A judge has ordered a halt to Nevada's Education Savings Account program, just weeks before the state was to begin issuing money to families.
Carson City District Court Judge James Wilson granted a preliminary injunction on Monday that orders the state treasurer to stop implementing the accounts pending further court review.
The Republican-backed program allows parents to claim more than $5,000 in state funds each year and use it for qualified education expenses, including religious-based private schools.
Opponents of the program say issuing state funds to religious schools is unconstitutional and diverts money from public schools.
The Nevada Department of Treasury was expected to begin disbursements the first week of February.