Senate Bill No. 2142 - Summary

• Creates an education savings account program administered by the state treasurer that provides state-funded accounts for eligible students to pay for qualified education expenses including tuition, tutoring, curriculum, and educational services.

• Funds each participant's account annually with 75% of the per-student payment rate (reduced by local revenue percentage), or with weighted funding for students with active individualized education plans.

• Establishes eligibility for students previously in the program, currently enrolled in public school, newly enrolling in kindergarten/first grade, or newly enrolling in school in North Dakota.

• Requires parents to sign agreements ensuring participants receive instruction in required subjects, attend at least 175 days per year with four hours daily instruction, take annual standardized tests, and spend funds only on qualified expenses.

• Makes funds available starting with the 2020-21 school year, with the state treasurer responsible for program administration, account management, compliance audits, and referral of fraud cases to the attorney general.