Bill > HB0199

This bill modifies Wyoming's education savings accounts program, renaming it the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act and making several significant changes to expand and improve the program. The bill increases the maximum scholarship award to $7,000 for eligible students, expands income eligibility to households up to 250% of the federal poverty level, and allows funds to be used for additional educational expenses like online learning programs and summer education programs. The legislation creates a new Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Program Account, removes the previous certification requirement for education service providers, and introduces a voluntary registration system instead. The bill also provides legal protections for the program, allowing parents to intervene in constitutional challenges and giving the state superintendent more flexibility in administering the program. Additionally, the bill includes a $30 million appropriation from the general fund to support the scholarship program and specifies that parents can use the funds for educational expenses while ensuring religious freedom in curriculum choices. The changes aim to provide more educational options and financial support for families, with a focus on simplifying access and encouraging a broad array of educational services.