Alabama House Bill HB334

Alabama 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/18/23
• Refer: 4/18/23
• Report Pass: 5/3/23
• Engrossed: 5/16/23
• Refer: 5/16/23
• Report Pass: 5/31/23

Caption

To create the Students with Unique Needs (SUN) Education Scholarship Account Act and Program; to allow parents to use funds in an education scholarship account to provide an individualized education program for their children.

Impact

Under HB334, the state will deposit into each education scholarship account an amount equivalent to 95 percent of the gross state Foundation Program cost-per-student. This funding model is intended to ensure that families are financially supported in pursuing educational alternatives outside of the public schooling system. The program will initially enroll 500 students in the 2024-2025 school year, expanding by 500 students each subsequent year, contingent on state appropriations. Furthermore, the act mandates that funds may only be utilized for specific qualifying expenses, such as tuition fees, textbooks, and educational services for students with disabilities.

Summary

House Bill 334, known as the Students with Unique Needs (SUN) Education Scholarship Account Act, establishes a program allowing parents of eligible students to utilize funds for individualized education programs. The bill specifically targets students under 19 years of age who have special needs or hardships, such as those with individual education plans (IEPs), children of military parents, foster children, and homeless students. By creating education scholarship accounts, the bill aims to give families greater control over their education choices and resources, providing more flexible options tailored to their children's specific needs.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding the bill stem from concerns about the implications of diverting public education funds to private schools and the potential for misuse of funds within the scholarship program. Critics argue that the program's structure may weaken public education by redirecting essential resources and undermine accountability due to the lack of rigorous oversight on private institutions. Additionally, the stipulation that participating parents must commit to not enrolling their children in public schools or charter schools unless for contracted services raises further debates regarding educational equity and access.