HOUSE AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS/CS/HB 303 Barcode 571107
Amendment No. 1 (for drafter's use only)
CHAMBER ACTION
Senate House
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11 Representative(s) Lacasa offered the following:
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13 Substitute Amendment to Amendment (543621)
14 On page 3, line 17 through page 6, line 15
15 remove from the bill: all of said lines
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17 and insert in lieu thereof:
18 (c) Opt to request, on an annual basis, a
19 S.C.R.I.P.T. grant of $3,000 to assist the parent in paying
20 for the student's attendance at an eligible private school of
21 the parent's choice.
22 (5) SCHOOL DISTRICT OBLIGATIONS.--
23 (a) Each school district shall annually by February
24 22, for each K-12 student eligible under subsection (4) in a
25 school that meets the definition of an overcrowded school
26 pursuant to subsection (3), notify the parent that the school
27 is overcrowded and provide the parent with the parental choice
28 options for the following school year as provided in
29 subsection (4).
30 (b) Notification shall be published on the school
31 district web site, in area newspapers, and by written notice
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File original & 9 copies 03/19/01
hll0002 04:57 pm 00303-0117-571107
HOUSE AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS/CS/HB 303 Barcode 571107
Amendment No. 1 (for drafter's use only)
1 sent home with the student, and must include a listing of the
2 public schools, including charter schools, within the district
3 that do not meet the definition of an overcrowded school
4 pursuant to subsection (3).
5 (6) PARENT OBLIGATIONS.--
6 (a) The parent shall notify the school district as to
7 which of the options provided in subsection (4) the parent
8 wishes to choose.
9 1. Failure of the parent to provide notification shall
10 constitute the choice of the option provided by paragraph
11 (4)(a).
12 2. If the parent chooses the option provided by
13 paragraph (4)(b), the parent shall inform the school district
14 by March 31 which public school the parent has selected, and
15 the parent shall agree to provide any necessary transportation
16 for the student to the selected public school.
17 3. If the parent chooses the option provided by
18 paragraph (4)(c), the parent must:
19 a. Obtain acceptance for admission of the student to a
20 private school eligible under subsection (7) as soon as
21 possible, and inform the private school that the student will
22 be using a S.C.R.I.P.T. grant; or, if the parent is unable to
23 obtain acceptance for admission or for any reason decides not
24 to participate in the program, notify the school district as
25 soon as possible, so that the option in paragraph (4)(c) can
26 be made available to another parent.
27 b. Notify the Department of Education by July 1 of the
28 parent's request for a S.C.R.I.P.T. grant and the name and
29 address of the selected private school.
30 c. Agree to provide transportation for the student to
31 the private school if necessary.
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File original & 9 copies 03/19/01
hll0002 04:57 pm 00303-0117-571107
HOUSE AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS/CS/HB 303 Barcode 571107
Amendment No. 1 (for drafter's use only)
1 d. Agree to pay any costs associated with the
2 student's attendance at the private school that exceed the
3 annual amount of the S.C.R.I.P.T. grant.
4 e. Agree that the education provided by the private
5 school selected shall satisfy the student's full need for
6 educational services from the student's school.
7 (b) After the first year of the student's attending a
8 private school under the S.C.R.I.P.T. grants program, the
9 parent must annually notify the Department of Education no
10 later than July 1 if the parent intends to renew the grant
11 according to the provisions of subsection (9) in order for the
12 student to continue in the program, together with the name and
13 address of the private school selected for the student for the
14 following school year.
15 (7) PRIVATE SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY.--Eligibility of a
16 private school shall be determined by the parental oversight
17 and accountability requirements that, coupled with the
18 exercise of parental choice, are reasonably necessary to
19 secure the educational public purpose. To be eligible to
20 participate in the S.C.R.I.P.T. grants program, a private
21 school must be a Florida private school, may be sectarian or
22 nonsectarian, and must:
23 (a) Demonstrate fiscal soundness by being in operation
24 for 1 school year or provide the Department of Education with
25 a statement by a certified public accountant confirming that
26 the private school desiring to participate is insured and the
27 owner or owners have sufficient capital or credit to operate
28 the school for the upcoming year serving the number of
29 students anticipated with expected revenues from tuition and
30 other sources that may be reasonably expected. In lieu of such
31 a statement, a surety bond or letter of credit for the amount
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hll0002 04:57 pm 00303-0117-571107
HOUSE AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS/CS/HB 303 Barcode 571107
Amendment No. 1 (for drafter's use only)
1 equal to the S.C.R.I.P.T. grants funds for any school year may
2 be filed with the department.
3 (b) Notify the Department of Education and the school
4 district in the service area in which the school is located of
5 its intent to participate in the program under this section as
6 early as possible, but no later than July 1 preceding the
7 school year in which it intends to participate. The notice
8 shall specify the grade levels and services that the private
9 school has available for the S.C.R.I.P.T. grants program.
10 (c) Comply with the antidiscrimination provisions of
11 42 U.S.C. s. 2000d.
12 (d) Meet state and local health and safety laws and
13 codes.
14 (e) Comply with all state statutes applicable to the
15 general regulation of private schools.
16 (f) If a S.C.R.I.P.T. grant student's parent so
17 requests, coordinate with the local school district the
18 locations and times for the student to take all statewide
19 assessments pursuant to s. 229.57.
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File original & 9 copies 03/19/01
hll0002 04:57 pm 00303-0117-571107