Forty-two states and the District of Columbia have enacted charter school legislation. The Education Commission of the States (ECS) analysts reviewed laws in the 50 states in creating an online database that highlights how state charter school laws vary, particularly in how states establish standards and accountability for charter school authorizers, allow for appeals, provide assistance with start-ups and fund charter schools. Recently, attention to authorizers--the entities responsible for approving and overseeing charter schools--has increased. A growing number of states are establishing standards and reporting requirements that authorizers must adhere to. Six evolving policy areas in state charter school laws are discussed in this brief. Other rapidly evolving policy areas discussed in this brief are limits or "caps" on the number of charter schools allowed in a state, automatic performance-based closures and virtual or "cyber" charter schools.