Montana SB253: Revise administrative and certification processes for student scholarship organizations

What the bill says

An act generally revising laws related to student scholarship organizations; requiring a student scholarship organization to apply for certification from the department of revenue; establishing requirements for certification; ensuring a parent's right to select an education provider; increasing transparency and accountability requirements for student scholarship organizations; revising a definition; providing an appropriation; amending sections 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-303105, and 15-30-3106, mca; and providing effective dates.

From the engrossed text:

AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING LAWS RELATED TO STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP ORGANIZATIONS; REQUIRING A STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP ORGANIZATION TO APPLY FOR CERTIFICATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; ESTABLISHING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION; ENSURING A PARENT'S RIGHT TO SELECT AN EDUCATION PROVIDER; INCREASING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP ORGANIZATIONS; REVISING A DEFINITION; PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION; AMENDING SECTIONS 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-303105, AND 15-30-3106, MCA; AND PROVIDING EFFECTIVE DATES. Section 1. Section 15-30-3102, MCA, is amended to read: "15-30-3102. (Temporary) Definitions. As used in this part, the following definitions apply: (1) "Department" means the department of revenue provided for in 2-15-1301. (2) "Donation" means a gift of cash. (3) "Eligible student" means a student who is a Montana resident and who is 5 years of age or older on or before September 10 of the year of attendance and has not yet reached 19 years of age. (4) "Innovative educational program" includes any of the (b) advanced opportunity as defined in 20-7-1503; (c) any program, service, instructional methodology, or adaptive equipment used to expand opportunity for a child with a disability as defined in 20-7-401; (d) any courses provided through work-based learning partnerships or for postsecondary credit or career certification; (e) technology enhancements, including but not limited to any expenditure incurred for purposes - 1 - Authorized Print Version - SB 253 ENROLLED BILL - …

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