ND HB1607

Creates educational empowerment accounts allowing North Dakota parents to receive state education funding (amount per section 15.1-27-04.1) via debit card for students not enrolled in public school or home education programs

Authorized expenses include tuition and fees, textbooks and curricula, tutoring, educational therapy, standardized test fees, transportation to educational programs, and technology devices

Parents must file annual request forms with the superintendent of public instruction; accounts close and funds transfer to the state general fund if not renewed by October 1 or upon high school graduation

Adds educational empowerment account participation as an exception to compulsory school attendance requirements

Superintendent of public instruction will conduct random audits, and fraud convictions result in permanent program ineligibility with cases referred to the attorney general for prosecution