HB 494
bill giving school employees’ kids free prekindergarten
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to the eligibility of the children of public school employees for free prekindergarten programs in public schools.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Children of full-time district staff qualify, starting at age three.
The bill adds children of full-time school district employees to the list of kids who qualify for free public prekindergarten, starting at age three. It touches school districts, their full-time staff, and those staff members' young children. A district must enroll an employee's eligible child in its free pre-K class, and the child keeps the seat for the year even if the parent stops working for the district.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Nov 12, 2024 and referred to the House Public Education committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB494 · 2024-11-12
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to the eligibility of the children of public school employees for free prekindergarten programs in public schools.
WHAT IT DOES
Children of full-time district staff qualify, starting at age three.
The bill adds children of full-time school district employees to the list of kids who qualify for free public prekindergarten, starting at age three. It touches school districts, their full-time staff, and those staff members' young children. A district must enroll an employee's eligible child in its free pre-K class, and the child keeps the seat for the year even if the parent stops working for the district.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Public Education
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Nov 12, 2024
02/28/2025 H Referred to Public Education: Feb 28 2025 11:02AM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Public Education · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
Education--Primary & Secondary--Admission & Attendance
Education--Primary & Secondary--Other School Personnel
Education--Primary & Secondary--Teachers
PRESCHOOL & PREKINDERGARTEN
Text
The text as introduced · 452 words
89R1208 JTZ-D By: Goodwin H.B. No. 494 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the eligibility of the children of public school employees for free prekindergarten programs in public schools. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Sections 29.153(b) and (f), Education Code, are amended to read as follows: (b) A child is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten class under this section if the child is at least three years of age and: (1) is unable to speak and comprehend the English language; (2) is educationally disadvantaged; (3) is homeless, 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; (4) is the child of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active duty by proper authority; (5) is the child of a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty; (6) is or ever has been in: (A) the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing held as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code; or (B) foster care in another state or territory, if the child resides in this state; [ or ] (7) is the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award as: (A) a peace officer under Section 3106.002, Government Code; (B) a firefighter under Section 3106.003, Government Code; or (C) an emergency medical first responder under Section 3106.004, Government Code ; or (8) is the child of a full-time employee of the school district . (f) A child who is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten class under Subsection (b)(4) , [ or ] (5) , or (8) remains eligible for enrollment after the child begins a prekindergarten class if , as applicable, the child's parent : (1) leaves the armed forces ; (2) [ , or ] is no longer on active duty ; or (3) is no longer employed by the school district [ , after the child begins a prekindergarten class ]. SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. SECTION 3. 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.