The bill aims to amend the Hope Scholarship Program in West Virginia by restricting the use of state funding for out-of-state private schools and educational service providers. Specifically, it introduces new definitions for "education service provider" and "participating school," both of which must now be located within the state of West Virginia to be eligible for payments from Hope Scholarship accounts. This change is intended to ensure that state funds are utilized exclusively for in-state educational resources.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the eligibility criteria for recipients of the Hope Scholarship, emphasizing that students must be enrolled in public schools within West Virginia to qualify. The overall goal of the legislation is to enhance the accountability and effectiveness of the Hope Scholarship Program by ensuring that state resources are directed towards local educational institutions and services, thereby supporting the state's educational framework.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-31-2