United StatesGovernments could not bar eligible scholarship spending at private K–12 schools
Governments would be barred from excluding eligible private or religious K–12 school expenses under federal scholarship rules, including because of a school’s religious policies.
What it does
Governments could not exclude eligible private or religious K–12 school expenses under these scholarship rules. They also could not disadvantage those expenses because of a school’s religious identity or policies.
These scholarship rules would not give governments authority to direct scholarship groups or private or religious K–12 schools. Participation alone would not make a group act for the government.
Governments could not discourage families from using participating groups’ scholarships for eligible expenses at private or nonprofit K–12 schools, including faith-based schools.
Argument forFamilies could use participating scholarships at religious schools without otherwise eligible expenses being excluded because of the schools’ religious policies.
Argument againstThe protections could limit governments’ ability to deny expense eligibility over concerns about a school’s religious or mission-based practices.
More detail
Governments could not impose or allow conditions that exclude eligible private or religious school expenses under these scholarship rules. These protections concern expenses at elementary and secondary schools. Expenses would still have to qualify under these scholarship rules. Governments also could not disadvantage eligible expenses because of a school’s religious identity, affiliation, or religious or mission-based policies or practices.
These scholarship rules would not authorize federal, state, or local governments to direct scholarship groups or private or religious schools. The school provision covers elementary and secondary schools. A scholarship group’s participation alone would not mean it acts for the government. The rules would favor scholarship groups’ freedom to serve participants only as far as the law allows.
Federal, state, and local governments could not disfavor or discourage these scholarship uses. This covers private or nonprofit elementary and secondary schools, including faith-based schools. The scholarships would have to come from participating scholarship groups and pay eligible school expenses.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 9Introduced in HouseLatest
- Oct 9Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.Introduced
EducationGovernment & Ethics