This website will be unavailable from Friday, April 26, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, April 29, 2024 at 7:00 a.m. due to data center maintenance.

                                                                                


By:  Zaffirini                                                            S.B. No. 31



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to eligibility for public school prekindergarten classes.            
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 29.153, Education Code, 
is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 29.153.  FREE PREKINDERGARTEN IN [FOR] CERTAIN 
DISTRICTS [CHILDREN].
	SECTION 2.  Section 29.153, Education Code, is amended by  
amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (f) to read 
as follows:
	(a)  A district shall offer prekindergarten classes if the 
district identifies 15 or more children who are [eligible under 
Subsection (b) and are] at least three [four] years of age and who 
are:
		(1)  unable to speak and comprehend the English 
language;            
		(2)  educationally disadvantaged; or                                   
		(3)  homeless, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 11302, 
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.  [A school district may offer prekindergarten 
classes if the district identifies 15 or more eligible children who 
are at least three years of age.  A district may not charge tuition 
for a prekindergarten class offered under this section.]
	(b)  A child is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten  
class in a district that offers prekindergarten classes [under this 
section] if the child is at least three years of age [and is:
		[(1)  unable to speak and comprehend the English 
language; 
		[(2)  educationally disadvantaged; or                        
		[(3)  homeless, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 11302, 
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].
	(f)  A district may not charge tuition for a prekindergarten 
class offered under this section.
	SECTION 3.  Section 29.1531, Education Code, is amended by 
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as 
follows:
	(a)  A school district may offer on a tuition basis or use 
district funds to provide[:
		[(1)]  an additional half-day of prekindergarten 
classes to children eligible for classes under Section 29.153[; and
		[(2)  half-day and full-day prekindergarten classes to 
children not eligible for classes under Section 29.153].
	(a-1)  A school district that is not required to offer 
prekindergarten classes under Section 29.153 may offer 
prekindergarten classes on a tuition basis or use district funds to 
provide half-day or full-day prekindergarten classes to all 
children  who are at least three years of age.
	SECTION 4.  This Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 
school year.       
	SECTION 5.  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, 2003.