Bill Text: TX HB1621 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to providing free full-day prekindergarten for certain children.

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-09 - Referred to Public Education [HB1621 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB1621-Introduced.html

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87R6395 CAE-D
By: Guillen H.B. No. 1621

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to providing free full-day prekindergarten for certain
children.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 29.153(a-1) and (c), Education Code,
are amended to read as follows:
(a-1) A district shall offer prekindergarten classes to any
child who is at least four years of age if the district offers
prekindergarten classes. If [if] the district identifies 15 or
more children who are eligible under Subsection (b) and are at least
four years of age the district shall offer a prekindergarten class.
A school district may offer prekindergarten classes if the district
identifies 15 or more eligible children who are at least three years
of age. A district may not charge tuition for a prekindergarten
class offered under this section.
(c) A prekindergarten class under this section [may be
operated on a half-day basis for children under four years of age
and] shall be operated on a full-day basis [for children who are at
least four years of age]. A district is not required to provide
transportation for a prekindergarten class, but transportation, if
provided, is included for funding purposes as part of the regular
transportation system.
SECTION 2. Section 29.1531(a), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) A school district may offer on a tuition basis or use
district funds to provide[:
[(1) an additional half-day of prekindergarten
classes to children who are eligible for classes under Section
29.153 and are under four years of age; and
[(2)] half-day and full-day prekindergarten classes
to children not eligible for classes under Section 29.153.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022
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. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2021.