HB 1395 Summary

• Changes kindergarten from a mandatory full-day (6-hour) requirement to optional, allowing school districts to choose between half-day (2.5-hour) or full-day programs

• Retains the state requirement that every school district provide free public kindergarten for five-year-old children

• Adjusts state funding weights: half-day kindergarten receives 1.3 pupil grade level weight while full-day receives 1.5 weight

• Removes the previous exemption that allowed districts heavily indebted through bond issuance to avoid providing full-day kindergarten

• Effective date July 1, 2013, with emergency clause