Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Program.

Highlights:

• Defines a "qualified school" as home school or any of the following entities that is incorporated in Missouri and that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin (Sec. A-166.700-7):

• A charter school;

• A private school;

• A public school; or

• A public or private virtual school.

• Authorizes a parent of a qualified student to establish a Missouri empowerment scholarship account for the student by entering into a written agreement with an educational assistance organization. The agreement shall provide that (Sec. A-166.705):

• The qualified student shall enroll in a qualified school and receive an education in at least the subjects of English language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science; and

• Except for a qualified student who is in the custody of the state, the qualified student shall not be enrolled in a public school operated by, or a charter school located within, the qualified student's district of residence andshall release the district of residence from all obligations to educate the qualified student while the qualified student is enrolled in the program.

• Specifies Missouri empowerment scholarship accounts are renewable on an annual basis upon request of the parent of a qualified student (Sec. A-166.705-2).

• Prohibits the state treasurer from promulgating rules containing the following to implement and administer the program (Sec. 166.710-4):

• Procedures for conducting examinations of use of account funds;

• Procedures for conducting random, quarterly, and annual reviews of accounts;

• Creation of an online anonymous fraud reporting service;

• Creation of an anonymous telephone hotline for fraud reporting; and

• A surety bond requirement for educational assistance organizations.

• Authorizes any qualified student receiving a Missouri empowerment scholarship who leaves a public school or charter school in the qualified student's resident school district to enroll in a qualified school that is not the qualified student's resident school district to continue to be counted in the resident public school or charter school's weighted average daily attendance as a resident student for the purposes of determining state and federal aid for the qualified student's resident school district or charter school (Sec. 166.720-4).

Full Bill Text