This bill amends various sections of Alaska's education laws to enhance open enrollment policies, charter school operations, and the provision of special education services. Key changes include allowing children of school age to attend public schools without tuition in their resident district and, upon application, in schools outside their district, subject to capacity and district policies. Additionally, the bill mandates that school districts publish information about enrollment policies and data on their websites, and it establishes a new reading proficiency incentive grant for students in grades K-6 who meet specific reading performance criteria.

The bill also revises the charter school application process, allowing applications to be submitted at any time during the school year and streamlining the appeal process for denied applications. It introduces new requirements for charter school contracts, including provisions for renewal and termination, and ensures that charter schools receive a fair budget allocation based on student enrollment. Furthermore, it establishes a policy for the use of wireless telecommunications devices in schools, requiring districts to adopt regulations governing their possession and use. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
HB0204A, AM HB 204, introduced 04/22/2025: 14.03.080, 14.14.110, 14.14.120, 14.03.120, 14.30.420, 14.03.123, 14.03.250, 14.03.255, 14.03.253, 14.03.256, 14.03.290, 14.03.260, 14.17.410, 14.17.420, 14.17.505, 14.03.275, 14.17.430, 14.17.400, 14.17.470, 14.30.010, 14.20.020, 14.45.100, 14.45.200, 14.03.160, 14.30.045, 14.30.186, 47.14.990, 47.12.990, 14.30.180, 14.30.350