School Choice Expansion Passes First Hurdle in the House

HB 15 by Representative Jennifer Sullivan (R-Eustis) passed (12-3) its first committee of reference on Tuesday, March 7. The bill contains several provisions that increase access to school choice, including: 

• expanding the McKay Scholarship Program for students with disabilities by reducing the requirement to spend the prior year in a public school to a semester or less;
• establishing a higher per-child scholarship amount for middle and high school students in the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program; and
• expanding eligibility for Gardiner Scholarship Program to include students with a disability of "other health impaired" such as ADHD/ADD.

FCCB supports the rights of parents to choose the educational environment that best meets the needs of their children. Conference staff indicated support for the measure during the committee hearing.