Attendance of students in K-12 schools, the official text

ORIGINAL Senate
File No. SF0018

ENROLLED ACT NO. 2, SENATE

SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2026 Budget Session

AN ACT relating to enrollment of students in K-12 public schools; specifying the public schools of the state as being equally free and accessible to children attending school on a part‑time basis; specifying applicability; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1. W.S. 21‑4‑301 is amended to read:

21‑4‑301. Schools to be free and accessible to all children; minimum school year.

(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, the public schools of each school district in the state shall at all times be equally free and accessible to all children, including children attending school on a part‑time basis, resident therein of five (5) years of age as of August 1, or September 15 if pursuant to an approved request under W.S. 21‑3‑110(a)(xxxviii), of the year in which they may register in kindergarten as provided in W.S. 21‑4‑302(b) and under the age of twenty‑one (21), subject to regulations of the board of trustees.

(b) Each school district shall operate its schools and its classes for a minimum of one hundred seventy‑five (175) days each school year unless an alternative schedule has been approved by the state board. Prior to submission of a proposed alternative schedule to the state board, the board of trustees shall hold at least two (2) advertised public meetings within the district, at which the board shall present the proposed alternative schedule and respond to public questions and comments. Any school district operating under an alternative schedule shall annually evaluate the effectiveness of that schedule in meeting the educational goals and purposes for which the schedule was adopted.

(b)(c) A parent, guardian or other person having control or charge of any child eligible to attend public school in Wyoming under subsection (a) of this section shall have the option to apply for the ESA program specified by W.S. 21‑2‑901 on behalf of the child.

Section 2. W.S. 21‑4‑301 as amended by section 1 of this act, shall apply to enrollment of children beginning school year 2026‑2027 and each school year thereafter.

Section 3. This act is effective July 1, 2026.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.

Chief Clerk

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