Remote Instruction Family Stipend Program

The bill creates the remote instruction family stipend program (program) within the department of revenue (department). The program provides stipends to the parents of students who participate in remote instruction as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The parent must use the stipend to cover education-related expenses for the student, which may include child care.

The bill establishes eligibility criteria for receiving a stipend and requires an applicant to submit a sworn affidavit attesting that the applicant meets the criteria and describing the education-related expenses for which the applicant expects to use the stipend. The department must pay a stipend to each applicant, subject to available appropriations. The bill specifies the amount of the stipend.

Each parent who receives a stipend must retain for one year the receipts for the services and items that the parent purchases using the stipend. The department must conduct a representative sample audit of the stipend recipients to confirm eligibility and the use of the stipends. The department must bring legal action to recover any amount that is illegally distributed or used for an illegal purpose. The program is repealed, effective July 1, 2023.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)