JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri senator has proposed a bill that would allow students with disabilities to receive scholarship money created through tax credits to move from the public school system to a private institution that might better suit their needs.
Republican state Sen. Ed Emery of Lamar proposed the bill after some frustrated parents called him, saying that their local school districts weren't well enough equipped to attend to the needs of their disabled children.
The Joplin (Mo.) Globe reports that those who donated to the "Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program" would receive tax credits, which would be maxed out at $50 million each year.
Qualified nonprofits would distribute the money to kids with special needs or invest the money received.
A Senate panel has heard the bill but hasn't voted on it yet.
