HB 253 - Education Savings Account Act

• Establishes the Education Savings Account (ESA) program allowing parents of eligible students to receive 90% of statewide average per-pupil funding (100% for students with disabilities, English language learners, homeless, or low-income students) to pay for qualifying education expenses.

• Permits ESA funds to be used for private school tuition, tutoring, online learning, public school services, textbooks, educational software, technology devices, standardized testing fees, higher education tuition, and various other educational expenses approved by the administrator.

• Requires the State Treasurer's office to contract with a private nonprofit contractor to administer the program, including creating applications, maintaining education service provider lists, implementing payment systems, and conducting fraud investigations.

• Establishes a seven-member Parent Review Committee composed of ESA parents from at least four counties to review disputed expenditures and appeals regarding program eligibility and education service provider conduct.

• Implements a phased enrollment schedule from 2019-2026, initially limiting eligibility to students without prior school attendance, those with special needs, and low-income students, with restrictions progressively expanding until becoming unrestricted in 2025-2026 (except for basic eligibility requirements).