MS SB2314

Lowers the compulsory school attendance age from 6 to 5 years old, making kindergarten attendance mandatory for all children who turn 5 on or before August 1 of the school year

Changes the enrollment cutoff date from September 1 to August 1 for both kindergarten and first grade eligibility

Requires kindergarten-age children to attend a licensed public, parochial, nonpublic, or homeschool kindergarten program that addresses cognitive, social, and emotional needs of five-year-olds

Expands the definition of "school" for kindergarten-age children to include legitimate homeschool kindergarten programs alongside public and private options

Parents, guardians, or custodians who fail to enroll compulsory-school-age children (now including kindergarteners) face penalties for contributing to the neglect of a child under Section 97-5-39