HB225 - Relating to a pilot program to provide grants for free or reduced-tuition prekindergarten classes to certain children.

  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.