This bill amends existing laws regarding funding for open enrollment schools, introducing new definitions and requirements for school districts. It defines "open enrollment public school" and "open enrollment program," allowing these schools to accept students from outside their attendance areas. The bill mandates that school districts establish a line item in their operating budgets to reflect expenditures for open enrollment tuition costs. Additionally, it specifies that there will be no tuition charge for students attending open enrollment schools in their resident districts, while the sending district must pay the receiving district an amount equal to at least 80% of the sending district's average cost per pupil.

The bill also includes provisions for the funding of children with disabilities in open enrollment schools, ensuring that the responsibility lies with the school district while retaining options for parents. It allows sending districts to provide additional funds or services to open enrollment schools and permits these schools to accept students at lower tuition rates. The commissioner of the Department of Education is tasked with applying for federal funding for open enrollment schools, and the bill takes effect 60 days after passage. Overall, the bill aims to clarify funding mechanisms and enhance the budgeting process for open enrollment schools, although its fiscal impact remains indeterminable.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 194-D:1, 194-D:5, 194-D:6
HB771 text: 194-D:1, 194-D:5, 194-D:6