This bill proposes significant updates to current statutes concerning Arizona empowerment scholarship accounts by introducing new requirements for qualified schools. Specifically, schools accepting payments from parents or qualified students must ensure that all personnel possess valid fingerprint clearance cards or apply for one within twenty days of employment. Additionally, it mandates that all instructional personnel have relevant degrees, teaching experience, or specialized skills. The auditor general will conduct annual audits to ensure compliance, and noncompliant schools must reimburse the department for any funds received. The bill also modifies existing fingerprinting requirements for teaching certificate applicants and tutors, clarifying that individuals with verified fingerprints on file do not need to resubmit them unless deemed unusable.

Furthermore, the bill updates section identifiers across various statutes and adds a new section requiring fingerprint background checks for individuals seeking licenses or employment with state agencies. It allows expired fingerprint clearance cards to meet requirements under certain conditions, provided the individual signs an affidavit. Current school personnel must comply with the new fingerprint clearance card requirements within six months of the act's effective date, enhancing accountability and safety in Arizona's educational environments.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-106, 15-2402, 15-2403, 15-2407, 23-1361, 41-619.51, 41-1750, 41-1758, 41-1758.01, 41-1758.08, 15-183, 15-512, 15-766, 15-2401, 15-505, 15-534.04, 28-9551, 15-802, 15-185, 15-943, 35-190, 2020-2021, 35-113, 15-2401.01, 15-2404, 15-161, 41-619.57, 8-804, 41-619.55, 3-314, 8-105, 8-322, 8-463, 8-509, 8-802, 15-503, 15-534, 15-763.01, 15-782.02, 15-1330, 15-1881, 17-215, 28-3228, 28-3413, 32-122.02, 32-122.05, 32-122.06, 32-823, 32-1232, 32-1276.01, 32-1284, 32-1297.01, 32-1904, 32-1941, 32-1982, 32-2022, 32-2063, 32-2108.01, 32-2123, 32-2371, 32-3430, 32-3620, 32-3668, 32-3669, 32-3922, 32-3924, 32-4222, 32-4128, 36-113, 36-207, 36-411, 36-425.03, 36-446.04, 36-594.01, 36-594.02, 36-766.01, 36-882, 36-883.02, 36-897.01, 36-897.03, 36-3008, 41-619.53, 41-1964, 41-1967.01, 41-1968, 41-1969, 41-2814, 41-4025, 46-141, 46-321, 13-3601, 32-2422, 32-2441, 32-2612, 32-2622, 41-1758.03, 41-1758.07, 41-2411, 14-5303, 14-5407, 14-5206, 14-5304, 14-5401, 14-5651, 13-3827, 15-550, 8-453, 99-169, 13-3825, 8-341, 41-619.52, 13-3623, 35-146, 35-147, 41-1758.04, 92-544