SB141 (2023) Compare Changes


The Bill Text indicates a new section is being inserted. This situation is not handled right now, and the new text is displayed in both the changed and unchanged versions.

Unchanged Version

Text to be removed highlighted in red.

1 Education Freedom Accounts; Definition; Eligible Student. Amend RSA 194-F:1, VI to read as follows:

VI. "Eligible student" means a resident of this state who is eligible to enroll in a public elementary or secondary school and whose annual household income at the time the student applies for the program is less than or equal to 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines as updated annually in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services under 42 U.S.C. section 9902(2). No income threshold need be met in subsequent years, provided the student otherwise qualifies. Students in the special school district within the department of corrections established in RSA 194:60 shall not be eligible students.

2 Program Funds. Amend RSA 194-F:2, VII to read as follows:

VII. An EFA shall remain in force, and any unused funds shall roll over from quarter-to-quarter and from year-to-year until the parent withdraws the EFA student from the EFA program or until the EFA student graduates from high school, unless the EFA is closed because of a substantial misuse of funds. Any unused funds shall revert to the education trust fund established in RSA 198:39 and be allocated to fund other EFAs.

3 Education Freedom Accounts; Application. Amend RSA 194-F:3, I to read as follows:

I. A parent may apply to the scholarship organization to establish an EFA for an eligible student . The scholarship organization shall accept and approve applications for the fall and spring semesters each year and shall establish procedures for approving applications in an expeditious manner.

4 New Paragraph; Program; Department of Education; Reporting. Amend RSA 194-F:2 by inserting after paragraph IX the following new paragraph:

X. The department shall report annually by July 1 to the legislative oversight committee established in RSA 194-F:12 and to the chairpersons of the education committees of the house of representatives and senate, on the number of students in each school district that are participating in the EFA program.

5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.

Changed Version

Text to be added highlighted in green.

1 Education Freedom Accounts; Definition; Eligible Student. Amend RSA 194-F:1, VI to read as follows:

VI. "Eligible student" means a resident of this state who is eligible to enroll in a public elementary or secondary school and whose annual household income at the time the student applies for the program , and for each school year during the student 's participation, is less than or equal to 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines as updated annually in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services under 42 U.S.C. section 9902(2). Students in the special school district within the department of corrections established in RSA 194:60 shall not be eligible students.

2 Program Funds. Amend RSA 194-F:2, VII to read as follows:

VII. An EFA shall remain in force, and any unused funds shall roll over from quarter-to-quarter until the parent withdraws the EFA student from the EFA program , the student becomes ineligible, or until the EFA student graduates from high school, unless the EFA is closed because of a substantial misuse of funds. Any unused funds shall revert to the education trust fund established in RSA 198:39 .

3 Education Freedom Accounts; Application. Amend RSA 194-F:3, I to read as follows:

I. A parent may apply to the scholarship organization to establish an EFA for an eligible student who is currently attending a New Hampshire public school, including a chartered public school, for a minimum of one year, or who is entering kindergarten or first grade . The scholarship organization shall accept and approve applications for the fall and spring semesters each year and shall establish procedures for approving applications in an expeditious manner.

4 New Paragraph; Program; Department of Education; Reporting. Amend RSA 194-F:2 by inserting after paragraph IX the following new paragraph:

X. The department shall report annually by July 1 to the legislative oversight committee established in RSA 194-F:12 and to the chairpersons of the education committees of the house of representatives and senate, on the number of students in each school district that are participating in the EFA program.

5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.