North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 26 D · 1 I · 1 R cosponsors

HB 815 — Voucher School Accountability Act.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced April 07, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 42% · moderate confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 28 sponsors

    3 primary, 25 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 3 parties (26 D · 1 I · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

276 added · 274 removed

Plain-language change summary

The most significant change in Bill HB 815 is the update in eligibility criteria for students applying for scholarship grants. The language regarding the time frame for children whose adoption decree was entered has been changed from "one year" to "not more than one year," which clarifies the eligibility for students who have recently been adopted. This matters because it provides clearer guidelines for prospective students and their families, ensuring that those who might need support during their transition to a new school have access to scholarship opportunities. Additionally, this minor change simplifies the legal wording, making it easier for families to understand their eligibility.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA H.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 1 HOUSE BILL 815 Short Title:
815 Apr 7, 2025 SESSION 2025 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK H D HOUSE BILL DRH30321-MT-98 Short Title:Voucher School Accountability Act.
Voucher School Accountability Act.
Representative Prather.
Representatives Prather, Ball, Rubin, and von Haefen (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO REVISE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND TO INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY AND REPORTING STANDARDS FOR NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS RECEIVING OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS.
Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House April 8, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO REVISE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND TO INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY AND REPORTING STANDARDS FOR NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS RECEIVING OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS.
115C-366 or (ii) enrolled full time in a Department of Defense Elementary and Secondary School, established pursuant to 10 U.S.C.
115C-366 or (ii) enrolled full time in a Department of Defense Elementary and Secondary School, *H815-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 established pursuant to 10 U.S.C.
§ 2164 and located in North *DRH30321-MT-98* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 Carolina, during the spring semester prior to the school year for which the student is applying.
§ 2164 and located in North Carolina, during the spring semester prior to the school year for which the student is applying.
The Authority shall not consider the household income of the foster parent, as defined in G.S.
The Authorityshall not consider the household income of the foster parent, as defined in G.S.
(3e) Full-time student.
Page 2 House Bill 815-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3e) Full-time student.
– A student enrolled exclusively in a nonpublic school for elementary or secondary education whose parents have released the local Page 2 DRH30321-MT-98 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 school administrative unit the student is eligible to attend under G.S.
– A student enrolled exclusively in a nonpublic school for elementary or secondary education whose parents have released the local school administrative unit the student is eligible to attend under G.S.
(a1) Scholarshipgrants awardedtoeligiblestudents residinginhouseholdswithanincome level not in excess of the amount required for the student to qualify for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program shall be, per year per eligible student, in an amount of up to ninety percent (90%) as a full-time student or up to forty-five percent (45%) as a part-time student of the average State per pupil allocation for average daily membership in the prior fiscal year.
(a1) Scholarship grants awardedtoeligiblestudents residinginhouseholdswithanincome level not in excess of the amount required for the student to qualify for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program shall be, per year per eligible student, in an amount of up to ninety percent (90%) as a full-time student or up to forty-five percent (45%) as a part-time student of the average State per pupil allocation for average daily membership in the prior fiscal year.
No scholarship grant shall exceed, per year per eligible student, an amount equal to ninety percent (90%) for a full-time student or forty-five percent (45%) for a part-time student of the average State per pupil allocation for average daily membership in the prior fiscal year, and no scholarship grant shall exceed the required tuition and fees for the nonpublic school the eligible student will attend.
No scholarship grant shall exceed, per year per eligible student, an amount equal to ninety percent (90%) for a full-time student or forty-five percent (45%) for a part-time student of the average State per pupil allocation for average daily House Bill 815-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 membership in the prior fiscal year, and no scholarship grant shall exceed the required tuition and fees for the nonpublic school the eligible student will attend.
… DRH30321-MT-98 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (b2) Scholarship grants shall be awarded to eligible students as follows:
… (b2) Scholarship grants shall be awarded to eligible students as follows:
(1) For students residing in households with an income level not in excess of the amount required for the student to qualify for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program, per year per eligible student, an amount of up to one hundred percent (100%) of the average State per pupil allocation for average daily membership in the prior fiscal year.
(1) For students residing in households with an income level not in excess of the amount required for the student to qualifyfor the federal free or reduced-price lunch program, per year per eligible student, an amount of up to one hundred percent (100%) of the average State per pupil allocation for average daily membership in the prior fiscal year.
(b5) In addition to the amount of the scholarship grant, for any student receiving a scholarship grant in grades three, eight, or 11, the Authority shall provide to the nonpublic school an amount equal to the cost of the nationally standardized test required to be administered as provided in G.S.
(b5) In addition to the amount of the scholarship grant, for any student receiving a scholarship grant in grades three, eight, or 11, the Authorityshall provide to the nonpublic school an amount equal to the cost of the nationally standardized test required to be administered as provided in G.S.
"§ 115C-562.5.
Page 4 House Bill 815-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 "§ 115C-562.5.
Page 4 DRH30321-MT-98 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (a) A nonpublic school that accepts eligible students receiving scholarship grants shall comply with the following:
(a) A nonpublic school that accepts eligible students receiving scholarship grants shall comply with the following:
(2) Provide to the Authority a criminal background check conducted for the staff member with the highest decision-making authority, as defined by the bylaws, articles of incorporation, or other governing document.
(2) Provide to the Authority a criminal background check conducted for the staff member with the highest decision-makingauthority, as defined bythe bylaws, articles of incorporation, or other governing document.
Each nonpublic school shall apply its policy uniformly in requiring applicants for employment to be checked for a criminal history before the applicant is given an unconditional job offer.
Each nonpublic school shall apply its policy uniformlyin requiringapplicants for employment to be checked for a criminal history before the applicant is given an unconditional job offer.
A nonpublic school may employ an applicant conditionally while the board is checking the person's criminal history and making a decision based on the results of the check.
A nonpublic school mayemploy an applicant conditionally while the board is checking the person's criminal history and making a decision based on the results of the check.
(3a) Comply with the standard course of study in accordance with Part 1 of Article 8 of this Chapter and related rules adopted by the State Board of Education.
(3a) Complywith the standard course of studyin accordance with Part 1 of Article 8 of this Chapter and related rules adopted by the State Board of Education.
b.
House Bill 815-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 b.
DRH30321-MT-98 Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 c.
c.
A nationally standardized test or other nationally standardized equivalent measurement selected by the chief administrative officer of the nonpublic school in all other grades four and higher.
A nationally standardized test or other nationally standardized equivalent measurement selected bythe chief administrative officer of the nonpublic school in all other grades four and higher.
For grades four through seven, the nationally standardized test or other equivalent measurement selected must measure achievement in the areas of English grammar,reading, spelling, andmathematics.Forgrades nine, 10, and 12, the nationally standardized test or other equivalent measurementselectedmustmeasureeither(i)achievementintheareas of English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics or (ii) competencies in the verbal and quantitative areas.
For grades four through seven, the nationallystandardized test or other equivalent measurement selected must measure achievement in the areas of English grammar,reading,spelling,andmathematics.For grades nine, 10, and 12, the nationally standardized test or other equivalent measurementselectedmustmeasureeither(i)achievementintheareas of English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics or (ii) competencies in the verbal and quantitative areas.
(5) Provide to the Authority graduation rates of the students receiving scholarship grants in a manner consistent with nationally recognized standards.
(5) Provide to the Authoritygraduation rates of the students receiving scholarship grants in a manner consistent with nationally recognized standards.
Page 6 DRH30321-MT-98 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (15) Report to the Authority on any expulsions from the nonpublic school, including the reason for the expulsion and the identity of the expelled student.
Page 6 House Bill 815-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (15) Report to the Authority on any expulsions from the nonpublic school, including the reason for the expulsion and the identityof the expelled student.
(b) Anonpublicschoolthatacceptsstudents receivingscholarshipgrantsshallnotrequire any additional fees based on the status of the student as a scholarship grant recipient.
(b) Anonpublicschoolthatacceptsstudents receivingscholarship grantsshallnotrequire any additional fees based on the status of the student as a scholarship grant recipient.
(2) Retain standardized test performance data for eligible students in all other grades and annually certify to the Authority compliance with the requirements of subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of this section.
(2) Retain standardized test performance data for eligible students in all other grades and annuallycertifyto the Authoritycompliance with the requirements of subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of this section.
§ 2000d, as that statuteread onJanuary 1,2014.therace, color,national origin, sex,sexual orientation, disability, or religion of any student or their family members.
§ 2000d, as that statuteread onJanuary1,2014.therace, color,national origin, sex,sexual orientation, disability, or religion of any student or their family members.
The Authority shall establish by rule a process for a nonpublicschoolto appealforreconsiderationofeligibilityafteroneyear.Toensurecompliance, the Board of Directors of the Authority shall review the criminal history provided under subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section to ensure that the person has not been convicted of any crime listed in G.S.
The Authority shall establish by rule a process for a nonpublicschoolto appealforreconsiderationofeligibilityafterone year.Toensurecompliance, the Board of Directors of the Authority shall review the criminal history provided under subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section to ensure that the person has not been convicted of any crime listed in G.S.
(2) Demonstrates that he or she does not have the integrity or honesty to fulfill his or her duties in overseeing State funds and the requirements of the scholarship grant program.
(2) Demonstrates that he or she does not have the integrityor honesty to fulfill his or her duties in overseeingState funds and the requirements of the scholarship grant program.
DRH30321-MT-98 Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (1) Up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) may be used by the Authority to contract with one or more nonprofit corporations representing parents and families for outreach and scholarship education and application assistance for parents and students pursuant to Part 4A of this Article.
House Bill 815-First Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (1) Up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) may be used by the Authority to contract with one or more nonprofit corporations representing parents and families for outreach and scholarship education and application assistance for parents and students pursuant to Part 4A of this Article.
Page 8 DRH30321-MT-98
Page 8 House Bill 815-First Edition
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Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 25 co-sponsors · 151 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (25)

Not signed on (151)

151 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 151 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 815?
HB 815 is sponsored by Amos L. Quick, III (Democratic), Renée A. Price (Democratic), Rodney D. Pierce (Democratic), Marcia Morey (Democratic), Nasif Majeed (U), Jordan Lopez (Democratic), Ya Liu (Democratic), Monika Johnson-Hostler (Democratic), Zack Hawkins (Democratic), Pricey Harrison (Democratic), Aisha O. Dew (Democratic), Allison A. Dahle (Democratic), Sarah Crawford (Democratic), Bryan Cohn (Democratic), Tracy Clark (Democratic), Maria Cervania (Democratic), Becky Carney (Democratic), Deb Butler (Democratic), Allen Buansi (Democratic), Kanika Brown (Democratic), Gloristine Brown (Democratic), Mary Belk (Democratic), Eric Ager (Democratic), Neal Jackson (Republican), Phil Rubin (Democratic), Cynthia Ball (Democratic), Lindsey Prather (Democratic), and Julie von Haefen (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 815?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced April 07, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
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