Changes the definition of "qualified student" for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program

HB 1784 amends Missouri's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program by changing the definition of "qualified student" to expand eligibility. It allows students with a special education plan under federal law (IDEA) or those from households earning below 300% of the income standard for free/reduced-price lunches to qualify. To qualify under the income rule, students must have recently attended public school, be kindergarten-eligible, or have a sibling already receiving a scholarship. The bill directly affects Missouri students seeking scholarship funds for private, charter, or virtual schools. This change modifies existing eligibility criteria without altering the program's core structure.