HB1113
To Amend Arkansas Law Concerning The Award Of Scholarships Under The Succeed Scholarship Program To Students In Foster Care.
Last Action (May 1, 2023): Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 1113 amends the Arkansas Code regarding the 'Succeed Scholarship Program,' which provides scholarships for students to attend private schools of their choice. The bill clarifies definitions related to foster care and foster parents to ensure consistency within the program. It explicitly expands eligibility for the scholarship to include students who were previously in the foster care system and achieved permanency through adoption, reunification, or permanent guardianship. The bill also establishes a reserved quota of 20 scholarships annually specifically for students currently in the foster care system, with a mechanism to reallocate these spots to students with disabilities if they remain unclaimed. Furthermore, the legislation requires that placement in a private school be determined to be in the 'best interest' of the student by the Department of Human Services for those in the foster care system. Finally, it outlines the administrative process for the State Board of Education to manage scholarship applications, including lottery procedures for when demand exceeds the number of available scholarships.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are students currently in the foster care system and those who have exited the foster care system through adoption, reunification, or permanent guardianship, as these groups are given explicit access to and priority for the Succeed Scholarship Program. Private schools in Arkansas also benefit, as they gain access to a larger pool of potential students funded by these scholarships.
Who Might Suffer?
Students with disabilities who were previously eligible for the scholarship program may be indirectly and negatively impacted, as the bill reserves 20 scholarships for students in the foster care system, potentially reducing the number of spots available for other applicants if demand exceeds the total scholarship capacity. Additionally, public school districts may experience a slight loss of enrollment and associated state funding as students transfer to private schools using these scholarships.
Get Notified
Receive an email when this bill's status changes.