HB640 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Ball

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Chad FincherSteve McMillanPhil WilliamsMary Sue McClurkinTerri CollinsDavid Sessions

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Alabama Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program (ASSDP), established, disabled students provided with option of attending different public school or receiving scholarship to attend private school

Summary

HB640 creates the Alabama Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program (ASSDP), letting eligible students with disabilities attend a different public school or a private school with state-funded scholarships.

What This Bill Does

The program allows eligible K-12 students with disabilities (per IEP or 504 plan) to request a scholarship to enroll in a private school or to attend a public school other than the one assigned. It requires the Department of Education and local districts to determine eligibility, oversee participating private schools, and require a matrix of services for each student. Scholarships are funded from state education funds, using a formula based on the district’s Foundation Program allocation and other factors, with payments made quarterly to parents for deposit to the chosen private school. The act also sets rules on parental choices, transportation, ongoing oversight, and enforcement, including potential actions against noncompliant private schools.

Who It Affects

• Students with disabilities (K-12) who meet eligibility criteria (IEP or 504 plan) and may choose to transfer to another public school or enroll in a private school with a scholarship.
• Participating private schools (and their operators) that accept ASSDP scholarships, must meet program requirements, undergo accountability measures, and may face suspension or denial of participation for noncompliance.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program (ASSDP) to allow eligible students to attend a different public school or a private school with a state-funded scholarship.
• Defines eligible disabilities and requires an active IEP or 504 plan to qualify; sets criteria for who may participate and prohibitions on participation in certain other programs.
• Outlines parental eligibility and the process to request a scholarship, including a 60-day notice before the first scholarship payment and steps to enroll the child in a private school or move to another public school; includes transportation responsibilities.
• Sets the funding formula: scholarship amount equals the base Foundation Program allocation (with cost factors) plus a share of funds for exceptional children, plus adjustments for district calculations and private-school participation; payments occur quarterly upon verification of enrollment and attendance.
• Requires private schools to participate and meet standards, provide required documentation, be academically accountable to parents, maintain a physical location, and undergo annual compliance and random site visits; noncompliance can lead to denial, suspension, or removal from the program.
• Provides state-level oversight: a toll-free hotline, annual verification of participating private schools, procedures for notifying violations, hearings for private schools facing action, and suspension of scholarship payments in cases of health/safety risk or suspected fraud.
• Pertains to public-school transportation and district responsibilities for student placement, matrix development of services, and transfer procedures between public and private options; establishes timelines for matrix completion and notifications to parents.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education