Budget Amendment ID: FY2021-S4-101

EDU 101

Free Full Day Kindergarten

Messrs. O'Connor, Timilty and Montigny moved that the proposed new text be amended by adding the following section:-

“SECTION XX. Chapter 69 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting the following section:-

Section 37. Full-Day Kindergarten Grant Program

Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department, in coordination with other state agencies, shall develop a comprehensive system, subject to appropriation, for the delivery of reimbursement grants to support the establishment of free full-day kindergarten programs in schools that do not offer full-day kindergarten for free, and to support schools at a financial risk of losing an existing free full-day kindergarten program. Said system shall be designed with the intent to sustainably expand free full-day kindergarten programs to the entire Commonwealth. The department shall promulgate guidelines or regulations for eligibility and timelines to award grants to applicant schools, provided that the grants provide assistance for three consecutive years to reimburse 50% of costs in the first year, 25% of costs in the second year, and 25% of costs in the third year. The department shall finalize said system and promulgate the necessary guidelines or regulations no later than December 1, 2021.”