LEARNING LOSS GRANT PROGRAM                                                         S.B. 925 (S-2):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                     REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 925 (Substitute S-2 as reported)

Sponsor:  Senator John Bizon, M.D.

Committee:  Education and Career Readiness

CONTENT

The bill would enact a new law to do the following:

-- Create the "Learning Loss Recovery Grant Program" and the "Learning Loss Recovery Fund" within the State Treasury.

-- Require the Department of Treasury, within seven days after the bill's effective date, to issue a request for proposals for the selection of private vendors that would aid in the administration of the grant program using up to 2.5% of the money in the Fund.

-- Require an eligible student to apply for a grant in a form and manner developed in consultation with the selected private vendor, by the Department, and define who would be an eligible student.

-- Require money in the Fund to be distributed through the grant program in three consecutive funding rounds and allow the Department to administer addition funding rounds if money were not distributed in previous rounds.

-- Require at least 40% of the money distributed in each funding round to be awarded to applicants who lived at or below the Federal poverty guidelines.

-- Require the Department to give higher priority in distributing grant funds to applicants with a demonstrated academic deficiency and specify how an academic deficiency could be demonstrated.

-- Limit the total amount of all grants awarded to an eligible student to $1,500.

-- Specify that a grant could be used to purchase only educational supplies, opportunities, and supportive services reasonably likely to help address a loss or disrupted educational experience for an eligible student.

-- Require the private vendor selected by the Department to create an online learning loss recovery marketplace.

-- Prescribe the qualifications a vendor would need to be added to the marketplace.

-- Require a grant recipient to use grant funds within 12 months after the date of disbursement.

-- Prohibit the Department from granting or denying an eligible student money because of the student's previous enrollment in a public school academy or nonpublic school.

-- Require the Department, by January 30, 2023, and every subsequent January 30, to publish a review of the Fund and specify the information that would have to be included in the review.

-- Require each public school and nonpublic school to notify all teachers and students of the Program.

                                                                                 Legislative Analyst:  Eleni Lionas

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have a minor fiscal impact on the Department of Treasury, as it would have to administer the Learning Loss Recovery Fund and select vendors to aid in administration of the

grant program. If the Department found vendors, the overall costs on the Department would be minimal and within current appropriations.

Date Completed:  3-24-22                                                   Fiscal Analyst:  Ryan Bergan

                                                                                                      Cory Savino, PhD

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.