Bill Text: FL S0996 | 2024 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Education
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (? 3-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2024-03-05 - Laid on Table, refer to CS/CS/HB 1285 [S0996 Detail]
Download: Florida-2024-S0996-Comm_Sub.html
Bill Title: Education
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (? 3-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2024-03-05 - Laid on Table, refer to CS/CS/HB 1285 [S0996 Detail]
Download: Florida-2024-S0996-Comm_Sub.html
Florida Senate - 2024 CS for CS for SB 996
By the Appropriations Committee on Education; the Committee on
Education Pre-K -12; and Senator Burgess
602-03146-24 2024996c2
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to education; amending ss. 192.0105,
3 192.048, and 196.082, F.S.; conforming cross
4 references; amending s. 196.011, F.S.; providing that
5 an annual application for exemption on property used
6 to house a charter school is not required; requiring
7 the owner or lessee of such property to notify the
8 property appraiser in specified circumstances;
9 providing penalties; amending s. 1002.33, F.S.;
10 providing that students who transfer from certain
11 classical schools to certain charter classical schools
12 may be included as a student population to whom
13 charter schools may give enrollment preference;
14 defining the term “classical school”; revising the
15 definition of the term “charter school personnel”;
16 amending s. 1002.42, F.S.; authorizing private schools
17 to use or purchase specified facilities; exempting
18 such facilities from specified zoning or land use
19 requirements; requiring that such facilities meet
20 specified laws, codes, and rules; amending s. 1002.45,
21 F.S.; providing responsibilities for approved virtual
22 instruction program providers, virtual charter
23 schools, and school districts relating to statewide
24 assessments and progress monitoring for certain
25 students; creating s. 1003.052, F.S.; establishing the
26 Purple Star School District Program; providing
27 requirements for such program; authorizing the
28 Department of Education to establish additional
29 program criteria; authorizing the State Board of
30 Education to adopt rules; amending s. 1003.451, F.S.;
31 requiring school districts and charter schools to
32 provide certain students with an opportunity to take
33 the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and
34 consult with a military recruiter; providing
35 requirements for the scheduling of such test; amending
36 s. 1003.53, F.S.; revising requirements for the
37 assignment of students to disciplinary programs and
38 alternative school settings or other programs;
39 revising requirements for dropout prevention and
40 academic intervention programs; requiring such
41 programs to include academic intervention plans for
42 students; providing requirements for such plans;
43 providing that specified provisions apply to all
44 dropout prevention and academic intervention programs;
45 requiring school principals or their designees to make
46 a reasonable effort to notify parents by specified
47 means and to document such effort; creating s.
48 1004.051, F.S.; prohibiting a public postsecondary
49 institution from implicitly or explicitly prohibiting
50 specified students from being employed; providing
51 applicability; amending s. 1006.38, F.S.; requiring
52 instructional materials publishers and manufacturers
53 or their representatives to make sample copies of
54 specified instructional materials available
55 electronically for use by certain institutes for a
56 specified purpose; amending s. 1007.25, F.S.; creating
57 associate in arts specialized transfer degrees;
58 providing requirements for such degrees; providing a
59 process for the approval of such degree programs;
60 requiring the state board to adopt specified rules;
61 amending s. 1007.271, F.S.; requiring district school
62 boards to make reasonable efforts to enter into
63 specified agreements with a Florida College System
64 institution for certain online courses; amending s.
65 1008.33, F.S.; revising the date by which a memorandum
66 of understanding relating to schools in turnaround
67 status must be provided to the department; revising
68 requirements for district-managed turnaround plans;
69 providing requirements for turnaround schools that
70 close and reopen as charter schools and school
71 districts in which such schools reside; providing that
72 specified provisions do not apply to certain
73 turnaround schools; requiring the State Board of
74 Education to adopt rules for a charter school
75 turnaround contract and specified leases and
76 agreements; amending s. 1008.34, F.S.; requiring that
77 any changes made by the state board to components in
78 the school grades model or the school grading scale
79 shall go into effect, at the earliest, the following
80 school year; amending s. 1009.21, F.S.; providing that
81 a specified method for a student to prove residency
82 for tuition purposes is deemed a single, conclusive
83 piece of evidence; amending s. 1009.23, F.S.;
84 authorizing Florida College System institutions to
85 charge a specified amount for nonresident tuition and
86 fees for distance learning; amending s. 1009.98, F.S.;
87 revising the definition of the term “tuition
88 differential”; revising provisions relating to
89 payments the Florida Prepaid College Board must pay to
90 state universities on behalf of beneficiaries of
91 specified contracts; amending s. 1012.79, F.S.;
92 authorizing the Commissioner of Education to appoint
93 an executive director of the Education Practices
94 Commission; revising the purpose of the commission;
95 authorizing the commission to expend funds for legal
96 services; repealing s. 1012.86, F.S., relating to the
97 Florida College System institution employment equity
98 accountability program; amending ss. 1001.64 and
99 1001.65, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made
100 by the act; providing an effective date.
101
102 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
103
104 Section 1. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) and paragraphs
105 (b) and (c) of subsection (2) of section 192.0105, Florida
106 Statutes, are amended to read:
107 192.0105 Taxpayer rights.—There is created a Florida
108 Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights for property taxes and assessments to
109 guarantee that the rights, privacy, and property of the
110 taxpayers of this state are adequately safeguarded and protected
111 during tax levy, assessment, collection, and enforcement
112 processes administered under the revenue laws of this state. The
113 Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights compiles, in one document, brief but
114 comprehensive statements that summarize the rights and
115 obligations of the property appraisers, tax collectors, clerks
116 of the court, local governing boards, the Department of Revenue,
117 and taxpayers. Additional rights afforded to payors of taxes and
118 assessments imposed under the revenue laws of this state are
119 provided in s. 213.015. The rights afforded taxpayers to assure
120 that their privacy and property are safeguarded and protected
121 during tax levy, assessment, and collection are available only
122 insofar as they are implemented in other parts of the Florida
123 Statutes or rules of the Department of Revenue. The rights so
124 guaranteed to state taxpayers in the Florida Statutes and the
125 departmental rules include:
126 (1) THE RIGHT TO KNOW.—
127 (f) The right of an exemption recipient to be sent a
128 renewal application for that exemption, the right to a receipt
129 for homestead exemption claim when filed, and the right to
130 notice of denial of the exemption (see ss. 196.011(7)
131 196.011(6), 196.131(1), 196.151, and 196.193(1)(c) and (5)).
132
133 Notwithstanding the right to information contained in this
134 subsection, under s. 197.122 property owners are held to know
135 that property taxes are due and payable annually and are charged
136 with a duty to ascertain the amount of current and delinquent
137 taxes and obtain the necessary information from the applicable
138 governmental officials.
139 (2) THE RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS.—
140 (b) The right to petition the value adjustment board over
141 objections to assessments, denial of exemption, denial of
142 agricultural classification, denial of historic classification,
143 denial of high-water recharge classification, disapproval of tax
144 deferral, and any penalties on deferred taxes imposed for
145 incorrect information willfully filed. Payment of estimated
146 taxes does not preclude the right of the taxpayer to challenge
147 his or her assessment (see ss. 194.011(3), 196.011(7) and
148 (10)(a), 196.151, 196.193(1)(c) and (5), 193.461(2), 193.503(7),
149 193.625(2), 197.2425, 197.301(2), and 197.2301(11) ss.
150 194.011(3), 196.011(6) and (9)(a), 196.151, 196.193(1)(c) and
151 (5), 193.461(2), 193.503(7), 193.625(2), 197.2425, 197.301(2),
152 and 197.2301(11)).
153 (c) The right to file a petition for exemption or
154 agricultural classification with the value adjustment board when
155 an application deadline is missed, upon demonstration of
156 particular extenuating circumstances for filing late (see ss.
157 193.461(3)(a) and 196.011(1), (8), (9), and (10)(e) ss.
158 193.461(3)(a) and 196.011(1), (7), (8), and (9)(e)).
159 Section 2. Paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of subsection (1)
160 of section 192.048, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
161 192.048 Electronic transmission.—
162 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the following documents may
163 be transmitted electronically rather than by regular mail:
164 (b) The tax exemption renewal application required under s.
165 196.011(7)(a) s. 196.011(6)(a).
166 (c) The tax exemption renewal application required under s.
167 196.011(7)(b) s. 196.011(6)(b).
168 (d) A notification of an intent to deny a tax exemption
169 required under s. 196.011(10)(e) s. 196.011(9)(e).
170 Section 3. Subsections (3) and (4) of section 196.082,
171 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
172 196.082 Discounts for disabled veterans; surviving spouse
173 carryover.—
174 (3) If the partially or totally and permanently disabled
175 veteran predeceases his or her spouse and if, upon the death of
176 the veteran, the spouse holds the legal or beneficial title to
177 the homestead and permanently resides thereon as specified in s.
178 196.031, the discount from ad valorem tax that the veteran
179 received carries over to the benefit of the veteran’s spouse
180 until such time as he or she remarries or sells or otherwise
181 disposes of the property. If the spouse sells or otherwise
182 disposes of the property, a discount not to exceed the dollar
183 amount granted from the most recent ad valorem tax roll may be
184 transferred to his or her new residence, as long as it is used
185 as his or her primary residence and he or she does not remarry.
186 An applicant who is qualified to receive a discount under this
187 section and who fails to file an application by March 1 may file
188 an application for the discount and may file a petition pursuant
189 to s. 194.011(3) with the value adjustment board requesting that
190 the discount be granted. Such application and petition shall be
191 subject to the same procedures as for exemptions set forth in s.
192 196.011(9) s. 196.011(8).
193 (4) To qualify for the discount granted under this section,
194 an applicant must submit to the county property appraiser by
195 March 1:
196 (a) An official letter from the United States Department of
197 Veterans Affairs which states the percentage of the veteran’s
198 service-connected disability and evidence that reasonably
199 identifies the disability as combat-related;
200 (b) A copy of the veteran’s honorable discharge; and
201 (c) Proof of age as of January 1 of the year to which the
202 discount will apply.
203
204 Any applicant who is qualified to receive a discount under this
205 section and who fails to file an application by March 1 may file
206 an application for the discount and may file, pursuant to s.
207 194.011(3), a petition with the value adjustment board
208 requesting that the discount be granted. Such application and
209 petition shall be subject to the same procedures as for
210 exemptions set forth in s. 196.011(9) s. 196.011(8).
211 Section 4. Present subsections (5) through (12) of section
212 196.011, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (6)
213 through (13), respectively, a new subsection (5) is added to
214 that section, and subsection (1) and present subsections (10)
215 and (11) of that section are amended, to read:
216 196.011 Annual application required for exemption.—
217 (1)(a) Except as provided in s. 196.081(1)(b), every person
218 or organization who, on January 1, has the legal title to real
219 or personal property, except inventory, which is entitled by law
220 to exemption from taxation as a result of its ownership and use
221 shall, on or before March 1 of each year, file an application
222 for exemption with the county property appraiser, listing and
223 describing the property for which exemption is claimed and
224 certifying its ownership and use. The Department of Revenue
225 shall prescribe the forms upon which the application is made.
226 Failure to make application, when required, on or before March 1
227 of any year shall constitute a waiver of the exemption privilege
228 for that year, except as provided in subsection (7) or
229 subsection (9) (8).
230 (b) The form to apply for an exemption under s. 196.031, s.
231 196.081, s. 196.091, s. 196.101, s. 196.102, s. 196.173, or s.
232 196.202 must include a space for the applicant to list the
233 social security number of the applicant and of the applicant’s
234 spouse, if any. If an applicant files a timely and otherwise
235 complete application, and omits the required social security
236 numbers, the application is incomplete. In that event, the
237 property appraiser shall contact the applicant, who may refile a
238 complete application by April 1. Failure to file a complete
239 application by that date constitutes a waiver of the exemption
240 privilege for that year, except as provided in subsection (7) or
241 subsection (9) (8).
242 (5) It is not necessary to make annual application for
243 exemption on property used to house a charter school pursuant to
244 s. 196.1983. The owner or lessee of any property used to house a
245 charter school pursuant to s. 196.1983 who is not required to
246 file an annual application shall notify the property appraiser
247 promptly whenever the use of the property or the status or
248 condition of the owner or lessee changes so as to change the
249 exempt status of the property. If any owner or lessee fails to
250 so notify the property appraiser and the property appraiser
251 determines that for any year within the prior 10 years the owner
252 or lessee was not entitled to receive such exemption, the owner
253 or lessee of the property is subject to the taxes exempted as a
254 result of such failure plus 15 percent interest per annum and a
255 penalty of 50 percent of the taxes exempted. The property
256 appraiser making such determination shall record in the public
257 records of the county a notice of tax lien against any property
258 owned by that person or entity in the county, and such property
259 must be identified in the notice of tax lien. Such property is
260 subject to the payment of all taxes and penalties. Such lien
261 when filed shall attach to any property, identified in the
262 notice of tax lien, owned by the person or entity who illegally
263 or improperly received the exemption. If such person or entity
264 no longer owns property in that county but owns property in some
265 other county or counties in the state, the property appraiser
266 shall record a notice of tax lien in such other county or
267 counties, identifying the property owned by such person or
268 entity in such county or counties, and it shall become a lien
269 against such property in such county or counties.
270 (11)(10) At the option of the property appraiser and
271 notwithstanding any other provision of this section, initial or
272 original applications for homestead exemption for the succeeding
273 year may be accepted and granted after March 1. Reapplication on
274 a short form as authorized by subsection (6) (5) shall be
275 required if the county has not waived the requirement of an
276 annual application. Once the initial or original application and
277 reapplication have been granted, the property may qualify for
278 the exemption in each succeeding year pursuant to the provisions
279 of subsection (7) (6) or subsection (10) (9).
280 (12)(11) For exemptions enumerated in paragraph (1)(b),
281 social security numbers of the applicant and the applicant’s
282 spouse, if any, are required and must be submitted to the
283 department. Applications filed pursuant to subsection (6) (5) or
284 subsection (7) (6) shall include social security numbers of the
285 applicant and the applicant’s spouse, if any. For counties where
286 the annual application requirement has been waived, property
287 appraisers may require refiling of an application to obtain such
288 information.
289 Section 5. Paragraph (d) of subsection (10) and paragraph
290 (a) of subsection (24) of section 1002.33, Florida Statutes, are
291 amended to read:
292 1002.33 Charter schools.—
293 (10) ELIGIBLE STUDENTS.—
294 (d) A charter school may give enrollment preference to the
295 following student populations:
296 1. Students who are siblings of a student enrolled in the
297 charter school.
298 2. Students who are the children of a member of the
299 governing board of the charter school.
300 3. Students who are the children of an employee of the
301 charter school.
302 4. Students who are the children of:
303 a. An employee of the business partner of a charter school
304 in-the-workplace established under paragraph (15)(b) or a
305 resident of the municipality in which such charter school is
306 located; or
307 b. A resident or employee of a municipality that operates a
308 charter school-in-a-municipality pursuant to paragraph (15)(c)
309 or allows a charter school to use a school facility or portion
310 of land provided by the municipality for the operation of the
311 charter school.
312 5. Students who have successfully completed, during the
313 previous year, a voluntary prekindergarten education program
314 under ss. 1002.51-1002.79 provided by the charter school, the
315 charter school’s governing board, or a voluntary prekindergarten
316 provider that has a written agreement with the governing board.
317 6. Students who are the children of an active duty member
318 of any branch of the United States Armed Forces.
319 7. Students who attended or are assigned to failing schools
320 pursuant to s. 1002.38(2).
321 8. Students who are the children of a safe-school officer,
322 as defined in s. 1006.12, at the school.
323 9. Students who transfer from a classical school in this
324 state to a charter classical school in this state. For purposes
325 of this subparagraph, the term “classical school” means a
326 traditional public school or charter school that implements a
327 classical education model that emphasizes the development of
328 students in the principles of moral character and civic virtue
329 through a well-rounded education in the liberal arts and
330 sciences which is based on the classical trivium stages of
331 grammar, logic, and rhetoric.
332 (24) RESTRICTION ON EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES.—
333 (a) This subsection applies to charter school personnel in
334 a charter school operated by a private entity. As used in this
335 subsection, the term:
336 1. “Charter school personnel” means a charter school owner,
337 president, chairperson of the governing board of directors,
338 superintendent, governing board member, principal, assistant
339 principal, or any other person employed by the charter school
340 who has equivalent decisionmaking authority and in whom is
341 vested the authority, or to whom the authority has been
342 delegated, to appoint, employ, promote, or advance individuals
343 or to recommend individuals for appointment, employment,
344 promotion, or advancement in connection with employment in a
345 charter school, including the authority as a member of a
346 governing body of a charter school to vote on the appointment,
347 employment, promotion, or advancement of individuals.
348 2. “Relative” means father, mother, son, daughter, brother,
349 sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife,
350 father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law,
351 brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson,
352 stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, or half
353 sister.
354
355 Charter school personnel in schools operated by a municipality
356 or other public entity are subject to s. 112.3135.
357 Section 6. Subsection (19) is added to s. 1002.42, Florida
358 Statutes, to read:
359 1002.42 Private schools.—
360 (19) FACILITIES.—
361 (a) A private school may use facilities on property owned
362 or leased by a library, community service organization, museum,
363 performing arts venue, theatre, cinema, or church facility under
364 s. 170.201, which is or was actively used as such within 5 years
365 of any executed agreement with a private school to use the
366 facilities; any facility or land owned by a Florida College
367 System institution or university; any similar public
368 institutional facilities; and any facility recently used to
369 house a school or child care facility licensed under s. 402.305,
370 under any such facility’s preexisting zoning and land use
371 designations without rezoning or obtaining a special exception
372 or a land use change, and without complying with any mitigation
373 requirements or conditions. The facility must meet applicable
374 state and local health, safety, and welfare laws, codes, and
375 rules, including firesafety and building safety.
376 (b) A private school may use facilities on property
377 purchased from a library, community service organization,
378 museum, performing arts venue, theatre, cinema, or church
379 facility under s. 170.201, which is actively or was actively
380 used as such within 5 years of any executed agreement with a
381 private school to purchase the facilities; any facility or land
382 owned by a Florida College System institution or university; any
383 similar public institutional facilities; and any facility
384 recently used to house a school or child care facility licensed
385 under s. 402.305, under any such facility’s preexisting zoning
386 and land use designations without obtaining a special exception,
387 rezoning, or a land use change, and without complying with any
388 mitigation requirements or conditions. The facility must meet
389 applicable state and local health, safety, and welfare laws,
390 codes, and rules, including firesafety and building safety.
391 Section 7. Paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of section
392 1002.45, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
393 1002.45 Virtual instruction programs.—
394 (5) STUDENT PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS.—Each student
395 enrolled in the school district’s virtual instruction program
396 authorized pursuant to paragraph (1)(c) must:
397 (b) Take statewide assessments pursuant to s. 1008.22 and
398 participate in the coordinated screening and progress monitoring
399 system under s. 1008.25(9). Statewide assessments and progress
400 monitoring may be administered within the school district in
401 which such student resides, or as specified in the contract
402 under in accordance with s. 1008.24(3). If requested by the
403 approved virtual instruction program provider or virtual charter
404 school, the district of residence must provide the student with
405 access to the district’s testing facilities. It is the
406 responsibility of the approved virtual instruction program
407 provider or virtual charter school to provide a list of students
408 to be administered statewide assessments and progress monitoring
409 to the school district, including the students’ names, Florida
410 Education Identifiers, grade levels, assessments and progress
411 monitoring to be administered, and contact information. Unless
412 an alternative testing site is mutually agreed to by the
413 approved virtual instruction program provider or virtual charter
414 school and the school district, or as specified in the contract
415 under s. 1008.24, all assessments and progress monitoring must
416 be taken at the school to which the student would be assigned
417 according to district school board attendance policies. A school
418 district must provide the student with access to the school’s or
419 district’s testing facilities and provide the student with the
420 date and time of the administration of each assessment and
421 progress monitoring.
422 Section 8. Section 1003.052, Florida Statutes, is created
423 to read:
424 1003.052 The Purple Star School District Program.—
425 (1)(a) The Department of Education shall establish the
426 Purple Star School District Program. At a minimum, the program
427 must require a participating school district to:
428 1. Have at least 75 percent of the schools within the
429 district be designated as Purple Star Campuses under s.
430 1003.051.
431 2. Maintain a web page on the district’s website which
432 includes resources for military students and their families and
433 a link to each Purple Star Campus’s web page that meets the
434 requirements of s. 1003.051(2)(a)2.
435 (b) The department may establish additional program
436 criteria to identify school districts that demonstrate a
437 commitment to or provide critical coordination of services for
438 military students and their families, including, but not limited
439 to, establishing a council consisting of a representative from
440 each Purple Star Campus in the district and one district-level
441 representative to ensure the alignment of military student
442 focused policies and procedures within the district.
443 (2) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to
444 administer this section.
445 Section 9. Present subsection (4) of section 1003.451,
446 Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (5), and a new
447 subsection (4) is added to that section, to read:
448 1003.451 Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps; military
449 recruiters; access to public school campuses; Armed Services
450 Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).—
451 (4) Each school district and charter school shall provide
452 students in grades 11 and 12 an opportunity to take the Armed
453 Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and consult with a
454 military recruiter if the student selects. To optimize student
455 participation, the ASVAB must be scheduled during normal school
456 hours.
457 Section 10. Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (1),
458 paragraph (a) of subsection (2), and subsections (3) through (7)
459 of section 1003.53, Florida Statutes, are amended, and paragraph
460 (c) is added to subsection (2) of that section, to read:
461 1003.53 Dropout prevention and academic intervention.—
462 (1)(a) Dropout prevention and academic intervention
463 programs may differ from traditional educational programs and
464 schools in scheduling, administrative structure, philosophy,
465 curriculum, or setting and shall employ alternative teaching
466 methodologies, curricula, learning activities, and diagnostic
467 and assessment procedures in order to meet the needs, interests,
468 abilities, and talents of eligible students. The educational
469 program shall provide curricula, character development and law
470 education, and related services that support the program goals
471 and lead to improved performance in the areas of academic
472 achievement, attendance, and discipline. Student participation
473 in such programs shall be voluntary. District school boards may,
474 however, assign students to a disciplinary program for
475 disruptive students or an alternative school setting or other
476 program pursuant to s. 1006.13. Notwithstanding any other
477 provision of law to the contrary, no student shall be identified
478 as being eligible to receive services funded through the dropout
479 prevention and academic intervention program based solely on the
480 student being from a single-parent family or having a
481 disability.
482 (c) A student shall be identified as being eligible to
483 receive services funded through the dropout prevention and
484 academic intervention program based upon one of the following
485 criteria:
486 1. The student is academically unsuccessful as evidenced by
487 low test scores, retention, failing grades, low grade point
488 average, falling behind in earning credits, or not meeting the
489 state or district achievement levels in reading, mathematics, or
490 writing.
491 2. The student has a pattern of excessive absenteeism or
492 has been identified as a habitual truant.
493 3. The student has a history of disruptive behavior in
494 school or has committed an offense that warrants out-of-school
495 suspension or expulsion from school according to the district
496 school board’s code of student conduct. For the purposes of this
497 program, “disruptive behavior” is behavior that:
498 a. Interferes with the student’s own learning or the
499 educational process of others and requires attention and
500 assistance beyond that which the traditional program can provide
501 or results in frequent conflicts of a disruptive nature while
502 the student is under the jurisdiction of the school either in or
503 out of the classroom; or
504 b. Severely threatens the general welfare of students or
505 others with whom the student comes into contact.
506 4. The student is identified by a school’s early warning
507 system pursuant to s. 1001.42(18)(b).
508 (2)(a) Each district school board may establish dropout
509 prevention and academic intervention programs at the elementary,
510 middle, junior high school, or high school level. Programs
511 designed to eliminate patterns of excessive absenteeism or
512 habitual truancy shall emphasize academic performance and may
513 provide specific instruction in the areas of career education,
514 preemployment training, and behavioral management. Such programs
515 shall utilize instructional teaching methods and student
516 services that lead to improved student behavior as appropriate
517 to the specific needs of the student.
518 (c) For each student enrolled in a dropout prevention and
519 academic intervention program, an academic intervention plan
520 shall be developed to address eligibility for placement in the
521 program and to provide individualized student goals and progress
522 monitoring procedures. A student’s academic intervention plan
523 must be consistent with the student’s individual education plan
524 (IEP).
525 (3) Each district school board providing receiving state
526 funding for dropout prevention and academic intervention
527 programs through the General Appropriations Act shall submit
528 information through an annual report to the Department of
529 Education’s database documenting the extent to which each of the
530 district’s dropout prevention and academic intervention programs
531 has been successful in the areas of graduation rate, dropout
532 rate, attendance rate, and retention/promotion rate. The
533 department shall compile this information into an annual report
534 which shall be submitted to the presiding officers of the
535 Legislature by February 15.
536 (4) Each district school board shall establish course
537 standards, as defined by rule of the State Board of Education,
538 for dropout prevention and academic intervention programs and
539 procedures for ensuring that teachers assigned to the programs
540 are certified pursuant to s. 1012.55 and possess the affective,
541 pedagogical, and content-related skills necessary to meet the
542 needs of these students.
543 (5) Each district school board providing a dropout
544 prevention and academic intervention program pursuant to this
545 section shall maintain for each participating student records
546 documenting the student’s eligibility, the length of
547 participation, the type of program to which the student was
548 assigned or the type of academic intervention services provided,
549 and an evaluation of the student’s academic and behavioral
550 performance while in the program. The school principal or his or
551 her designee shall, prior to placement in a dropout prevention
552 and academic intervention program or the provision of an
553 academic service, provide written notice of placement or
554 services by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
555 student’s parent. The parent of the student shall sign an
556 acknowledgment of the notice of placement or service and return
557 the signed acknowledgment to the principal within 3 days after
558 receipt of the notice. District school boards may adopt a policy
559 that allows a parent to agree to an alternative method of
560 notification. Such agreement may be made before the need for
561 notification arises or at the time the notification becomes
562 required. The parents of a student assigned to such a dropout
563 prevention and academic intervention program shall be notified
564 in writing and entitled to an administrative review of any
565 action by school personnel relating to such placement pursuant
566 to the provisions of chapter 120.
567 (6) District school board dropout prevention and academic
568 intervention programs shall be coordinated with social service,
569 law enforcement, prosecutorial, and juvenile justice agencies
570 and juvenile assessment centers in the school district.
571 Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 1002.22, these agencies are
572 authorized to exchange information contained in student records
573 and juvenile justice records. Such information is confidential
574 and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1). District school
575 boards and other agencies receiving such information shall use
576 the information only for official purposes connected with the
577 certification of students for admission to and for the
578 administration of the dropout prevention and academic
579 intervention program, and shall maintain the confidentiality of
580 such information unless otherwise provided by law or rule.
581 (7) The State Board of Education shall have the authority
582 pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to adopt rules necessary
583 to implement the provisions of this section; such rules shall
584 require the minimum amount of necessary paperwork and reporting.
585 Section 11. Section 1004.051, Florida Statutes, is created
586 to read:
587 1004.051 Regulation of working students.—
588 (1) A public postsecondary institution may not, as a
589 condition of admission to or enrollment in any of the
590 institution’s schools, colleges, or programs, implicitly or
591 explicitly prohibit an applicant or currently enrolled student
592 from being employed, either full time or part time.
593 (2) This section does not apply if the applicant or
594 currently enrolled student is employed by an organization or
595 agency that is affiliated or associated with a foreign country
596 of concern as defined in s. 288.860(1).
597 Section 12. Present subsections (3) through (16) of section
598 1006.38, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (4)
599 through (17), respectively, a new subsection (3) is added to
600 that section, and present subsections (14) and (16) of that
601 section are amended, to read:
602 1006.38 Duties, responsibilities, and requirements of
603 instructional materials publishers and manufacturers.—This
604 section applies to both the state and district approval
605 processes. Publishers and manufacturers of instructional
606 materials, or their representatives, shall:
607 (3) For each adoption cycle, make sample copies of all
608 instructional materials on the commissioner’s list of state
609 adopted instructional materials available electronically for use
610 by educator preparation institutes as defined in s. 1004.85(1)
611 to enable educators to practice teaching with currently adopted
612 instructional materials aligned to state academic standards.
613 (15)(14) Accurately and fully disclose only the names of
614 those persons who actually authored the instructional materials.
615 In addition to the penalties provided in subsection (17) (16),
616 the commissioner may remove from the list of state-adopted
617 instructional materials those instructional materials whose
618 publisher or manufacturer misleads the purchaser by falsely
619 representing genuine authorship.
620 (17)(16) Upon the willful failure of the publisher or
621 manufacturer to comply with the requirements of this section, be
622 liable to the department in the amount of three times the total
623 sum which the publisher or manufacturer was paid in excess of
624 the price required under subsections (5) and (6) and (7) and in
625 the amount of three times the total value of the instructional
626 materials and services which the district school board is
627 entitled to receive free of charge under subsection (8) (7).
628 Section 13. Subsections (9) and (12) of section 1007.25,
629 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
630 1007.25 General education courses; common prerequisites;
631 other degree requirements.—
632 (9)(a) An associate in arts degree must shall require no
633 more than 60 semester hours of college credit and include 36
634 semester hours of general education coursework. Beginning with
635 students initially entering a Florida College System institution
636 or state university in the 2014-2015 academic year and
637 thereafter, coursework for an associate in arts degree must
638 shall include demonstration of competency in a foreign language
639 pursuant to s. 1007.262. Except for developmental education
640 required pursuant to s. 1008.30, all required coursework must
641 shall count toward the associate in arts degree or the
642 baccalaureate degree.
643 (b) An associate in arts specialized transfer degree must
644 include 36 semester hours of general education coursework and
645 require 60 semester hours or more of college credit. Specialized
646 transfer degrees are designed for Florida College System
647 institution students who need supplemental lower-level
648 coursework in preparation for transfer to another institution.
649 The State Board of Education shall establish criteria for the
650 review and approval of new specialized transfer degrees. The
651 approval process must require:
652 1. A Florida College System institution to submit a notice
653 of its intent to propose a new associate in arts specialized
654 degree program to the Division of Florida Colleges. The notice
655 must include the recommended credit hours, the rationale for the
656 specialization, the demand for students entering the field, and
657 the coursework being proposed to be included beyond the 60
658 semester hours required for the general transfer degree, if
659 applicable. Notices of intent may be submitted by a Florida
660 College System institution at any time.
661 2. The Division of Florida Colleges to forward the notice
662 of intent within 10 business days after receipt to all Florida
663 College System institutions and to the Chancellor of the State
664 University System, who shall forward the notice to all state
665 universities. State universities and Florida College System
666 institutions shall have 60 days after receipt of the notice to
667 submit comments to the proposed associate in arts specialized
668 transfer degree.
669 3. After the submission of comments pursuant to
670 subparagraph 2., the requesting Florida College System
671 institution to submit a proposal that, at a minimum, includes:
672 a. Evidence that the coursework for the associate in arts
673 specialized transfer degree includes demonstration of competency
674 in a foreign language pursuant to s. 1007.262 and demonstration
675 of civic literacy competency as provided in subsection (5).
676 b. Demonstration that all required coursework will count
677 toward the associate in arts degree or the baccalaureate degree.
678 c. An analysis of demand and unmet need for students
679 entering the specialized field of study at the baccalaureate
680 level.
681 d. Justification for the program length if it exceeds 60
682 credit hours, including references to the common prerequisite
683 manual or other requirements for the baccalaureate degree. This
684 includes documentation of alignment between the exit
685 requirements of a Florida College System institution and the
686 admissions requirements of a baccalaureate program at a state
687 university to which students would typically transfer.
688 e. Articulation agreements for graduates of the associate
689 in arts specialized transfer degree.
690 f. Responses to the comments received under subparagraph 2.
691 (c) The Division of Florida Colleges shall review the
692 proposal and, within 30 days after receipt, shall provide
693 written notification to the Florida College System institution
694 of any deficiencies and provide the institution with an
695 opportunity to correct the deficiencies. Within 45 days after
696 receipt of a completed proposal by the Division of Florida
697 Colleges, the Commissioner of Education shall recommend approval
698 or disapproval of the new specialized transfer degree to the
699 State Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall
700 consider the recommendation at its next meeting.
701 (d) Upon approval of an associate in arts specialized
702 transfer degree by the State Board of Education, a Florida
703 College System institution may offer the degree and shall report
704 data on student and program performance in a manner prescribed
705 by the Department of Education.
706 (e) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant
707 to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to prescribe format and content
708 requirements and submission procedures for notices of intent,
709 proposals, and compliance reviews under this subsection.
710 (12) A student who received an associate in arts degree for
711 successfully completing 60 semester credit hours may continue to
712 earn additional credits at a Florida College System institution.
713 The university must provide credit toward the student’s
714 baccalaureate degree for an additional Florida College System
715 institution course if, according to the statewide course
716 numbering, the Florida College System institution course is a
717 course listed in the university catalog as required for the
718 degree or as prerequisite to a course required for the degree.
719 Of the courses required for the degree, at least half of the
720 credit hours required for the degree must shall be achievable
721 through courses designated as lower division, except in degree
722 programs approved by the State Board of Education for programs
723 offered by Florida College System institutions and by the Board
724 of Governors for programs offered by state universities.
725 Section 14. Subsection (4) of section 1007.271, Florida
726 Statutes, is amended to read:
727 1007.271 Dual enrollment programs.—
728 (4)(a) District school boards may not refuse to enter into
729 a dual enrollment articulation agreement with a local Florida
730 College System institution if that Florida College System
731 institution has the capacity to offer dual enrollment courses.
732 (b) District school boards must make reasonable efforts to
733 enter into dual enrollment articulation agreements with a
734 Florida College System institution that offers online dual
735 enrollment courses.
736 Section 15. Subsections (4) and (5) of section 1008.33,
737 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
738 1008.33 Authority to enforce public school improvement.—
739 (4)(a) The state board shall apply intensive intervention
740 and support strategies tailored to the needs of schools earning
741 two consecutive grades of “D” or a grade of “F.” In the first
742 full school year after a school initially earns a grade of “D,”
743 the school district must immediately implement intervention and
744 support strategies prescribed in rule under paragraph (3)(c).
745 For a school that initially earns a grade of “F” or a second
746 consecutive grade of “D,” the school district must either
747 continue implementing or immediately begin implementing
748 intervention and support strategies prescribed in rule under
749 paragraph (3)(c) and for the 2024-2025 school year provide the
750 department, by September 1, with the memorandum of understanding
751 negotiated pursuant to s. 1001.42(21) and, by October 1, a
752 district-managed turnaround plan for approval by the state
753 board. For the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter, the school
754 district must provide the department, by August 1, with the
755 memorandum of understanding negotiated pursuant to s.
756 1001.42(21) and a district-managed turnaround plan for approval
757 by the state board. The plan must include measurable academic
758 benchmarks that put the school on a path to earning and
759 maintaining a grade of “C” or higher The district-managed
760 turnaround plan may include a proposal for the district to
761 implement an extended school day, a summer program, a
762 combination of an extended school day and a summer program, or
763 any other option authorized under paragraph (b) for state board
764 approval. A school district is not required to wait until a
765 school earns a second consecutive grade of “D” to submit a
766 turnaround plan for approval by the state board under this
767 paragraph. Upon approval by the state board, the school district
768 must implement the plan for the remainder of the school year and
769 continue the plan for 1 full school year. The state board may
770 allow a school an additional year of implementation before the
771 school must implement a turnaround option required under
772 paragraph (b) if it determines that the school is likely to
773 improve to a grade of “C” or higher after the first full school
774 year of implementation.
775 (b) Unless an additional year of implementation is provided
776 pursuant to paragraph (a), a school that completes a plan cycle
777 under paragraph (a) and does not improve to a grade of “C” or
778 higher must implement one of the following:
779 1. Reassign students to another school and monitor the
780 progress of each reassigned student;
781 2. Close the school and reopen the school as one or more
782 charter schools, each with a governing board that has a
783 demonstrated record of effectiveness. Upon reopening as a
784 charter school:
785 a. The school district shall continue to operate the school
786 for the following school year and, no later than October 1,
787 execute a charter school turnaround contract that will allow the
788 charter school an opportunity to conduct an evaluation of the
789 educational program and personnel currently assigned to the
790 school during the year in preparation for assuming full
791 operational control of the school and facility by July 1. The
792 school district may not reduce or remove resources from the
793 school during this time.
794 b. The charter school operator must provide enrollment
795 preference to students currently attending or who would have
796 otherwise attended or been zoned for the school. The school
797 district shall consult and negotiate with the charter school
798 every 3 years to determine whether realignment of the attendance
799 zone is appropriate to ensure that students residing closest to
800 the school are provided with an enrollment preference.
801 c. The charter school operator must serve the existing
802 grade levels served by the school at its current enrollment or
803 higher, but may, at its discretion, serve additional grade
804 levels.
805 d. The school district may not charge rental or leasing
806 fees for the existing facility or for the property normally
807 inventoried to the school. The school and the school district
808 shall agree to reasonable maintenance provisions in order to
809 maintain the facility in a manner similar to all other school
810 facilities in the school district.
811 e. The school district may not withhold an administrative
812 fee for the provision of services identified in s.
813 1002.33(20)(a); or
814 3. Contract with an outside entity that has a demonstrated
815 record of effectiveness to provide turnaround services
816 identified in state board rule, which may include school
817 leadership, educational modalities, teacher and leadership
818 professional development, curriculum, operation and management
819 services, school-based administrative staffing, budgeting,
820 scheduling, other educational service provider functions, or any
821 combination thereof. Selection of an outside entity may include
822 one or a combination of the following:
823 a. An external operator, which may be a district-managed
824 charter school or a high-performing charter school network in
825 which all instructional personnel are not employees of the
826 school district, but are employees of an independent governing
827 board composed of members who did not participate in the review
828 or approval of the charter.
829 b. A contractual agreement that allows for a charter school
830 network or any of its affiliated subsidiaries to provide
831 individualized consultancy services tailored to address the
832 identified needs of one or more schools under this section.
833
834 A school district and outside entity under this subparagraph
835 must enter, at minimum, a 2-year, performance-based contract.
836 The contract must include school performance and growth metrics
837 the outside entity must meet on an annual basis. The state board
838 may require the school district to modify or cancel the
839 contract.
840 (c) Implementation of the turnaround option is no longer
841 required if the school improves to a grade of “C” or higher,
842 unless the school district has already executed a charter school
843 turnaround contract pursuant to this section.
844 (d) If a school earning two consecutive grades of “D” or a
845 grade of “F” does not improve to a grade of “C” or higher after
846 2 school years of implementing the turnaround option selected by
847 the school district under paragraph (b), the school district
848 must implement another turnaround option. Implementation of the
849 turnaround option must begin the school year following the
850 implementation period of the existing turnaround option, unless
851 the state board determines that the school is likely to improve
852 to a grade of “C” or higher if additional time is provided to
853 implement the existing turnaround option.
854 (5) The state board shall adopt rules pursuant to ss.
855 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer this section. The rules
856 shall include timelines for submission of implementation plans,
857 approval criteria for implementation plans, and timelines for
858 implementing intervention and support strategies, a standard
859 charter school turnaround contract, a standard facility lease,
860 and a mutual management agreement. The state board shall consult
861 with education stakeholders in developing the rules.
862 Section 16. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section
863 1008.34, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
864 1008.34 School grading system; school report cards;
865 district grade.—
866 (3) DESIGNATION OF SCHOOL GRADES.—
867 (c)1. The calculation of a school grade shall be based on
868 the percentage of points earned from the components listed in
869 subparagraph (b)1. and, if applicable, subparagraph (b)2. The
870 State Board of Education shall adopt in rule a school grading
871 scale that sets the percentage of points needed to earn each of
872 the school grades listed in subsection (2). There shall be at
873 least five percentage points separating the percentage
874 thresholds needed to earn each of the school grades. The state
875 board shall annually review the percentage of school grades of
876 “A” and “B” for the school year to determine whether to adjust
877 the school grading scale upward for the following school year’s
878 school grades. The first adjustment would occur no earlier than
879 the 2023-2024 school year. An adjustment must be made if the
880 percentage of schools earning a grade of “A” or “B” in the
881 current year represents 75 percent or more of all graded schools
882 within a particular school type, which consists of elementary,
883 middle, high, and combination. The adjustment must reset the
884 minimum required percentage of points for each grade of “A,”
885 “B,” “C,” or “D” at the next highest percentage ending in the
886 numeral 5 or 0, whichever is closest to the current percentage.
887 Annual reviews of the percentage of schools earning a grade of
888 “A” or “B” and adjustments to the required points must be
889 suspended when the following grading scale for a specific school
890 type is achieved:
891 a. Ninety percent or more of the points for a grade of “A.”
892 b. Eighty to eighty-nine percent of the points for a grade
893 of “B.”
894 c. Seventy to seventy-nine percent of the points for a
895 grade of “C.”
896 d. Sixty to sixty-nine percent of the points for a grade of
897 “D.”
898
899 When the state board adjusts the grading scale upward, the state
900 board must inform the public of the degree of the adjustment and
901 its anticipated impact on school grades. Beginning in the 2024
902 2025 school year, any changes made by the state board to
903 components in the school grades model or to the school grading
904 scale shall go into effect, at the earliest, in the following
905 school year.
906 2. The calculation of school grades may not include any
907 provision that would raise or lower the school’s grade beyond
908 the percentage of points earned. Extra weight may not be added
909 in the calculation of any components.
910 Section 17. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section
911 1009.21, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
912 1009.21 Determination of resident status for tuition
913 purposes.—Students shall be classified as residents or
914 nonresidents for the purpose of assessing tuition in
915 postsecondary educational programs offered by charter technical
916 career centers or career centers operated by school districts,
917 in Florida College System institutions, and in state
918 universities.
919 (3)
920 (c) Each institution of higher education shall
921 affirmatively determine that an applicant who has been granted
922 admission to that institution as a Florida resident meets the
923 residency requirements of this section at the time of initial
924 enrollment. The residency determination must be documented by
925 the submission of written or electronic verification that
926 includes two or more of the documents identified in this
927 paragraph, unless the document provided is the document
928 described in sub-subparagraph 1.f., which is deemed a single,
929 conclusive piece of evidence proving residency. No single piece
930 of evidence shall be conclusive.
931 1. The documents must include at least one of the
932 following:
933 a. A Florida voter’s registration card.
934 b. A Florida driver license.
935 c. A State of Florida identification card.
936 d. A Florida vehicle registration.
937 e. Proof of a permanent home in Florida which is occupied
938 as a primary residence by the individual or by the individual’s
939 parent if the individual is a dependent child.
940 f. Proof of a homestead exemption in Florida.
941 g. Transcripts from a Florida high school for multiple
942 years if the Florida high school diploma or high school
943 equivalency diploma was earned within the last 12 months.
944 h. Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida for
945 at least 30 hours per week for a 12-month period.
946 2. The documents may include one or more of the following:
947 a. A declaration of domicile in Florida.
948 b. A Florida professional or occupational license.
949 c. Florida incorporation.
950 d. A document evidencing family ties in Florida.
951 e. Proof of membership in a Florida-based charitable or
952 professional organization.
953 f. Any other documentation that supports the student’s
954 request for resident status, including, but not limited to,
955 utility bills and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments; a
956 lease agreement and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments;
957 or an official state, federal, or court document evidencing
958 legal ties to Florida.
959 Section 18. Subsection (22) is added to section 1009.23,
960 Florida Statutes, to read:
961 1009.23 Florida College System institution student fees.—
962 (22) Beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year, Miami Dade
963 College, Polk State College, Tallahassee Community College, and
964 any other Florida College System institution pursuant to s.
965 1000.21(5) are authorized to charge an amount not to exceed $290
966 per credit hour for nonresident tuition and fees for distance
967 learning. A Florida College System institution may phase in this
968 nonresident tuition rate by degree program.
969 Section 19. Paragraphs (a) through (f) of subsection (10)
970 of section 1009.98, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
971 1009.98 Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program.—
972 (10) PAYMENTS ON BEHALF OF QUALIFIED BENEFICIARIES.—
973 (a) As used in this subsection, the term:
974 1. “Actuarial reserve” means the amount by which the
975 expected value of the assets exceeds the expected value of the
976 liabilities of the trust fund.
977 2. “Dormitory fees” means the fees included under advance
978 payment contracts pursuant to paragraph (2)(d).
979 3. “Fiscal year” means the fiscal year of the state
980 pursuant to s. 215.01.
981 4. “Local fees” means the fees covered by an advance
982 payment contract provided pursuant to subparagraph (2)(b)2.
983 5. “Tuition differential” means the fee covered by advance
984 payment contracts sold pursuant to subparagraph (2)(b)3. The
985 base rate for the tuition differential fee for the 2012-2013
986 fiscal year is established at $37.03 per credit hour. The base
987 rate for the tuition differential in subsequent years is the
988 amount assessed for the tuition differential for the preceding
989 year adjusted pursuant to subparagraph (b)2.
990 (b) Effective with the 2022-2023 2009-2010 academic year
991 and thereafter, and notwithstanding s. 1009.24, the amount paid
992 by the board to any state university on behalf of a qualified
993 beneficiary of an advance payment contract whose contract was
994 purchased before July 1, 2034 2024, shall be:
995 1. As to registration fees, if the actuarial reserve is
996 less than 5 percent of the expected liabilities of the trust
997 fund, the board shall pay the state universities 5.5 percent
998 above the amount assessed for registration fees in the preceding
999 fiscal year. If the actuarial reserve is between 5 percent and 6
1000 percent of the expected liabilities of the trust fund, the board
1001 shall pay the state universities 6 percent above the amount
1002 assessed for registration fees in the preceding fiscal year. If
1003 the actuarial reserve is between 6 percent and 7.5 percent of
1004 the expected liabilities of the trust fund, the board shall pay
1005 the state universities 6.5 percent above the amount assessed for
1006 registration fees in the preceding fiscal year. If the actuarial
1007 reserve is equal to or greater than 7.5 percent of the expected
1008 liabilities of the trust fund, the board shall pay the state
1009 universities 7 percent above the amount assessed for
1010 registration fees in the preceding fiscal year, whichever is
1011 greater.
1012 2. As to the tuition differential, if the actuarial reserve
1013 is less than 5 percent of the expected liabilities of the trust
1014 fund, the board shall pay the state universities 5.5 percent
1015 above the amount assessed base rate for the tuition differential
1016 fee in the preceding fiscal year. If the actuarial reserve is
1017 between 5 percent and 6 percent of the expected liabilities of
1018 the trust fund, the board shall pay the state universities 6
1019 percent above the amount assessed base rate for the tuition
1020 differential fee in the preceding fiscal year. If the actuarial
1021 reserve is between 6 percent and 7.5 percent of the expected
1022 liabilities of the trust fund, the board shall pay the state
1023 universities 6.5 percent above the amount assessed base rate for
1024 the tuition differential fee in the preceding fiscal year. If
1025 the actuarial reserve is equal to or greater than 7.5 percent of
1026 the expected liabilities of the trust fund, the board shall pay
1027 the state universities 7 percent above the amount assessed base
1028 rate for the tuition differential fee in the preceding fiscal
1029 year.
1030 3. As to local fees, the board shall pay the state
1031 universities 5 percent above the amount assessed for local fees
1032 in the preceding fiscal year.
1033 4. As to dormitory fees, the board shall pay the state
1034 universities 6 percent above the amount assessed for dormitory
1035 fees in the preceding fiscal year.
1036 5. Qualified beneficiaries of advance payment contracts
1037 purchased before July 1, 2007, are exempt from paying any
1038 tuition differential fee.
1039 (c) Notwithstanding the amount assessed for registration
1040 fees, the tuition differential, or local fees, the amount paid
1041 by the board to any state university on behalf of a qualified
1042 beneficiary of an advance payment contract purchased before July
1043 1, 2034 July 1, 2024, may not exceed 100 percent of the amount
1044 charged by the state university for the aggregate sum of those
1045 fees.
1046 (d) Notwithstanding the amount assessed for dormitory fees,
1047 the amount paid by the board to any state university on behalf
1048 of a qualified beneficiary of an advance payment contract
1049 purchased before July 1, 2034 July 1, 2024, may not exceed 100
1050 percent of the amount charged by the state university for
1051 dormitory fees.
1052 (e) Notwithstanding the number of credit hours used by a
1053 state university to assess the amount for registration fees,
1054 tuition, tuition differential, or local fees, the amount paid by
1055 the board to any state university on behalf of a qualified
1056 beneficiary of an advance payment contract purchased before July
1057 1, 2034 July 1, 2024, may not exceed the number of credit hours
1058 taken by that qualified beneficiary at the state university.
1059 (f) The board shall pay state universities the actual
1060 amount assessed in accordance with law for registration fees,
1061 the tuition differential, local fees, and dormitory fees for
1062 advance payment contracts purchased on or after July 1, 2034
1063 July 1, 2024.
1064 Section 20. Subsection (5), paragraph (a) of subsection
1065 (6), and subsection (9) of section 1012.79, Florida Statutes,
1066 are amended to read:
1067 1012.79 Education Practices Commission; organization.—
1068 (5) The Commissioner of Education may, at his or her
1069 discretion, appoint and remove commission, by a vote of three
1070 fourths of the membership, shall employ an executive director,
1071 who shall be exempt from career service. The executive director
1072 may be dismissed by a majority vote of the membership.
1073 (6)(a) The commission shall be assigned to the Department
1074 of Education for administrative and fiscal accountability
1075 purposes. The commission, in the performance of its powers and
1076 duties, may shall not be subject to control, supervision, or
1077 direction by the Department of Education.
1078 (9) The commission shall make such expenditures as may be
1079 necessary in exercising its authority and powers and carrying
1080 out its duties and responsibilities, including expenditures for
1081 personal services, legal services general counsel or access to
1082 counsel, and rent at the seat of government and elsewhere; for
1083 books of reference, periodicals, furniture, equipment, and
1084 supplies; and for printing and binding. The expenditures of the
1085 commission shall be subject to the powers and duties of the
1086 Department of Financial Services as provided in s. 17.03.
1087 Section 21. Section 1012.86, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
1088 Section 22. Subsection (19) of section 1001.64, Florida
1089 Statutes, is amended to read:
1090 1001.64 Florida College System institution boards of
1091 trustees; powers and duties.—
1092 (19) Each board of trustees shall appoint, suspend, or
1093 remove the president of the Florida College System institution.
1094 The board of trustees may appoint a search committee. The board
1095 of trustees shall conduct annual evaluations of the president in
1096 accordance with rules of the State Board of Education and submit
1097 such evaluations to the State Board of Education for review. The
1098 evaluation must address the achievement of the performance goals
1099 established by the accountability process implemented pursuant
1100 to s. 1008.45 and the performance of the president in achieving
1101 the annual and long-term goals and objectives established in the
1102 Florida College System institution’s employment accountability
1103 program implemented pursuant to s. 1012.86.
1104 Section 23. Subsection (22) of section 1001.65, Florida
1105 Statutes, is amended to read:
1106 1001.65 Florida College System institution presidents;
1107 powers and duties.—The president is the chief executive officer
1108 of the Florida College System institution, shall be corporate
1109 secretary of the Florida College System institution board of
1110 trustees, and is responsible for the operation and
1111 administration of the Florida College System institution. Each
1112 Florida College System institution president shall:
1113 (22) Submit an annual employment accountability plan to the
1114 Department of Education pursuant to the provisions of s.
1115 1012.86.
1116 Section 24. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.
