1. (a) The prekindergarten program is established to provide grants for:

   1. (1) qualified early education services in a manner consistent with how funds are distributed under the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) grant program; and
   2. (2) expansion plans as described in section 7.4(a)(2) of this chapter.

2. (b) The office shall administer the prekindergarten program. The prekindergarten program may include:

   1. (1) eligible providers in Indiana; and
   2. (2) potential eligible providers or existing eligible providers as described in section 7.4 of this chapter.
3. (c) Beginning July 1, 2020, the total number of grants during the immediately preceding state fiscal year shall include the number of grants issued under a preschool program established in March 2015 that operates in a consolidated city.
4. (d) The prekindergarten program includes eligible providers in any county in Indiana.

5. (e) Subject to the requirements of this chapter, the office shall determine:

   1. (1) the eligibility requirements, application process, and selection process for awarding grants under the prekindergarten program;

   2. (2) the administration and reporting requirements for:

      1. (A) eligible providers; and

      2. (B) potential eligible providers or existing eligible providers;

         participating in the prekindergarten program; and

   3. (3) with the assistance of the early learning advisory committee, an appropriate outcomes based accountability system for:

      1. (A) eligible providers; and
      2. (B) potential eligible providers or existing eligible providers.
6. (f) The office shall, subject to the availability of funding, determine the number of eligible children who will participate in the prekindergarten program. After December 31, 2019, the office shall, subject to the availability of funding, determine the number of limited eligibility children who will participate in the prekindergarten program.

As added by P.L.202-2014, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.184-2017, SEC.19; P.L.268-2019, SEC.7; P.L.246-2023, SEC.11.