1. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
2. (b) “Cost of quality” means the per-pupil amount provided under § 5-229 of this article.
3. (c) “Early childhood educator career ladder” means the career ladder for private provider prekindergarten educators established by the Department under § 7-1A-08 of this subtitle.

4. (d) “Eligible prekindergarten provider” includes an:

   1. (1) Eligible public provider; and
   2. (2) Eligible private provider.

5. (e)

   1. (1) “Eligible private provider” means a community-based early learning program that:

      1. (i) Is licensed in the State;
      2. (ii) Does not charge more tuition for full-day prekindergarten than the cost of quality; and
      3. (iii) Meets the requirements under § 7-1A-04 of this subtitle.
   2. (2) “Eligible private provider” includes the Ulysses Currie Head Start Program under § 5-231 of this article.

6. (f) “Eligible public provider” means an early learning program that:

   1. (1) Is provided by a county board at a public school; and
   2. (2) Meets the requirements under § 7-1A-04 of this subtitle.
7. (g) “Full-day prekindergarten” means an early learning program with a six and one-half hour school day.
8. (h) “Prekindergarten program” means an early learning program at an eligible prekindergarten provider.
9. (i) “Prekindergarten provider hub” means a coordinated partnership between eligible prekindergarten providers and other entities established by the Department under § 7-1A-09 of this subtitle.
10. (j) “Prekindergarten slot” means the available space for a child to attend a prekindergarten program.

11. (k) “Tier I child” means a child:

    1. (1) Who is 3 or 4 years old;

    2. (2)

       1. (i) Whose family income is less than or equal to 300% of the federal poverty level; or
       2. (ii) Who is a homeless youth; and
    3. (3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full-day prekindergarten.

12. (l) “Tier II child” means a child:

    1. (1) Who is 4 years old;

    2. (2)

       1. (i) In fiscal year 2026, whose family income is more than 300% but not more than 360% of the federal poverty level;
       2. (ii) In fiscal year 2027, whose family income is more than 300% but not more than 450% of the federal poverty level; and
       3. (iii) In fiscal year 2028 and in each fiscal year thereafter, whose family income is more than 300% but not more than 600% of the federal poverty level; and
    3. (3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full-day prekindergarten.

13. (m) “Tier III child” means a child:

    1. (1) Who is 4 years old;
    2. (2) Whose family income is more than 600% of the federal poverty level; and
    3. (3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full-day prekindergarten.

Added by Acts 2021, c. 36, § 3, eff. March 14, 2021. Amended by Acts 2022, c. 135, § 1, eff. April 12, 2022; Acts 2023, c. 119, § 1, eff. April 24, 2023; Acts 2023, c. 670, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023; Acts 2024, c. 165, § 1, eff. July 1, 2024; Acts 2024, c. 717, § 1, eff. June 1, 2024; Acts 2025, c. 679, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025; Acts 2026, c. 6, § 1, eff. June 1, 2026.