DE HB161

Establishes the Parent Empowerment Education Savings Account Act allowing parents of eligible students to use state education funds allocated to their resident school district for alternative educational programs of their choosing.

Eligible students include children with disabilities under IDEA and Chapter 31, children identified under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and elementary or secondary students eligible to attend Delaware public schools.

State deposits base support level funding into education savings accounts that can be used for tuition at participating private schools, tutoring, curriculum, online learning programs, college entrance exams, postsecondary institution tuition, and educational services for students with disabilities.

Parents must agree to provide education in reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science, and cannot enroll their child in public or charter schools while participating in the program.

Participating private schools must comply with health and safety laws, nondiscrimination policies, and financial accountability standards including surety bonds or financial documentation if receiving $50,000 or more annually; state retains authority to bar schools for non-compliance but cannot regulate their educational programs.