Bill > HB574

This bill aims to expand preschool education programs in Kentucky by defining "eligible child" as a four-year-old by August 1st or a three or four-year-old with a disability, and "teaming partner" as an outside entity contracted to provide preschool services. Initially, until the end of the 2033-2034 school year, school districts must offer preschool to four-year-olds from households earning up to 160% of the federal poverty level, and starting with the 2034-2035 school year, this will expand to all eligible children. The bill also mandates program guidelines covering enrollment, staffing, curriculum aligned with early childhood standards, and data collection through a statewide system managed by the Kentucky Department of Education. Local school districts will need to ensure Head Start programs are fully utilized and will be required to submit preschool expansion plans to the department, which will then create regulations for contracting with teaming partners and distributing expansion funds. The department will report annually to the Legislative Research Commission on the progress of preschool expansion. Penalties may be imposed for non-compliance, particularly regarding Head Start utilization.

Education

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb574.html