Signed by Governor Bill Lee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that authorizes education savings account vouchers to students in specified school districts.

Highlights:

• Defines “department” as the department of education and “eligible postsecondary institution” as a private postsecondary institution accredited by an organization approved by the state or an institution operated by the following (Sec. 1):

• The board of trustees of the University of Tennessee;

• The board of regents of the state university and community college system; or

• A local governing board of trustees of a state university.

• Defines “eligible or participating student” as a resident of the state who (Sec. 1):

• Was previously enrolled in a Tennessee public school for one full school year;

• Is eligible to enroll in a Tennessee school for the first year;

• Received an education savings account in the previous school year; and

• Is a student in any of the grades kindergarten through 12.

• Defines “ESA” as an education savings account (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that funds deposited in a participating student’s Education Savings Account shall be used for only the following, including, but not limited to (Sec. 1):

• Tuition or fees at a participating school;

• Textbooks required by a participating school;

• Tutoring services provided by a tutor or tutoring facility that meets the requirements established by the department;

• Computer hardware, technological devices, or fees approved by the Department; and

• School uniforms if required by a participating school.

• Authorizes participating and eligible students 17 years of age or younger to enroll in the Education Savings Account program until (Sec. 1):

• The participating student enrolls in a public school;

• Ceases to be a resident of the LEA in which the student resided when they entered the program; or

• Graduates, or withdraws from high school.

• Defines “LEA” as the Local Education Agency (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a participating student to return to the students LEA at any time after enrolling in the program and specifies that upon a student’s return to the LEA, the students ESA shall be closed and any remaining funds be returned to the state (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that authorizes education savings account vouchers to students in specified school districts.

Highlights:

• Defines “department” as the department of education and “eligible postsecondary institution” as a private postsecondary institution accredited by an organization approved by the state or an institution operated by the following (Sec. 1):

• The board of trustees of the University of Tennessee;

• The board of regents of the state university and community college system; or

• A local governing board of trustees of a state university.

• Defines “eligible or participating student” as a resident of the state who (Sec. 1):

• Was previously enrolled in a Tennessee public school for one full school year;

• Is eligible to enroll in a Tennessee school for the first year;

• Received an education savings account in the previous school year; and

• Is a student in any of the grades kindergarten through 12.

• Defines “ESA” as an education savings account (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that funds deposited in a participating student’s Education Savings Account shall be used for only the following, including, but not limited to (Sec. 1):

• Tuition or fees at a participating school;

• Textbooks required by a participating school;

• Tutoring services provided by a tutor or tutoring facility that meets the requirements established by the department;

• Computer hardware, technological devices, or fees approved by the Department; and

• School uniforms if required by a participating school.

• Authorizes participating and eligible students 17 years of age or younger to enroll in the Education Savings Account program until (Sec. 1):

• The participating student enrolls in a public school;

• Ceases to be a resident of the LEA in which the student resided when they entered the program; or

• Graduates, or withdraws from high school.

• Defines “LEA” as the Local Education Agency (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a participating student to return to the students LEA at any time after enrolling in the program and specifies that upon a student’s return to the LEA, the students ESA shall be closed and any remaining funds be returned to the state (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes education savings account vouchers to students in specified school districts.

Highlights:

• Defines “department” as the department of education and “eligible postsecondary institution” as a private postsecondary institution accredited by an organization approved by the state or an institution operated by the following (Sec. 1):

• The board of trustees of the University of Tennessee;

• The board of regents of the state university and community college system; or

• A local governing board of trustees of a state university.

• Defines “eligible or participating student” as a resident of the state who (Sec. 1):

• Was previously enrolled in a Tennessee public school for one full school year;

• Is eligible to enroll in a Tennessee school for the first year;

• Received an education savings account in the previous school year; and

• Is a student in any of the grades kindergarten through 12.

• Defines “ESA” as an education savings account (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that funds deposited in a participating student’s Education Savings Account shall be used for only the following, including, but not limited to (Sec. 1):

• Tuition or fees at a participating school;

• Textbooks required by a participating school;

• Tutoring services provided by a tutor or tutoring facility that meets the requirements established by the department;

• Computer hardware, technological devices, or fees approved by the Department; and

• School uniforms if required by a participating school.

• Authorizes participating and eligible students 17 years of age or younger to enroll in the Education Savings Account program until (Sec. 1):

• The participating student enrolls in a public school;

• Ceases to be a resident of the LEA in which the student resided when they entered the program; or

• Graduates, or withdraws from high school.

• Defines “LEA” as the Local Education Agency (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a participating student to return to the students LEA at any time after enrolling in the program and specifies that upon a student’s return to the LEA, the students ESA shall be closed and any remaining funds be returned to the state (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text