Modifying provisions related to application periods for the education savings account program

This bill modifies provisions related to application periods for the education savings account program. The education savings account program is a program that provides funds to pupils who attend nonpublic schools to pay for qualified educational expenses, including but not limited to tuition, tutoring or cognitive skill training fees, educational therapy costs, software expenses, and expenses related to course materials. Under current law, the parent or guardian of a pupil is required to submit an application for payment under the education savings account program to the department of education on or after January 1, but on or before June 30, preceding the school year for which the education savings account payment is requested. The bill allows the parent or guardian of a pupil to submit such an application on or after December 1, but on or before December 20, preceding the semester for which the education savings account payment is requested. Additionally, under current law each education savings account payment is equal to the regular program state cost per pupil for the same school budget year. The bill provides that, if the parent or guardian of a pupil submitted such an application on or after December 1, but on or before December 20, preceding the semester for which the education savings account payment is requested, the education savings account payment for such pupil is equal to 50 percent of the regular program state cost per pupil for the same school budget year. The bill also requires that, when an education savings account payment is used for tuition owed to a nonpublic school, the department of education or the third-party entity must pay the amount to the school within 30 days. The bill makes conforming changes.