming Department of Health will track and regularly report on compensation levels, adequacy of funding levels, services provided to children, the use of evidence-based best practices, and capital construction needs of developmental preschools.          HB 12 appropriated $12 million from the general fund for the biennium (in addition to any other funds appropriated for developmental preschool programs) to pay for its provisions.          Supporters maintained that the sooner intervention services are provided for children with developmental disabilities, the more effective they are in helping integrate children to the fullest extent possible into the regular education system. They argued that spending more money earlier would help more children, more effectively, and could in the longer term actually cost the state less.          There was no notable opposition to the bill.          The House and the Senate both passed HB 12 unanimously.