The bill HB2095 aims to expand eligibility for educational scholarships and tuition grants to include students who are placed in foster care before graduating from high school or obtaining a GED, provided they meet certain criteria. The new criteria for these students to be eligible for scholarships or grants through the Switcher Credit or the Low-Income Credit include being unable to attend a governmental school full-time due to expulsion, behavioral issues, or the school's inability to provide necessary services, not having attended a governmental school full-time for at least 90 days of the prior fiscal year or one full semester before enrolling in a qualified school, and being unable to receive other STO scholarships or grants equal to the cost of tuition. Additionally, the qualified school must be considered only because it can meet the student's unique needs, such as severe medical or behavioral needs that require specialized programs.

The bill defines "unable to attend" as either being expelled or asked not to return due to behavior, or the school not being able to provide necessary services. It also makes conforming changes to the numbering of the eligibility criteria, adding the new foster care criteria as point 7 and renumbering the subsequent point to 8. The bill was vetoed by the Governor due to its estimated impact on the state General Fund, suggesting it should be considered within the broader context of budget discussions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 43-1504, 43-1603, 20-224.06, 43-1183, 15-901
House Engrossed Version: 43-1504, 43-1603, 20-224.06, 43-1183, 15-901
Senate Engrossed Version: 43-1504, 43-1603, 20-224.06, 43-1183, 15-901