The proposed bill establishes a new education savings account program in North Dakota, introducing a criminal offense for the misuse of funds from these accounts. It creates a new section in chapter 12.1-23 of the North Dakota Century Code that outlines penalties for improper spending of education savings account funds, with penalties ranging from a class A felony for misuse exceeding $50,000 to a class B misdemeanor for lesser amounts. The bill also amends section 15.1-20-02 to clarify exceptions to compulsory school attendance and provides for a continuing appropriation for the education savings account program.

Additionally, the bill establishes a new chapter, 15.1-27.1, defining key terms related to the program and outlining the responsibilities of the superintendent of public instruction as the program administrator. It includes provisions for an annual parental satisfaction survey, allows the Department of Public Instruction to apply for federal funds, and clarifies the autonomy of participating schools and education service providers. The bill also amends compulsory attendance exceptions to include children in home education programs participating in the education savings account program, appropriating $3 million for program administration and another $3 million for legal defense related to the program for the biennium from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Adopted by the House Education Committee: 15.1-20-02