MS HB172

Lowers the compulsory school attendance age from six (6) years to five (5) years old, requiring children who turn five by September 1 to enroll in and attend school.

Requires parents, guardians, or custodians to enroll five-year-olds in public schools, nonpublic schools, or legitimate home instruction programs during the compulsory attendance period.

Establishes that children who fail to enroll within fifteen (15) calendar days of the school year's start or accumulate five (5) unlawful absences must be reported to school attendance officers.

Updates related code sections to replace references to "kindergarten pupils" and "pupils of legal school age" with "compulsory-school-age children" for consistency with the new definition.

Takes effect July 1, 2016.