Relating to the statewide preschool program by modifying provisions relating to eligibility, funding, and compulsory attendance and including applicability provisions

This bill expands the eligibility and state funding provisions of the statewide preschool program for four-year-old children under Code chapter 256C to also include five-year-old children who reach the age of five on or after June but on or before September of the calendar year during which the school year begins. A child who is enrolled as a four-year-old may enroll again as an eligible five-year-old. However, if insufficient space is available in a preschool program for all eligible children, priority for enrollment shall be given to children who meet the four-year-old requirements. In addition, if an eligible five-year-old child enrolled in the preschool program has been counted for state funding purposes for a prior school year, the child shall not be counted for state funding purposes.1A relating to compulsory education is also modified to reflect changes made in the bill. The bill applies to school budget years beginning on or after July 1, 2027.