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 were killed in the line of duty, allowing them to apply for a scholarship account to cover educational expenses such as tuition, textbooks, and tutoring services. The bill outlines the application process, eligibility criteria, and responsibilities of parents and the Department of Education, while also detailing the terms of the scholarship account, including fund usage, renewal processes, and consequences for terminating agreements.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions for electronic money transfers for qualified education expenses, with the State Treasury responsible for identifying suitable payment systems. It prohibits reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses and restricts personal fund deposits into scholarship accounts. The legislation also establishes accountability standards for participating entities, mandates resident school districts to provide necessary records and transportation, and includes audit provisions with penalties for fund misuse. Additionally, it ensures no liability for the Commonwealth or public schools regarding the accounts and allows parents to challenge the program's constitutionality. The bill requires annual public posting of participating entities and the development of administrative guidelines 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