This bill amends the current law regarding the financial responsibility for the education of homeless students. It establishes that the district of residence for a homeless child, for the remainder of the current school year, will be the district where the parent or guardian last resided before becoming homeless. Additionally, it clarifies that in any subsequent school year, the district where the child attends school will be considered the district of residence, thus assuming fiscal responsibility for the child's education. The bill also defines "homeless" as an individual who temporarily lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate residence.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the process for determining the educational placement of homeless children. It stipulates that the district in which the parent or guardian last resided must consult with them to decide whether to continue the child's education in the last attended school, enroll them in the district of last residence, or place them in the school district where they are temporarily living, based on what is in the child's best interest. The bill also ensures that if the parent or guardian disagrees with the district's decision, the executive county superintendent will intervene to make a final determination.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:7B-12, 18A:7B-12.1