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March 20, 2023HB 1 (Tuck) and SB 202 (Simon) will expand state scholarship programs so that education savings accounts (ESAs) are available to all students eligible to attend a public school in Florida, including homeschool students. Scholarships will no longer solely be based on income or disability. Additionally, ESAs will allow parents more flexibility in spending scholarship funds. Allowable uses include: part-time or full-time private school tuition; tuition and fees for full-time or part-time enrollment in a homeschool program; instructional materials or curriculum; programs offered by postsecondary institutions; apprenticeship programs; private tutoring; and virtual programs and online courses. The bills also significantly increase access to larger scholarships for students with disabilities by increasing the enrollment cap. The allowable uses of ESA funds for students with disabilities, in addition to those listed above, include such services as speech therapy, occupational therapy, applied behavior analysis, and physical therapy. FCCB supports this expansion of school choice that will allow all parents to choose the educational environment that best meets the needs of their children.
SB 202 received approval from the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday morning by a 12-6 vote and is available to be taken up by the full Senate. The full House debated HB 1 on Friday and passed the bill by a vote of 83-27. The bill is now in messages to the Senate.