Bill > HB2719

This bill establishes the "empowerED scholarship program" to provide educational savings accounts for students in foster care or who have aged out of foster care, recognizing the unique challenges these vulnerable students face such as frequent moves and disrupted education. Parents or guardians of eligible students can apply for these scholarships, which can be used for a variety of education-related expenses including private school tuition, textbooks, tutoring, home-based instruction materials, online learning programs, standardized tests, and even transportation to educational activities. The program is administered by the Student Achievement Council (SAC), and scholarship amounts are set annually, with higher amounts available for students with disabilities, and are adjusted for inflation starting in fiscal year 2027. To receive a scholarship, parents must agree to withdraw their child from public school and use the funds solely for qualified educational expenses, maintaining documentation of all spending. The bill also introduces a business and occupation tax credit to encourage businesses to contribute to the program, with a cap on the total credits allowed annually, and establishes reporting requirements for the SAC to track the program's effectiveness. Additionally, it amends existing law to ensure that the availability of this scholarship program is considered when making decisions about a foster care student's educational placement.

Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2719&Year=2025&Initiative=false