HB 0677 2004
1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to the John M. McKay Scholarships for
3	Students with Disabilities Program; amending s. 1002.39,
4	F.S.; requiring private schools that desire eligibility to
5	participate in the John M. McKay Scholarships for Students
6	with Disabilities Program to demonstrate previous
7	experience in providing educational services to students
8	with disabilities, to provide the legal business name for
9	each business in which the private school has been
10	involved, to provide certain information about the private
11	school, its directors, officers, owners, and general
12	partners, and to employ or contract with teachers who are
13	certified in certain areas; providing an effective date.
14
15	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
16
17	Section 1. Paragraphs (a) and (f) of subsection (4) of
18	section 1002.39, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
19	1002.39 The John M. McKay Scholarships for Students with
20	Disabilities Program.--There is established a program that is
21	separate and distinct from the Opportunity Scholarship Program
22	and is named the John M. McKay Scholarships for Students with
23	Disabilities Program, pursuant to this section.
24	(4) PRIVATE SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY.--To be eligible to
25	participate in the John M. McKay Scholarships for Students with
26	Disabilities Program, a private school must be a Florida private
27	school, may be sectarian or nonsectarian, and must:
28	(a)1.Demonstrate fiscal soundness by being in operation
29	for 1 school year or provide the Department of Education with a
30	statement by a certified public accountant confirming that the
31	private school desiring to participate is insured and the owner
32	or owners have sufficient capital or credit to operate the
33	school for the upcoming year serving the number of students
34	anticipated with expected revenues from tuition and other
35	sources that may be reasonably expected. In lieu of such a
36	statement, a surety bond or letter of credit for the amount
37	equal to the scholarship funds for any quarter may be filed with
38	the department.
39	2.a. Demonstrate, based on an affidavit verified by an
40	attorney, previous experience for a period of not less than 1
41	year as a private school engaged in providing education and
42	services to students with disabilities, as defined in subsection
43	(1), by each grade level;
44	b. Provide, for each business engaged in by the private
45	school during the previous 2 years, the legal business name, the
46	mailing address, and business locations and provide the full
47	names, addresses, and telephone numbers of its owners or
48	corporate officers and directors and the Florida agent of the
49	corporation; and
50	c. Provide information as to whether the private school or
51	any of its directors, officers, owners, or general partners:
52	(I) Has been convicted of a crime involving fraud or
53	dishonest dealing; or
54	(II) Has not satisfied any fine or penalty arising out of
55	any administrative or civil enforcement action brought by any
56	governmental agency or private person based upon conduct
57	involving fraud or dishonest dealing.
58	(f) Beginning in the 2004-2005 school year,employ or
59	contract with teachers who are certified for the grade level,
60	each subject area, the exceptional student education program,
61	and each exceptionality in which the teachers provide
62	instruction to a recipient of a John M. McKay Scholarship hold
63	baccalaureate or higher degrees, or have at least 3 years of
64	teaching experience in public or private schools, or have
65	special skills, knowledge, or expertise that qualifies them to
66	provide instruction in subjects taught.
67	Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.