CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union says it's filing a lawsuit challenging Nevada's broad new Education Savings Account program.
The suit announced Thursday asserts that the new law violates a portion of the Nevada Constitution that bans using public funds for sectarian purposes. The group says the program will use taxpayer dollars for religious indoctrination at private schools that discriminate in admissions and employment.
ACLU is asking for the program to be declared unlawful, and wants the courts to prevent state officials from implementing it further.
Nevada lawmakers this spring created the program, which allows parents to claim the majority of their child's per-pupil education funds and use it toward private schooling. It's considered the nation's broadest school choice program.
The treasurer's office is administering the program and declined to comment.