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, if the participation rate in the program is below five percent of net public school enrollment by July 1, 2024, the eligibility criteria will be adjusted to include children who are currently enrolled or eligible for enrollment in a kindergarten program or public school.

The bill also updates the definitions related to participating schools, changing the term from "private" to "accredited non-public" schools and requiring these schools to provide annual enrollment notices to the county superintendent and submit proof of continued accreditation to the Hope Scholarship Board. Furthermore, it mandates that education service providers and participating schools must comply with specific requirements, such as providing receipts for educational expenses and ensuring that employees undergo background checks. The bill emphasizes that education service providers maintain their independence and are not required to change their policies to accommodate students receiving Hope Scholarship funds.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-31-2, 18-31-11