The bill aims to enhance enrollment accessibility in public schools by prohibiting discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, or residential address. It mandates that local school boards determine the capacity of each public school by grade level and post the number of vacancies at least every twelve weeks. If capacity allows, schools must enroll applicants on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the year. Additionally, the bill requires local school boards to report annual enrollment data to the Public Education Department, which will publish this information on its website.

Key provisions include the establishment of a process for appealing enrollment denials, which can only be based on a lack of capacity or specific grounds outlined in the bill. The bill also emphasizes the need for local school boards to adopt rules that facilitate enrollment and re-enrollment, while allowing for additional preferences for certain groups, such as children of school employees and siblings of current students. Overall, the legislation seeks to create a more equitable and transparent enrollment process in public schools across the state.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 22-1-4