Bill > SB1699

This bill modifies Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) program, which provides public funds for eligible students to use for educational expenses outside of traditional public schools. Key changes include making the distribution of ESA funds monthly instead of quarterly, which is a significant shift in how often parents will receive funds for their children's education. The bill also clarifies that parents must use a portion of the ESA funds for core subjects like reading, grammar, math, social studies, and science, unless the account is set up on a different transfer schedule. Additionally, it refines the process for withdrawing from a public school to enroll in an ESA, ensuring students don't lose out on funds if they withdraw before receiving any money. The bill also adds provisions for the department to ensure that individuals providing tutoring or teaching services are not subject to disciplinary action by the state board of education and to remove such individuals from any platforms used for purchasing educational services with ESA funds.