Bill > HB2779

This bill requires school districts to contract with community-based child-care providers to offer prekindergarten classes under specific circumstances, such as when a district bond election for classroom facilities has failed or the district cannot adequately staff a prekindergarten class. The bill establishes a new financial allotment in the Foundation School Program, providing school districts with an additional 0.2 times the basic allotment for each student enrolled in a prekindergarten class through a community-based provider. The allotment is initially capped at 10,000 students statewide, with a phased implementation approach: 2,000 students in the 2026-2027 school year, 4,500 students in 2027-2028, and 7,000 students in 2028-2029. The commissioner of education has the authority to waive the contracting requirement if no suitable community-based child-care provider exists within the district's boundaries and is instructed to interpret the provisions broadly to encourage partnerships between school districts and community-based providers. The provisions related to prekindergarten contracting and allotment will take effect for the 2025-2026 school year, with specific funding provisions becoming effective September 1, 2026, and expiring on September 1, 2029.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB2779