Signed by Governor Mike Pence

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends eligibility requirements for the Choice Scholarship program.

Highlights:

• Amends the Choice Scholarship eligibility requirements for individuals including, but not limited to, the following requirements (Secs. 4 & 5): 
• Existing Law:
• The individual was enrolled in grade 1 through grade 12 at a public school for 2 semesters immediately preceding the first semester he or she received a Choice Scholarship; and
• The individual is a member of a household with an annual income no greater than 150 percent of the amount required to qualify for the federal free or reduced priced lunch program.
• New Law:
• The individual is a member of a household with an annual income no greater than 150 percent of the amount required to qualify for the federal free or reduced priced lunch program and:
• The individual was enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12 at a public school for 2 semesters immediately preceding the first semester he or she received a Choice Scholarship; 
• The individual’s sibling received a choice scholarship of at least $1,000 the preceding school year; 
• The individual resides in the attendance zone of a public school that has been placed in the lowest category of school improvement; or 
• The individual resides in the attendance zone of a public school that has been placed in the lowest category for academic growth and 2 of the lowest categories for school performance for at least 2 years.  
• The individual is a member of a household with an annual income no greater than 200 percent of the amount required to qualify for the federal free or reduced priced lunch program and the individual has disability and requires “special education.”

• Specifies that an individual who initially qualified for a Choice Scholarship will have met the income eligibility requirements if the individual is a member of a household with an annual income no greater than 200 percent of the amount required to qualify for the federal free or reduced priced lunch program (Sec. 10).

• Increases the maximum Choice Scholarship award amount for an individual in grade 1 through grade 8 from $4,500 a school year to the following amounts (Sec. 11):
• $4,600 for a school year beginning after June 30, 2013 and before July 1, 2014; and
• $4,700 for a school year beginning after June 30, 2014.

• Requires a legislative committee to study topics concerning the Choice Scholarship program including, but not limited to, the following topics (Sec. 19):
• How many scholarship students attended a nonpublic school without ever attending a public school; 
• What is the poverty rate among families of children receiving Choice Scholarships; and
• What is the appropriate limit for state funded scholarships for private education.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends eligibility requirements for the Choice Scholarship program.

Highlights:

• Amends the Choice Scholarship eligibility requirements for individuals including, but not limited to, the following requirements (Secs. 15 & 16): 
• Existing Law:
• The individual was enrolled in grade 1 through grade 12 at a public school for 2 semesters immediately preceding the first semester he or she received a Choice Scholarship; and
• The individual is a member of a household with an annual income no greater than 150 percent of the amount required to qualify for the federal free or reduced priced lunch program.
• New Law:
• The individual is a member of a household with an annual income no greater than 150 percent of the amount required to qualify for the federal free or reduced priced lunch program and:
• The individual has been enrolled in a public school for any grade level from grade 1 through grade 12 immediately preceding the first semester he or she received a Choice Scholarship;
• The individual or sibling of the individual received a choice scholarship the preceding school year; or
• The individual is enrolling in kindergarten. 
• The individual is a member of a household with an annual income no greater than 200 percent of the amount required to qualify for the federal free or reduced priced lunch program and:
• The individual has disability and requires “special education”;
• The individual is in foster care; or
• The individual was enrolled in grade 1 through grade 12 in a public school inside or outside of Indiana and has a parent who has served or is currently serving in the armed forces of the United States or National Guard.

• Specifies that an individual who initially qualified for a Choice Scholarship will have met the income eligibility requirements if the individual is a member of a household with an annual income no greater than 200 percent of the amount required to qualify for the federal free or reduced priced lunch program (Sec. 21).

• Increases the maximum Choice Scholarship award amount for an individual in grade 1 through grade 8 from $4,500 a school year to the following amounts (Sec. 22):
• $5,000 for a school year beginning after June 30, 2013 and before July 1, 2014; and
• $5,500 for a school year beginning after June 30, 2014.

• Establishes a preschool education scholarship program for an individual who meets criteria requirements including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 4):
• The individual is at least 3 years old and not more than 5 years old; and 
• The individual is a member of a household with annual income no greater than 200 percent of the amount required to qualify for the federal free or reduced price lunch program.

Full Bill Text