Bill > SB109

This bill creates the "Education Freedom Account Act" in New Mexico. The key provisions are: 1. It establishes "education freedom accounts" that the state's public education department can use to pay for eligible private school tuition, tutoring, instructional materials, and other qualifying educational expenses for participating students. 2. Eligible students must be school-age residents of New Mexico who have not received a high school diploma or equivalency credential and are eligible to enroll in public schools. 3. The amount deposited into each student's account is based on the average amount spent by school districts and charter schools on public school students, weighted for special education and at-risk program units. 4. Funds in the accounts can only be used for specified qualifying educational expenses and cannot be refunded or shared with parents/students. The department oversees the accounts and can audit them, bar providers for misuse, and refer suspected fraud to law enforcement. 5. The bill appropriates $580,000 for the public education department to administer the program and $100 million to fund the education freedom accounts.

Education

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legtype=B&legno=109&year=23