AZ SB1698

Requires school districts to pay for disability evaluations for Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) students when the Arizona Department of Education lacks a contract with an independent third party and county school superintendents have not provided approved evaluator lists within 90 days

Allows ESA account monies to be used first for disability evaluations, with school districts covering costs only when account funds are insufficient

Permits school districts to establish reasonable reimbursement criteria for evaluations, including cost limits, consistent with federal law

Expands allowable ESA expenses to include evaluations provided by qualified examiners (licensed physicians, psychiatrists, or psychologists) to determine eligibility for educational therapies and services

Applies to students with disabilities seeking to qualify for additional ESA-funded services such as educational therapies, paraprofessionals, vocational education, and assistive technology