Bill > SB00503

This bill proposes to amend existing state law to authorize local and regional boards of education to establish school voucher programs. A school voucher program provides parents with funds (vouchers) that can be used to send their children to public schools of their choice, rather than being limited to schools within their immediate geographic district. The bill aims to expand educational options for families by removing any legal prohibitions that might currently prevent such programs from being created. Importantly, the legislation emphasizes that participation in these voucher programs would be voluntary, with no mandates forcing students or parents to use them, and the bill explicitly preserves parents' existing rights to homeschool their children. The goal is to increase school choice by allowing funds to "follow the student," giving parents more flexibility in selecting an appropriate educational setting for their children within the public school system. By enabling local boards of education to distribute vouchers, the bill seeks to create more educational opportunities and potentially allow students to attend public schools outside their default district boundaries.

Education

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB00503&which_year=2025