HB 255

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.