This bill proposes several updates to the current statutes regarding Arizona empowerment scholarship accounts. It clarifies that the Department of Education must ensure that any individual providing tutoring or teaching services is not subject to disciplinary action by the state board of education, and it mandates the removal of any such individuals from platforms used for purchasing educational services with account funds. Additionally, the bill specifies that the empowerment scholarship account fund will include not only appropriated monies but also those deposited pursuant to specific subsections, and it restricts the use of these funds solely for the department's administrative costs related to the accounts.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the notification process for parents regarding the renewal of their child's scholarship account. It changes the method of notification from "through" to "by" certified mail, email, and telephone, and it stipulates that any remaining funds from closed accounts will be returned to the state and deposited into the empowerment scholarship account fund, as outlined in sections 35-146 and 35-147. Lastly, it establishes that upon the qualified student's graduation or after four consecutive years of non-enrollment in an eligible postsecondary institution, the account will also be closed, with remaining funds returned to the state and deposited in the same fund.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-2402