HB 803 -- Incentive Programs for Volunteers and Parents

Sponsor:  Kennedy

This bill creates the Volunteers and Parents Partnership
program, which requires the Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education to provide incentives for volunteers in
school districts with a large population of at-risk students.  A
grant program for transportation and educational materials costs
and college education courses for parents is permitted;
volunteers and parents may receive credit for hours worked in
schools for the welfare-to-work program.

The bill also creates the Achievement Matters, Parents Matter
program, which is to be a cooperative effort of the departments
of Elementary and Secondary Education and Social Services.  In
districts with a high population of at-risk students, the
program will provide additional social services, including
housing subsidies and tax incentives, to improve student
academic performance and socio-economic opportunities.