The proposed bill would amend sections 15-2402 and 15-2403 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, specifically updating the requirements for students seeking Arizona empowerment scholarship accounts. Currently, students must withdraw from their school district or charter school before enrolling in the scholarship program, but the bill clarifies that this applies only if they have not yet received any funds from the account. Additionally, the bill introduces a requirement 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 mandates the removal of any such individuals from platforms used for purchasing educational services.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the process for obtaining an independent evaluation for students eligible for educational therapies or services. It removes the previous language regarding the evaluation being independent and instead allows for the evaluation to be funded by the student's Arizona empowerment scholarship account, with the stipulation that if the account lacks sufficient funds, the local school district must cover the costs. The bill also allows the school district to set reasonable reimbursement criteria, ensuring compliance 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