An Act to provide a voucher for students enrolled in certain grade levels at accredited nonpublic schools.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to title 13:

On or before September first of each school year, a parent of an eligible child, as described in section 2 of this Act, may file a form with the Department of Education requesting a voucher in an amount equal to the lesser of:

(1) The tuition payable for the child at the accredited nonpublic school, in this state, in which the child is enrolled; or

(2) The per student equivalent, as calculated in accordance with   13-13-10.1.

Upon verification of the child's enrollment, the department shall forward the authorized amount directly to the nonpublic school.

If a child withdraws from the nonpublic school prior to completion of the school year, the nonpublic school shall return the prorated portion of the voucher to the department.

The department shall develop a form for use in accordance with this section. The department shall make the form available on the department's website.

Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added to title 13:

For purposes of section 1 of this Act, the term, eligible child, means:

(1) For the 2023-24 school year, a child enrolled in kindergarten or any grade from one to three, inclusive;

(2) For the 2024-25 school year, a child enrolled in kindergarten or any grade from one to seven, inclusive; and

(3) For the 2025-26 school year and each year thereafter, a child enrolled in kindergarten or any grade from one to twelve, inclusive.