HBA-TBM, CCH H.B. 1570 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1570
By: Coleman
Public Education
4/12/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a school district is required to offer prekindergarten classes
if the district identifies 15 or more eligible children who are at least
four years of age.  However, a district may offer prekindergarten classes
if it chooses.  A child who is unable to speak English, at an educational
disadvantage, or homeless is eligible for prekindergarten classes.  A child
classified as at an educational disadvantage includes those children whose
family income is below 185 percent of the federal poverty index.  More
children would benefit from prekindergarten classes if the eligibility
requirements were expanded.  House Bill 1570 raises the family income
eligibility requirements for prekindergarten enrollment to 200 percent of
the federal poverty index.  
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1570 amends the Education Code to remove the provision that a
child who is at least three years of age and educationally disadvantaged is
eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten class, and provides that a
child is eligible if the child is at least three years of age and has a
family income that is not more than 200 percent of the federal poverty
level according to the poverty index prepared by the federal Office of
Management and Budget. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001. This Act applies beginning with the
2001-2002 school year.