House Bill 943

AN ACT TO REVISE PROVISIONS OF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM KNOWN AS "THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ACT" AND RENAME IT AS THE "EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT" FOR PURPOSES OF PROVIDING EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTS (ESA) FOR PARENTS OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-181-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; TO AMEND SECTION 37-181-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE STUDENT BY PRESCRIBING THE CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM AND TO EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM TUTOR; TO AMEND SECTION 37-181-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO STIPULATE THE OBLIGATIONS OF PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS, STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS TO BECOME AND REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR PARTICIPATION; TO AMEND SECTION 37-181-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR THE FUNDING OF EACH STUDENT'S ESA AND TO PHASE IN THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-181-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF THE ADMINISTRATION COSTS THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MAY RECEIVE FROM FUNDS APPROPRIATED FOR ESAS FROM SIX PERCENT TO FOUR PERCENT AFTER THREE YEARS OF IMPLEMENTATION; TO AMEND SECTION 37-181-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OR QUALIFIED NONPROFIT TO DEVELOP A SYSTEM FOR THE PAYMENT OF QUALIFIED EXPENSES WHICH ARE DETERMINED TO BE COMMERCIALLY VIABLE, COST EFFECTIVE AND PARENT FRIENDLY; TO PROHIBIT THE ADOPTION OF A PAYMENT SYSTEM THAT PLACES LIMITS ON A PARENT'S ABILITY TO BE REIMBURSED FOR OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES THAT MEET REQUIREMENT OF A QUALIFIED EXPENSE; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-181-13 AND 37-181-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 37-181-17, 37-181-19 AND 37-181-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 12, CHAPTER 441, LAWS OF 2015, TO DELETE THE REPEALER; TO CREATE A NEW CODE SECTION TO BE CODIFIED AS SECTION 37-181-20, WHICH PROVIDES THAT THE MISSISSIPPI ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT SHALL BE APPLICABLE TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• John L. Moore

  Sponsor

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the House of Representatives Feb 8 – Feb 23

1. Feb 8Referred to the House committees on Education and on Appropriations
2. Feb 18Reported as a committee substitute from ED to AP in the House: title sufficient, do pass
3. Feb 23Died in committee in the House