Bill > SB1224

This bill makes several key changes to Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) program: 1. It expands the definition of a "qualified student" to include additional categories of students, such as those residing on an Indian reservation, siblings of current or previous ESA recipients, and children of legally blind or deaf/hard of hearing parents. 2. It clarifies and expands the allowable uses of ESA funds, including for additional educational services and therapies for students with disabilities, curriculum and supplementary materials, and tuition at eligible postsecondary institutions. 3. It establishes new requirements and procedures for renewing ESAs, including notification to parents before accounts are closed due to non-renewal. 4. It transfers rulemaking authority for the ESA program from the Department of Education to the State Board of Education, and provides for an appeals process for administrative decisions. 5. It appropriates funding for the Department of Education and State Board of Education to administer and support the expanded ESA program, including for dedicated staff, statewide outreach, and legal services. Overall, the bill aims to broaden eligibility, increase flexibility in how ESA funds can be used, and strengthen the program's administration and oversight.

Budget and Finance

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/73452