This bill proposes several updates to the Arizona Revised Statutes concerning Arizona empowerment scholarship accounts. Key changes include the requirement for qualified students to withdraw from any school district or charter school before enrolling in an Arizona empowerment scholarship account, as well as ensuring that any individual providing tutoring or teaching services is not subject to disciplinary action by the state board of education. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department notify parents via certified mail, email, and telephone about the closure of accounts if not renewed within a specified timeframe, and it establishes new financial performance requirements for qualified schools receiving scholarship funds.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a comprehensive review process for the Arizona empowerment scholarship accounts program, which includes periodic evaluations by the joint legislative audit committee and the auditor general. This process aims to assess the program's effectiveness, financial management, and compliance with established objectives. The bill also requires the development of a financial transparency portal and mandates that qualified schools report on their financial performance, including the percentage of scholarship funds spent in the classroom. Overall, these updates aim to enhance accountability and transparency within the Arizona empowerment scholarship accounts program.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-2402, 15-2403, 15-2407, 41-1279.03, 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, 93-380, 15-914, 13-2310, 41-2954, 41-2952