AB 69

This bill subjects certain acts and omissions related to a Parental Choice

Program (PCP) to criminal penalties. Under the bill, intentionally making a false

statement or representation in an application to participate in a PCP is a Class A

misdemeanor. The bill makes concealing or failing to disclose an event with an intent

to fraudulently participate in a PCP or using a payment received under a PCP for an

unauthorized purpose either a Class G or Class H felony, depending on the payment

a person received under the PCP. Additionally, under the bill, a statement in a

written application for a PCP is considered to be an admission of the existence,

correctness, or validity of the statement. Finally, this bill authorizes the Department

of Justice or a district attorney to prosecute violations of criminal laws affecting a

PCP, including laws affecting the health, safety, and welfare of pupils attending a

private school participating in a PCP.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,

the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a

report concerning the proposed penalty and the costs or savings that are likely to

result if the bill is enacted.