H712 Summary

• Retitles the special education scholarship program from "Scholarship Grants" to "Special Education Scholarships for Children With Disabilities" and expands eligible uses beyond nonpublic schools to include public schools requiring tuition payments.

• Adds educational technology as a reimbursable expense category under scholarships, with the State Education Assistance Authority developing an annual list of eligible educational technology items.

• Modifies eligibility criteria to reference standardized disability definitions in G.S. 115C-106.3 and clarifies that students can receive scholarships while attending public schools with tuition requirements, not just nonpublic schools.

• Establishes new reimbursement procedures requiring parents to submit documentation for preapproval and proof of 75-day usage/enrollment for tuition, special education, related services, and educational technology before receiving reimbursement.

• Exempts certain accredited nonpublic schools from child care licensure requirements when operating child care facilities for more than 6.5 hours per day without receiving NC Pre-K or child care subsidy funding.