79R3895 PAM-D

By:  Oliveira                                                     H.B. No. 745



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to free prekindergarten programs for certain children.               
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Sections 29.153(c) and (d), Education Code, are 
amended to read as follows:
	(c)  A prekindergarten class under this section shall be 
operated on a full-day [half-day] basis.  A district is not required 
to provide transportation for a prekindergarten class, but 
transportation, if provided, is included for funding purposes as 
part of the regular transportation system.
	(d)  On application of a district, the commissioner may 
exempt a district from the application of this section if the 
district would be required to construct classroom facilities in 
order to provide prekindergarten classes.  The commissioner may not 
grant an exemption under this section for the 2007-2008 school year 
or a later school year.  This subsection expires August 1, 2007.
	SECTION 2.  Section 29.1531(a), Education Code, is amended 
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.
	SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2005-2006 
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, 2005.