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Committee advances bill to let DOE accept donations and launch virtual preschool readiness program
Summary
The House Education Committee voted to advance an amended Senate Bill 69 that would let the state Department of Education accept private and public donations for a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program and change how school boards accept or reject gifts.
The House Education Committee advanced an amended version of Senate Bill 69 on a party-line roll call after a hearing during which sponsors and witnesses argued the measure would expand early-literacy options while opponents and school officials urged clearer guardrails for donations and reporting.
The amendment would (1) add a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program aimed at 4- and 5-year-olds not yet in kindergarten, funded initially by gifts and donations rather than ongoing state appropriations, and (2) change statutory language so school boards must vote to accept or reject charitable contributions (including a provision on anonymous gifts).
Why it matters: Sponsor testimony framed the measure as a lightweight way to expand readiness supports without adding new recurring state costs, while witnesses representing school boards and school administrators said the bill needs clearer limits and procedures so routine, low-value donations (for example, a classroom box…
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