HB293:

Education Savings Account Program; established.

Bill Summary:

Education Savings Account Program; establishment.
Establishes the Education Savings Account Program (the Program),
to be administered by the Department of Education (the Department)
with assistance from each local school board, whereby the parent
of any elementary or secondary school student who (i) is a member
of a household whose annual income does not exceed two times the
annual household income that would qualify the student for free or
reduced-price lunch and (ii) was eligible to attend a public school
in the Commonwealth in the preceding semester or is starting elementary
or secondary school in the Commonwealth for the first time is eligible
to receive an education savings account, for as long as the student
is of school age and the amount of which is determined pursuant to
a calculation set forth in the bill, to cover certain enumerated
educational expenses for his child. The bill requires the Department
to establish rules and regulations for the Program and contains conditions,
limitations, and other requirements for the Program, including provisions
relating to the accountability and educational autonomy of individuals
and entities receiving account funds to cover qualified expenses.