Lopez Pilot Program Bill Limits Prekindergarten Grants To Region 20

The text as introduced · 414 words

89R2204 CXP-D

By: Lopez of Bexar
H.B. No. 225

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a pilot program to provide grants for 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 PILOT 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 pilot program to provide grants to school districts,

open-enrollment charter schools, and private schools to provide

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 pilot 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:

(1) is at least three years of age; and

(2) resides in the regional boundaries of the Region

20 education service center.

(d) To the extent consistent with state and federal law, a

prekindergarten class provided using money received under the pilot

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 pilot 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 pilot program; and

(2) any recommendations for legislative or other

action.

(f) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to

establish and administer the pilot program under this section.

(g) The pilot 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.