Bill No. S0062
Bill ID
1896088
State
SC
Title
SC SB 62 - Education Scholarship Trust Fund
Description
PFPS Summary: SB 62 significantly expands South Carolina's existing education savings account voucher program. It expands eligibility to all children over five from families under 300% of the poverty line in 2025-26, 500% in 2026-27 and entirely eliminating income caps from 2026 onwards. It also expands the list of eligible expenses and gives the state department of education the authority to authorize new ones. It increases the voucher amount from $6000 to $7,500 per year in 2025-26 and provides that the voucher amount grows in future years at the same rate as state public school per-pupil funding. The bill removes the requirement that parents must sign an agreement documenting an IEP consultation. The bill states that if the ESTF is to cease, the money "shall be directed to an educational purpose" rather than reverting to the state general fund. The bill establishes a Trustee of the ESTF who is not a public employee and is appointed by the superintendent to serve at will. Rather than the department making payments to the ESAs, the bill directs that the Trustee shall make such payments. The Trustee is to transfer funds to the department to cover administration costs (increased from two to seven percent). The bill removes a cap on the program -- eliminating the cap of 15,000 for the 2027-2028 school year onward such that the program size will be determined by program enrollment, demand, and an appropriation. Removes the requirement that voucher students attending virtually must attend school in-person once per semester to monitor student wellness and screen for abuse and neglect.
Bill Type
Bill
Category
Change to Program, Program Expansion, ESAs, Decreases Accountability
Session
126th General Assembly
Special Session
No Data Available
Current Status
Passed
Status Last Updated
2025-05-12
Pending Committee
Calendar
Sponsors
Texts
Votes
Amendments
No data available