TITLE: Relating to a grant program to provide free or reduced-tuition prekindergarten classes to certain children.

SUMMARY: Relating to a grant program to provide free or reduced-tuition prekindergarten classes to certain children.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to a grant program to provide free or reduced-tuition prekindergarten classes to certain children. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 29.1535 to read as follows: Sec. 29.1535. FREE AND REDUCED-TUITION PREKINDERGARTEN GRANT PROGRAM. (a) From money appropriated or otherwise available for the purpose, the commissioner, in collaboration with the Pre-K 4 SA early childhood initiative, shall establish and administer a grant program to support school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and private schools in providing free or reduced-tuition prekindergarten classes to eligible children. (b) A school district, open-enrollment charter school, or private school shall use money received under the grant program to provide free or reduced-tuition prekindergarten classes to eligible children. (c) A child is eligible to enroll in a prekindergarten class described by Subsection (b) if the child is at least three years of age. (d) To the extent consistent with state and federal law, a prekindergarten class provided using money received under the grant program must be operated in accordance with any curriculum and teaching methods implemented by the Pre-K 4 SA early childhood initiative. (e) Not later than September 1 of each year, the commissioner shall prepare and submit to the legislature a report on the grant program under this section. The report must include: (1) an evaluation of the academic and developmental achievements of students enrolled in a prekindergarten class using money received under the grant program; and (2) any recommendations for legislative or other action. (f) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to establish and administer the grant program under this section. (g) The grant program is abolished and this section expires January 1, 2031. SECTION 2. Not later than September 1, 2026, the commissioner of education shall submit the initial report required by Section 29.1535, Education Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.