This bill amends existing laws regarding funding and budgeting for open enrollment schools. It introduces new definitions for "open enrollment public school" and "open enrollment program," clarifying that these schools can accept students from both within and outside their attendance areas. The bill also modifies the funding structure, stating that there will be no tuition for students attending an open enrollment school in their resident district. Instead, the sending district will pay the receiving district an amount equal to at least 80% of the sending district's average cost per pupil. Additionally, the responsibility for funding and educational decisions for children with disabilities in these schools will remain with the sending district.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that each school district must include a specific line item in their operating budgets to reflect estimated expenditures for open enrollment tuition costs and the corresponding revenue from sending districts. It also allows for the acceptance of federal funding for open enrollment schools and permits sending districts to provide additional resources to these schools. The changes aim to enhance transparency and accountability in the funding process for open enrollment programs while ensuring that financial responsibilities are clearly defined. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 194-D:1, 194-D:5, 194-D:6
As Amended by the Senate: 194-D:1, 194-D:5, 194-D:6
Version adopted by both bodies: 194-D:1, 194-D:5, 194-D:6
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 194-D:1, 194-D:5, 194-D:6
HB771 text: 194-D:1, 194-D:5, 194-D:6