Both the House and Senate have approved the conference report for the Dyslexia bill, HB1046, with a few revisions to the scholarship funding.
The conference report was approved 92 to 19 in the House and just moments later the Senate got a hold of it and signed off with a vote of 31 to 21.
Amendments added to the bill include a screening requirement before a students is eligible for the scholarship. The scholarships would allow for eligible students to attend schools more geared to meet their needs.
RELATED: Dyslexia Scholarship passed in Senate
Founder and President of Empower Mississippi, Grant Callen, released a statement after the bill was passed. He said he was thankful for the expansion for scholarships through 12th grade, but disappointed that two portions of the bill were taken out.
- Accredited private schools to accept the scholarships, provided they meet all the standards, including employing Mississippi licensed dyslexia therapists. The program currently requires schools to be accredited by the Mississippi Department of Education.
- Students living in border counties to use the scholarship in another state, if appropriate educational services are not available within thirty miles of the student’s home.
MEC believed those submissions would have helped the law better serve it’s purpose.
If signed by the Governor it will become law on July 1.
