Bill Text: MS HB33 | 2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Act; revise definition of "eligible student" to include those with an active IEP for past five years.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2016-04-18 - Approved by Governor [HB33 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2016-HB33-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Education
By: Representatives Moore, Dixon
House Bill 33
(As Sent to Governor)
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-181-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "ELIGIBLE STUDENT" TO INCLUDE ANY STUDENT WHO HAS HAD AN ACTIVE IEP WITHIN THE PAST FIVE YEARS OF THE DATE APPLICATION AS A QUALIFICATION FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 37-181-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-181-3. The terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) "Program" means a five-year pilot program to implement the Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program created in this chapter.
(b) "Eligible
student" means any student who has had an active Individualized Education
Program (IEP) within the past * * * five (5) years.
(c) "Parent" means a resident of this state who is a parent, legal guardian, custodian or other person with the authority to act on behalf of the eligible student.
(d) "Department" means the State Department of Education.
(e) "Home school district" means the public school district in which the student resides.
(f) "Eligible school" means a nonpublic school that has enrolled a participating student. An eligible school must be accredited by a state or regional accrediting agency or possess a provisional letter of accreditation from a state or regional accrediting agency or be approved/licensed by the State Department of Education. An eligible school does not include a home instruction program under Section 37-13-91, Mississippi Code of 1972.
(g) "Tutor" means a person who is certified or licensed by a state, regional, or national certification or licensing organization or who has earned a valid teacher's license or who has experience teaching at an eligible postsecondary institution.
(h) "Postsecondary institution" means a community college, college, or university accredited by a state, regional or national accrediting organization.
(i) "Educational service provider" means an eligible school, tutor, or other person or organization that provides education-related services and products to participating students.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2016.
