House committee advances bill to let homeschooled and private students attend college and career academies across district lines

Representative Townsend, the bill sponsor, told the House Education Committee that HB971 (LC492473) would extend a five‑year program so homeschool and private‑school students can access college and career academies across county and city school lines if the receiving district opts in. “It allows a homeschool student, a private school student to attend a college and career academy at no cost,” Townsend said, adding that the receiving school system would retain the full‑time‑equivalent (FTE) funding and that students would be responsible for transportation.

Townsend described the bill as focused on career, technical and agricultural education (CTAE) courses — mechanic, welding, construction, nursing and similar programs — and said the change affects only boundaries, not funding or curriculum. “Nothing changes at all, just the boundary lines,” Townsend said in response to questions about funding and vouchers.

Members asked how the measure interacts with existing private‑school voucher arrangements and whether public‑school students could transfer to other districts under the measure. Townsend said protections added in prior law prevent career‑academy funding from being taken from participating students and that the current bill does not create a pathway for public‑school students to transfer districts; that would require different legislation.

The committee recorded a motion to give HB971 a due‑pass recommendation and, after no further discussion, approved the motion by voice vote. The chairman declared the bill passed out of committee.

Next steps: HB971 moves to the full House for consideration under the chamber’s regular procedures.