Bill > SB675

This bill modifies the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, which provides financial assistance to certain students for educational expenses. The bill expands the definition of a "qualified student" to include any Missouri resident eligible to enroll in kindergarten through 12th grade or receive early childhood special education services, removing previous restrictions based on income or special education status. Parents can now establish a scholarship account for their child and use the funds for a wide range of educational expenses, including tuition, textbooks, educational therapies, tutoring, curriculum, technology (such as computers and calculators), testing fees, transportation costs, and educational programs. The bill specifies that funds cannot be used for consumable supplies, out-of-state private school tuition, or payments to relatives. Scholarship accounts are renewable annually, and students can continue to receive funds until they complete high school and submit standardized test scores. The bill also ensures that the student's original school district continues to receive state and federal funding for that student for up to five years after they leave. Importantly, the bill emphasizes that participating schools are not subject to additional government oversight or required to change their practices to accept scholarship students.

Education

https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=3969391