# Education (GED)

## Title 7. Public Schools

### Subtitle 1A. Publicly Funded Full-Day Prekindergarten Programs

#### Section 7-1A-06

(a)

  (1) Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, Tier I children who are 3 or 4 years old may be enrolled in a full-day prekindergarten program under this subtitle.

  (2)

    (i) For the 2023-2024 through 2025-2026 school years, children who are 3 or 4 years old may enroll in a full-day prekindergarten program under this subtitle if the children are:

      (1) Children whose family income is more than 300% but not more than 600% of the federal poverty level; and

      (2)

        (A) Children with disabilities; or

      (B) Children from homes in which English is not the primary spoken language.

    (ii) For the 2023-2024 through 2025-2026 school years only, children described under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall be counted as Tier I children for purposes of funding allocated under Sec. 5-229 of this article.

(b)

  (1) The proportion of enrolled Tier I children who are 3 years old shall increase annually until all Tier I children who are 3 years old are enrolled in a full-day prekindergarten program.

  (2) The proportion of enrolled Tier I children who are 4 years old shall increase annually so that all Tier I children who are 4 years old shall be enrolled in a full-day prekindergarten program.

(c) Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, Tier II children not described under subsection (a)(2)(i) of this section may be enrolled in a full-day prekindergarten program if space is available to encourage socioeconomic diversity in prekindergarten classrooms.

(d) Priority in expanding prekindergarten slots shall be provided to 3- and 4-year olds who are:

  (1) Tier I children;

  (2) Children with disabilities, regardless of income; or

  (3) Children from homes in which English is not the primary spoken language.

(e) The ability of a family to choose the prekindergarten provider in which to enroll their child does not supersede local authority to set school attendance boundaries.

---

Md. Code Ann., Educ. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)