SB598 - Relating generally to Hope Scholarship Program

3 Co-Sponsors

The purpose of this bill is generally relates to the Hope Scholarship Program. The bill provides that microschools and learning pods have the authority to issue secondary school diplomas. The bill provides that the annual Hope Scholarship Program appropriation calculation will be based on the estimated number of participating students instead of the number of participating students in the prior year. The bill provides that Hope Scholarship students have certain educational privileges made available to other nonpublic school students. The bill provides reporting requirements of Hope Scholarship Students to the State Board of Education, county superintendents and county boards of education. The bill clarifies that Hope Scholarship funds may only be utilized for expenses incurred in a Kindergarten through secondary school education. The bill specifies that a microschool can be a participating school. The bill permits the State Treasurer to appear by designee at Hope Scholarship Board meetings. The bill modifies the composition of members to the Hope Scholarship Board. The bill modifies definitions. The bill requires parental agreement to include provisions requiring parents to notify the Board if a student reenrolls in public school or graduates from a secondary school program. The bill clarifies that all records and personally identifying information of a Hope Scholarship student, applicant, or parent is confidential and not subject to disclosure pursuant to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The bill clarifies that a kindergarten-level applicant's Hope Scholarship participation does not commence if the student does not begin kindergarten-level education that school year. The bill establishes a year-round application and awards process. The bill sets forth the annual renewal process for Hope Scholarship parents and students. The bill clarifies that a public charter school may invoice a Hope Scholarship student for educational services. The bill provides that the Hope Scholarship Board may take issues involving Hope Scholarship students in charter schools to the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board. The bill authorizes the Hope Scholarship Board to request certain information from county superintendents and county boards of education. The bill modifies qualifying expenses for Hope Scholarship accounts. The bill requires education service providers conducting background screenings of employees and other persons in contact with students to certify screening results to the board. The bill clarifies that providers may not assess increased or additional fees against Hope Scholarship students based on participation in the program. Finally, the bill adds reporting requirements.