Virginia Parental Choice Education Savings Accounts; established, report. (HB1605)

Introduced By

Del. Dave LaRock (R-Loudoun) with support from co-patron Sen. Amanda Chase (R-Midlothian)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Parental Choice Education Savings Accounts established. Permits the parent of a public preschool, elementary, or secondary school student to apply to the school division in which the student resides for a one-year, renewable Parental Choice Education Savings Account that consists of an amount that is equivalent to a certain percentage of all applicable annual Standards of Quality per pupil state funds appropriated for public school purposes and apportioned to the resident school division in which the student resides, including the per pupil share of state sales tax funding in basic aid and any state per pupil share of special education funding to which the student is eligible. The bill permits the parent to use the moneys in such account for certain education-related expenses of the student, including tuition, deposits, fees, and required textbooks at a private sectarian, or nonsectarian elementary or secondary school or preschool that is located in the Commonwealth and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin. The bill also contains provisions relating to auditing, rescinding, and reviewing expenses made from such accounts. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/03/2017Committee
01/03/2017Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17100986D
01/03/2017Referred to Committee on Education
01/13/2017Assigned Education sub: Education Innovation
01/24/2017Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment (4-Y 3-N)
01/25/2017Reported from Education with amendment (12-Y 9-N) (see vote tally)
01/25/2017Referred to Committee on Appropriations
01/25/2017Assigned App. sub: Elementary & Secondary Education
01/27/2017Impact statement from DPB (HB1605)
01/31/2017Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 0-N)
02/01/2017Reported from Appropriations (12-Y 7-N) (see vote tally)
02/03/2017Read first time
02/06/2017Read second time
02/06/2017Committee amendment agreed to
02/06/2017Engrossed by House as amended HB1605E
02/06/2017Printed as engrossed 17100986D-E
02/07/2017Read third time and passed House (49-Y 47-N)
02/07/2017VOTE: PASSAGE (49-Y 47-N) (see vote tally)
02/08/2017Constitutional reading dispensed
02/08/2017Referred to Committee on Education and Health
02/14/2017Impact statement from DPB (HB1605E)
02/16/2017Reported from Education and Health with substitute (8-Y 7-N) (see vote tally)
02/16/2017Committee substitute printed 17105590D-S1
02/16/2017Rereferred to Finance
02/16/2017Reported from Finance with amendment (7-Y 4-N) (see vote tally)
02/20/2017Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/20/2017Impact statement from DPB (HB1605S1)
02/21/2017Read third time
02/21/2017Reading of substitute waived
02/21/2017Committee substitute agreed to 17105590D-S1
02/21/2017Reading of amendment waived
02/21/2017Committee amendment agreed to
02/21/2017Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute with amendment HB1605S1
02/21/2017Passed Senate with substitute with amendment (21-Y 19-N) (see vote tally)
02/22/2017Placed on Calendar
02/22/2017Senate substitute with amendment agreed to by House 17105590D-S1 (50-Y 49-N)
02/22/2017VOTE: ADOPTION (50-Y 49-N) (see vote tally)
03/07/2017Enrolled
03/07/2017Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1605ER)
03/07/2017Impact statement from DPB (HB1605ER)
03/07/2017Signed by Speaker
03/10/2017Signed by President
03/13/2017Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on 3/13/17
03/13/2017G Governor's Action Deadline Midnight, March 27, 2017
03/16/2017G Vetoed by Governor
04/05/2017Placed on Calendar
04/05/2017House sustained Governor's veto

Video

This bill was discussed on the floor of the General Assembly. Below is all of the video that we have of that discussion, 2 clips in all, totaling 8 minutes.

Transcript

This is a transcript of the video clips in which this bill is discussed.

IS PASSED. HOUSE BILL 2142, A BILL TO AMEND AND REENACT SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA RELATING TO REDESIGNED HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS, IMPLEMENTATION, ONE YEAR DELAY. SHALL THE BILL PASS?

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL.

[Unknown]: AYES 56, NOS 41. AYES 56, NOS 41, THE BILL IS PASSED. TURNING TO PAGE 43, PRINTED CALENDAR, HOUSE BILL 2218, A BILL TO AMEND AND REENACT A SECTION OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA RELATING TO PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATIONS AND CHARTER AGREEMENTS, REVIEW BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION. SHALL THE BILL PASS?

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL.

[Unknown]: AYES 58, NOS 38. AYES 58, NOS 38, THE BILL IS PASSED. HOUSE BILL 1736, A BILL TO AMEND AND REENACT A SECTION OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA RELATING TO THE JOINT COMMISSION ON HEALTH CARE, SUNSET. SHALL THE BILL PASS? >>

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL.

[Unknown]: AYES 94, NOS THREE. AYES 94, NOS THREE, THE BILL IS PASSED. HOUSE BILL 1400, A BILL TO AMEND AND REENACT SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA RELATING TO THE CREATION OF THE VIRGINIA VIRTUAL SCHOOL. SHALL THE BILL PASS 1234. -- BILL PASS?

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL.

[Unknown]: AYES 57, NOS 40. AYES 57, NOS 40, THE BILL IS PASSED. CONTINUING HOUSE BILLS, THIRD READING REGULAR ON PAGE 44 OF THE PRINTED CALENDAR, HOUSE BILL 1408, A BILL TO AMEND AND REENACT A SECTION OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA RELATING TO STUDENT VISION SCREENINGS. SHALL THE BILL PASS?

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL.

[Unknown]: AYES 97, NOS, ZERO. AYES 97, NOS, ZERO, THE BILL IS PASSED. HOUSE BILL 1463, A BILL TO AMEND AND REENACT A SECTION OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA RELATING TO PUBLICATION OF DELINQUENT TAXES BY TREASURERS. SHALL THE BILL PASS?

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL.

[Unknown]: AYES 55, NOS 41. AYES 55, NOS 41, THE BILL IS PASSED. HOUSE BILL 1543, A BILL TO AMEND AND REENACT A SECTION OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA RELATING TO SALES AND USE TAX, MEDIA-RELATED EXEMPTIONS SHALL THE BILL PASS? THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE AYES 90, NOS FIVE. ROLL. AYES 90, NOS FIVE, THE BILL IS PASSED. HOUSE BILL 1549, A BILL TO AMEND AND REENACT SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE CODE OF COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARDS AND VIRGINIA RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES, SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED. SHALL THE BILL PASS? >>

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL.

[Unknown]: AYES 97, NOS, ZERO. AYES 97, NOS, ZERO, THE BILL IS PASSED. TURNING TO PAGE 46 OF THE PRINTED CALENDAR, HOUSE BILL 1605, A BILL TO AMEND AND REENACT SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA RELATING TO PARENTAL CHOICE EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. >>

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): GENTLEMAN FROM LOUDOUN,

[Unknown]: THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER. MR. ORROCK. MR. SPEAKER, IT'S DIFFICULT TO LISTEN TO FALSE CLAIMS BEING MADE ABOUT A BILL THAT I THINK IS REALLY, REALLY HAD A LOT OF WORK PUT INTO IT AND IS READY FOR PRIME TIME. FALSE CLAIM NUMBER ONE I'D LIKE IT TO ADDRESS IS THAT DAS -- DSA'S LACK OF ACADEMIC ACCOUNTABILITY. THEY HAVE THE SAME LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY AS THE LAW REQUIRES FOR PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND HOME SCHOOLING, TO DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY BEYOND THAT IS CLEARLY A DOUBLE STANDARD AND IS UNFAIR. IF THAT FALSE CLAIM OF LACKING ACCOUNTABILITY MEANS THAT KIDS BEING EDUCATED UNDER AN ESA PROGRAM DO NOT TAKE THE PRESCRIBED NUMBER OF SOLS, THEN IT'S CORRECT BUT EDUCATION ULTIMATELY IS ABOUT ACHIEVING RESULTS. LET ME READ SOME OF THE STATEMENTS FROM PARENTS THAT I'VE HEARD FROM THAT PROVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS DON'T ALWAYS WORK FOR EVERYONE. FIRST STATEMENT FROM A PARENT SAYS HE WAS TREATED WELL, BUT WAS NEVER CHALLENGED ENOUGH BECAUSE THERE WERE ALL TYPES OF DISABILITIES THAT HAD TO BE MET. NOT ENOUGH ONE ON ONE TIME. NEXT STATEMENT. THE SCHOOL SHE ATTENDED DID NOT PROVIDE ANY OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES. THERE WERE ALSO ISSUES WITH HER BEING TEASED AND RIDICULED REGARDING HER DISABILITY. STATEMENT NUMBER THREE, I WAS EXTREMELY DISS SATISFIED, THE COMMUNICATION AND FOLLOW-THROUGH WITH STAFF WAS NONEXISTENT AND THE BULLYING WAS OUT OF CONTROL. MY SON WAS VERY UNHAPPY. MR. SPEAKER, THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT SCHOOLS ARE NOT TRYING OR THAT THEY ARE FAILING EVERYONE. IT ONLY MEANS THAT IN SOME CASES, NEEDS ARE NOT MET. ESA WILL HELP CLOSE THAT GAP. AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE BEST MEASURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY IS RESULTS.


Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): --

[Unknown]: MR. PRESIDENT. YES, THE SENATOR FROM ALEXANDRIA. WOULD THAT ALSO INCLUDE HOUSE BILL 2251 ON PAGE 20? WAS THAT REMOVED FROM THE BLOCK?

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): WE ALREADY TOOK THAT OUT OF THE BLOCK EARLIER. THANK YOU, SENATOR. THE QUESTION IS SHALL THE HOUSE BILLS PASS EN BLOC ALL BILLS EXCEPT FOR 1837 ON PAGE RECORD THEIR VOTES AYE, THOSE OPPOSED NO. ARE THE SENATORS READY TO VOTE? HAVE ALL THE SENATORS VOTED? DO ANY SENATORS DESIRE TO CHANGE THEIR VOTE? THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL.

[Unknown]: AYES 40, NOS 0. AYES 40, NOS 0. THE BILLS IN THE BLOCK PASS. REGULAR CALENDAR, HOUSE BILLS ON THIRD READING. HOUSE BILL 1490, A BILL RELATING TO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WHO ENGAGE IN WAR SERVICE OR ARE CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES, AND APPOINTMENT OF ACTING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS. REPORTED FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND HEALTH. THE SENATOR FROM BEDFORD, SENATOR NEWMAN.

Sen. Steve Newman (R-Forest): MR. PRESIDENT, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT THE BILL GO BYE FOR THE DAY, JUST SPEAKING TO IT

[Unknown]: THE SENATOR HAS THE FLOOR. VERY BRIEFLY.

Sen. Steve Newman (R-Forest): I KNOW THERE'S SOME INTEREST IN THIS BILL AND TOM STEPHEN IS WORKING ON AN AMENDMENT TO ENSURE THAT IT DOES GIVE SOME OF THE FLEXIBILITY THAT THE MEMBERS ARE INTERESTED IN. WE SHOULD HAVE THAT AMEND AVAILABLE TOMORROW. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): THANK YOU, SENATOR. WITHOUT OBJECTION, HOUSE BILL 1490 WILL GO BYE FOR THE DAY.

[Unknown]: HOUSE BILL 1586, A BILL RELATING TO COURT-ORDERED CUSTODY AND VISITATION ARRANGEMENTS, TRANSMISSION OF ORDER TO CHILD'S SCHOOL. REPORTED FROM THE COMMITTEE FOR COURTS OF JUSTICE WITH AMENDMENTS. THE SENATOR FROM ROCKINGHAM, SENATOR OBENSHAIN.

Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg): MR. PRESIDENT, I MOVE THAT THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS BE AGREED TO.

[Unknown]: THANK YOU, SENATOR.

Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg): THE QUESTION IS SHALL THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS BE AGREED TO. ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION WILL SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. THE AYES HAVE IT. THE AMENDMENTS ARE AGREED TO.

[Unknown]: MR. PRESIDENT, I MOVE THE BILL PASS AND SPEAKING BRIEFLY TO THAT. THIS BILL DEALS WITH CUSTODY AND VIS STITATION CASES AND VISITATION CUSTODY ORDERS THAT ARE ENTERED BY THE COURTS. THERE ARE SOME AREAS IN VIRGINIA IN WHICH THERE'S BEEN SOME DIFFICULTY GETTING THOSE ORDERS EFFICIENTLY PROCESSED AND TRANSMITTED TO SCHOOLS, AND PROBLEMS WITH SCHOOLS HAVING UNCERTAINTY ABOUT WHICH PARENT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO PICK UP THE CHILD. THIS CLARIFIES AND FRANKLY IT'S BEEN CHANGE ADD BIT SINCE IT LEFT THE HOUSE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE PARENTS REALLY HAVE THE PRIMARY OBLIGATION TO TRANSMIT THAT, BUT IF FOR SOME REASON

Comments

Alice A. writes:

I oppose HB 1605. I believe that it violates the U.S. Constitution by allowing public funds to go to sectarian institutions. Private schools do not have to accept a student if they have disabilities and are not required to provide transportation. I do not believe taking monies from public schools is the solution.

Nancy G. writes:

I have looked into the specifics of this bill and the School Choice Education Savings Account program and learned that it is a really good program. (Similar programs in other states have had very positive results.) HB 1605 DOES NOT TAKE MONEY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS or violate the United States Constitution. In fact, the program was specifically designed so as not to adversely impact public school funding or students remaining in public schools. This program uses ONLY A PORTION OF THE STATE FUNDING per pupil (does not touch local or Federal funding) and, again, by design, a portion of the per student state funding remains available to cover administration of the program AND a portion also remains with the public schools to cover the "fixed" operation/overhead expenses of public schools so as not to create undo financial hardship for public schools. This education savings account program is a "win-win" for ALL students and families, including those who remain in public schools. This program merely gives parents whose children's education needs are not being met in public schools direct control over A PORTION OF THE STATE FUNDING for their child, and that additional financial support opens up opportunities for people who might not otherwise be able to afford alternative education, and provides families greater flexibility to be able to spend that money on education resources/alternative education that best meet the education needs of their child(ren). The ability for parents to directly control a portion of their children's education funding should also give all parents a more meaningful voice in the education of their children and cause the public schools, who are competing to keep those funds in the public system, to be more responsive to parents and to continually work to provide the best education product possible. Programs like this are already in place in other states and the results have been very positive, particularly for students in lower income brackets. I urge all parents and community members to support this bill (and to contact their legislators about supporting this bill). I would also encourage people (especially those who are not supportive of this bill) to look into some existing programs and studies such as:

The Horizon Study (2008), “The Horizon Program: A Model for Education Reform – A Report on the 10‐Year Horizon School Choice Program in the Edgewood District in San Antonio, Texas,” analyzes the results of a 10‐year school choice program in an under-performing Texas school district, comprised of economically disadvantaged ethnic minorities. The program used a $52.4 million grant to provide students with scholarships to: (1) attend a private school of their choice or (2) attend a public school other than the one to which they were assigned. Over the program life‐cycle, math scores increased 28%, public school teachers’ pay increased 37%, and property values increased by 114%.

 The Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (2012), “The Comprehensive Longitudinal Evaluation of the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program,” assesses the United States’ first school choice program begun in 1990 and highlights its success in increasing student graduation rates and achievement scores and lowering cost of education for
taxpayers.