H955 Summary

• Appropriates $5,800,000 in recurring funds for fiscal year 2016-2017 to the State Education Assistance Authority for special education scholarship grants for children with disabilities.

• Modifies special education scholarship disbursement methods by allowing nonpublic schools to choose between scholarship endorsement or reimbursement options for tuition payments.

• Expands eligibility for both special education and opportunity scholarships to include children whose parent or legal guardian is on full-time active duty in the uniformed services, including National Guard and Reserve members.

• Increases the cap on opportunity scholarship grants for kindergarten and first grade students from 35% to 45% of remaining funds, with exceptions for students with eligible siblings or military-connected status.

• Allows eligible students from the 2015-2016 school year to meet enrollment requirements for the 2016-2017 school year under relaxed documentation standards.