INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana House agreed Thursday to limit participation in a preschool voucher pilot program to 4-year-olds only.
House Bill 1004 came out of committee with 3- and 4-year-olds eligible for the program.
State Rep. Robert Behning, R-Indianapolis, persuaded the House to drop 3-year-olds to create a unified group of participants, as just 1,000 students statewide would receive a preschool voucher worth up to $6,800.
The legislation, which is set for a final House vote next week, creates a $7.2 million preschool voucher program in five to-be-determined counties.
An attempt by state Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, to require preschool voucher recipients attend one year of public school before qualifying for a regular school voucher was rejected by the Republican-controlled chamber.
Several Democratic lawmakers said they want to support the preschool program but won't if it automatically entitles participants to an elementary school voucher.
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