Bill > LD220

This bill establishes the Hope and Inclusion Scholarship Program, which creates a mechanism for parents of qualified students to access hope accounts that can be used to fund educational expenses. The program allows parents of students who are eligible to enroll in public schools to receive 90% of the state and local school funding that would normally go to their local school administrative unit, instead directing those funds into a personal hope account. These accounts can be used for a wide range of educational expenses, including tuition at private schools, textbooks, educational supplies, tutoring, online learning programs, testing fees, educational therapies, and even some public school services. The program is governed by a nine-member Hope and Inclusion Scholarship Board, which includes state officials and three parent representatives appointed by the Governor. To maintain a hope account, students must be state residents under 21 years old, not have completed secondary education, and demonstrate academic progress through school performance or standardized testing. The board has the authority to review and approve expenses, and can close an account and return funds to the state if expenditures do not comply with program rules. Importantly, the bill reduces state and local school funding proportionally for school administrative units with students participating in hope accounts, effectively transferring the funds directly to the student's hope account.

Education

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=220&snum=132