SB1185 proposes to amend the current Arizona Revised Statutes regarding the admission of nonresident foreign students with J-1 visas into school districts and charter schools. The bill removes the existing cap on the number of J-1 visa students that a school district governing board can admit without charging tuition. Previously, the number of J-1 visa students admitted without tuition was limited to the number of resident students participating in a foreign exchange program. Additionally, the bill allows school districts and charter schools to include these J-1 visa students in their student count for the purpose of obtaining state funding, starting from the 2023-2024 school year. This change would potentially increase state education funding costs due to the inclusion of more J-1 visa students in the student count.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-823
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-823