15-2405. Arizona empowerment scholarship accounts parent oversight committee; membership; duties

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A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

A. The Arizona empowerment scholarship accounts parent oversight committee is established consisting of six members who are parents of qualified students who receive Arizona empowerment scholarship account monies under this chapter. The members shall be appointed as follows:

1. One member who is appointed by the president of the senate.

2. One member who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

3. One member who is appointed by the minority leader of the senate.

4. One member who is appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives.

5. Two members who are appointed by the governor.

B. At a minimum, the members appointed pursuant to subsection A, paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this section shall be parents of qualified students who both:

1. Meet any of the criteria specified in section 15-2401, paragraph 7, subdivision (a), item (i),

(ii)or

(iii)as determined by an independent third party pursuant to section 15-2403, subsection I.

2. Use monies deposited in the qualified student's Arizona empowerment scholarship account for expenses as prescribed in section 15-2402, subsection B, paragraph 4, subdivision (c).

C. The members of the committee shall annually elect a chairperson from among its members.

D. The committee shall meet at least once each calendar quarter. A majority of the membership constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

E. The committee shall collaborate and interact with the department, the state board of education, the attorney general and, as appropriate, the auditor general to review all of the following:

1. The implementation of policies and procedures relating to the Arizona empowerment scholarship account program under this chapter and the program's effectiveness.

2. The concerns of parents of qualified students who receive Arizona empowerment scholarship account monies under this chapter.

3. The work of the ombudsman-citizens aide on complaints associated with administering the Arizona empowerment scholarship account program.

F. A parent may not serve on the committee if any of the following applies:

1. The parent is an employee or the relative of an employee of the department.

2. The parent receives monies or compensation from or is otherwise associated in any manner with a lobbyist organization, a school choice advocacy group or a private financial management firm that manages Arizona empowerment scholarship accounts pursuant to section 15-2403, subsection A.

3. The parent provides goods or services to qualified students that are purchased pursuant to section 15-2402, subsection B, paragraph 4.