SB1224 Summary

• Expands eligibility for Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Accounts to include children of legally blind or deaf/hard of hearing parents, children residing on Indian reservations, and siblings of current or previous account recipients.

• Removes the Coverdell Education Savings Account contribution option from allowable uses of scholarship funds and clarifies permitted expenses including curricula, supplementary materials, and costs for annual education plans for students with disabilities.

• Transfers administrative oversight of the program from the department of education to the state board of education, including establishing an appeals process for denied applications and removal decisions.

• Appropriates $950,000 and 14 FTE positions for fiscal year 2020-2021 to the department of education for a dedicated call center, case managers, accounting staff, and statewide seminars and training for the scholarship program.

• Requires the state board of education to adopt administrative rules by November 1, 2020, and directs the attorney general to provide guidance on public records obligations under federal and state law related to the program.