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House approves amendments to Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship (HB425)
Summary
The House passed House Bill 425, which adjusts timing and eligibility procedures for the Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship: it synchronizes parent notification to February 1 and requires eligible private schools that change ownership to reapply; the bill passed 63-0 and was sent to the Senate.
The Utah House on March 6 approved House Bill 425, which amends the Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship program that provides scholarships for students with individualized education programs (IEPs) to attend qualifying private schools.
A representative explained the bill makes two main changes: it standardizes the parent notification date to Feb. 1 so families have time to explore options and it reduces district-level burden by encouraging schools to link to statewide scholarship resources on a central website. The bill also requires that eligible private schools that change ownership must reapply for eligibility, a change the sponsor said would ensure schools maintain sufficient capital and program continuity.
The House recorded the vote on HB425 as 63 yes, 0 no (absent 4). The bill passed the House and was transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
Next steps: HB425 will proceed to the Senate for its consideration.
