1. (a)

   1. (1) Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, Tier I children who are 3 or 4 years old may be enrolled in a full-day prekindergarten program under this subtitle.

   2. (2)

      1. (i) For the 2023-2024 through 2025-2026 school years, children who are 3 or 4 years old may enroll in a full-day prekindergarten program under this subtitle if the children are:

         1. 1. Children whose family income is more than 300% but not more than 600% of the federal poverty level; and

         2. 2. A. Children with disabilities; or

            1. B. Children from homes in which English is not the primary spoken language.
   3. (ii) For the 2023-2024 through 2025-2026 school years only, children described under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall be counted as Tier I children for purposes of funding allocated under § 5-229 of this article.

2. (b)

   1. (1) The proportion of enrolled Tier I children who are 3 years old shall increase annually until all Tier I children who are 3 years old are enrolled in a full-day prekindergarten program.
   2. (2) The proportion of enrolled Tier I children who are 4 years old shall increase annually so that all Tier I children who are 4 years old shall be enrolled in a full-day prekindergarten program.
3. (c) Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, Tier II children not described under subsection (a)(2)(i) of this section may be enrolled in a full-day prekindergarten program if space is available to encourage socioeconomic diversity in prekindergarten classrooms.

4. (d) Priority in expanding prekindergarten slots shall be provided to 3- and 4-year olds who are:

   1. (1) Tier I children;
   2. (2) Children with disabilities, regardless of income; or
   3. (3) Children from homes in which English is not the primary spoken language.
5. (e) The ability of a family to choose the prekindergarten provider in which to enroll their child does not supersede local authority to set school attendance boundaries.

Added by Acts 2021, c. 36, § 3, eff. March 14, 2021. Amended by Acts 2023, c. 119, § 1, eff. April 24, 2023; Acts 2024, c. 717, § 1, eff. June 1, 2024.