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Senate passes bill to expand state pre‑K access, aims for 70% of 3‑ and 4‑year‑olds
Summary
The Senate approved an amendment to Rhode Island’s Pre‑Kindergarten Education Act to align implementation with prior RIDE/DHS/Children's Cabinet recommendations and to target publicly funded pre‑K access to at least 70% of 3‑ and 4‑year‑olds.
The Rhode Island Senate on April 8 passed legislation to expand and implement the state Pre‑Kindergarten Education Act, aligning statutory direction with recommendations developed by RIDE, the Department of Human Services, and the Children's Cabinet.
Senator Murray, introducing the bill, said the measure "will amend the Rhode Island's Pre Kindergarten Act to include implementation and expansion guidelines aligned with the recommendations made in the budget report issued by RIDE, DHS, and the children's cabinet." He described the bill’s goal as providing high-quality publicly funded prekindergarten to at least 70% of 3- and 4-year-old children while sustaining access to infant and toddler care.
The bill specifies a delivery structure that includes Head Start programs, local education agencies, childcare centers, and family childcare homes or networks, and ties expansion to available funds. The Senate recorded 32 votes in the affirmative and 4 in the negative; the bill passed on the floor. The floor action does not by itself appropriate specific new funding; future budget actions will determine program expansion pace and funding sources.
