Bill · S. 152· Senate(119-S-152)
Student Empowerment Act
- Introduced
- 1/20/2025
- Last activity
- 1/20/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Ted Cruz
- Cosponsors
- - 8 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Student Empowerment Act," seeks to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It proposes to allow 529 account funds to be used for kindergarten through grade 12 educational expenses. The amendment expands the definition of "qualified higher education expense" to include various elementary and secondary school costs. These expenses can apply to students in public, private, religious, or homeschool settings. The changes would apply to distributions made after the act's enactment date.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+7
The bill specifically allows 529 funds to be used for necessary educational therapies for students with disabilities.
Would students be better off under this?+6
The bill expands funding opportunities for K-12 tuition, materials, and testing fees.
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?+6
The bill expands the use of 529 funds to cover educational therapies for students with disabilities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded use of 529 accounts: Families can use these accounts to pay for various K-12 costs such as tuition, curriculum, books, and online materials (Section 2(a)(A-D)).
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Support for supplemental learning: The bill allows for tuition for tutoring or educational classes outside of the home, provided the instructor meets specific qualifications (Section 2(a)(E)).
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Assistance with testing and advancement: Funds can be used for fees related to nationally standardized achievement tests, advanced placement exams, college admission exams, or dual enrollment in higher education (Section 2(a)(F-G)).
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Support for students with disabilities: The bill permits the use of funds for educational therapies, such as occupational, behavioral, physical, and speech-language therapies, when provided by a licensed or accredited practitioner (Section 2(a)(H)).
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Inclusion of homeschoolers: The proposed changes explicitly include expenses incurred in connection with a homeschool (Section 2(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- There are no specific negative impacts or burdens explicitly detailed within the provided text of the bill.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For People With Disabilities+7Good For Students+6Good For Children+5Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For High Income Households+4Good For Young Adults+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+6Improves Childcare Affordability+3
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Middle Class Taxes+5
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+4
- 1/20/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
5 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
Ron JohnsonRepublican · Wisconsin
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota
Tim ScottRepublican · South Carolina
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida
Eric SchmittRepublican · Missouri
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana