The bill proposes amendments to the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act, focusing on direct state funding for educational programs and expenses. It outlines the allocation of funds for special education, career and technical education, pre-kindergarten programs, specific educational centers, transportation for out-of-district students, and support for English learners. The bill stipulates that if the approved costs exceed the appropriated amount in any fiscal year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will prorate the funds among eligible school districts. Additionally, the bill modifies the regionalization bonus for public school districts that have regionalized, setting it at two percent of the state's share of the foundation education aid for each fiscal year starting July 1, 2023, and removes the language about the decreasing bonus and its cessation in the third fiscal year.

Furthermore, the bill introduces state support for school resource officers (SROs) in public middle and high schools, offering reimbursement for half the cost of salaries and benefits for these positions. It sets requirements for SRO assignments based on school enrollment and specifies that schools creating new SRO positions after eliminating existing ones will not be eligible for reimbursement. The bill also mandates that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education collect performance reports and approve fund usage to ensure alignment with innovative activities, prorating funds if necessary. It includes provisions for the funding of categorical programs and is set to take effect on July 1, 2023.

Statutes affected:
786: 16-7.2-6