Bill > HF803

This bill modifies the eligibility criteria for Minnesota's voluntary prekindergarten program by removing the provision that allows school districts to define children as "at-risk" and instead focusing on specific existing qualifying categories. Children remain eligible if they are four years old by September 1st and meet at least one of several predefined criteria, such as qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, being an English language learner, being American Indian, experiencing homelessness, being in foster or kinship care, having a parent who is a migrant agricultural worker, or having a parent who is incarcerated. The bill maintains that school districts and charter schools must use state funding for eligible children when available, and can offer the program on a fee-for-service basis with a sliding fee schedule for children who do not meet the eligibility criteria or when state funding is exhausted. The bill continues to require health and developmental screenings within 90 days of enrollment and documentation of immunizations, and ensures that children with individualized education programs are not excluded if they can participate and make progress with reasonable accommodations.

Education

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0803&ssn=0&y=2025