FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Children who are 5 years old by Aug. 1 would be allowed to enter kindergarten under a bill that has passed the Kentucky Senate.

The legislation approved Thursday by a 33-2 vote would change the date students must be 5 from Oct. 1 to Aug. 1. It would, however, allow the parents or guardians of exceptional and gifted children who are younger than 5 to petition their school district's board to make exceptions.

The bill also requires students to enter school if they will be 6 years old by Aug. 1 rather than by Oct. 1.

Sen. Jimmy Higdon, a Republican from Lebanon, said that under an amendment to the bill, it would not take effect until the 2017-2018 school year.

The legislation is SB 24.

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