2019 Mississippi Code
Title 37 - Education
Chapter 181 - Equal Opportunity for Students With Special Needs Act
§ 37-181-17. Education Scholarship Account program does not expand state regulatory authority or impose additional regulation of schools participating in program
(1) An eligible nonpublic school is autonomous and not an agent of the state or federal government and therefore:
(a) The State Department of Education or any other government agency shall not in any way regulate the educational program of a nonpublic school, postsecondary institution or educational service provider that accepts funds from the parent of a participating student;
(b) The creation of the Education Scholarship Account program does not expand the regulatory authority of the state, its officers, or any school district to impose any additional regulation of nonpublic schools, postsecondary institutions or educational service providers beyond those necessary to enforce the requirements of the program; and
(c) Eligible schools, postsecondary institutions and educational service providers shall be given the maximum freedom to provide for the educational needs of their students without governmental control. No eligible school, postsecondary institution or educational service provider shall be required to alter its creed, practices, admission policies or curriculum in order to accept participating students.
(2) In any legal proceeding challenging the application of this chapter to an eligible school, postsecondary institution or educational service provider the state bears the burden of establishing that the law is necessary and does not impose any undue burden on the eligible school, postsecondary institution or educational service provider.
