Prekindergarten - 3-Year-Olds - Private Providers (Parental Choice for Prekindergarten Act)

SB 780 modifies Maryland's prekindergarten program to allow eligible private providers to enroll 3-year-olds who meet income or homelessness criteria (family income ≤300% of federal poverty level or homeless status). It changes the definition of "Tier I child" to include these 3-year-olds, but only in counties where private providers choose to participate and sign a memorandum of understanding with the State Department of Education and county boards. Private providers must be licensed, charge no more than the "cost of quality" tuition, and enroll only families meeting the eligibility requirements. This expands access to publicly funded prekindergarten for low-income 3-year-olds through private providers, without changing the existing income thresholds for 4-year-olds.