(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, higher educational institutions may establish and maintain child development programs on or near their respective campuses. Those higher educational institutions under contract with the State Department of Education for child care and development services pursuant to this chapter or Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8200) of Part 6 are subject to the rules and regulations adopted by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

(b) Children of students of each campus operating a child development program shall have first priority for service in that program, in accordance with the priorities established in subdivision (b) of Section 8263.

(c) The higher educational institutions may institutionalize child development programs on their respective campuses for the purpose of incorporating child development programs into the missions and functions of the respective campuses.

(d) The Superintendent of Public Instruction, in cooperation with higher educational institutions, shall establish rules and regulations governing programs operated pursuant to this section.

(e) It is the intention of the Legislature that a consortium composed of higher educational institutions be established by the institutions to improve communication and cooperation and to advise and assist the Superintendent of Public Instruction in the development of rules and regulations and policies and procedures affecting child care and development programs. The Superintendent of Public Instruction, in cooperation with the consortium, shall be responsible for ongoing communication with and dissemination of information to all campus child care and development agencies under contract with the State Department of Education.

(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 758, Sec. 31. Effective January 1, 1996.)