The Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program is being amended to broaden eligibility criteria for scholarships for students with special needs attending private schools. The bill removes specific requirements related to individualized education programs (IEPs) and introduces new criteria that allow students who meet at least one of several outlined conditions to qualify for scholarships. It also clarifies that parents or legal guardians can request scholarships for their children, provided they have secured acceptance from an eligible private school and informed the State Department of Education. Additionally, school districts are required to inform parents about available scholarship options, and the bill outlines the financial responsibilities of parents once a scholarship is accepted.

The bill enhances oversight and accountability by allowing the Board to suspend scholarship payments if there is probable cause of threats to student welfare or fraudulent activities by private schools. It clarifies that the inclusion of private schools does not expand the regulatory authority of the state or school districts beyond necessary enforcement of the program's requirements. The State Department of Education is given the authority to reduce state aid to non-compliant school districts and is mandated to prepare an annual report detailing various aspects of the scholarship program. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with an emergency clause for immediate implementation upon passage and approval.