The proposed bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 by creating ARTICLE XX-N, which establishes the Military Education Scholarship Account Program. This program is designed for parents of eligible school-age children, particularly those with active-duty military parents or those who have lost a parent in the line of duty. It allows these parents to apply for a military education scholarship account, which is managed by the State Treasury. The bill outlines the definitions of key terms, the application process, and the types of qualified education expenses that can be covered, such as tuition, textbooks, and tutoring services. It also specifies grant amounts based on whether the student has a disability and details the conditions for renewing or terminating scholarship agreements.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for electronic money transfers for payments related to qualified education expenses and prohibits parents from depositing personal funds into the scholarship accounts. The Attorney General is granted authority to audit these accounts, with penalties established for misuse, including account freezes and civil penalties. The legislation also sets accountability standards for participating entities, mandates compliance with health and safety laws, and requires resident school districts to provide necessary student records and transportation. Furthermore, it includes legal protections for the program and mandates the development of regulations for its administration within 60 days of enactment.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 238 (Feb 25, 2025): P.L.30, No.14
Printer's No. 0238: P.L.30, No.14