House Bill No. 1996 amends Section 29.153(b) of the Education Code to expand the eligibility criteria for children to enroll in free prekindergarten programs in public schools. The bill introduces a new eligibility category, 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 a previous eligibility criterion, which is indicated by the deletion of the phrase or before the new insertion. 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. This legislation aims to ensure that children with special needs have access to early educational opportunities alongside other vulnerable groups.

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