The legislature finds that:

1. A. special needs are present among the state's population of three- and four-year-old children and those needs warrant the provision of early pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten programs;
2. B. participation in quality early pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten has a positive effect on children's intellectual, emotional, social and physical development; and
3. C. early pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten will advance governmental interests and childhood development and readiness.

History: Laws 2005, ch. 170, § 2; 2019, ch. 48, § 19.

ANNOTATIONS

The 2019 amendment, effective July 1, 2020, expanded early pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten program eligibility; in the section heading, deleted "and purpose"; in Subsection A, after "state's population of", added "three- and", and after "the provision of", added "early pre-kindergarten and"; in Subsection B, after "participation in quality", added "early pre-kindergarten and"; and in Subsection C, added "early pre-kindergarten and".