Senate Bill 2176 Summary

• Appropriates $12,000,000 in federal Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 funds to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction for a distance learning family reimbursement program operating from the effective date through June 30, 2023.

• Eligible parents must have a student participating in distance learning during the 2020-21 school year due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, have physical custody of the student, and meet income limits of $50,000 individual or $68,000 combined adjusted gross income for the 2020 taxable year.

• Maximum reimbursement per family unit is $2,500, distributed as up to $1,500 for the first student, $500 for the second student, and $500 for the third student, with parents submitting receipts for qualified education-related expenses.

• Superintendent of Public Instruction administers the program, adopts rules including application and distribution processes, and provides public information; applicants must verify eligibility and submit receipts before receiving reimbursement.

• The Act expires June 30, 2023 and is declared an emergency measure.