Bill Text: TX HB2217 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to the availability of free prekindergarten programs in public schools.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-13 - Referred to Public Education [HB2217 Detail]
Download: Texas-2015-HB2217-Introduced.html
84R13181 T | ||
By: Coleman | H.B. No. 2217 |
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relating to the availability of free prekindergarten programs in | ||
public schools. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. In 2005, I filed a version of this bill because I | ||
strongly believe in the need for early child education. I along | ||
with millions of other children who were born into families with | ||
adequate means have benefitted from the great advantage that | ||
pre-kindergarten education provides, and I will continue my efforts | ||
to make sure that these advantages are available to everyone. | ||
Ensuring that all Texas children receive the benefit of early | ||
childhood education is an important part of securing the future of | ||
this state. | ||
SECTION 2. Sections 29.153(a) and (b), Education Code, are | ||
amended to read as follows: | ||
(a) A district shall offer prekindergarten classes if the | ||
district identifies 15 or more children who are [ |
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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. | ||
(b) A child is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten | ||
class under this section if the child is: | ||
(1) at least three years of age and is: | ||
(A) [ |
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English language; | ||
(B) [ |
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(C) [ |
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Section 11302, regardless of the residence of the child, of either | ||
parent of the child, or of the child's guardian or other person | ||
having lawful control of the child; or | ||
(2) at least four years of age. | ||
SECTION 3. Section 29.1532(c), Education Code, is amended | ||
to read as follows: | ||
(c) A school district that offers prekindergarten classes | ||
shall include the following information in the district's Public | ||
Education Information Management System (PEIMS) report: | ||
(1) demographic information, as determined by the | ||
commissioner, on students enrolled in district prekindergarten | ||
classes, including the number of students who are eligible for | ||
classes under Section 29.153(b)(1) [ |
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(2) the numbers of half-day and full-day | ||
prekindergarten classes offered by the district; and | ||
(3) the sources of funding for the prekindergarten | ||
classes. | ||
SECTION 4. Section 29.153(d), Education Code, is repealed. | ||
SECTION 5. This Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016 | ||
school year. | ||
SECTION 6. 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, 2015. |