MS HB440

Changes the definition of "compulsory-school-age child" from age six to age five years old, requiring children who attain age five on or before September 1 to attend school.

Removes the previous provision allowing five-year-olds to be exempt if they were not enrolled in full-day public school kindergarten.

Updates Section 37-7-339 to replace references to "kindergarten or compulsory-school-age students" with "compulsory-school-age students" for consistency with the new definition.

Updates Section 37-41-3 to reference "compulsory-school-age children" instead of "pupils of legal school age" and replaces outdated terminology "crippled and physically handicapped" with "children with disabilities."

Takes effect July 1, 2019.