HB 7313 Summary

• Expands protections for unaccompanied youth and homeless students to access public school by including them in notification requirements when school accommodations are denied based on residency issues.

• Shifts burden of proof in residency denial cases: when a student claims homeless status as defined in 42 USC 11434a, the school board must prove the student is not homeless rather than the student proving residency.

• Requires homeless students denied accommodations to continue attending school or be immediately enrolled in their school of choice while appeals are pending, with access to written explanations and referrals to school liaisons.

• Establishes that homeless students denied accommodations must receive written explanations in understandable language and information about appeal rights, with referrals to designated homeless liaisons per federal law.

• Effective July 1, 2019; applies to all local and regional boards of education providing educational services to homeless children and unaccompanied youth consistent with federal McKinney-Vento Act requirements.