This bill proposes several updates to the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding Arizona empowerment scholarship accounts. It removes the requirement for quarterly transfers of funds, allowing for monthly transfers instead, and mandates that the department notify parents if their child's account is not renewed within one academic year. Additionally, it introduces new requirements for qualified schools and service providers, including prohibitions on sharing or rebating scholarship funds, limits on tuition increases, and obligations to report graduation rates and excessive absences to the department.

Furthermore, the bill enhances accountability by requiring schools to notify parents about the specific educational services their child will receive before tuition payment and ensures that accommodations outlined in individualized education programs are provided unless waived by the parent. It also clarifies that if a qualified student's scholarship account lacks sufficient funds for an educational evaluation, the local school district must cover the costs, establishing a framework for reimbursement that aligns with federal law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-2402, 15-2403, 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, 15-241