"Mississippi Universal Prekindergarten Program Act of 2025"; create.

HB 464 creates Mississippi's Universal Prekindergarten Program Act of 2025, establishing a publicly funded pre-K program for children aged 4 who haven't entered kindergarten. It requires school districts to provide at least 10 hours per week of pre-K education for 35 weeks annually, allowing parents to choose enrollment in their local public school, another public school district, or a prequalified private provider. Private providers must meet specific quality standards, including NAEYC accreditation, teacher qualifications, 1:10 adult-to-child ratios, and use of state-approved curricula and assessments. The program will be jointly administered by the State Board of Education and the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development, with annual reports required for legislative review.