FL H1251

Establishes the Education Savings Account Program to provide state-funded student accounts for educational expenses at private schools, private virtual schools, private tutoring programs, or postsecondary institutions, or for college savings plans.

Eligible students include those entering kindergarten or first grade, siblings of current program participants, and students previously funded as full-time equivalent students; students lose eligibility upon graduating high school or enrolling in publicly-funded schools.

Parents direct account funds to pay tuition and fees at eligible institutions, dual enrollment programs, private tutoring services, or contributions to college savings plans, with parents responsible for any costs exceeding account balances.

Establishes quarterly payments to accounts made by a selected financial institution (limited to 3% fees), with the Department of Education verifying school eligibility, requiring nationally norm-referenced testing, and conducting compliance oversight.

For the 2013-2014 school year, enrollment runs July 1-31, 2013, limited to the number of participants specified in the General Appropriations Act.