H.B. No. 3 establishes an Education Savings Account (ESA) program in Texas, aimed at providing families with enhanced educational options and promoting knowledge dissemination. The bill introduces a new subchapter to the Education Code, detailing definitions and the framework for the program, including terms such as "Account," "Certified educational assistance organization," and "Child with a disability." The comptroller is tasked with establishing the program, which will fund approved educational expenses for participating children. The bill outlines the funding structure, application process for parents, prioritization criteria for enrollment, and the responsibilities of educational assistance organizations, while also allowing the comptroller to promote the program through marketing efforts.

Additionally, the bill sets forth new provisions regarding parental participation, requiring parents to agree to specific conditions to receive funding, such as using funds solely for approved expenses and sharing assessment results with educational organizations. It establishes a payment structure for parents, with annual payments based on a percentage of the statewide average funding per student, and includes provisions for managing funds in trust, ensuring compliance, and maintaining accountability. The bill also amends existing laws to enhance oversight of education service providers, allowing the comptroller to preapprove these entities and obtain criminal history information for their employees. It emphasizes the confidentiality of student information and outlines procedures for appeals regarding administrative decisions, with the act set to take effect immediately upon a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 22.092, Government Code 411.109, Health and Safety Code 810.002 (Government Code 411, Education Code 22, Health and Safety Code 810)