HB 1548 Summary

• Establishes a kindergarten readiness reimbursement grant program providing $1,000 to parents of eligible children
• Eligible children must be ages 4-5, Indiana residents, from households at or below federal free/reduced lunch income thresholds, and not attending Head Start or other federally/state-funded preschool programs
• Requires children to successfully complete a kindergarten readiness assessment developed by the Department of Education before enrolling in kindergarten
• School corporations and nonpublic schools administer the assessment and grant program, with no charges imposed on parents or children
• Grants must be paid from the state general fund within 60 days of the department receiving notice that a child has passed the readiness assessment; effective July 1, 2013