SB140 - Parent's Choice Act Summary

• Creates the Parent's Choice Program to allow parents to establish education savings accounts funded at 100% of the Education Trust Fund's Foundation Program share for eligible K-12 students to pay qualifying education expenses.

• Establishes a Parent's Choice Board administered by the State Treasurer with representation from the State Finance Director, Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program, and four parent members appointed by the Governor with Senate consent.

• Specifies qualified expenses including tuition at participating schools, tutoring services, standardized test fees, curriculum, online learning programs, therapeutic services, and public school services, but prohibits refunds to parents or personal deposits.

• Sets phased eligibility beginning July 1, 2022, initially for public school students and homeschoolers, expanding to nonpublic school students at 200% federal poverty level in 2023-2024, and all students regardless of income from 2024-2025 forward.

• Requires education service providers to submit intent to participate, provide receipts, conduct background checks on employees, maintain nondiscrimination policies, and comply with auditing requirements, with authority to suspend providers for misrepresentation or fraud.