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<leg xml:space="preserve" billnum="SB0107" sponsor="Lincoln Fillmore" designation="SB" otherSponsor="" otherHouse="House" subNumber="01" subSponsor="Lincoln Fillmore" sess="2025GS" fileno="2025FL0725" date="02-11-25" printDate="02-11 13:22" subVer="1" minVer="0" office="LEGISLATIVE GENERAL COUNSEL" actionDate="" impact="code"><info><nextbuid>7</nextbuid><aminfo anum="0" effdate="05/07/2025"><seclist><sect action="A" src="code" buid="1" uid="C53E-7-S401_2025050720250507" fromuid="C53E-7-S401_2024010120240501" sort="53E07 04010020250507" mtype="section" effdate="05/07/2025">53E-7-401</sect><sect action="A" src="code" buid="2" uid="C53E-7-S402_2025050720250507" fromuid="C53E-7-S402_2024010120240501" sort="53E07 04020020250507" mtype="section" effdate="05/07/2025">53E-7-402</sect><sect src="uncod" untype="effdate" buid="6" uid="EF0000" sort="UZEFF" mtype="uncod" effdate="05/07/2025"/></seclist></aminfo></info><tbox><sinfo/><st numlevel="1" lineno="1" slineno="0-1">Education Scholarship Amendments</st><sessionhead>2025 GENERAL SESSION</sessionhead><statehead>STATE OF UTAH</statehead><sponsorhead>Chief Sponsor: Lincoln Fillmore</sponsorhead><otherSponsorhead>House Sponsor: </otherSponsorhead></tbox><lt numlevel="1" lineno="2" slineno="0-2"><lthead lineno="3">LONG TITLE</lthead><gdhead lineno="4">General Description:</gdhead><gd numlevel="1" lineno="5" slineno="0-5">This bill removes income-based criteria from scholarship awards.</gd><hphead lineno="6">Highlighted Provisions:</hphead><hp numlevel="1" lineno="7" slineno="0-7">This bill:<hl numlevel="1" lineno="8" slineno="0-8" level="1">removes income-based criteria from scholarship awards; and</hl><hl numlevel="1" lineno="9" slineno="0-9" level="1">makes technical changes.</hl></hp><moni numlevel="1" lineno="10" slineno="0-10" display="none">Money Appropriated in this Bill:</moni><moniNone lineno="11">None</moniNone><oc numlevel="1" lineno="12" slineno="0-12">Other Special Clauses:</oc><ocNone lineno="13">None</ocNone><sa numlevel="1" lineno="14" slineno="0-14">Utah Code Sections Affected:<saamd numlevel="1" lineno="15" slineno="0-15"><snhead>AMENDS:</snhead><sn num="53E-7-401" src="code" uid="C53E-7-S401_2025050720250507" buid="1" sort="53E07 04010020250507" numlevel="1" lineno="16" slineno="0-16"><bold>53E-7-401</bold>, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 466</sn><sn num="53E-7-402" src="code" uid="C53E-7-S402_2025050720250507" buid="2" sort="53E07 04020020250507" numlevel="1" lineno="17" slineno="0-17"><bold>53E-7-402</bold>, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 466</sn></saamd></sa></lt><enacthead lineno="18"/><enact numlevel="1" lineno="19" slineno="0-19">Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:</enact><bdy><bsec buid="1" num="53E-7-401" type="amend" src="code" uid="C53E-7-S401_2025050720250507" sort="53E07 04010020250507" numlevel="1" lineno="20" slineno="1-1" sn="1"><section number="53E-7-401" numlevel="1" lineno="21" slineno="1-2" type="amend"><secline lineno="20">Section 1, Section <bold>53E-7-401</bold> is amended to read:</secline><catline lineno="21"><bold>53E-7-401. Definitions.</bold></catline><sectionText lineno="22"><tab/>As used in this part:</sectionText><subsection ssid="1-1-1" dnum="1-o" numlevel="1" lineno="23" slineno="1-4" level="1"><display>(1)</display>"The Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program" or "program" means the program <ln numlevel="1" lineno="24" slineno="1-5"/>established in Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="53E-7-402">53E-7-402</xref>.</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-2" dnum="2-o" numlevel="1" lineno="25" slineno="1-6" level="1"><display>(2)</display>"Eligible student" means:<subsection ssid="1-1-3" dnum="a-o" numlevel="1" lineno="26" slineno="1-7" level="2"><display>(a)</display>a student who:<subsection ssid="1-1-4" dnum="i-o" numlevel="1" lineno="27" slineno="1-8" level="3"><display>(i)</display>is: <subsection ssid="1-1-5" dnum="A-o" numlevel="1" lineno="28" slineno="1-9" level="4"><display>(A)</display>eligible to participate in public school, in kindergarten, or grades 1 through 12;</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-6" dnum="B-o" numlevel="1" lineno="29" slineno="1-10" level="4"><display>(B)</display>enrolled in a qualifying school as defined in Subsection (11);</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-7" dnum="C-o" numlevel="1" lineno="30" slineno="1-11" level="4"><display>(C)</display>a home-based scholarship student as defined in Subsection (6); or</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-8" dnum="D-o" numlevel="1" lineno="31" slineno="1-12" level="4"><display>(D)</display>at least three years old before September 2 of the year the scholarship is <ln numlevel="1" lineno="32" slineno="1-13"/>awarded;</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-9" dnum="ii-o" numlevel="1" lineno="33" slineno="1-14" level="3"><display>(ii)</display>is a resident of the state;</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-10" dnum="iii-o" numlevel="1" lineno="34" slineno="1-15" level="3"><display>(iii)</display>has a qualified disability identified under 20 U.S.C. Sec. 140(3) as determined by:<subsection ssid="1-1-11" dnum="A-o" numlevel="1" lineno="35" slineno="1-16" level="4"><display>(A)</display>having an IEP within the previous three years; or</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-12" dnum="B-o" numlevel="1" lineno="36" slineno="1-17" level="4"><display>(B)</display>a multidisciplinary team evaluation described in Subsection (7); and</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-13" dnum="iv-o" numlevel="1" lineno="37" slineno="1-18" level="3"><display>(iv)</display>during the school year for which the student is applying for the scholarship, is <ln numlevel="1" lineno="38" slineno="1-19"/>not:<subsection ssid="1-1-14" dnum="A-o" numlevel="1" lineno="39" slineno="1-20" level="4"><display>(A)</display>a student who receives a scholarship under the Carson Smith Scholarship <ln numlevel="1" lineno="40" slineno="1-21"/>Program created in Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="53F-4-302">53F-4-302</xref>; or</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-15" dnum="B-o" numlevel="1" lineno="41" slineno="1-22" level="4"><display>(B)</display>enrolled as a public school student; or</subsection></subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-16" dnum="b-o" numlevel="1" lineno="42" slineno="1-23" level="2"><display>(b)</display>a student who:<subsection ssid="1-1-17" dnum="i-o" numlevel="1" lineno="43" slineno="1-24" level="3"><display>(i)</display>meets the requirement of Subsections (2)(a)(i) and (ii); and</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-18" dnum="ii-o" numlevel="1" lineno="44" slineno="1-25" level="3"><display>(ii)</display>is a sibling of and resides in the same household as a student described in <ln numlevel="1" lineno="45" slineno="1-26"/>Subsection (2)(a) if:<subsection ssid="1-1-19" dnum="A-o" numlevel="1" lineno="46" slineno="1-27" level="4"><display>(A)</display>the student described in Subsection (2)(a) is a scholarship student and has <ln numlevel="1" lineno="47" slineno="1-28"/>verified enrollment or intent to enroll at a qualifying school or participate in <ln numlevel="1" lineno="48" slineno="1-29"/>services provided by a qualifying provider; and</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-20" dnum="B-o" numlevel="1" lineno="49" slineno="1-30" level="4"><display>(B)</display>the sibling is applying for a scholarship to attend the same qualifying school <ln numlevel="1" lineno="50" slineno="1-31"/>or participate in the same services provided by a qualifying provider.</subsection></subsection></subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-21" dnum="3-o" numlevel="1" lineno="51" slineno="1-32" level="1" space="false"><display>(3)</display><subsection ssid="1-1-22" dnum="a-o" level="2" placement="sameline"><display>(a)</display>"Employee" means an individual working in a position in which the individual's <ln numlevel="1" lineno="52" slineno="1-33"/>salary, wages, pay, or compensation, including as a contractor, is paid from:<subsection ssid="1-1-23" dnum="i-o" numlevel="1" lineno="53" slineno="1-34" level="3" tab="1"><display>(i)</display>program donations to a scholarship granting organization; or</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-24" dnum="ii-o" numlevel="1" lineno="54" slineno="1-35" level="3" tab="1"><display>(ii)</display>scholarship money allocated to a qualifying school or qualifying provider by a <ln numlevel="1" lineno="55" slineno="1-36"/>scholarship granting organization under Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="53E-7-405">53E-7-405</xref>.</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-25" dnum="b-o" numlevel="1" lineno="56" slineno="1-37" level="2"><display>(b)</display>"Employee" does not include an individual who volunteers at the scholarship <ln numlevel="1" lineno="57" slineno="1-38"/>granting organization, qualifying school, or qualifying provider.</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-26" dnum="4-o:_-i" numlevel="1" lineno="58" slineno="1-39" ea="erase" anum="0" owner="jchristopherson" style="2" level="1"><display><amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="1025" style="2" owner="o" level="1" deltag="start">(4)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="6" groupid="4" style="2" owner="jchristopherson" level="1">"Family </amend><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="7" groupid="5" style="2" owner="jchristopherson" level="1">income</amend><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="8" groupid="6" style="2" owner="jchristopherson" level="1">" means the annual </amend><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="9" groupid="7" style="2" owner="jchristopherson" level="1">income</amend><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="10" groupid="8" style="2" owner="jchristopherson" level="1" deltag="end"> of the parent, parents, legal guardian, <ln numlevel="1" lineno="59" slineno="1-40"/>or legal guardians with whom a scholarship student lives.</amend><amendoutend style="2"/></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-27" dnum="5-o:_-i" numlevel="1" lineno="60" slineno="1-41" ea="erase" anum="0" owner="jchristopherson" style="2" level="1"><display><amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="1026" style="2" owner="o" level="1" deltag="start">(5)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="3" groupid="2" style="2" owner="jchristopherson" level="1" deltag="end">"Federal poverty level" means the poverty level as defined by the most recently revised <ln numlevel="1" lineno="61" slineno="1-42"/>poverty income guidelines published by the United States Department of Health and <ln numlevel="1" lineno="62" slineno="1-43"/>Human Services in the Federal Register.</amend><amendoutend style="2"/></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-28" dnum="6-o:4-i" numlevel="1" lineno="63" slineno="1-44" level="1"><display><amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="1027" style="2" owner="o" level="1" deltag="both">(6)</amend><amendoutend style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1028" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="both" space="true">(4)</amend></display>"Home-based scholarship student" means a student who:<subsection ssid="1-1-29" dnum="a-o" numlevel="1" lineno="64" slineno="1-45" level="2"><display>(a)</display>is eligible to participate in public school, in kindergarten or grades 1 through 12;</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-30" dnum="b-o" numlevel="1" lineno="65" slineno="1-46" level="2"><display>(b)</display>is excused from enrollment in an LEA in accordance with Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="53G-6-204">53G-6-204</xref> to <ln numlevel="1" lineno="66" slineno="1-47"/>attend a home school; and</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-31" dnum="c-o" numlevel="1" lineno="67" slineno="1-48" level="2"><display>(c)</display>receives a benefit from a scholarship under the program.</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-32" dnum="7-o:5-i" numlevel="1" lineno="68" slineno="1-49" level="1"><display><amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="1031" style="2" owner="o" level="1" deltag="both">(7)</amend><amendoutend style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1032" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="both" space="true">(5)</amend></display>"Multidisciplinary evaluation team" means two or more individuals:<subsection ssid="1-1-33" dnum="a-o" numlevel="1" lineno="69" slineno="1-50" level="2"><display>(a)</display>who are qualified in two or more separate disciplines or professions; and</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-34" dnum="b-o" numlevel="1" lineno="70" slineno="1-51" level="2"><display>(b)</display>who evaluate a child.</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-35" dnum="8-o:6-i" numlevel="1" lineno="71" slineno="1-52" level="1"><display><amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="1034" style="2" owner="o" level="1" deltag="both">(8)</amend><amendoutend style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1035" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="both" space="true">(6)</amend></display>"Officer" means:<subsection ssid="1-1-36" dnum="a-o" numlevel="1" lineno="72" slineno="1-53" level="2"><display>(a)</display>a member of the board of a scholarship granting organization, qualifying school, or <ln numlevel="1" lineno="73" slineno="1-54"/>qualifying provider; or</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-37" dnum="b-o" numlevel="1" lineno="74" slineno="1-55" level="2"><display>(b)</display>the chief administrative officer of a scholarship granting organization , qualifying <ln numlevel="1" lineno="75" slineno="1-56"/>school, or qualifying provider.</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-38" dnum="9-o:7-i" numlevel="1" lineno="76" slineno="1-57" level="1"><display><amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="1037" style="2" owner="o" level="1" deltag="both">(9)</amend><amendoutend style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1038" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="both" space="true">(7)</amend></display>"Program donation" means a donation to the program under Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="53E-7-405">53E-7-405</xref>.</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-39" dnum="10-o:8-i" numlevel="1" lineno="77" slineno="1-58" level="1"><display><amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="1038" style="2" owner="o" level="1" deltag="both">(10)</amend><amendoutend style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1039" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="both" space="true">(8)</amend></display>"Qualifying provider" means:<subsection ssid="1-1-40" dnum="a-o" numlevel="1" lineno="78" slineno="1-59" level="2"><display>(a)</display>an entity that:<subsection ssid="1-1-41" dnum="i-o" numlevel="1" lineno="79" slineno="1-60" level="3"><display>(i)</display>is not a public school and is autonomous and not an agent of the state, in <ln numlevel="1" lineno="80" slineno="1-61"/>accordance with Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="53E-7-406">53E-7-406</xref>; and</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-42" dnum="ii-o" numlevel="1" lineno="81" slineno="1-62" level="3"><display>(ii)</display>meets the requirement described in Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="53E-7-403">53E-7-403</xref>; and</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-43" dnum="b-o" numlevel="1" lineno="82" slineno="1-63" level="2"><display>(b)</display>is an eligible service provider approved by the scholarship granting organization in <ln numlevel="1" lineno="83" slineno="1-64"/>accordance with Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="53E-7-408.5">53E-7-408.5</xref>.</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-44" dnum="11-o:9-i" numlevel="1" lineno="84" slineno="1-65" level="1"><display><amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="1043" style="2" owner="o" level="1" deltag="both">(11)</amend><amendoutend style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1044" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="both" space="true">(9)</amend></display>"Qualifying school" means a private school that:<subsection ssid="1-1-45" dnum="a-o" numlevel="1" lineno="85" slineno="1-66" level="2"><display>(a)</display>provides kindergarten, elementary, or secondary education;</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-46" dnum="b-o" numlevel="1" lineno="86" slineno="1-67" level="2"><display>(b)</display>is approved by the state board under Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="53E-7-408">53E-7-408</xref>; and</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-47" dnum="c-o" numlevel="1" lineno="87" slineno="1-68" level="2"><display>(c)</display>meets the requirements described in Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="53E-7-403">53E-7-403</xref>.</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-48" dnum="12-o:10-i" numlevel="1" lineno="88" slineno="1-69" level="1"><display><amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="1047" style="2" owner="o" level="1" deltag="both">(12)</amend><amendoutend style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1048" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="both" space="true">(10)</amend></display>"Relative" means a father, mother, husband, wife, son, daughter, sister, brother, <ln numlevel="1" lineno="89" slineno="1-70"/>uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, first cousin, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, <ln numlevel="1" lineno="90" slineno="1-71"/>sister-in-law, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law.</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-49" dnum="13-o:11-i" numlevel="1" lineno="91" slineno="1-72" level="1"><display><amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="1048" style="2" owner="o" level="1" deltag="both">(13)</amend><amendoutend style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1049" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="both" space="true">(11)</amend></display>"Scholarship" means a grant awarded to an eligible student:<subsection ssid="1-1-50" dnum="a-o" numlevel="1" lineno="92" slineno="1-73" level="2"><display>(a)</display>by a scholarship granting organization out of program donations; and</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-51" dnum="b-o" numlevel="1" lineno="93" slineno="1-74" level="2"><display>(b)</display>for the purpose of paying for a scholarship expense.</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-52" dnum="14-o:12-i" numlevel="1" lineno="94" slineno="1-75" level="1"><display><amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="1051" style="2" owner="o" level="1" deltag="both">(14)</amend><amendoutend style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1052" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="both" space="true">(12)</amend></display>"Scholarship expense" means an expense that a parent or eligible student incurs <ln numlevel="1" lineno="95" slineno="1-76"/>in the education of the eligible student for goods or a service that a qualifying school or <ln numlevel="1" lineno="96" slineno="1-77"/>qualifying provider provides or facilitates, including:<subsection ssid="1-1-53" dnum="a-o" numlevel="1" lineno="97" slineno="1-78" level="2"><display>(a)</display>published tuition and fees of a qualifying school or qualifying provider;</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-54" dnum="b-o" numlevel="1" lineno="98" slineno="1-79" level="2"><display>(b)</display>fees and instructional materials at a technical college;</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-55" dnum="c-o" numlevel="1" lineno="99" slineno="1-80" level="2"><display>(c)</display>tutoring services;</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-56" dnum="d-o" numlevel="1" lineno="100" slineno="1-81" level="2"><display>(d)</display>fees for after-school or summer education programs;</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-57" dnum="e-o" numlevel="1" lineno="101" slineno="1-82" level="2"><display>(e)</display>textbooks, curricula, or other instructional materials, including any supplemental <ln numlevel="1" lineno="102" slineno="1-83"/>materials or associated online instruction that a curriculum, qualifying provider, or a <ln numlevel="1" lineno="103" slineno="1-84"/>qualifying school recommends;</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-58" dnum="f-o" numlevel="1" lineno="104" slineno="1-85" level="2"><display>(f)</display>educational software and applications;</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-59" dnum="g-o" numlevel="1" lineno="105" slineno="1-86" level="2"><display>(g)</display>supplies or other equipment related to an eligible student's educational needs;</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-60" dnum="h-o" numlevel="1" lineno="106" slineno="1-87" level="2"><display>(h)</display>computer hardware or other technological devices that are intended primarily for an <ln numlevel="1" lineno="107" slineno="1-88"/>eligible student's educational needs;</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-61" dnum="i-o" numlevel="1" lineno="108" slineno="1-89" level="2"><display>(i)</display>fees for the following examinations, or for a preparation course for the following <ln numlevel="1" lineno="109" slineno="1-90"/>examinations, that the scholarship granting organization approves:<subsection ssid="1-1-62" dnum="i-o" numlevel="1" lineno="110" slineno="1-91" level="3"><display>(i)</display>a national norm-referenced or standardized assessment described in Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="53F-6-410"><ln numlevel="1" lineno="111" slineno="1-92"/>53F-6-410</xref>, an advanced placement examination, or another similar assessment;</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-63" dnum="ii-o" numlevel="1" lineno="112" slineno="1-93" level="3"><display>(ii)</display>a state-recognized industry certification examination; and</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-64" dnum="iii-o" numlevel="1" lineno="113" slineno="1-94" level="3"><display>(iii)</display>an examination related to college or university admission;</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-65" dnum="j-o" numlevel="1" lineno="114" slineno="1-95" level="2"><display>(j)</display>educational services for students with disabilities from a licensed or accredited <ln numlevel="1" lineno="115" slineno="1-96"/>practitioner or provider, including occupational, behavioral, physical, audiology, or <ln numlevel="1" lineno="116" slineno="1-97"/>speech-language therapies;</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-66" dnum="k-o" numlevel="1" lineno="117" slineno="1-98" level="2"><display>(k)</display>contracted services that the scholarship granting organization approves and that an <ln numlevel="1" lineno="118" slineno="1-99"/>LEA provides, including individual classes, after-school tutoring services, <ln numlevel="1" lineno="119" slineno="1-100"/>transportation, or fees or costs associated with participation in extracurricular <ln numlevel="1" lineno="120" slineno="1-101"/>activities;</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-67" dnum="l-o" numlevel="1" lineno="121" slineno="1-102" level="2"><display>(l)</display>ride fees or fares for a fee-for-service transportation provider to transport the eligible <ln numlevel="1" lineno="122" slineno="1-103"/>student to and from a qualifying school or qualifying provider, not to exceed $750 in <ln numlevel="1" lineno="123" slineno="1-104"/>a given school year;</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-68" dnum="m-o" numlevel="1" lineno="124" slineno="1-105" level="2"><display>(m)</display>expenses related to extracurricular activities, field trips, educational supplements, <ln numlevel="1" lineno="125" slineno="1-106"/>and other educational experiences; or</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-69" dnum="n-o" numlevel="1" lineno="126" slineno="1-107" level="2"><display>(n)</display>the scholarship granting organization approves in accordance with Subsection <xref depth="3" refnumber="53E-7-405"><ln numlevel="1" lineno="127" slineno="1-108"/>53E-7-405</xref>(3).</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-70" dnum="15-o:13-i" numlevel="1" lineno="128" slineno="1-109" level="1"><display><amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="1069" style="2" owner="o" level="1" deltag="both">(15)</amend><amendoutend style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1070" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="both" space="true">(13)</amend></display>"Scholarship granting organization" means an organization that is:<subsection ssid="1-1-71" dnum="a-o" numlevel="1" lineno="129" slineno="1-110" level="2"><display>(a)</display>qualified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3), Internal Revenue Code; and</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-72" dnum="b-o" numlevel="1" lineno="130" slineno="1-111" level="2"><display>(b)</display>recognized through an agreement with the state board as a scholarship granting <ln numlevel="1" lineno="131" slineno="1-112"/>organization, as described in Section <xref depth="3" refnumber="53E-7-404">53E-7-404</xref>.</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-73" dnum="16-o:14-i" numlevel="1" lineno="132" slineno="1-113" level="1"><display><amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="1072" style="2" owner="o" level="1" deltag="both">(16)</amend><amendoutend style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1073" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="both" space="true">(14)</amend></display>"Scholarship student" means an eligible student, including a home-based <ln numlevel="1" lineno="133" slineno="1-114"/>scholarship student, who receives a scholarship under this part.</subsection><subsection ssid="1-1-74" dnum="17-o:15-i" numlevel="1" lineno="134" slineno="1-115" level="1"><display><amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="1073" style="2" owner="o" level="1" deltag="both">(17)</amend><amendoutend style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1074" style="1" owner="i" level="1" amendtag="both" space="true">(15)</amend></display>"Value of the weighted pupil unit" means the amount established each year in the <ln numlevel="1" lineno="135" slineno="1-116"/>enacted public education budget that is multiplied by the number of weighted pupil units <ln numlevel="1" lineno="136" slineno="1-117"/>to yield the funding level for the basic state-supported school program.</subsection></section></bsec><bsec buid="2" num="53E-7-402" type="amend" src="code" uid="C53E-7-S402_2025050720250507" sort="53E07 04020020250507" numlevel="1" lineno="137" slineno="2-1" sn="2"><section number="53E-7-402" numlevel="1" lineno="138" slineno="2-2" type="amend"><secline lineno="137">Section 2, Section <bold>53E-7-402</bold> is amended to read:</secline><catline lineno="138"><bold>53E-7-402. Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program.</bold></catline><subsection ssid="2-2-1" dnum="1-o" numlevel="1" lineno="139" slineno="2-3" level="1" placement="noreturn"><display>(1)</display>There is established the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program under which a <ln numlevel="1" lineno="140" slineno="2-4"/>parent may apply to a scholarship granting organization on behalf of the parent's student <ln numlevel="1" lineno="141" slineno="2-5"/>for a scholarship to help cover the cost of a scholarship expense.</subsection><subsection ssid="2-2-2" dnum="2-o" numlevel="1" lineno="142" slineno="2-6" level="1" space="false"><display>(2)</display><subsection ssid="2-2-3" dnum="a-o" level="2" placement="sameline"><display>(a)</display>A scholarship granting organization shall award, in accordance with this part, <ln numlevel="1" lineno="143" slineno="2-7"/>scholarships to eligible students.</subsection><subsection ssid="2-2-4" dnum="b-o" numlevel="1" lineno="144" slineno="2-8" level="2"><display>(b)</display>In awarding scholarships, a scholarship granting organization shall give priority to an <ln numlevel="1" lineno="145" slineno="2-9"/>eligible student described in Subsection <xref depth="3" refnumber="53E-7-401">53E-7-401</xref>(1)(a) by:<subsection ssid="2-2-5" dnum="i-o" numlevel="1" lineno="146" slineno="2-10" level="3"><display>(i)</display>establishing an August 10 deadline for an eligible student described in Subsection <xref depth="3" refnumber="53E-7-401"><ln numlevel="1" lineno="147" slineno="2-11"/>53E-7-401</xref>(1)(b) to apply for a scholarship; and</subsection><subsection ssid="2-2-6" dnum="ii-o" numlevel="1" lineno="148" slineno="2-12" level="3"><display>(ii)</display>awarding a scholarship to an eligible student described in Subsection <xref tempid="617" depth="4" refnumber="53E-7-401(2)(b)"><ln numlevel="1" lineno="149" slineno="2-13"/>53E-7-401(2)(b)</xref> only if funds exist after awarding scholarships to all eligible <ln numlevel="1" lineno="150" slineno="2-14"/>students described in Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="53E-7-401(2)(a)">53E-7-401(2)(a)</xref> who have applied and qualify.</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="2-2-7" dnum="c-o" numlevel="1" lineno="151" slineno="2-15" level="2"><display>(c)</display>Subject to available funds, a scholarship awarded to an eligible student described in <ln numlevel="1" lineno="152" slineno="2-16"/>Subsection 53E-7-401(2)(b) shall be for a similar term as a scholarship awarded to <ln numlevel="1" lineno="153" slineno="2-17"/>the eligible student's sibling.</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="2-2-8" dnum="3-o" numlevel="1" lineno="154" slineno="2-18" level="1"><display>(3)</display>A scholarship granting organization shall determine a full-year scholarship award to pay <ln numlevel="1" lineno="155" slineno="2-19"/>for the cost of one or more scholarship expenses in an amount not more than:<subsection ssid="2-2-9" dnum="a-o" numlevel="1" lineno="156" slineno="2-20" level="2"><display>(a)</display>for an eligible student described in Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="53E-7-401(2)(a)">53E-7-401(2)(a)</xref> who is:<subsection ssid="2-2-10" dnum="i-o" numlevel="1" lineno="157" slineno="2-21" level="3"><display>(i)</display>in kindergarten through grade 12<amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="9" groupid="7" style="1" owner="jchristopherson" level="1" amendtag="both">,</amend> <amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="3" groupid="2" style="2" owner="jchristopherson" level="1" deltag="both">and whose family income is:</amend><amendoutend style="2"/><subsection ssid="2-2-11" dnum="A-o:_-i" numlevel="1" lineno="158" slineno="2-22" ea="erase" anum="0" owner="jchristopherson" style="2" level="4"><display><amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="1084" style="2" owner="o" level="1" deltag="start">(A)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="5" groupid="4" style="2" owner="jchristopherson" level="1" deltag="end">at or below 185% of the federal poverty level, </amend><amendoutend style="2"/>the value of the weighted <ln numlevel="1" lineno="159" slineno="2-23"/>pupil unit multiplied by 2.5; <amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="15" groupid="12" style="1" owner="jchristopherson" level="1" amendtag="both">and</amend></subsection><subsection ssid="2-2-12" dnum="B-o:_-i" numlevel="1" lineno="160" slineno="2-24" ea="erase" anum="0" owner="jchristopherson" style="2" level="4"><display><amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="1085" style="2" owner="o" level="1" deltag="start">(B)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="10" groupid="8" style="2" owner="jchristopherson" level="1" deltag="end">except as provided in Subsection (3)(a)(i)(C), above 185% of the federal <ln numlevel="1" lineno="161" slineno="2-25"/>poverty level, the value of the weighted pupil unit multiplied by two; or</amend><amendoutend style="2"/></subsection><subsection ssid="2-2-13" dnum="C-o:_-i" numlevel="1" lineno="162" slineno="2-26" ea="erase" anum="0" owner="jchristopherson" style="2" level="4"><display><amendoutstart style="2"/><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="1086" style="2" owner="o" level="1" deltag="start">(C)</amend></display><amend anum="0" ea="erase" pairid="13" groupid="10" style="2" owner="jchristopherson" level="1" deltag="end">above 185% of the federal poverty level and the eligible student would have <ln numlevel="1" lineno="163" slineno="2-27"/>received an average of 180 minutes per day or more of special education <ln numlevel="1" lineno="164" slineno="2-28"/>services in a public school before transferring to a private school, the value of <ln numlevel="1" lineno="165" slineno="2-29"/>the weighted pupil unit multiplied by 2.5; or</amend><amendoutend style="2"/></subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="2-2-14" dnum="ii-o" numlevel="1" lineno="166" slineno="2-30" level="3"><display>(ii)</display>in preschool, the value of the weighted pupil unit; or</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="2-2-15" dnum="b-o" numlevel="1" lineno="167" slineno="2-31" level="2"><display>(b)</display>for an eligible student described in Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="53E-7-401(2)(b)">53E-7-401(2)(b)</xref>, half the value of the <ln numlevel="1" lineno="168" slineno="2-32"/>weighted pupil unit.</subsection></subsection><subsection ssid="2-2-16" dnum="4-o" numlevel="1" lineno="169" slineno="2-33" level="1"><display>(4)</display>Eligibility for a scholarship as determined by a multidisciplinary evaluation team under <ln numlevel="1" lineno="170" slineno="2-34"/>this program does not establish eligibility for an IEP under the Individuals with <ln numlevel="1" lineno="171" slineno="2-35"/>Disabilities Education Act, Subchapter II, 20 U.S.C. Secs. 1400 to 1419, and is not <ln numlevel="1" lineno="172" slineno="2-36"/>binding on any LEA that is required to provide an IEP under the Individuals with <ln numlevel="1" lineno="173" slineno="2-37"/>Disabilities Education Act.</subsection><subsection ssid="2-2-17" dnum="5-o" numlevel="1" lineno="174" slineno="2-38" level="1"><display>(5)</display>The scholarship granting organizations shall prepare and disseminate information on the <ln numlevel="1" lineno="175" slineno="2-39"/>program to a parent applying for a scholarship on behalf of a student.</subsection></section></bsec><bsec buid="6" type="uncod" untype="effdate" src="uncod" uid="EF0000" sort="UZEFF" langlock="true" numlevel="1" lineno="176" slineno="3-1" sn="3"><section type="uncod" untype="effdate" display="false" src="uncod"><secline lineno="176">Section 3.  <bold>Effective Date.</bold></secline><sectionText lineno="177"><amend anum="0" ea="amend" pairid="1" groupid="1" style="1" owner="jchristopherson" level="1" amendtag="both">This bill takes effect on <effdate uid="code" date="5/7/2025">May 7, 2025</effdate>.</amend></sectionText></section></bsec></bdy><foot><rev><tm>2-11-25 1:22 PM</tm></rev></foot></leg>