SB19-074 Summary

• Creates the Literacy Enrichment Scholarship Program providing $500 per student annually to families earning up to 300% of federal poverty guidelines whose children in kindergarten through grade 3 have significant reading deficiencies.

• Establishes literacy enrichment accounts administered through a contracted nonprofit entity, with funds used only for approved products and services including instructional materials, tutoring by licensed educators, and literacy improvement programs.

• Department of Education contracts with nonprofit administrator during 2019-20 budget year; scholarships begin distribution in 2020-21 school year with administering entity selected by January 1, 2020.

• Parents may not accept payments or rebates from literacy providers; violations result in account closure and repayment requirements after investigation and opportunity to be heard.

• Program includes annual accounting requirements, evaluation by January 31, 2023 on program success, and automatic repeal on July 1, 2025, with all remaining fund balances transferred to the general fund.