HB2260 Summary

• Establishes a Special Needs Scholarship Program allowing parents of K-12 students with disabilities to choose between a different public school or an eligible private school instead of the assigned public school.

• Scholarship amount equals the lesser of the per-student foundation funding amount or private school tuition and fees, minus up to 2.5% administrative fee retained by the Department of Education.

• Eligible students must have been enrolled in a public school the prior year, be documented with a disability (intellectual, speech, hearing, visual, orthopedic, emotional/behavioral, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, or others), and have had an individualized education program or accommodation plan in effect before applying.

• Private schools must meet state accreditation requirements, demonstrate fiscal soundness, and certify non-discrimination policies, health/safety compliance, teacher qualifications, and adherence to disciplinary procedures to participate in the program.

• Declares an emergency clause making the act effective immediately to allow parents to apply for scholarships for the 2013-2014 school year.