By: Aycock, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Van de Putte) H.B. No. 3643
(In the Senate - Received from the House April 23, 2009;
April 24, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on
Education; May 8, 2009, reported favorably by the following vote:
Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 8, 2009, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to public school prekindergarten classes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 29.153, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as
follows:
(a) In this section:
(1) "Child" includes a stepchild.
(2) "Parent" includes a stepparent.
(a-1) A district shall offer prekindergarten classes if the
district identifies 15 or more children who are eligible under
Subsection (b) and are at least four years of age. 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.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010
school year.
SECTION 3. 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, 2009.
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