Senator Keaveny’s Early Childhood Legislation Combined with House Bill Approved by Senate Today

JEFFERSON CITY —Language provided by Sen. Joseph Keaveny, D-St. Louis, was added to a House Bill 1689, a measure that received final approval in the Senate today (May 15).

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Kathryn Swan, R-Cape Girardeau, now contains language that was perfected by the Senate in Sen. Keaveny’s early childhood education legislation, Senate Bill 538.

Sen. Keaveny’s provision will help with foundation formula fixes necessary to save $68 million in funding; it also expands the foundation formula to include low-income children ages 3-5. 

“I am excited that important language from my legislation was included in Rep. Swan’s measure,” Sen. Keaveny said. “It is reassuring that we were able to work together to do the most good for the young children of our state.”

House Bill 1689, changes the laws regarding accreditation and early childhood education programs by establishing an annual Aug. 1 cut-off birth date for 3-year-old children in pre-kindergarten programs. It will also allow inclusion of pre-kindergarten students in the calculation of average daily attendance for school funding purposes, when these students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. Students must also attend a program operated by the district or charter school counting them on the attendance logs.

For more information regarding this or any of his filed legislation, contact Sen. Keaveny’s Capitol office at (573) 751-3599 or follow legislation online at www.senate.mo.gov/keaveny.