HF2895

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to establish a program for Education Empowerment Accounts (EEAs) in Minnesota. This program is designed to provide financial resources to eligible students and their families to cover various educational expenses, promoting educational choice and flexibility.

Main Provisions

• Eligibility and Participation: Minnesota students eligible to enroll in public schools, from prekindergarten through grade 12, can participate in the program. Upon request, an individual EEA is created for each eligible student by their parent or guardian.

• Funding and Use of Accounts: Each student's EEA will receive funding equal to the statewide average general education revenue per pupil, adjusted by grade level. Parents must use these funds for designated educational expenses, such as tuition, textbooks, exams, and educational therapies.

• Account Regulations: The accounts can cover postsecondary costs if funds remain after high school graduation. If a student returns to a Minnesota public school, their EEA will be closed, and remaining funds will revert to the state.

• Financial Management: State and federal funds will be allocated to these accounts annually. The Minnesota Commissioner of Education is responsible for overseeing the fund's management, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a new Education Empowerment Account system to provide financial assistance directly to students for education-related expenses, encouraging personalized education pathways.

• Establishes guidelines for the use and administration of these accounts, with potential impacts on school funding distributions and parental control over education spending.

Relevant Terms

education empowerment accounts, nonpublic schools, eligible student, educational expenses, state funds, federal funds, postsecondary education, account funding, Minnesota Department of Education