SB 106 Summary

• Establishes a parental choice scholarship program allowing parents to direct public funding toward their child's attendance at public or private schools in grades kindergarten through 12.

• Scholarship amount equals the lesser of the state funding the student's home district would receive for a public school student or the actual annual cost to the selected school, capped at 100 percent of the school's total funding and expenses.

• Private schools must submit participation notice, meet accountability standards including criminal background checks for employees, comply with non-discrimination laws, and demonstrate financial ability to repay overpaid scholarship funds.

• School districts administer the program by making quarterly scholarship payments directly to schools, maintaining lists of participating schools, and providing standard enrollment applications.

• Program takes effect only upon voter approval of a constitutional amendment before July 1, 2013, to delete the prohibition on public funds benefiting private educational institutions.