By Wentworth S.B. No. 172
77R1741 CAS-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to eligibility for public prekindergarten classes.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Sections 29.153(a) and (b), Education Code, are
1-5 amended to read as follows:
1-6 (a) Any school district may offer prekindergarten classes,
1-7 but a district shall offer prekindergarten classes if the district
1-8 identifies 15 or more [eligible] children who are at least three
1-9 [four] years of age and who are:
1-10 (1) unable to speak and comprehend the English
1-11 language;
1-12 (2) educationally disadvantaged; or
1-13 (3) homeless, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 11302,
1-14 regardless of the residence of the child, of either parent of the
1-15 child, or of the child's guardian or other person having lawful
1-16 control of the child. [A school district may offer prekindergarten
1-17 classes if the district identifies 15 or more eligible children who
1-18 are at least three years of age.]
1-19 (b) A child is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten
1-20 class in a district that offers prekindergarten classes if the
1-21 child is at least three years of age [and is:]
1-22 [(1) unable to speak and comprehend the English
1-23 language;]
1-24 [(2) educationally disadvantaged; or]
2-1 [(3) homeless, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 11302,
2-2 regardless of the residence of the child, of either parent of the
2-3 child, or of the child's guardian or other person having lawful
2-4 control of the child].
2-5 SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002
2-6 school year.
2-7 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
2-8 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
2-9 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
2-10 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-11 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.