This bill prohibits the use of education freedom account funds at religious schools or for religious education or training. It also repeals provisions relating to independence of and legal proceedings concerning education freedom account providers. The bill amends RSA 194-F:2 to specify that tuition and fees at an accredited institution of higher education are eligible expenses for education freedom account funds. It also amends RSA 194-F:2 to state that the funds in an education freedom account may only be used for educational purposes and cannot be used at a religious school or for religious education or training. The bill also repeals RSA 194-F:4, XVII, which relates to disadvantaging education providers with religiously-based policies or practices, and RSA 194-F:7, II through V, which relates to the independence of education service providers in the education freedom account program. Finally, the bill repeals RSA 194-F:9, which relates to legal proceedings. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2024.

According to the fiscal note, this bill would not have a direct fiscal impact on the state, county, or local governments. However, it may result in a decrease in the number of approved vendors for the education freedom account program, as religious nonpublic schools and religious-based vendors would no longer be eligible for funding. The exact impact on program participation and funding is unknown.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 194-F:2