HLS 12RS-1128 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 381
BY REPRESENTATIVE JAMES
STUDENT/SCH ATTENDANCE: Provides relative to the youngest age at which a child
may enter kindergarten
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 17:151.3(B)(1), relative to school attendance; to provide for the2
minimum age at which a child may enter kindergarten; and to provide for related3
matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 17:151.3(B)(1) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:6
ยง151.3. Kindergarten; establishment; entrance age; first grade enrollment,7
prerequisites8
* * *9
B.(1) The youngest age at which a child may enter kindergarten provided for10
in Subsection A of this Section shall be one year younger than the age required for11
that child to enter first grade as provided by R.S. 17:222(A) or, through the 1995-12
1996 school year, one year younger than the age required by the city or parish school13
board pursuant to R.S. 17:222(C)(1) five years on or before December thirty-first of14
the calendar year in which the school year begins. Notwithstanding the provisions15
of R.S. 17:222(A) or (C), any child admitted to kindergarten pursuant to this16
Paragraph shall be eligible to enter first grade upon successful completion of17
kindergarten, provided that all applicable entrance requirements other than minimum18
age have been fulfilled.19
* * *20 HLS 12RS-1128 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 381
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
James HB No. 381
Abstract: Changes the date by which a child must be five years old to enter kindergarten
from Sept. 30 to Dec. 30 of the calendar year in which the school year begins.
Present law ties the minimum age at which a child may enter kindergarten to the minimum
age at which a child may enter first grade. To enter first grade, a child must be six on or
before Sept. 30 of the calendar year in which the school year begins. Thus, to enter
kindergarten, a child must be five on or before Sept. 30 of the calendar year in which the
school year begins.
Proposed law changes the date by which a child must be five years old to enter kindergarten
from Sept. 30 to Dec. 30 of the calendar year in which the school year begins, no longer
tying the kindergarten minimum entrance age to that for first grade. Also provides that
notwithstanding present law, a child admitted to kindergarten pursuant to proposed law shall
be eligible to enter first grade upon successful completion of kindergarten, provided all other
applicable entrance requirements other than minimum age have been fulfilled. Proposed law
retains present law relative to the minimum entrance age for first grade.
(Amends R.S. 17:151.3(B)(1))