This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to clarify the eligibility criteria for nonpublic schools and education service providers to participate in the Hope Scholarship Program. Key changes include the definition of "eligible recipient," which now specifies that a child must have a household adjusted gross income under $100,000 annually and must be enrolled full-time in a public school for at least 45 days during the instructional term or have been enrolled the previous year. Additionally, the bill introduces a provision that allows children to qualify for the program if the participation rate of eligible students is below five percent of net public school enrollment by July 1, 2024.
Furthermore, the bill modifies the definition of "participating school" to include "accredited non-public schools established and located in West Virginia" and outlines the requirements for education service providers and participating schools to accept payments from Hope Scholarship accounts. These requirements include submitting annual proof of accreditation, providing enrollment notices to county superintendents, and ensuring compliance with non-discrimination laws. The bill emphasizes the independence of education service providers and does not expand the regulatory authority of the state over these entities beyond what is necessary to enforce the program's requirements.
Statutes affected: Introduced Version: 18-31-2, 18-31-11