§4037.3. Definitions

            As used in this Chapter, the following terms have the following meanings, unless otherwise clearly indicated:

            (1) "Account" means an education scholarship account established pursuant to this Chapter and composed of state funds deposited on behalf of a student eligible to participate in the program.

            (2) "Account funds" means the funds deposited into an account on behalf of a participating student.

            (3) "Department" means the state Department of Education.

            (4) "Parent" means a parent, legal guardian, or custodian.

            (5) "Participating school" means a school participating in the program pursuant to this Chapter.

            (6) "Participating student" means a student who has been determined to be eligible to participate in the program and for whom an account has been established pursuant to this Chapter.

            (7) "Program" means the program created by this Chapter.

            (8) "Program manager" means an entity selected by the state Department of Education and approved by the state board to administer the program as provided in R.S. 17:4037.5.

            (9) "Qualified education expenses" means any of the following:

            (a) Tuition or fees at a nonpublic school or for nonpublic online learning programs.

            (b) Curricula and textbooks or other instructional materials, including but not limited to any supplemental materials or online instruction required by a participating school or service provider.

            (c) Tuition, fees, instructional materials, and examination fees at a career or technical school.

            (d) Fees for Louisiana Educational Assessment Program tests, national norm-referenced examinations, Advanced Placement examinations, and examinations related to postsecondary education institution admission.

            (e) Educational services and therapies, including but not limited to occupational, behavioral, physical, speech-language, and audiology therapies.

            (f) Tuition and fees at a postsecondary education institution providing instruction for a student participating in dual enrollment as provided in Chapter 18-A of this Title.

            (g) Any other educational expenses approved by the state board.

            (10) "Service provider" means a person or entity other than a participating school that receives payments from accounts for qualified education expenses.

            (11) "State board" means the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

            Acts 2024, No. 1, §1, eff. July 1, 2024.