Bill > HB2884

This bill makes several changes to Arizona's empowerment scholarship accounts (ESAs) and teacher qualifications, with a primary focus on fingerprinting requirements for school personnel. Specifically, the bill requires all school personnel at qualified schools that accept ESA payments to have a valid fingerprint clearance card and be eligible for employment at a school district or charter school. The bill mandates that academic instructors must have either a bachelor's degree, at least three years of teaching experience, or specialized skills related to their subject area. Schools that fail to comply with these requirements could be required to reimburse the state for all ESA monies received during the previous school year. The legislation also updates various related statutes to incorporate these new requirements, including modifications to fingerprinting definitions and processes. Current school personnel will have six months from the bill's effective date to obtain the required fingerprint clearance card. The changes aim to enhance background screening and qualification standards for educators in schools participating in the Arizona empowerment scholarship account program, with the goal of ensuring student safety and educational quality.

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/83357