This bill updates current statutes regarding Arizona empowerment scholarship accounts by introducing new requirements for qualified schools. Specifically, it mandates that all school personnel must have valid fingerprint clearance cards or apply for one within twenty days of employment. Additionally, personnel providing academic instruction must possess a baccalaureate degree, three years of teaching experience, or specialized skills. The auditor general will conduct annual audits to ensure compliance, and noncompliant schools must reimburse the department for any scholarship funds received. The bill also prohibits qualified schools from sharing or rebating scholarship account funds with parents or students.

Moreover, the bill modifies existing provisions related to fingerprinting requirements, clarifying that individuals with verified fingerprints on file do not need to resubmit them for clearance card renewal unless deemed unusable. It also updates section identifiers to maintain sequential numbering and adds section 15-2407 to the list of statutes requiring fingerprint background checks. The bill further stipulates that current school personnel must comply with fingerprint clearance card requirements within six months of the bill's effective date, enhancing accountability and quality in educational services.

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