The bill amends Section 16-2-27 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-2, which pertains to the eligibility for attendance in kindergarten within the Rhode Island education system. The new language inserted into the law mandates that every child who is six years old by September 1 of any school year must attend kindergarten if they have not already done so successfully. Additionally, the bill requires all school districts to provide full-day kindergarten to every eligible student in accordance with chapter 99 of title 16. The bill also modifies the language to clarify that when a child is enrolled in kindergarten, the attendance requirements of § 16-19-1 shall apply.

Section 2 of the bill repeals Section 16-2-28 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-2, which previously set forth the eligibility for attendance in first grade. The deleted language stated that a child must be six years old by September 1 to attend first grade and must have completed a state-recognized or accredited kindergarten program. The bill does not provide new language for first-grade eligibility, indicating that the requirements for first-grade attendance have been removed. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5544: 16-2-27, 16-2-28