MS HB896

Establishes the Mississippi Speech-Language Therapy Scholarship (also called the Nate Rogers Scholarship) for students in kindergarten through grade 6 with speech-language impairments to attend eligible nonpublic schools instead of public schools.

Requires all public school students be screened for speech, language, voice and fluency disorders before the end of grade 1, with parents notified of results and given option for comprehensive evaluation by speech-language pathologist.

Sets scholarship amount at the Mississippi Adequate Education Program base student cost, with state making direct payments to nonpublic schools equal to the state share of adequate education program payments for each student.

Requires eligible nonpublic schools to be state-accredited special purpose schools emphasizing speech-language therapy as primary purpose, maintain physical location in Mississippi, provide annual progress reports to parents, and comply with financial auditing and reporting requirements.

Parents must select the nonpublic school and request scholarship at least 30 days before first payment; students must attend throughout school year unless excused for illness or good cause; transportation provided at parent's expense.