Bill > H618

This bill establishes a Universal Full-Day Kindergarten Trust Fund to provide financial support for school districts implementing tuition-free, full-day kindergarten programs across Massachusetts. The fund will be administered by the board of elementary and secondary education and can receive funding from state appropriations, public and private sources, and will not have unexpended funds revert to the General Fund. School districts can request reimbursement for up to 100% of the costs to implement full-day kindergarten programs, and the board must submit an annual report detailing the fund's activity, including sources of revenue, distributions, and future projections. The bill also modifies existing law to define "foundation enrollment" to include kindergarten students and establishes that all school districts may offer tuition-free, full-day kindergarten programs that meet state requirements, without charging fees to families. Additionally, school districts without existing full-day kindergarten programs must report to the state education board about the funds needed to implement such programs. The provisions of this bill will apply to school years beginning after July 31, 2022, aiming to make high-quality, full-day kindergarten accessible to all Massachusetts children without financial barriers.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H618