Special needs scholarship program. (FE)

What it does

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill makes several changes to the Special Needs Scholarship Program, created in the 2015-17 Biennial Budget Act. Under the program, beginning in the 2016-17 school year, children with disabilities who are enrolled in a public school in this state may apply to the Department of Public Instruction to annually receive financial assistance from the state to attend a participating private school in this state.

Among other changes, this bill requires a child with a disability who wishes to participate in the program to have an Individualized Education Program or services plan in effect prior to being eligible to participate. Current law requires only that the IEP or services plan to be completed for the child. The bill also permits a child with a disability to apply for a scholarship and to attend a private school under the program at any time during a school year. In addition, the bill requires the parent or guardian of a child attending a private school under the program to make the child available no more than once every three years for a reevaluation of the child's IEP and services plan. Finally, the bill requires a participating private school that receives more applications under the program than the number of spaces available at the school to accept applications in the order in which they are received; current law requires the private school to select applicants on a random basis.

Who's behind it

2 senators are its authors⁠. All 2 are Republicans.

14 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From DPI

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

• Amendment Histories
• LC Amendment Memo