Alabama 2024 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Bill SB61

Introduced
2/6/24  
Introduced
2/6/24  

Caption

Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education (CHOOSE) Act of 2024, established to provide education savings accounts (ESAs) for parents of children to use in providing education services for those children.

Impact

If enacted, SB61 is expected to affect state laws relating to educational funding and parental control over education. The introduction of ESAs would transform how education financing operates by providing parents with public funds that can be used for private schooling, tutoring, or other educational services. This shift could potentially reduce the financial burden on families while promoting innovative educational choices. State policies surrounding education funding will need to adapt to accommodate this new system, which could lead to significant changes in budget allocations and oversight mechanisms.

Summary

SB61, also known as the Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education (CHOOSE) Act of 2024, aims to establish education savings accounts (ESAs) for parents. These accounts would enable families to allocate funds for various educational services tailored to their children's needs, thus promoting a more personalized approach to education. The act intends to empower parents in decisions regarding their children's education, allowing for diverse options beyond traditional public schooling.

Contention

The bill has ignited substantial debate among policymakers, educators, and community members. Supporters argue that SB61 will enhance student outcomes by providing parents with more control over educational resources, particularly in underperforming school districts. They believe that empowering parents can lead to improved educational quality and student engagement. Conversely, critics argue that such measures could siphon funds away from public schools, exacerbating existing inequalities and undermining the quality of education for those who remain in the public school system. Concerns regarding accountability and the effective use of public funds in private educational settings have also been raised.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

AL HB129

Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education (CHOOSE) Act of 2024, established to provide education savings accounts (ESAs) for parents of children to use in providing education services for those children.

AL HB88

True School Choice for Alabama Act, established to provide education savings accounts (ESAs) for parents of children to use in providing education services for those children.

AL SB313

Creates the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program to provide educational savings accounts for parental choice in K-12 education. (gov sig) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

AL HB295

Relating to education; to establish the Parental Rights in Children's Education (PRICE) Act relating to K-12 education; to secure the fundamental constitutional rights of parents to direct the education of their children; to create the PRICE Program; to establish a three-year phase-in period; to provide definitions; to establish the roles and responsibilities of the Parent Advisory Board, the Commissioner of Revenue, and the Department of Revenue; to create a process for granting education savings accounts; to establish funding mechanisms for the costs of education savings accounts and the administration of the program; to specify qualified expenses; to create requirements for education service providers; to establish an auditing, denial, and appeal mechanism for expenses, parents, participating students, and education service providers; to provide safeguards against any additional state control over or interference with nonpublic schools, their students, and their families; and to provide for legal remedies.

AL SB202

Relating to education; to establish the Parental Rights in Children's Education (PRICE) Act relating to K-12 education; to secure the fundamental constitutional rights of parents to direct the education of their children; to create the PRICE Program; to establish a three-year phase-in period; to provide definitions; to establish the roles and responsibilities of the Parent Advisory Board, the Commissioner of Revenue, and the Department of Revenue; to create a process for granting education savings accounts; to establish funding mechanisms for the costs of education savings accounts and the administration of the program; to specify qualified expenses; to create requirements for education service providers; to establish an auditing, denial, and appeal mechanism for expenses, parents, participating students, and education service providers; to provide safeguards against any additional state control over or interference with nonpublic schools, their students, and their families; and to provide for legal remedies.

AL HB9462

Educational Choice for Children Act of 2024

AL SF1007

Education Savings Accounts for Minnesota Students Act (ESA-4-MSA) establishment provision

AL SF1974

Education Savings Accounts for Minnesota Students Act (ESA-4-MSA) establishment provision

AL SF4323

Education Savings Accounts for Minnesota Students (ESA-4-MSA) establishment

AL HB833

Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025

Similar Bills

AL HB129

Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education (CHOOSE) Act of 2024, established to provide education savings accounts (ESAs) for parents of children to use in providing education services for those children.

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CA AB2716

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