SB 166 — AN ACT relating to preschool education programs.

Summary

Amend KRS 157.320 to define "at risk" and "teaming partner"; amend KRS 157.3175 to require each local school district to provide preschool to 4 year olds who reside in a household with an income at or below 160% of the poverty level until the end of the 2030-2031 school year and beginning with the 2031-2032 school year, require each local school district to provide preschool to each 4 year old who is at risk; provide requirements for program guidelines; require the Kentucky Department of Education to establish and maintain a statewide unified data system; create a new section of KRS Chapter 157 to require local school districts to maintain certification from the Head Start director that Head Start is fully utilized; provide penalties; require local school districts to prepare and submit preschool expansion plans to the deparment; require the department to promulgate administrative regulations regarding preschool expansion; require the department to submit a report the the Legislative Research Commission annually regarding preschool expansion.

Bill Text

• Introduced View text Current pdf

Compared against the Kentucky Revised Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill adds a definition for 'at risk' and modifies existing statutes to implement new preschool education program requirements.

• KRS 157.320

  "At risk" means for preschool education programs, a child who resides in a household with an income at or below two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the federal poverty level;

  This establishes a definition of 'at risk' children for the purposes of preschool education.

• KRS 157.320

  "Support Education Excellence i → "Support Education Excellence in Kentucky" means the level of educational services and facilities which is to be provided in each district from the public school fund;

  This clarifies the definition of 'Support Education Excellence in Kentucky' within the statute.

• KRS 157.320

  15) "Support Education Excellence i → 17) "Teacher" means any regular or special teacher, principal, supervisor, superintendent, assistant superintendent, librarian, director of pupil personnel, or other member of the teaching or professional staff engaged in the service of the public elementary and secondary school for whom certification is required as a condition of employment;

  This adds a comprehensive definition of 'Teacher' to the existing educational regulations.

• KRS 157.320

  18) "Teaming partner" means a nongovernmental entity that contracts with a school district to provide preschool education programs to eligible children in a nonresidential setting;

  This introduces the term 'Teaming partner' to describe external entities involved in preschool education.

• KRS 157.320

  19) "Virtual program" means a program offered by a public school district in which all courses in the program are virtual, do not include regular in-person instruction, and are designed as an alternative to traditional in-person school programs;

  This defines 'Virtual program', recognizing alternative education formats.

• KRS 157.320

  20) "Weather-related low attendance day" means a school day on which the district's attendance falls below the average daily attendance for the prior year due to inclement weather.

  This clarifies how to assess attendance impacted by weather for reporting purposes.

Action History

1. February 05, 2026

   to Committee on Committees (S)

2. February 05, 2026

   introduced in Senate

Sponsors

• Reginald L. Thomas · Primary
• Keturah J. Herron · Primary
• Gary Clemons · Primary
• Karen Berg · Primary
• Gerald A. Neal · Primary
• Cassie Chambers Armstrong · Primary

Subjects