Lopez Bill Makes Every Grant Class Follow Pre-K 4 SA

The text as introduced · 394 words

89R1888 CXP-D

By: Lopez of Bexar
H.B. No. 190

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

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. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.