The Senate completed legislative action Wednesday on a bill that would create the Hope Scholarship Program.
House Bill 2013 would establish publicly funded education savings accounts for public school students interested in switching to private or home school.
The Hope Scholarship Program would give students a voucher equal to about $4,600 a year to start, but that could fluctuate depending on the annual state School Aid Formula. The vouchers could be used for things like tuition at a private school, for tutoring, for standardized exams, or for after school programs.
Initial rollout of the Hope Scholarship Program is expected to cost the state about $23 million in its first year according to a fiscal note provided by the West Virginia Department of Education.
The West Virginia Department of Education estimates this expansion of the program could cost the state an additional $100 million a year beginning in the 2027-2028 school year if all current homeschool and private school students received the education vouchers.
The bills now heads to the Governor’s desk to await his signature.
The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, March 18, at 11 a.m.
Economic Development will meet 20 minutes after session in 451M.
Pensions will meet 15 minutes after Economic Development in 451M.
Judiciary will meet at 3 p.m. in 208W.
Finance will meet at 3 p.m. in 451M.
