Gov. Stitt signs bill streamlining scholarships for special needs students

A new law signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt will make it easier for students with special needs to access scholarship money.

The measure removes the requirement that a student attend a public school for a year before applying for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship.

The program has been in place since 2011 and currently serves about 1,500 students. Supports like the American Federal of Children in Oklahoma say the measure gets rid of unnecessary delays and burdensome red tape.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE:

1. Students with disabilities.
2. Those with an Individualized Service Plan developed by the Department of Human Services;
3. Students who have been in out-of-home placement with DHS or were adopted while in the permanent custody of DHS; or have been in out-of-home placement through the office of Juvenile Affairs; or
4. Children of a military family with permanent change of station orders who has moved to Oklahoma.

The new law takes effect on July 1.