Funding the transition to kindergarten program.

HB 2012 allocates $16.2 million for the 2024-25 school year and $4.7 million for 2025-26 to fund Washington's "transition to kindergarten" program, which helps children needing extra preparation before kindergarten. It directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools operating the program. Key provisions include requiring schools to prioritize low-income families for enrollment, prohibiting tuition fees or disability-based exclusions, mandating developmental assessments, and establishing a funding formula based on eligible student counts. The bill also sets standards for program eligibility (children age 4 by August 31 who need additional kindergarten preparation) and requires schools to adopt policies meeting state guidelines.