The bill, S.B. No. 42, aims to provide free full-day prekindergarten education for certain children in Texas. It amends existing provisions in the Education Code to expand eligibility for prekindergarten classes, allowing any child who is at least four years old to enroll, rather than requiring a minimum number of eligible children to be identified by the district. The bill also specifies that a child is eligible if they are at least three years old and meet certain criteria, including being educationally disadvantaged, homeless, or the child of an active duty military member. Additionally, it mandates that prekindergarten classes must be operated on a full-day basis.

The bill includes several deletions and insertions to clarify eligibility and operational requirements. For instance, it removes the previous stipulation that districts could only offer prekindergarten if they identified 15 or more eligible children and eliminates the option for half-day classes for children under four. Furthermore, it requires school districts to report specific demographic and operational data related to their prekindergarten programs, ensuring transparency and accountability. The provisions of this act will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, with immediate effect possible if it receives the necessary legislative approval.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 29.1531, Education Code 29.1532 (Education Code 29)