The Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act establishes a framework for education savings accounts (ESAs) aimed at providing financial support for eligible students' educational expenses. The act designates the state treasurer as the administrator of the ESA program, which includes the creation of a dedicated Wyoming freedom scholarship program account funded by state appropriations and other sources. Eligible students can receive up to $6,000 annually, adjusted for inflation, for expenses such as tuition, tutoring, and educational materials. Parents participating in the program must sign an agreement with the state treasurer and ensure that funds are used exclusively for qualifying educational expenses.

Additionally, the act creates a parent review commission composed of seven members, all parents of ESA students from different counties, to assist the state treasurer in evaluating expenditures and improving the ESA program. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of education service providers, ensuring their independence from state or federal government influence. Significant changes include the allocation of state revenues, with 50% directed to the public school foundation program account and 50% to the Wyoming freedom scholarship program account. The act appropriates $30 million to the scholarship program and mandates the state treasurer to adopt necessary rules for student enrollment in the ESA program starting in the 2024 school year, with certain sections taking effect on January 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 9-4-601, 21-4-102, 21-4-301, 21-13-310