[KHTS] – Assembly lawmakers unanimously passed a bill Wednesday in favor of providing free preschool for every low-income 4-year-old in California.

Education Committee members voted in favor of AB 47, the Preschool for All Act, which is now on its way to Appropriations Committee.

The amended bill requires that “no later than January 1, 2017, there shall be access to the state preschool program for all children who are eligible for the program in the year before they enter kindergarten, and whose parents wish to enroll them,” according to a news release. “It is the intent of the Legislature to provide sufficient funding in the state budget for this purpose.”

AB 47, to be heard next in the Appropriations Committee in May, will help address California’s significant unmet need for preschool, according to a news release. The California Department of Education reports receiving interest in over 32,000 preschool spaces for just 4,000 available, and acknowledges the need is likely much greater.

“I introduced this bill on day one of the legislative session because I believe investing in our children should be at the top of California’s priority list,” said Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, author of AB 47. “Every child, no matter their income or zip code, deserves the opportunity to start school eager to learn and ready to succeed.”

Study after study shows that quality preschool significantly benefits children’s school success, according to a news release. Every dollar invested in high-quality early learning programs can save over $8.

The savings would come in the form of fewer students being held back or getting involved in crime, and more graduating from high school and college and earning higher salaries in their careers.

AB 47 would fulfill the commitment to California’s preschoolers made by Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature in last year’s budget to provide every low-income 4-year-old with access to preschool.

During the committee hearing, Assembly Education Committee members, advocates, superintendents, and faith leaders were overwhelmingly supportive of the bill to ensure all children have the opportunity to attend quality preschool—starting with the children who need it most, according to a news release. Additionally, over 25 advocacy organizations, school districts, business chambers, and preschool providers submitted letters of support for AB 47.

Paul Miller, the executive director of Kidango, a Bay Area provider to over 3,000 children, many of whom are from low-income working families who cannot afford private preschool is also excited for AB 47.

“We’re thrilled with last year’s budget investment, but California needs to embrace a long term solution to adequately address the achievement gap—and preschool for all low-income children is one of the best strategies we can employ,” Miller said. “AB 47 will help California take a critical step forward in making good on our promise to preschoolers.”

Early Edge California president Deborah Kong said: “Early Edge California is proud to sponsor AB 47 (McCarty) – the Preschool for All Act of 2015. This critical bill will ensure California’s leaders make good on their promise to our preschoolers. We must also continue to increase funding for our children from birth to age 5, including infants and toddlers, in the state budget process.”

In his remarks supporting the bill, longtime early learning supporter Assemblymember Rocky Chavez said, “As you know, this is a big personal issue for me…this is an important issue. Thank you for bringing it forward.”