JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon signed legislation that seeks to set up scholarships to help special-needs children get services from private facilities or other public schools.
The measure requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to seek grants and donations to be used for the scholarships. The measure, called "Bryce's Law," is named after the 6-year-old autistic grandson of the legislation's sponsor, House member Dwight Scharnhorst. Bryce died of epilepsy in 2007.
Initially, the proposal was for a voucher-like initiative that would offer state tax credits for charitable contributions to provide scholarships for children to attend private centers. The revised version was added to a broader education measure this year.
Nixon signed the legislation Thursday.
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Student scholarships is SB17
Online:
Nixon: http://www.gov.mo.gov
Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov