SB420 Summary: Educational Opportunities Act

• Establishes the Educational Opportunities Act to clarify autonomy of nonpublic schools (church, parochial, private, religious) offering instruction in grades K-12.

• Requires nonpublic schools to annually identify with the State Department of Education by August 31st, providing directory information and accreditation status; church schools must also attest to compliance with Child Protection Act and compulsory attendance laws.

• Mandates student records from closed private schools be placed in designated repositories: with continuing schools if merged, with administrative offices if part of a system, or with public school superintendents for independent schools.

• Requires public schools to accept credits and transfer students from identified nonpublic schools without penalty or disparate treatment, with circuit court review available for disputed placement decisions.

• Prohibits public postsecondary institutions and the state from denying admission or employment to students based solely on graduating from a nonpublic school; establishes nonpublic school advisory committee to address concerns with the State Department of Education.