The bill amends the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program by updating eligibility criteria and expanding the scope of the scholarship. It changes the terminology from "disabilities" to "special needs" and removes the requirement for students to have an individualized education program (IEP) prior to applying. Additionally, it eliminates references to public schools, allowing parents or legal guardians to request scholarships for private school enrollment without needing to meet previous public school attendance requirements. New provisions require parents or guardians to meet annually with private school representatives to discuss their child's special needs.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of the State Department of Education in managing the scholarship program, including calculating scholarship amounts and overseeing payments to private schools. It establishes a process for notifying parents when a private school faces proposed actions by the Department of Education, allowing the school to request an administrative hearing. Furthermore, it clarifies that the state and educational entities will not be liable for the awarding or use of scholarships and ensures that regulatory authority over private schools remains limited. An annual report detailing scholarship data will be prepared by the State Department of Education, and the act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with an emergency clause for immediate implementation upon passage.