An act relating to kindergarten enrollment age

This bill modifies Vermont's kindergarten enrollment age requirements to ensure students cannot be denied enrollment based on their age if they turn five on or before January 1 of the upcoming school year. The legislation amends state law to define a "legal pupil" as a child who has reached five years of age by that January 1 deadline, while allowing districts to recommend deferred admission for children turning five between August 31 and January 1. School districts must provide written reasons if they recommend deferring kindergarten for children in that August to January window, but they cannot refuse enrollment to any child who meets the January 1 age requirement if a parent or guardian requests it. The changes take effect on July 1, 2023, and apply to all public school districts in Vermont.