HF 184 (LSB 2095YH (2) 88)

HOUSE FILE 184

BY  BRINK

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to statewide preschool program by modifying provisions relating to eligibility, funding, and compulsory attendance and including applicability provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 256C.3, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2019, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  A child who is a resident of Iowa and is four years of age on or before September March 15 of a school year shall be eligible to enroll in the preschool program under this chapter.  If such a child is enrolled under this chapter, the child shall be considered to be of compulsory attendance age as provided in section 299.1A, subsection 3.
    Sec. 2.  Section 256C.4, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 2019, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  To be included as an eligible student in the enrollment count of the preschool programming provided by a school district approved to participate in the preschool program, a child must be four years of age by September March 15 in the base year and attending the school district’s approved local program.
    Sec. 3.  Section 299.1A, subsection 3, Code 2019, is amended to read as follows:
   3.  A child who has reached the age of four by September March 15 and who is enrolled in the statewide preschool program under chapter 256C shall be considered to be of compulsory attendance age unless the parent or guardian of the child submits written notice to the school district implementing the program of the parent’s or guardian’s intent to remove the child from enrollment in the preschool program.
    Sec. 4.  APPLICABILITY.  This Act applies to school budget years beginning on or after July 1, 2020.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   The statewide preschool program for four-year-old children under Code chapter 256C provides that a child who is a resident of Iowa and is four years of age on or before September 15 of a school year shall be eligible to enroll in the preschool program. Additionally, to be included as an eligible student in the enrollment count of the preschool programming for state funding purposes, a child must be four years of age by September 15 in the base year and attending the school district’s approved local program. This bill changes the date in each of those provisions from September 15 to March 15. 
   Code section 299.1A specifies that a child who has reached the age of four by September 15 and who is enrolled in the statewide preschool program is considered to be of compulsory attendance age. The bill changes that date from September 15 to March 15.
   The bill applies to school budget years beginning on or after July 1, 2020.