Signed by Governor Kevin Stitt

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with senate amendments and pass a bill that increases transparency on state-funded scholarships for private schools.

Highlights:

• Specifies that in order to be eligible to participate in the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program a private school shall demonstrate the following, including (Sec. 1):

• Meeting the accreditation requirements set by the State Board of Education;

• Demonstrating fiscal soundness by having been in operation for one school year;

• Complying with antidiscrimination provisions under previous law;

• Meeting the state and local health and safety laws;

• Willing to be automatically accountable to the parent or legal guardian for meeting the educational needs of the student;

• Employing or contracting with teachers who hold baccalaureate or higher degrees or have at least 3 years of teaching experience;

• Complying with all state laws relating to general regulation of private schools; and

• Adheres to the tenets of its published disciplinary procedures prior to the expulsion of a scholarship student.

• Requires the State Department of Education to list on its website all accrediting associations approved by the Board (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the State Department of education to provide on its website all information and material submitted by the private school with its application (Sec. 1).

• Requires the State Department of Education to annually prepare and post on its website a report on the Lindsey Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program that covers the following information, including (Sec. 1).

• The total number and amount of scholarships awarded and reported for each participating private school;

• The total number of scholarships denied;

• The total number and amount of scholarship payments suspended for each participating private school; and

• Data on participating students, disaggregated by years of participation in the program, grade level, economically disadvantaged status, racial and ethnic groups, and disability category.

Full Bill Text