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MS SB2599

MS SB2599
Education Scholarship Account Program; make certain changes to.


summary

Introduced
01/20/2025
In Committee
01/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/04/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An Act To Amend Section 37-181-5, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That A Parent, Guardian, Eligible School, Or Educational Service Provider May Request Reimbursement For Qualifying Expenses After A Student Returns To A Public School In The Student's Home School District; To Provide That Any Funds Remaining After Reimbursement Requests Have Been Processed Shall Be Distributed To The Student's Home School District; To Distribute Funds From A Closed Education Scholarship Account (esa) To The State General Fund If The State Department Of Education Does Not Receive A Reimbursement Request By June 30; To Amend Section 37-181-7, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That Each Student's Esa Shall Be Funded At An Amount Equivalent To The Student Base Amount Under The Total Funding Formula; To Amend Section 37-181-9, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require The State Department Of Education To Implement An Application Or Authorization Process To Determine The Eligibility Of Nonpublic Schools To Participate In The Esa Program; To Amend Section 37-181-15, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require All Eligible Schools To Advise Parents Of Students Who Qualify For Other Scholarship Programs To Apply For Those Programs Instead Of The Esa Program; To Require Participating Students To Take The Same Assessment At The Beginning And The End Of The School Year; To Limit The Types Of Assessments Students Are Required To Take; To Provide A Measure Of Flexibility If The Standard Assessment Types Are Inappropriate Due To The Severity Of The Student's Disability; To Amend Section 37-181-17, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require Eligible Schools, Or The Parent Or Guardian Who Submitted The Esa Application, To Submit Information About Special Education Services To The State Department Of Education; And For Related Purposes.

AI Summary

This bill makes several modifications to Mississippi's Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program, which provides financial support for students with disabilities to attend non-public schools. The bill adjusts the funding mechanism by tying each student's scholarship amount to the state's total funding formula, and allows parents, guardians, schools, or educational service providers to request reimbursement for qualifying expenses up to 30 days after a student returns to their home public school district. If a student returns to public school after May 1, reimbursement requests can be submitted until June 30, with any remaining funds distributed to the home school district or returned to the state's General Fund if no requests are received. The bill also requires the State Department of Education to implement an application process for non-public schools to participate in the ESA program, mandates that eligible schools advise parents about other scholarship options, and adjusts assessment requirements for students with disabilities. Additionally, the bill requires eligible schools or parents to submit information about special education services to the State Department of Education, and limits the types of assessments students are required to take, providing flexibility for students with severe disabilities. The changes aim to provide more clarity, flexibility, and accountability in the ESA program while maintaining the autonomy of participating non-public schools.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Died In Committee (on 02/04/2025)

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