Bill > SB1641

This bill introduces new requirements for qualified schools that accept Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) payments, focusing primarily on fingerprinting and employment eligibility of school personnel. The bill mandates that all school personnel at these qualified schools must have a valid fingerprint clearance card and be eligible for employment at a school district or charter school. Specifically, personnel must either already possess a valid fingerprint clearance card or apply for one within 20 days of beginning work. The bill allows qualified schools to communicate with other schools about an individual's fingerprint clearance status. If a qualified school fails to comply with these requirements, the auditor general will first notify the school and provide instructions for correction. If the school does not remedy the violation within 60 days, the state board of education can declare the school noncompliant and require the school to reimburse the state for all ESA monies received in the previous school year. The bill defines "school personnel" broadly, including paid employees and certain individuals providing services directly to students, with some exceptions. Current school personnel will have six months from the bill's effective date to meet these new fingerprinting requirements. The bill also makes several technical amendments to various sections of Arizona law to support these new provisions.

Education

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/83087