House Bill No. 1996 amends the eligibility criteria for children to enroll in free prekindergarten programs in public schools in Texas. The bill adds a new category of eligibility, allowing children who receive special education services under Subchapter A to qualify for enrollment. This addition is marked as (8) receives special education services under Subchapter A. The bill also removes the previous eligibility condition that included children who were in foster care in another state or territory, as indicated by the or language. The changes outlined in this bill will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill stipulates that it will become effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote from all elected members in both houses; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 29.153 (Education Code 29)