House Bill 1082 amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to school choice, specifically expanding the definition of "eligible student" to include those enrolled in home schools as well as private schools. The bill introduces new language to clarify that "home school" is defined as per existing law and modifies several provisions to ensure that home schools are included in the eligibility criteria for participation in the school choice program. For instance, it changes the language in multiple sections to incorporate home schools alongside participating schools, thereby allowing students enrolled in home schools to access the same benefits as those in private schools.

Additionally, the bill adjusts the funding structure for participating students, establishing that those enrolled in home schools will receive 25% of the maximum annual amount allocated to students in participating schools. It also mandates that the state will fund the local contribution for each participating student counted in the enrollment figures of their respective local education agency (LEA). The bill aims to enhance awareness of the program among families with children in grades K-12 and ensures that educational institutions maintain their autonomy in providing education to participating students without undue governmental interference. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2023.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-6-2602(3), 49-6-2602, 49-6-2603(a)(1), 49-6-2603, 49-6-2603(a)(4), 49-6-2603(a)(4)(D), 49-6-2603(a)(4)(F), 49-6-2604, 49-6-2605, 49-6-2605(b)(1), 49-6-2605(e), 49-6-2606(a)(2), 49-6-2606, 49-6-2606(a)(3), 49-6-2607, 49-6-2609(a), 49-6-2609, 49-6-2609(b), 49-6-2609(c), 49-6-2611