This bill establishes a new Kindergarten Literacy Readiness Program in New Hampshire aimed at enhancing early childhood literacy and increasing kindergarten readiness for children aged 4 and 5 who are not yet enrolled in kindergarten. The program will utilize a combination of home-based and center-based educational technology, along with family engagement, to develop essential school readiness skills in reading, math, and science. The New Hampshire Department of Education will oversee the program, which will be delivered through registered non-profit organizations that provide individualized software instruction and conduct randomized controlled trials to ensure the program's efficacy.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to inform eligible families about the program, particularly those receiving assistance through the Financial Assistance to Needy Families Program (FANF) or the Women, Infants & Children Nutrition Program (WIC). An annual report will be required to track participation and assess the program's impact on children's readiness for kindergarten. The bill appropriates $1 to the Department of Education for the program's funding for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, and specifies that the act will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 77:3