Bill
Bill > HB156
summary
Introduced
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
In Committee
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Create The "mississippi Universal Prekindergarten Program Act Of 2026"; To Define Certain Terms; To Provide For The Public Funding Of The Program, Which Shall Be Available To Parents And Families On A Voluntary Participation Basis; To Prescribe The Minimum Standards Of Education Required To Be Offered To Children Enrolled In The Program; To Prescribe The Manner By Which Payments Will Be Made To Prekindergarten Programs, Whether Such Programs Are Offered Through The Public School District Of Residence, An Outside District Or Through A Prequalified Private Provider; To Establish The Minimum Standards Required For The Prequalification Of Private Providers; To Prescribe The Manner By Which Local School Districts Must Account For Students Enrolled In Prekindergarten Programs For Purposes Of Determining Average Daily Attendance; To Require The Program To Be Jointly Administered By The State Board Of Education And The Division Of Early Childhood Care And Development; To Provide For The Expansion Of School-based Prekindergarten Programs; To Require The Board And The Division To Establish A Process To Calculate The Annual Statewide Tuition Rate For Prekindergarten Education; To Provide For An Administrative Procedures Process For Entities Aggrieved By Actions Of The Board And Division; To Require Annual Reports On The Program And Any Recommendation For Improvement Or Discontinuation To The Legislature; To Bring Forward Section 37-21-51, Mississippi Code Of 1972, For The Purpose Of Possible Amendment; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the "Mississippi Universal Prekindergarten Program Act of 2026," establishes a publicly funded, voluntary prekindergarten program for four-year-old children, aiming to provide at least ten hours per week of education for thirty-five weeks annually. Parents can choose to enroll their children in programs offered by their local public school district or in prequalified private providers or public schools outside their district, with the school district of residence responsible for paying tuition. To ensure quality, the bill outlines minimum standards for prequalified private and public providers, including accreditation, teacher qualifications, curriculum requirements, teacher-to-child ratios, and nutritional standards. The program will be jointly administered by the State Board of Education and the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development, which will also establish a statewide tuition rate, potentially adjusted regionally. The bill also addresses how school districts will account for these prekindergarten students for attendance purposes and requires annual reports to the legislature on the program's progress and recommendations for improvement. It also brings forward existing law regarding early learning collaboratives, which are groups of entities working together to provide prekindergarten services, to ensure consistency and potential amendment.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0156.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/HB/0100-0199/HB0156IN.htm |
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