Section 12-17.2-7.2-7.2 - Eligibility for prekindergarten vouchers; parent or guardian requirements and agreement; priority for prekindergarten vouchers(a) For an eligible child to qualify for a prekindergarten voucher under this chapter, the eligible child must reside with a parent or guardian who is: (1) working or attending a job training or an educational program; or(2) actively seeking employment, subject to the approval by the United States Department of Health and Human Services as provided in 45 CFR 98.21.(b) For a limited eligibility child to qualify for a prekindergarten voucher under this chapter, the limited eligibility child must reside with a parent or guardian who: (1) is working or attending a job training or an educational program;(2) is actively seeking employment, subject to the approval by the United States Department of Health and Human Services as provided in 45 CFR 98.21; or(3) receives Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income benefits, or disability benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.(c) Before the office may provide a prekindergarten voucher to an eligible child, a limited eligibility child, or a child of a child care employee under this chapter, the office shall require that a parent or guardian of the child agree to the following: (1) The child will attend the prekindergarten program of an eligible provider selected by the parent or guardian for the full duration of the prekindergarten program year.(2) The parent or guardian will not transfer to another prekindergarten program during the prekindergarten program year.(3) The child will attend the prekindergarten program at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the days that the prekindergarten program is provided.(4) The parent or guardian will allow the child to participate in an external evaluation conducted by researchers, including the kindergarten readiness assessment and measuring of developmental and academic progress.(5) The parent or guardian will participate in family engagement and involvement activities offered by the selected prekindergarten program, including meetings with the child's teacher to discuss the child's progress or any other conference concerning the child that is requested by the eligible provider.(6) The parent or guardian will complete the necessary forms for the child to receive a student test number from the department of education.(7) The parent or guardian will send the child to kindergarten.(8) The parent or guardian will read to the child each week.(9) Any other condition the office determines is appropriate.(d) Priority shall be given to a child of a child care employee under this section.(e) Priority may be given to an eligible or limited eligibility child under this section if a parent or guardian of the eligible or limited eligibility child is: (1) involved in activities that improve the parent's or guardian's education; or(2) involved in job training.Amended by P.L. 92-2024,SEC. 18, eff. 3/13/2024.Amended by P.L. 268-2019,SEC. 9, eff. 1/1/2020.Added by P.L. 184-2017,SEC. 21, eff. 7/1/2017.