HB334 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Danny GarrettRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

To create the Students with Unique Needs (SUN) Education Scholarship Account Act and Program; to allow parents to use funds in an education scholarship account to provide an individualized education program for their children.

Summary

HB334 creates the SUN Education Scholarship Account Program that lets eligible students’ families use state funds to pay for an individualized education program outside or in addition to traditional public schooling.

What This Bill Does

The bill establishes the SUN Education Scholarship Account Program, defines who qualifies, and provides funding through education scholarship accounts. Each participating eligible student would receive 95% of the gross per-student cost of the public K-12 foundation program for the applicable year, with initial funding limited to 500 students in 2024-2025 and 500 more each year thereafter. Funds can be used for specific qualifying expenses (like tuition, textbooks, tutoring, curricula, approved online programs, and services for students with disabilities) and may be paid to participating schools or providers or reimbursed to families. Unused funds are returned to the student’s resident district, and the program includes oversight, audits, fraud reporting, and penalties for misuse.

Who It Affects

• Eligible students and their parents/guardians: may use state-funded accounts to pay for approved educational services and must sign an agreement outlining education expectations and restrictions.
• Participating private schools and education service providers: may receive payments or reimbursements for qualified expenses, must meet program requirements, provide receipts, and be subject to audits and potential disqualification for fraud.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Students with Unique Needs (SUN) Education Scholarship Account Program and defines eligible students and participating entities.
• Eligibility criteria include children of certain armed forces members, students with 504/IEP plans, foster children, and homeless students, among others.
• Funding: the state deposits 95% of the gross per-student Foundation Program cost into each eligible student’s education scholarship account.
• Qualifying expenses include tuition/fees at participating/private schools, textbooks, private tutoring, curricula, nonpublic online learning, certain assessments, and education services for students with disabilities.
• Program cap: limited to 500 students in 2024-2025, with 500 additional new enrollments allowed in each following school year.
• Participating schools/providers may be paid directly or reimbursed; a system must exist for preapproval and reimbursement of qualifying expenses.
• Oversight and accountability: includes audits, fraud reporting mechanisms, and the possibility to bar providers for fraud or noncompliance, with an administrative appeal process.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Student's with Unique Needs (SUN) Education Scholarship Account Act