FILED SENATE
Apr 6, 2021
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
S.B. 585
SESSION 2021 PRINCIPAL CLERK
S D
SENATE BILL DRS45274-LUa-39
Short Title: Funds/Eliminate NC Pre-K Waitlist Statewide. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators Mohammed, Marcus, and Waddell (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO ELIMINATE THE WAITLIST FOR THE NC
3 PREKINDERGARTEN (NC PRE-K) PROGRAM STATEWIDE.
4 Whereas, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services submitted
5 its annual report on the NC Prekindergarten (NC Pre-K) program dated March 15, 2016; and
6 Whereas, in the annual report, the Department of Health and Human Services
7 referenced the results of an annual evaluation of the NC Pre-K program based on the 2014-2015
8 program year and noted the continued positive outcomes for the 2014-2015 program year, as well
9 as in previous years; and
10 Whereas, the evaluation specifically noted that "children enrolled in the NC Pre-K
11 program exhibited significant gains during their Pre-K year across all domains of learning"; and
12 Whereas, the evaluation also stated that "children at different levels of English
13 proficiency and dual-language learners exhibited significant gains across all domains of learning
14 during their time in the NC Pre-K program"; and
15 Whereas, the evaluation further stated that "growth rates in domains of learning for
16 children who had enrolled in NC Pre-K were even greater during Pre-K than for normal
17 developmental growth"; and
18 Whereas, all eligible four year olds should be able to participate in and benefit from
19 the positive outcomes associated with the NC Pre-K program; Now, therefore,
20 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
21 SECTION 1. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of
22 Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, the sum of
23 twelve million five hundred thousand dollars ($12,500,000) recurring for each year of the
24 2021-2023 fiscal biennium to eliminate the waitlist for the NC Prekindergarten (NC Pre-K)
25 program statewide.
26 SECTION 2. This act becomes effective July 1, 2021.
*DRS45274-LUa-39*