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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the eligibility of the children of public school |
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employees for free prekindergarten programs in public schools. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sections 29.153(b) and (f), Education Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) A child is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten |
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class under this section if the child is at least three years of age |
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and: |
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(1) is unable to speak and comprehend the English |
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language; |
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(2) is educationally disadvantaged; |
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(3) is homeless, regardless of the residence of the |
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child, of either parent of the child, or of the child's guardian or |
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other person having lawful control of the child; |
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(4) is the child of an active duty member of the armed |
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forces of the United States, including the state military forces or |
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a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active |
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duty by proper authority; |
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(5) is the child of a member of the armed forces of the |
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United States, including the state military forces or a reserve |
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component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while |
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serving on active duty; |
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(6) is or ever has been in: |
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(A) the conservatorship of the Department of |
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Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing held |
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as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code; or |
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(B) foster care in another state or territory, if |
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the child resides in this state; [or] |
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(7) is the child of a person eligible for the Star of |
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Texas Award as: |
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(A) a peace officer under Section 3106.002, |
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Government Code; |
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(B) a firefighter under Section 3106.003, |
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Government Code; or |
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(C) an emergency medical first responder under |
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Section 3106.004, Government Code; or |
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(8) is the child of a full-time employee of the school |
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district. |
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(f) A child who is eligible for enrollment in a |
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prekindergarten class under Subsection (b)(4), [or] (5), or (8) |
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remains eligible for enrollment after the child begins a |
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prekindergarten class if, as applicable, the child's parent: |
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(1) leaves the armed forces; |
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(2) [, or] is no longer on active duty; or |
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(3) is no longer employed by the school district[, |
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after the child begins a prekindergarten class]. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |