This bill amends existing laws regarding funding for open enrollment schools, specifically how tuition costs are managed and reported by school districts. 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 mandates that there will be no tuition charge for students attending an open enrollment school in their resident district. It also stipulates that the sending district must pay the receiving district an amount equal to at least 80% of the sending district's average cost per pupil, as determined by the Department of Education.

Additionally, the bill requires each school district to create a line item in their operating budget to reflect estimated expenditures for open enrollment tuition costs and the corresponding revenue from sending districts. It retains the responsibility of the sending district for funding and educational decisions for children with disabilities attending open enrollment schools. The bill also allows for the acceptance of federal funding and other financial resources by open enrollment schools, while providing flexibility for sending districts to contribute additional resources if desired. The act is set to 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