Bill > HB2955

This bill modifies the definitions within the Hope Scholarship Program to explicitly limit participation and funding to in-state entities and providers. Specifically, the bill changes key definitions to require that education service providers, participating schools, and eligible recipients be located or residing in West Virginia. The modifications mean that only West Virginia-based education service providers can receive payments from Hope Scholarship accounts, only private schools located in West Virginia can be considered "participating schools," and eligible recipients must be residents of the state who are enrolled in or eligible to enroll in West Virginia public schools. The bill also includes a provision that if the program's participation rate is less than 5% of net public school enrollment by July 1, 2024, the eligibility requirements will be further adjusted starting July 1, 2026. These changes effectively restrict the Hope Scholarship Program's scope to in-state educational resources and students, preventing the use of state funds for out-of-state educational services or schools.