HB 2465 Summary

• Expands eligibility for empowerment scholarship accounts to include children who are siblings of current or previous recipients and children residing within Indian reservation boundaries in Arizona.

• Allows parents to identify multiple enrollment eligibility criteria during application rather than restricting them to a single criterion, and requires the department to notify applicants of specific statutory deficiencies if deemed ineligible.

• Increases annual contributions to Coverdell and 529 education savings accounts to $2,000 per year and permits use of account funds for evaluations conducted by independent third parties to determine ongoing eligibility.

• Requires the Department of Education to contract with private contractors by December 15, 2017 to assist with application processing, eligibility determinations, and financial transaction management of empowerment scholarship accounts.

• Establishes an empowerment scholarship account review council consisting of six parent members, legislative education committee chairs, and the superintendent of public instruction to review administration, approve contracts, and recommend policy changes (repeals December 31, 2020).