SB 1645 — ESAs; children with disabilities; requirements

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced Version Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends the Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Accounts law to include additional provisions and criteria for the education of students with disabilities.

• 15-2402

  (a) Relieve the school district or charter school that the qualified student previously attended from the obligation to conduct an evaluation pursuant to section 15-766.

  Clarifies that previous schools are still required to conduct evaluations for students with disabilities.

• 15-2402

  the qualified student may use the following additional services: → the qualified student may use the following additional services, including:

  Expands the list of additional services that a qualified student may access.

• 15-2402

  The department shall ensure THAT any individual who provides tutoring or teaching services to one or more qualified students pursuant to this subdivision is not subject to disciplinary action by the state board of education. → The department shall ensure that any individual who provides tutoring or teaching services to one or more qualified students pursuant to this subdivision is not subject to disciplinary action by the state board of education for immoral or unprofessional conduct pursuant to section 15-505 or 15-534.04.

  Specifies the conditions under which individuals providing tutoring or teaching services must meet professional standards.

• 15-2402

  Not enroll the qualified student in a school district or charter school and release the school district from all obligations to educate the qualified student. → Not enroll the qualified student in a school district or charter school, and release the school district from all obligations to educate the qualified student.

  Clarifies the agreement parents must sign regarding student enrollment and district obligations.

• 15-2402

  The department shall also remove any individual who is subject to disciplinary action by the state board of education from all platforms that the department provides to parents and qualified students for the purchase of goods or educational services using account monies.

  Strengthens the enforcement of standards by removing individuals under disciplinary action from the department's platforms.

• 15-2402

  Not file an affidavit of intent to homeschool pursuant to section 15-802, subsection B, paragraph 2 or 3.

  Maintains that parents cannot file a homeschooling affidavit while participating in the program.

• 15-2402

  This paragraph does not: → This paragraph does not:

  Maintains the structure of exceptions related to student enrollment while clarifying allowances.

• 15-2402

  (p) Computer hardware and technological devices primarily used for an educational purpose. → (p) Computer hardware and technological devices primarily used for an educational purpose, including calculators, personal computers, laptops, tablet devices, microscopes, telescopes and printers.

  Expands the definition of permissible educational technology expenses.

• 15-2402

  The department shall prescribe minimum qualifications for independent evaluation teams pursuant to this subdivision and factors that teams must use to determine whether the qualified student shall be eligible to continue to receive monies pursuant to this article. → The department shall prescribe minimum qualifications for independent evaluation teams pursuant to this subdivision and factors that teams must use to determine whether the qualified student shall be eligible to continue to receive monies pursuant to this article, subject to annual review.

  Introduces an annual review process for continued eligibility for students.

• 15-2402

  An independent evaluation team that provides an annual education plan pursuant to this subdivision shall submit a written report that summarizes the results of the evaluation to the parent of the qualified student and to the department on or before July 31.

  Imposes a reporting requirement on independent evaluation teams to improve accountability.

Action History

1. February 11, 2025

   Senate Second Reading

2. February 10, 2025

   Senate First Reading

Sponsors

• Eva Diaz · Primary

Subjects