School Fee Waiver Amendments

Clarified the definition of 'trip' to specifically include school-sponsored travel activities of two or more nights that require a fee for participation.

Requires LEAs to waive fees for one school trip per academic year for each student automatically.

Limits fee waivers to no more than two trips per student per year unless the student completes an action plan with school-related contributions.

Requires LEAs to adopt policies establishing a dollar amount cap on total fee waivers.

Requires LEAs to provide notice of waiver eligibility and policies to students and parents.

Requires LEAs to provide documentation requirements for fee waiver applications, including income verification through tax returns or pay stubs.

Allows students to request a waiver for a second trip by meeting with a principal and developing an action plan including custodial work, service programs, or other approved contributions.

Sets the effective date of the bill as July 1, 2025.

Added a new definition for 'Trip' to clarify that it includes school-sponsored travel activities of two or more nights, but excludes certain in-state association activities.

Changed the fee waiver limit from potentially unlimited to exactly one school trip per academic year per student.

Added a requirement for local education agencies to adopt policies establishing a dollar amount cap on total fee waivers.

Adjusted line numbering references and formatting throughout the bill excerpts for consistency.

Added definition of 'trip' as a school-sponsored travel activity requiring two or more nights and a fee.

Changed fee waiver eligibility from one trip per year to two trips per year, with the second trip requiring an action plan.

Requires students seeking a second fee waiver to meet with principal and develop an action plan including school-related contributions like custodial work or service programs.

Mandates LEAs to adopt policies for dollar amount caps on total fee waivers.

Added requirement for LEAs to provide notice of waiver eligibility and policies in accordance with Section 53G-7-505.

Requires LEAs to collect documentation verifying student eligibility and compliance with alternatives for satisfying fee requirements.