HB 7167 Summary - Educational Choice

• Expands the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program by revising student eligibility requirements for 2014-2017 school years, lowering income thresholds from 230% to 185% of federal poverty level and allowing scholarships based on household income levels up to 260% starting in 2016-2017.

• Increases scholarship amounts for eligible private schools to 82% of unweighted FTE funding starting in 2016-2017 school year and allows nonprofit scholarship organizations to use up to 3% of contributions for administrative expenses including professional development.

• Establishes the Florida Personal Learning Scholarship Account Program for students with specific disabilities (autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, intellectual disability, Prader-Willi syndrome, spina bifida) in kindergarten through grade 5, enabling parents to customize education using approved providers and educational services.

• Requires nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations to maintain surety bonds or letters of credit equal to undisbursed funds, submit quarterly reports, undergo annual audits, and comply with enhanced background check requirements for owners and operators.

• Effective date is July 1, 2014, with technical amendments to related statutes regarding regular school attendance definition, Auditor General authority, and cross-references.