In Committee
2026 Regular Session

SB165

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AN ACT relating to preschool education programs.

Amend KRS 157.320 to define "eligible child" 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 2033-2034 school year, and beginning with the 2034-2035 school year require each local school district to provide preschool to each eligible child; 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.

Education, Elementary and SecondaryReports MandatedState Agencies

Introduced: February 5, 2026

Last action: February 5, 2026

To Committee On Committees (S)
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Legislative History

Feb 5, 2026 · Senate
Introduced In Senate
Feb 5, 2026 · Senate
To Committee On Committees (S)

Primary Sponsor

Portrait of Gerald Neal
Gerald Neal

Senator · Senate District 33

Primary sponsor
Gerald.Neal@kylegislature.gov
BallotpediaOfficial profile

Co-sponsors (4)

Portrait of Reginald Thomas
Reginald Thomas

Senator · Senate District 13

Co-sponsor
Reginald.Thomas@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Karen Berg
Karen Berg

Senator · Senate District 26

Co-sponsor
Karen.Berg@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Gary Clemons
Gary Clemons

Senator · Senate District 37

Co-sponsor
gary.clemons@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Keturah Herron
Keturah Herron

Senator · Senate District 35

Co-sponsor
keturah.herron@kylegislature.gov