SB 1620 Summary

• Prohibits charter school sponsors from contracting with for-profit organizations to establish charter schools beginning January 1, 2022.

• Requires charter school governing bodies and charter holder boards to comply with open meeting laws (title 38, chapter 3, article 3.1) and public records laws (title 39, chapter 1), with limited executive session exceptions for personnel, legal advice, and real property matters.

• Establishes new governance requirements including minimum three-member charter holder and school governing boards with restrictions on immediate family members serving simultaneously and provisions requiring independent board members in larger schools.

• Mandates charter schools comply with procurement practices under section 15-213, prohibit purchases from board members and their families without disinterested board approval, and require public bidding for purchases exceeding $50,000.

• Requires annual independent audits conducted by qualified in-state auditors with detailed financial reporting, including related-party transaction disclosures, and allows attorney general enforcement of procurement and governance violations.