Bill Text: HI SB813 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Department of Education; Pre-kindergarten Program; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-12-17 - Carried over to 2016 Regular Session. [SB813 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-SB813-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
813 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to Education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the current kindergarten system creates a disadvantage for children who are born after the July 31 cutoff date for mandatory kindergarten enrollment. Therefore, the legislature believes it is necessary to establish an early learning program to accommodate these children who may come from families for whom the expense of a private preschool is an excessive burden.
The purpose of this Act is to establish a pre-kindergarten program with the objective of preparing four and five-year old children for kindergarten and elementary school learning.
SECTION 2. Section 302A-411, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§302A-411 [Kindergarten]
Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten program; establishment; attendance.
(a) Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, the department shall
establish and maintain pre-kindergartens with a program of instruction as a
part of the public school system in elementary schools to serve any four or
five-year old child who is not eligible to enroll in kindergarten pursuant to
subsection (c). The department shall grant a geographic exception to attend a pre-kindergarten
in another service area if the request is based on the employment location of a
parent or guardian of the student.
[(a)] (b) The
department shall establish and maintain kindergartens with a program of
instruction as a part of the public school system; provided that:
(1) Attendance in kindergarten
shall be mandatory, unless exempted by subsection [(b)] (c) or
section 302A-1132; and
(2) Charter schools shall not be excluded from mandatory participation in the program.
[(b)] (c)
Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, any parent, guardian, or other person
having the responsibility for, or care of, a child who will be at least five
years of age on or before July 31 of the school year shall enroll the child in
a public school kindergarten unless the child is enrolled at a private school
or the child's attendance is otherwise exempt under section 302A-1132.
[(c)] (d) The department may
accept gifts to establish and maintain kindergartens[.] and
pre-kindergartens."
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the establishment of pre-kindergartens.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 4 of this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Department of Education; Pre-kindergarten Program; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the department of education to operate pre-kindergarten programs in elementary schools for four and five-year olds that are not eligible for public kindergarten and appropriates an unspecified amount for such purpose. Requires the department of education to grant geographical exceptions to attend pre-kindergarten in another service area when the request is based on the employment location of a parent or guardian.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
