Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands the school voucher program, effective July 1, 2014.

Highlights:

• Requires eligible “non-profit scholarship funding organizations” to give priority to new applicants whose household income levels do not exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty level or who are in foster care or out-of-home care, beginning in the 2016-2017 school year (Sec. 6). 

• Authorizes student in foster care or out-of-home care to apply for a scholarship from eligible “non-profit scholarship funding organizations” at any time (Sec. 6). 

• Defines “eligible nonprofit scholarship organization” as (Sec. 2):
• A charitable organization that is exempt from federal income tax; and 
• An entity in the state of Florida with its principle offices located within the state.

• Specifies that for the 2014-2015 and the 2015-2016 school years, a student is eligible for a Florida tax credit scholarship, contingent upon available funds, if the student meets one or more of the following criteria (Sec. 2): 
• The student qualifies for free or reduced-price school lunches under the National School Lunch Act or is on the direct certification list;
• The student is currently placed, or in the previous state fiscal year was placed, in foster care or out-of-home care; or 
• The student’s household income level does not exceed 230 percent of the federal poverty line.  

• Specifies that for the 2016-2017 school year, and thereafter, a student is eligible for a Florida tax credit scholarship, contingent upon available funds, if the student meets one or more of the following criteria (Sec. 2): 
• The student is on the direct certification list or the student’s household income does not exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty line;
• The student is currently placed, or in the previous state fiscal year was placed, in foster care or in out-of-home care; 
• The student’s household income level is greater than 185 percent of the federal poverty level line, but does not exceed 260 percent of the federal poverty level;
• The student spent the previous school year in attendance at a public school in the state;
• The student is eligible to enter kindergarten or grade 1; or
• The student received a scholarship from an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization or the state during the previous school year. 

• Specifies that a student who initially receives a scholarship, based on eligibility under the provisions of this bill, remains eligible until the student graduates from high school or turns 21 years of age, whichever comes first (Sec. 2). 

• Requires the amount of a scholarship awarded to a student enrolled in an eligible private school to be equal to 82 percent of the un-weighted full-time equivalent (FTE) funding amount for that state fiscal year, and thereafter (Sec. 12). 

• Rep. Mark Danish voted "Nay" after the roll call.

Full Bill Text