Bill Text: FL S0996 | 2024 | Regular Session | Comm Sub


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 CS for SB 996
       
       
        
       By the Committee on Fiscal Policy; the Appropriations Committee
       on Education; the Committee on Education Pre-K -12; and Senator
       Burgess
       
       
       
       594-03391-24                                           2024996c3
    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 ss. 1001.61 and 1001.71,
   10         F.S.; prohibiting members of the board of trustees of
   11         a Florida College System institution or a state
   12         university, respectively, from doing business with or
   13         having any business affiliation with any institution
   14         under their purview during their membership; amending
   15         s. 1002.33, F.S.; providing that students who transfer
   16         from certain classical schools to certain charter
   17         classical schools may be included as a student
   18         population to whom charter schools may give enrollment
   19         preference; defining the term “classical school”;
   20         revising the list of student populations that may be
   21         targeted for enrollment by a charter school by
   22         limiting the enrollment process; revising the
   23         definition of the term “charter school personnel”;
   24         amending s. 1002.42, F.S.; authorizing private schools
   25         to use or purchase specified facilities; exempting
   26         such facilities from specified zoning or land use
   27         requirements; requiring that such facilities meet
   28         specified laws, codes, and rules; amending s. 1002.45,
   29         F.S.; providing responsibilities for approved virtual
   30         instruction program providers, virtual charter
   31         schools, and school districts relating to statewide
   32         assessments and progress monitoring for certain
   33         students; creating s. 1003.052, F.S.; establishing the
   34         Purple Star School District Program; providing
   35         requirements for such program; authorizing the
   36         Department of Education to establish additional
   37         program criteria; authorizing the State Board of
   38         Education to adopt rules; amending s. 1003.451, F.S.;
   39         requiring school districts and charter schools to
   40         provide certain students with an opportunity to take
   41         the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and
   42         consult with a military recruiter; providing
   43         requirements for the scheduling of such test; amending
   44         s. 1003.53, F.S.; revising requirements for the
   45         assignment of students to disciplinary programs and
   46         alternative school settings or other programs;
   47         revising requirements for dropout prevention and
   48         academic intervention programs; requiring such
   49         programs to include academic intervention plans for
   50         students; providing requirements for such plans;
   51         providing that specified provisions apply to all
   52         dropout prevention and academic intervention programs;
   53         requiring school principals or their designees to make
   54         a reasonable effort to notify parents by specified
   55         means and to document such effort; creating s.
   56         1004.051, F.S.; prohibiting a public postsecondary
   57         institution from implicitly or explicitly prohibiting
   58         specified students from being employed; providing
   59         applicability; amending s. 1006.38, F.S.; requiring
   60         instructional materials publishers and manufacturers
   61         or their representatives to make sample student
   62         editions of specified instructional materials
   63         available electronically for use by certain programs
   64         and institutes for a specified purpose; requiring
   65         teacher preparation programs and educator preparation
   66         institutes that use sample student editions to meet
   67         certain requirements; authorizing publishers to make
   68         available at a discounted price sample student
   69         editions of specified instructional materials to
   70         certain programs; amending s. 1007.25, F.S.; creating
   71         associate in arts specialized transfer degrees;
   72         providing requirements for such degrees; providing a
   73         process for the approval of such degree programs;
   74         requiring the state board to adopt specified rules;
   75         amending s. 1007.271, F.S.; requiring district school
   76         boards to make reasonable efforts to enter into
   77         specified agreements with a Florida College System
   78         institution for certain online courses; amending s.
   79         1008.33, F.S.; revising the date by which a memorandum
   80         of understanding relating to schools in turnaround
   81         status must be provided to the department; revising
   82         requirements for district-managed turnaround plans;
   83         providing requirements for turnaround schools that
   84         close and reopen as charter schools and school
   85         districts in which such schools reside; providing that
   86         specified provisions do not apply to certain
   87         turnaround schools; requiring the State Board of
   88         Education to adopt rules for a charter school
   89         turnaround contract and specified leases and
   90         agreements; amending s. 1008.34, F.S.; requiring that
   91         any changes made by the state board to components in
   92         the school grades model or the school grading scale
   93         shall go into effect, at the earliest, the following
   94         school year; amending s. 1009.21, F.S.; providing that
   95         a specified method for a student to prove residency
   96         for tuition purposes is deemed a single, conclusive
   97         piece of evidence; amending s. 1009.23, F.S.;
   98         authorizing certain Florida College System
   99         institutions to charge a specified amount for
  100         nonresident tuition and fees for distance learning;
  101         amending s. 1009.98, F.S.; revising the definition of
  102         the term “tuition differential”; revising provisions
  103         relating to payments the Florida Prepaid College Board
  104         must pay to state universities on behalf of
  105         beneficiaries of specified contracts; amending s.
  106         1012.55, F.S.; requiring the state board to adopt
  107         rules for the issuance of a classical education
  108         teaching certificate; providing requirements for such
  109         certificate; defining the term “classical school”;
  110         amending s. 1012.79, F.S.; authorizing the
  111         Commissioner of Education to appoint an executive
  112         director of the Education Practices Commission;
  113         revising the purpose of the commission; authorizing
  114         the commission to expend funds for legal services;
  115         repealing s. 1012.86, F.S., relating to the Florida
  116         College System institution employment equity
  117         accountability program; amending ss. 1001.64 and
  118         1001.65, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made
  119         by the act; providing an effective date.
  120          
  121  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
  122  
  123         Section 1. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) and paragraphs
  124  (b) and (c) of subsection (2) of section 192.0105, Florida
  125  Statutes, are amended to read:
  126         192.0105 Taxpayer rights.—There is created a Florida
  127  Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights for property taxes and assessments to
  128  guarantee that the rights, privacy, and property of the
  129  taxpayers of this state are adequately safeguarded and protected
  130  during tax levy, assessment, collection, and enforcement
  131  processes administered under the revenue laws of this state. The
  132  Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights compiles, in one document, brief but
  133  comprehensive statements that summarize the rights and
  134  obligations of the property appraisers, tax collectors, clerks
  135  of the court, local governing boards, the Department of Revenue,
  136  and taxpayers. Additional rights afforded to payors of taxes and
  137  assessments imposed under the revenue laws of this state are
  138  provided in s. 213.015. The rights afforded taxpayers to assure
  139  that their privacy and property are safeguarded and protected
  140  during tax levy, assessment, and collection are available only
  141  insofar as they are implemented in other parts of the Florida
  142  Statutes or rules of the Department of Revenue. The rights so
  143  guaranteed to state taxpayers in the Florida Statutes and the
  144  departmental rules include:
  145         (1) THE RIGHT TO KNOW.—
  146         (f) The right of an exemption recipient to be sent a
  147  renewal application for that exemption, the right to a receipt
  148  for homestead exemption claim when filed, and the right to
  149  notice of denial of the exemption (see ss. 196.011(7),
  150  196.131(1), 196.151, and 196.193(1)(c) and (5) 196.011(6),
  151  196.131(1), 196.151, and 196.193(1)(c) and (5)).
  152  
  153  Notwithstanding the right to information contained in this
  154  subsection, under s. 197.122 property owners are held to know
  155  that property taxes are due and payable annually and are charged
  156  with a duty to ascertain the amount of current and delinquent
  157  taxes and obtain the necessary information from the applicable
  158  governmental officials.
  159         (2) THE RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS.—
  160         (b) The right to petition the value adjustment board over
  161  objections to assessments, denial of exemption, denial of
  162  agricultural classification, denial of historic classification,
  163  denial of high-water recharge classification, disapproval of tax
  164  deferral, and any penalties on deferred taxes imposed for
  165  incorrect information willfully filed. Payment of estimated
  166  taxes does not preclude the right of the taxpayer to challenge
  167  his or her assessment (see ss. 194.011(3), 196.011(7) and
  168  (10)(a), 196.151, 196.193(1)(c) and (5), 193.461(2), 193.503(7),
  169  193.625(2), 197.2425, 197.301(2), and 197.2301(11) ss.
  170  194.011(3), 196.011(6) and (9)(a), 196.151, 196.193(1)(c) and
  171  (5), 193.461(2), 193.503(7), 193.625(2), 197.2425, 197.301(2),
  172  and 197.2301(11)).
  173         (c) The right to file a petition for exemption or
  174  agricultural classification with the value adjustment board when
  175  an application deadline is missed, upon demonstration of
  176  particular extenuating circumstances for filing late (see ss.
  177  193.461(3)(a) and 196.011(1), (8), (9), and (10)(e) ss.
  178  193.461(3)(a) and 196.011(1), (7), (8), and (9)(e)).
  179         Section 2. Paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of subsection (1)
  180  of section 192.048, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  181         192.048 Electronic transmission.—
  182         (1) Subject to subsection (2), the following documents may
  183  be transmitted electronically rather than by regular mail:
  184         (b) The tax exemption renewal application required under s.
  185  196.011(7)(a) s. 196.011(6)(a).
  186         (c) The tax exemption renewal application required under s.
  187  196.011(7)(b) s. 196.011(6)(b).
  188         (d) A notification of an intent to deny a tax exemption
  189  required under s. 196.011(10)(e) s. 196.011(9)(e).
  190         Section 3. Subsections (3) and (4) of section 196.082,
  191  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  192         196.082 Discounts for disabled veterans; surviving spouse
  193  carryover.—
  194         (3) If the partially or totally and permanently disabled
  195  veteran predeceases his or her spouse and if, upon the death of
  196  the veteran, the spouse holds the legal or beneficial title to
  197  the homestead and permanently resides thereon as specified in s.
  198  196.031, the discount from ad valorem tax that the veteran
  199  received carries over to the benefit of the veteran’s spouse
  200  until such time as he or she remarries or sells or otherwise
  201  disposes of the property. If the spouse sells or otherwise
  202  disposes of the property, a discount not to exceed the dollar
  203  amount granted from the most recent ad valorem tax roll may be
  204  transferred to his or her new residence, as long as it is used
  205  as his or her primary residence and he or she does not remarry.
  206  An applicant who is qualified to receive a discount under this
  207  section and who fails to file an application by March 1 may file
  208  an application for the discount and may file a petition pursuant
  209  to s. 194.011(3) with the value adjustment board requesting that
  210  the discount be granted. Such application and petition shall be
  211  subject to the same procedures as for exemptions set forth in s.
  212  196.011(9) s. 196.011(8).
  213         (4) To qualify for the discount granted under this section,
  214  an applicant must submit to the county property appraiser by
  215  March 1:
  216         (a) An official letter from the United States Department of
  217  Veterans Affairs which states the percentage of the veteran’s
  218  service-connected disability and evidence that reasonably
  219  identifies the disability as combat-related;
  220         (b) A copy of the veteran’s honorable discharge; and
  221         (c) Proof of age as of January 1 of the year to which the
  222  discount will apply.
  223  
  224  Any applicant who is qualified to receive a discount under this
  225  section and who fails to file an application by March 1 may file
  226  an application for the discount and may file, pursuant to s.
  227  194.011(3), a petition with the value adjustment board
  228  requesting that the discount be granted. Such application and
  229  petition shall be subject to the same procedures as for
  230  exemptions set forth in s. 196.011(9) s. 196.011(8).
  231         Section 4. Present subsections (5) through (12) of section
  232  196.011, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (6)
  233  through (13), respectively, a new subsection (5) is added to
  234  that section, and subsection (1) and present subsections (10)
  235  and (11) of that section are amended, to read:
  236         196.011 Annual application required for exemption.—
  237         (1)(a) Except as provided in s. 196.081(1)(b), every person
  238  or organization who, on January 1, has the legal title to real
  239  or personal property, except inventory, which is entitled by law
  240  to exemption from taxation as a result of its ownership and use
  241  shall, on or before March 1 of each year, file an application
  242  for exemption with the county property appraiser, listing and
  243  describing the property for which exemption is claimed and
  244  certifying its ownership and use. The Department of Revenue
  245  shall prescribe the forms upon which the application is made.
  246  Failure to make application, when required, on or before March 1
  247  of any year shall constitute a waiver of the exemption privilege
  248  for that year, except as provided in subsection (7) or
  249  subsection (9) (8).
  250         (b) The form to apply for an exemption under s. 196.031, s.
  251  196.081, s. 196.091, s. 196.101, s. 196.102, s. 196.173, or s.
  252  196.202 must include a space for the applicant to list the
  253  social security number of the applicant and of the applicant’s
  254  spouse, if any. If an applicant files a timely and otherwise
  255  complete application, and omits the required social security
  256  numbers, the application is incomplete. In that event, the
  257  property appraiser shall contact the applicant, who may refile a
  258  complete application by April 1. Failure to file a complete
  259  application by that date constitutes a waiver of the exemption
  260  privilege for that year, except as provided in subsection (7) or
  261  subsection (9) (8).
  262         (5)It is not necessary to make annual application for
  263  exemption on property used to house a charter school pursuant to
  264  s. 196.1983. The owner or lessee of any property used to house a
  265  charter school pursuant to s. 196.1983 who is not required to
  266  file an annual application shall notify the property appraiser
  267  promptly whenever the use of the property or the status or
  268  condition of the owner or lessee changes so as to change the
  269  exempt status of the property. If any owner or lessee fails to
  270  so notify the property appraiser and the property appraiser
  271  determines that for any year within the prior 10 years the owner
  272  or lessee was not entitled to receive such exemption, the owner
  273  or lessee of the property is subject to the taxes exempted as a
  274  result of such failure plus 15 percent interest per annum and a
  275  penalty of 50 percent of the taxes exempted. The property
  276  appraiser making such determination shall record in the public
  277  records of the county a notice of tax lien against any property
  278  owned by that person or entity in the county, and such property
  279  must be identified in the notice of tax lien. Such property is
  280  subject to the payment of all taxes and penalties. Such lien
  281  when filed shall attach to any property, identified in the
  282  notice of tax lien, owned by the person or entity who illegally
  283  or improperly received the exemption. If such person or entity
  284  no longer owns property in that county but owns property in some
  285  other county or counties in the state, the property appraiser
  286  shall record a notice of tax lien in such other county or
  287  counties, identifying the property owned by such person or
  288  entity in such county or counties, and it shall become a lien
  289  against such property in such county or counties.
  290         (11)(10) At the option of the property appraiser and
  291  notwithstanding any other provision of this section, initial or
  292  original applications for homestead exemption for the succeeding
  293  year may be accepted and granted after March 1. Reapplication on
  294  a short form as authorized by subsection (6) (5) shall be
  295  required if the county has not waived the requirement of an
  296  annual application. Once the initial or original application and
  297  reapplication have been granted, the property may qualify for
  298  the exemption in each succeeding year pursuant to the provisions
  299  of subsection (7) (6) or subsection (10) (9).
  300         (12)(11) For exemptions enumerated in paragraph (1)(b),
  301  social security numbers of the applicant and the applicant’s
  302  spouse, if any, are required and must be submitted to the
  303  department. Applications filed pursuant to subsection (6) (5) or
  304  subsection (7) (6) shall include social security numbers of the
  305  applicant and the applicant’s spouse, if any. For counties where
  306  the annual application requirement has been waived, property
  307  appraisers may require refiling of an application to obtain such
  308  information.
  309         Section 5. Subsection (3) of section 1001.61, Florida
  310  Statutes, is amended to read:
  311         1001.61 Florida College System institution boards of
  312  trustees; membership.—
  313         (3) Members of the board of trustees shall receive no
  314  compensation but may receive reimbursement for expenses as
  315  provided in s. 112.061. A member may not do business or have any
  316  business affiliation with any institution under his or her
  317  purview in the Florida College System while he or she is a
  318  member of a Florida College System institution’s board of
  319  trustees.
  320         Section 6. Subsection (2) of section 1001.71, Florida
  321  Statutes, is amended to read:
  322         1001.71 University boards of trustees; membership.—
  323         (2) Members of the boards of trustees shall receive no
  324  compensation but may be reimbursed for travel and per diem
  325  expenses as provided in s. 112.061. A member may not do business
  326  or have any business affiliation with any institution under his
  327  or her purview in the State University System while he or she is
  328  a member of a state university’s board of trustees.
  329         Section 7. Paragraphs (d) and (e) of subsection (10) and
  330  paragraph (a) of subsection (24) of section 1002.33, Florida
  331  Statutes, are amended to read:
  332         1002.33 Charter schools.—
  333         (10) ELIGIBLE STUDENTS.—
  334         (d) A charter school may give enrollment preference to the
  335  following student populations:
  336         1. Students who are siblings of a student enrolled in the
  337  charter school.
  338         2. Students who are the children of a member of the
  339  governing board of the charter school.
  340         3. Students who are the children of an employee of the
  341  charter school.
  342         4. Students who are the children of:
  343         a. An employee of the business partner of a charter school
  344  in-the-workplace established under paragraph (15)(b) or a
  345  resident of the municipality in which such charter school is
  346  located; or
  347         b. A resident or employee of a municipality that operates a
  348  charter school-in-a-municipality pursuant to paragraph (15)(c)
  349  or allows a charter school to use a school facility or portion
  350  of land provided by the municipality for the operation of the
  351  charter school.
  352         5. Students who have successfully completed, during the
  353  previous year, a voluntary prekindergarten education program
  354  under ss. 1002.51-1002.79 provided by the charter school, the
  355  charter school’s governing board, or a voluntary prekindergarten
  356  provider that has a written agreement with the governing board.
  357         6. Students who are the children of an active duty member
  358  of any branch of the United States Armed Forces.
  359         7. Students who attended or are assigned to failing schools
  360  pursuant to s. 1002.38(2).
  361         8. Students who are the children of a safe-school officer,
  362  as defined in s. 1006.12, at the school.
  363         9. Students who transfer from a classical school in this
  364  state to a charter classical school in this state. For purposes
  365  of this subparagraph, the term “classical school” means a
  366  traditional public school or charter school that implements a
  367  classical education model that emphasizes the development of
  368  students in the principles of moral character and civic virtue
  369  through a well-rounded education in the liberal arts and
  370  sciences which is based on the classical trivium stages of
  371  grammar, logic, and rhetoric.
  372         (e) A charter school may limit the enrollment process only
  373  to target the following student populations:
  374         1. Students within specific age groups or grade levels.
  375         2. Students considered at risk of dropping out of school or
  376  academic failure. Such students shall include exceptional
  377  education students.
  378         3. Students enrolling in a charter school-in-the-workplace
  379  or charter school-in-a-municipality established pursuant to
  380  subsection (15).
  381         4. Students residing within a reasonable distance of the
  382  charter school, as described in paragraph (20)(c). Such students
  383  shall be subject to a random lottery and to the racial/ethnic
  384  balance provisions described in subparagraph (7)(a)8. or any
  385  federal provisions that require a school to achieve a
  386  racial/ethnic balance reflective of the community it serves or
  387  within the racial/ethnic range of other nearby public schools.
  388         5. Students who meet reasonable academic, artistic, or
  389  other eligibility standards established by the charter school
  390  and included in the charter school application and charter or,
  391  in the case of existing charter schools, standards that are
  392  consistent with the school’s mission and purpose. Such standards
  393  shall be in accordance with current state law and practice in
  394  public schools and may not discriminate against otherwise
  395  qualified individuals. A school that limits enrollment for such
  396  purposes must place a student on a progress monitoring plan for
  397  at least one semester before dismissing such student from the
  398  school.
  399         6. Students articulating from one charter school to another
  400  pursuant to an articulation agreement between the charter
  401  schools that has been approved by the sponsor.
  402         7. Students living in a development, or students whose
  403  parent or legal guardian maintains a physical or permanent
  404  employment presence within the development, in which a
  405  developer, including any affiliated business entity or
  406  charitable foundation, contributes to the formation,
  407  acquisition, construction, or operation of one or more charter
  408  schools or charter school facilities and related property in an
  409  amount equal to or having a total appraised value of at least $5
  410  million to be used as charter schools to mitigate the
  411  educational impact created by the development of new residential
  412  dwelling units. Students living in the development are entitled
  413  to 50 percent of the student stations in the charter schools.
  414  The students who are eligible for enrollment are subject to a
  415  random lottery, the racial/ethnic balance provisions, or any
  416  federal provisions, as described in subparagraph 4. The
  417  remainder of the student stations must be filled in accordance
  418  with subparagraph 4.
  419         8. Students whose parent or legal guardian is employed
  420  within a reasonable distance of the charter school, as described
  421  in paragraph (20)(c). The students who are eligible for
  422  enrollment are subject to a random lottery.
  423         (24) RESTRICTION ON EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES.—
  424         (a) This subsection applies to charter school personnel in
  425  a charter school operated by a private entity. As used in this
  426  subsection, the term:
  427         1. “Charter school personnel” means a charter school owner,
  428  president, chairperson of the governing board of directors,
  429  superintendent, governing board member, principal, assistant
  430  principal, or any other person employed by the charter school
  431  who has equivalent decisionmaking authority and in whom is
  432  vested the authority, or to whom the authority has been
  433  delegated, to appoint, employ, promote, or advance individuals
  434  or to recommend individuals for appointment, employment,
  435  promotion, or advancement in connection with employment in a
  436  charter school, including the authority as a member of a
  437  governing body of a charter school to vote on the appointment,
  438  employment, promotion, or advancement of individuals.
  439         2. “Relative” means father, mother, son, daughter, brother,
  440  sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife,
  441  father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law,
  442  brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson,
  443  stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, or half
  444  sister.
  445  
  446  Charter school personnel in schools operated by a municipality
  447  or other public entity are subject to s. 112.3135.
  448         Section 8. Subsection (19) is added to s. 1002.42, Florida
  449  Statutes, to read:
  450         1002.42 Private schools.—
  451         (19) FACILITIES.—
  452         (a) A private school may use facilities on property owned
  453  or leased by a library, community service organization, museum,
  454  performing arts venue, theatre, cinema, or church facility under
  455  s. 170.201, which is or was actively used as such within 5 years
  456  of any executed agreement with a private school to use the
  457  facilities; any facility or land owned by a Florida College
  458  System institution or university; any similar public
  459  institutional facilities; and any facility recently used to
  460  house a school or child care facility licensed under s. 402.305,
  461  under any such facility’s preexisting zoning and land use
  462  designations without rezoning or obtaining a special exception
  463  or a land use change, and without complying with any mitigation
  464  requirements or conditions. The facility must be located on
  465  property used solely for purposes described in this paragraph,
  466  and must meet applicable state and local health, safety, and
  467  welfare laws, codes, and rules, including firesafety and
  468  building safety.
  469         (b) A private school may use facilities on property
  470  purchased from a library, community service organization,
  471  museum, performing arts venue, theatre, cinema, or church
  472  facility under s. 170.201, which is actively or was actively
  473  used as such within 5 years of any executed agreement with a
  474  private school to purchase the facilities; any facility or land
  475  owned by a Florida College System institution or university; any
  476  similar public institutional facilities; and any facility
  477  recently used to house a school or child care facility licensed
  478  under s. 402.305, under any such facility’s preexisting zoning
  479  and land use designations without obtaining a special exception,
  480  rezoning, or a land use change, and without complying with any
  481  mitigation requirements or conditions. The facility must be
  482  located on property used solely for purposes described in this
  483  paragraph, and must meet applicable state and local health,
  484  safety, and welfare laws, codes, and rules, including firesafety
  485  and building safety.
  486         Section 9. Paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of section
  487  1002.45, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  488         1002.45 Virtual instruction programs.—
  489         (5) STUDENT PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS.—Each student
  490  enrolled in the school district’s virtual instruction program
  491  authorized pursuant to paragraph (1)(c) must:
  492         (b) Take statewide assessments pursuant to s. 1008.22 and
  493  participate in the coordinated screening and progress monitoring
  494  system under s. 1008.25(9). Statewide assessments and progress
  495  monitoring may be administered within the school district in
  496  which such student resides, or as specified in the contract
  497  under in accordance with s. 1008.24(3). If requested by the
  498  approved virtual instruction program provider or virtual charter
  499  school, the district of residence must provide the student with
  500  access to the district’s testing facilities. It is the
  501  responsibility of the approved virtual instruction program
  502  provider or virtual charter school to provide a list of students
  503  to be administered statewide assessments and progress monitoring
  504  to the school district, including the students’ names, Florida
  505  Education Identifiers, grade levels, assessments and progress
  506  monitoring to be administered, and contact information. Unless
  507  an alternative testing site is mutually agreed to by the
  508  approved virtual instruction program provider or virtual charter
  509  school and the school district, or as specified in the contract
  510  under s. 1008.24, all assessments and progress monitoring must
  511  be taken at the school to which the student would be assigned
  512  according to district school board attendance policies. A school
  513  district must provide the student with access to the school’s or
  514  district’s testing facilities and provide the student with the
  515  date and time of the administration of each assessment and
  516  progress monitoring.
  517         Section 10. Section 1003.052, Florida Statutes, is created
  518  to read:
  519         1003.052The Purple Star School District Program.—
  520         (1)(a)The Department of Education shall establish the
  521  Purple Star School District Program. At a minimum, the program
  522  must require a participating school district to:
  523         1.Have at least 75 percent of the schools within the
  524  district be designated as Purple Star Campuses under s.
  525  1003.051.
  526         2.Maintain a web page on the district’s website which
  527  includes resources for military students and their families and
  528  a link to each Purple Star Campus’s web page that meets the
  529  requirements of s. 1003.051(2)(a)2.
  530         (b)The department may establish additional program
  531  criteria to identify school districts that demonstrate a
  532  commitment to or provide critical coordination of services for
  533  military students and their families, including, but not limited
  534  to, establishing a council consisting of a representative from
  535  each Purple Star Campus in the district and one district-level
  536  representative to ensure the alignment of military student
  537  focused policies and procedures within the district.
  538         (2)The State Board of Education may adopt rules to
  539  administer this section.
  540         Section 11. Present subsection (4) of section 1003.451,
  541  Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (5), and a new
  542  subsection (4) is added to that section, to read:
  543         1003.451 Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps; military
  544  recruiters; access to public school campuses; Armed Services
  545  Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).—
  546         (4)Each school district and charter school shall provide
  547  students in grades 11 and 12 an opportunity to take the Armed
  548  Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and consult with a
  549  military recruiter if the student selects. To optimize student
  550  participation, the ASVAB must be scheduled during normal school
  551  hours.
  552         Section 12. Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (1),
  553  paragraph (a) of subsection (2), and subsections (3) through (7)
  554  of section 1003.53, Florida Statutes, are amended, and paragraph
  555  (c) is added to subsection (2) of that section, to read:
  556         1003.53 Dropout prevention and academic intervention.—
  557         (1)(a) Dropout prevention and academic intervention
  558  programs may differ from traditional educational programs and
  559  schools in scheduling, administrative structure, philosophy,
  560  curriculum, or setting and shall employ alternative teaching
  561  methodologies, curricula, learning activities, and diagnostic
  562  and assessment procedures in order to meet the needs, interests,
  563  abilities, and talents of eligible students. The educational
  564  program shall provide curricula, character development and law
  565  education, and related services that support the program goals
  566  and lead to improved performance in the areas of academic
  567  achievement, attendance, and discipline. Student participation
  568  in such programs shall be voluntary. District school boards may,
  569  however, assign students to a disciplinary program for
  570  disruptive students or an alternative school setting or other
  571  program pursuant to s. 1006.13. Notwithstanding any other
  572  provision of law to the contrary, no student shall be identified
  573  as being eligible to receive services funded through the dropout
  574  prevention and academic intervention program based solely on the
  575  student being from a single-parent family or having a
  576  disability.
  577         (c) A student shall be identified as being eligible to
  578  receive services funded through the dropout prevention and
  579  academic intervention program based upon one of the following
  580  criteria:
  581         1. The student is academically unsuccessful as evidenced by
  582  low test scores, retention, failing grades, low grade point
  583  average, falling behind in earning credits, or not meeting the
  584  state or district achievement levels in reading, mathematics, or
  585  writing.
  586         2. The student has a pattern of excessive absenteeism or
  587  has been identified as a habitual truant.
  588         3. The student has a history of disruptive behavior in
  589  school or has committed an offense that warrants out-of-school
  590  suspension or expulsion from school according to the district
  591  school board’s code of student conduct. For the purposes of this
  592  program, “disruptive behavior” is behavior that:
  593         a. Interferes with the student’s own learning or the
  594  educational process of others and requires attention and
  595  assistance beyond that which the traditional program can provide
  596  or results in frequent conflicts of a disruptive nature while
  597  the student is under the jurisdiction of the school either in or
  598  out of the classroom; or
  599         b. Severely threatens the general welfare of students or
  600  others with whom the student comes into contact.
  601         4. The student is identified by a school’s early warning
  602  system pursuant to s. 1001.42(18)(b).
  603         (2)(a) Each district school board may establish dropout
  604  prevention and academic intervention programs at the elementary,
  605  middle, junior high school, or high school level. Programs
  606  designed to eliminate patterns of excessive absenteeism or
  607  habitual truancy shall emphasize academic performance and may
  608  provide specific instruction in the areas of career education,
  609  preemployment training, and behavioral management. Such programs
  610  shall utilize instructional teaching methods and student
  611  services that lead to improved student behavior as appropriate
  612  to the specific needs of the student.
  613         (c)For each student enrolled in a dropout prevention and
  614  academic intervention program, an academic intervention plan
  615  shall be developed to address eligibility for placement in the
  616  program and to provide individualized student goals and progress
  617  monitoring procedures. A student’s academic intervention plan
  618  must be consistent with the student’s individual education plan
  619  (IEP).
  620         (3) Each district school board providing receiving state
  621  funding for dropout prevention and academic intervention
  622  programs through the General Appropriations Act shall submit
  623  information through an annual report to the Department of
  624  Education’s database documenting the extent to which each of the
  625  district’s dropout prevention and academic intervention programs
  626  has been successful in the areas of graduation rate, dropout
  627  rate, attendance rate, and retention/promotion rate. The
  628  department shall compile this information into an annual report
  629  which shall be submitted to the presiding officers of the
  630  Legislature by February 15.
  631         (4) Each district school board shall establish course
  632  standards, as defined by rule of the State Board of Education,
  633  for dropout prevention and academic intervention programs and
  634  procedures for ensuring that teachers assigned to the programs
  635  are certified pursuant to s. 1012.55 and possess the affective,
  636  pedagogical, and content-related skills necessary to meet the
  637  needs of these students.
  638         (5) Each district school board providing a dropout
  639  prevention and academic intervention program pursuant to this
  640  section shall maintain for each participating student records
  641  documenting the student’s eligibility, the length of
  642  participation, the type of program to which the student was
  643  assigned or the type of academic intervention services provided,
  644  and an evaluation of the student’s academic and behavioral
  645  performance while in the program. The school principal or his or
  646  her designee shall, prior to placement in a dropout prevention
  647  and academic intervention program or the provision of an
  648  academic service, provide written notice of placement or
  649  services by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
  650  student’s parent. The parent of the student shall sign an
  651  acknowledgment of the notice of placement or service and return
  652  the signed acknowledgment to the principal within 3 days after
  653  receipt of the notice. District school boards may adopt a policy
  654  that allows a parent to agree to an alternative method of
  655  notification. Such agreement may be made before the need for
  656  notification arises or at the time the notification becomes
  657  required. The parents of a student assigned to such a dropout
  658  prevention and academic intervention program shall be notified
  659  in writing and entitled to an administrative review of any
  660  action by school personnel relating to such placement pursuant
  661  to the provisions of chapter 120.
  662         (6) District school board dropout prevention and academic
  663  intervention programs shall be coordinated with social service,
  664  law enforcement, prosecutorial, and juvenile justice agencies
  665  and juvenile assessment centers in the school district.
  666  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 1002.22, these agencies are
  667  authorized to exchange information contained in student records
  668  and juvenile justice records. Such information is confidential
  669  and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1). District school
  670  boards and other agencies receiving such information shall use
  671  the information only for official purposes connected with the
  672  certification of students for admission to and for the
  673  administration of the dropout prevention and academic
  674  intervention program, and shall maintain the confidentiality of
  675  such information unless otherwise provided by law or rule.
  676         (7) The State Board of Education shall have the authority
  677  pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to adopt rules necessary
  678  to implement the provisions of this section; such rules shall
  679  require the minimum amount of necessary paperwork and reporting.
  680         Section 13. Section 1004.051, Florida Statutes, is created
  681  to read:
  682         1004.051Regulation of working students.—
  683         (1)A public postsecondary institution may not, as a
  684  condition of admission to or enrollment in any of the
  685  institution’s schools, colleges, or programs, implicitly or
  686  explicitly prohibit an applicant or currently enrolled student
  687  from being employed, either full time or part time.
  688         (2)This section does not apply if the applicant or
  689  currently enrolled student is employed by an organization or
  690  agency that is affiliated or associated with a foreign country
  691  of concern as defined in s. 288.860(1).
  692         Section 14. Present subsections (3) through (16) of section
  693  1006.38, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (4)
  694  through (17), respectively, a new subsection (3) is added to
  695  that section, and present subsections (14) and (16) of that
  696  section are amended, to read:
  697         1006.38 Duties, responsibilities, and requirements of
  698  instructional materials publishers and manufacturers.—This
  699  section applies to both the state and district approval
  700  processes. Publishers and manufacturers of instructional
  701  materials, or their representatives, shall:
  702         (3)Make sample student editions of instructional materials
  703  on the commissioner’s list of state-adopted instructional
  704  materials electronically available, at a discount below
  705  publisher cost, for use by teacher preparation programs and by
  706  educator preparation institutes as defined in ss. 1004.04 and
  707  1004.85(1), respectively, for each adoption cycle, to enable
  708  educators to practice teaching with currently adopted
  709  instructional materials aligned to state academic standards.
  710         (a) Teacher preparation programs and educator preparation
  711  institutes that use samples to practice teaching shall provide
  712  reasonable safeguards against the unauthorized use,
  713  reproduction, and distribution of the sample copies of
  714  instructional materials.
  715         (b) Notwithstanding s. 1006.38(5), publishers may make
  716  sample student editions of adopted instructional materials
  717  available at a discounted price to teacher preparation programs
  718  and educator preparation institutes for the instructional
  719  purpose of educators practicing with current materials.
  720         (15)(14) Accurately and fully disclose only the names of
  721  those persons who actually authored the instructional materials.
  722  In addition to the penalties provided in subsection (17) (16),
  723  the commissioner may remove from the list of state-adopted
  724  instructional materials those instructional materials whose
  725  publisher or manufacturer misleads the purchaser by falsely
  726  representing genuine authorship.
  727         (17)(16) Upon the willful failure of the publisher or
  728  manufacturer to comply with the requirements of this section, be
  729  liable to the department in the amount of three times the total
  730  sum which the publisher or manufacturer was paid in excess of
  731  the price required under subsections (5) and (6) and (7) and in
  732  the amount of three times the total value of the instructional
  733  materials and services which the district school board is
  734  entitled to receive free of charge under subsection (8) (7).
  735         Section 15. Subsections (9) and (12) of section 1007.25,
  736  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  737         1007.25 General education courses; common prerequisites;
  738  other degree requirements.—
  739         (9)(a) An associate in arts degree must shall require no
  740  more than 60 semester hours of college credit and include 36
  741  semester hours of general education coursework. Beginning with
  742  students initially entering a Florida College System institution
  743  or state university in the 2014-2015 academic year and
  744  thereafter, coursework for an associate in arts degree must
  745  shall include demonstration of competency in a foreign language
  746  pursuant to s. 1007.262. Except for developmental education
  747  required pursuant to s. 1008.30, all required coursework must
  748  shall count toward the associate in arts degree or the
  749  baccalaureate degree.
  750         (b)An associate in arts specialized transfer degree must
  751  include 36 semester hours of general education coursework and
  752  require 60 semester hours or more of college credit. Specialized
  753  transfer degrees are designed for Florida College System
  754  institution students who need supplemental lower-level
  755  coursework in preparation for transfer to another institution.
  756  The State Board of Education shall establish criteria for the
  757  review and approval of new specialized transfer degrees. The
  758  approval process must require:
  759         1.A Florida College System institution to submit a notice
  760  of its intent to propose a new associate in arts specialized
  761  degree program to the Division of Florida Colleges. The notice
  762  must include the recommended credit hours, the rationale for the
  763  specialization, the demand for students entering the field, and
  764  the coursework being proposed to be included beyond the 60
  765  semester hours required for the general transfer degree, if
  766  applicable. Notices of intent may be submitted by a Florida
  767  College System institution at any time.
  768         2.The Division of Florida Colleges to forward the notice
  769  of intent within 10 business days after receipt to all Florida
  770  College System institutions and to the Chancellor of the State
  771  University System, who shall forward the notice to all state
  772  universities. State universities and Florida College System
  773  institutions shall have 60 days after receipt of the notice to
  774  submit comments to the proposed associate in arts specialized
  775  transfer degree.
  776         3.After the submission of comments pursuant to
  777  subparagraph 2., the requesting Florida College System
  778  institution to submit a proposal that, at a minimum, includes:
  779         a.Evidence that the coursework for the associate in arts
  780  specialized transfer degree includes demonstration of competency
  781  in a foreign language pursuant to s. 1007.262 and demonstration
  782  of civic literacy competency as provided in subsection (5).
  783         b.Demonstration that all required coursework will count
  784  toward the associate in arts degree or the baccalaureate degree.
  785         c.An analysis of demand and unmet need for students
  786  entering the specialized field of study at the baccalaureate
  787  level.
  788         d.Justification for the program length if it exceeds 60
  789  credit hours, including references to the common prerequisite
  790  manual or other requirements for the baccalaureate degree. This
  791  includes documentation of alignment between the exit
  792  requirements of a Florida College System institution and the
  793  admissions requirements of a baccalaureate program at a state
  794  university to which students would typically transfer.
  795         e.Articulation agreements for graduates of the associate
  796  in arts specialized transfer degree.
  797         f.Responses to the comments received under subparagraph 2.
  798         (c)The Division of Florida Colleges shall review the
  799  proposal and, within 30 days after receipt, shall provide
  800  written notification to the Florida College System institution
  801  of any deficiencies and provide the institution with an
  802  opportunity to correct the deficiencies. Within 45 days after
  803  receipt of a completed proposal by the Division of Florida
  804  Colleges, the Commissioner of Education shall recommend approval
  805  or disapproval of the new specialized transfer degree to the
  806  State Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall
  807  consider the recommendation at its next meeting.
  808         (d)Upon approval of an associate in arts specialized
  809  transfer degree by the State Board of Education, a Florida
  810  College System institution may offer the degree and shall report
  811  data on student and program performance in a manner prescribed
  812  by the Department of Education.
  813         (e)The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant
  814  to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to prescribe format and content
  815  requirements and submission procedures for notices of intent,
  816  proposals, and compliance reviews under this subsection.
  817         (12) A student who received an associate in arts degree for
  818  successfully completing 60 semester credit hours may continue to
  819  earn additional credits at a Florida College System institution.
  820  The university must provide credit toward the student’s
  821  baccalaureate degree for an additional Florida College System
  822  institution course if, according to the statewide course
  823  numbering, the Florida College System institution course is a
  824  course listed in the university catalog as required for the
  825  degree or as prerequisite to a course required for the degree.
  826  Of the courses required for the degree, at least half of the
  827  credit hours required for the degree must shall be achievable
  828  through courses designated as lower division, except in degree
  829  programs approved by the State Board of Education for programs
  830  offered by Florida College System institutions and by the Board
  831  of Governors for programs offered by state universities.
  832         Section 16. Subsection (4) of section 1007.271, Florida
  833  Statutes, is amended to read:
  834         1007.271 Dual enrollment programs.—
  835         (4)(a) District school boards may not refuse to enter into
  836  a dual enrollment articulation agreement with a local Florida
  837  College System institution if that Florida College System
  838  institution has the capacity to offer dual enrollment courses.
  839         (b)District school boards must make reasonable efforts to
  840  enter into dual enrollment articulation agreements with a
  841  Florida College System institution that offers online dual
  842  enrollment courses.
  843         Section 17. Subsections (4) and (5) of section 1008.33,
  844  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  845         1008.33 Authority to enforce public school improvement.—
  846         (4)(a) The state board shall apply intensive intervention
  847  and support strategies tailored to the needs of schools earning
  848  two consecutive grades of “D” or a grade of “F.” In the first
  849  full school year after a school initially earns a grade of “D,”
  850  the school district must immediately implement intervention and
  851  support strategies prescribed in rule under paragraph (3)(c).
  852  For a school that initially earns a grade of “F” or a second
  853  consecutive grade of “D,” the school district must either
  854  continue implementing or immediately begin implementing
  855  intervention and support strategies prescribed in rule under
  856  paragraph (3)(c) and for the 2024-2025 school year provide the
  857  department, by September 1, with the memorandum of understanding
  858  negotiated pursuant to s. 1001.42(21) and, by October 1, a
  859  district-managed turnaround plan for approval by the state
  860  board. For the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter, the school
  861  district must provide the department, by August 1, with the
  862  memorandum of understanding negotiated pursuant to s.
  863  1001.42(21) and a district-managed turnaround plan for approval
  864  by the state board. The plan must include measurable academic
  865  benchmarks that put the school on a path to earning and
  866  maintaining a grade of “C” or higher The district-managed
  867  turnaround plan may include a proposal for the district to
  868  implement an extended school day, a summer program, a
  869  combination of an extended school day and a summer program, or
  870  any other option authorized under paragraph (b) for state board
  871  approval. A school district is not required to wait until a
  872  school earns a second consecutive grade of “D” to submit a
  873  turnaround plan for approval by the state board under this
  874  paragraph. Upon approval by the state board, the school district
  875  must implement the plan for the remainder of the school year and
  876  continue the plan for 1 full school year. The state board may
  877  allow a school an additional year of implementation before the
  878  school must implement a turnaround option required under
  879  paragraph (b) if it determines that the school is likely to
  880  improve to a grade of “C” or higher after the first full school
  881  year of implementation.
  882         (b) Unless an additional year of implementation is provided
  883  pursuant to paragraph (a), a school that completes a plan cycle
  884  under paragraph (a) and does not improve to a grade of “C” or
  885  higher must implement one of the following:
  886         1. Reassign students to another school and monitor the
  887  progress of each reassigned student;
  888         2. Close the school and reopen the school as one or more
  889  charter schools, each with a governing board that has a
  890  demonstrated record of effectiveness. Upon reopening as a
  891  charter school:
  892         a.The school district shall continue to operate the school
  893  for the following school year and, no later than October 1,
  894  execute a charter school turnaround contract that will allow the
  895  charter school an opportunity to conduct an evaluation of the
  896  educational program and personnel currently assigned to the
  897  school during the year in preparation for assuming full
  898  operational control of the school and facility by July 1. The
  899  school district may not reduce or remove resources from the
  900  school during this time.
  901         b.The charter school operator must provide enrollment
  902  preference to students currently attending or who would have
  903  otherwise attended or been zoned for the school. The school
  904  district shall consult and negotiate with the charter school
  905  every 3 years to determine whether realignment of the attendance
  906  zone is appropriate to ensure that students residing closest to
  907  the school are provided with an enrollment preference.
  908         c.The charter school operator must serve the existing
  909  grade levels served by the school at its current enrollment or
  910  higher, but may, at its discretion, serve additional grade
  911  levels.
  912         d.The school district may not charge rental or leasing
  913  fees for the existing facility or for the property normally
  914  inventoried to the school. The school and the school district
  915  shall agree to reasonable maintenance provisions in order to
  916  maintain the facility in a manner similar to all other school
  917  facilities in the school district.
  918         e.The school district may not withhold an administrative
  919  fee for the provision of services identified in s.
  920  1002.33(20)(a); or
  921         3. Contract with an outside entity that has a demonstrated
  922  record of effectiveness to provide turnaround services
  923  identified in state board rule, which may include school
  924  leadership, educational modalities, teacher and leadership
  925  professional development, curriculum, operation and management
  926  services, school-based administrative staffing, budgeting,
  927  scheduling, other educational service provider functions, or any
  928  combination thereof. Selection of an outside entity may include
  929  one or a combination of the following:
  930         a. An external operator, which may be a district-managed
  931  charter school or a high-performing charter school network in
  932  which all instructional personnel are not employees of the
  933  school district, but are employees of an independent governing
  934  board composed of members who did not participate in the review
  935  or approval of the charter.
  936         b. A contractual agreement that allows for a charter school
  937  network or any of its affiliated subsidiaries to provide
  938  individualized consultancy services tailored to address the
  939  identified needs of one or more schools under this section.
  940  
  941  A school district and outside entity under this subparagraph
  942  must enter, at minimum, a 2-year, performance-based contract.
  943  The contract must include school performance and growth metrics
  944  the outside entity must meet on an annual basis. The state board
  945  may require the school district to modify or cancel the
  946  contract.
  947         (c) Implementation of the turnaround option is no longer
  948  required if the school improves to a grade of “C” or higher,
  949  unless the school district has already executed a charter school
  950  turnaround contract pursuant to this section.
  951         (d) If a school earning two consecutive grades of “D” or a
  952  grade of “F” does not improve to a grade of “C” or higher after
  953  2 school years of implementing the turnaround option selected by
  954  the school district under paragraph (b), the school district
  955  must implement another turnaround option. Implementation of the
  956  turnaround option must begin the school year following the
  957  implementation period of the existing turnaround option, unless
  958  the state board determines that the school is likely to improve
  959  to a grade of “C” or higher if additional time is provided to
  960  implement the existing turnaround option.
  961         (5) The state board shall adopt rules pursuant to ss.
  962  120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer this section. The rules
  963  shall include timelines for submission of implementation plans,
  964  approval criteria for implementation plans, and timelines for
  965  implementing intervention and support strategies, a standard
  966  charter school turnaround contract, a standard facility lease,
  967  and a mutual management agreement. The state board shall consult
  968  with education stakeholders in developing the rules.
  969         Section 18. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section
  970  1008.34, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  971         1008.34 School grading system; school report cards;
  972  district grade.—
  973         (3) DESIGNATION OF SCHOOL GRADES.—
  974         (c)1. The calculation of a school grade shall be based on
  975  the percentage of points earned from the components listed in
  976  subparagraph (b)1. and, if applicable, subparagraph (b)2. The
  977  State Board of Education shall adopt in rule a school grading
  978  scale that sets the percentage of points needed to earn each of
  979  the school grades listed in subsection (2). There shall be at
  980  least five percentage points separating the percentage
  981  thresholds needed to earn each of the school grades. The state
  982  board shall annually review the percentage of school grades of
  983  “A” and “B” for the school year to determine whether to adjust
  984  the school grading scale upward for the following school year’s
  985  school grades. The first adjustment would occur no earlier than
  986  the 2023-2024 school year. An adjustment must be made if the
  987  percentage of schools earning a grade of “A” or “B” in the
  988  current year represents 75 percent or more of all graded schools
  989  within a particular school type, which consists of elementary,
  990  middle, high, and combination. The adjustment must reset the
  991  minimum required percentage of points for each grade of “A,”
  992  “B,” “C,” or “D” at the next highest percentage ending in the
  993  numeral 5 or 0, whichever is closest to the current percentage.
  994  Annual reviews of the percentage of schools earning a grade of
  995  “A” or “B” and adjustments to the required points must be
  996  suspended when the following grading scale for a specific school
  997  type is achieved:
  998         a. Ninety percent or more of the points for a grade of “A.”
  999         b. Eighty to eighty-nine percent of the points for a grade
 1000  of “B.”
 1001         c. Seventy to seventy-nine percent of the points for a
 1002  grade of “C.”
 1003         d. Sixty to sixty-nine percent of the points for a grade of
 1004  “D.”
 1005  
 1006  When the state board adjusts the grading scale upward, the state
 1007  board must inform the public of the degree of the adjustment and
 1008  its anticipated impact on school grades. Beginning in the 2024
 1009  2025 school year, any changes made by the state board to
 1010  components in the school grades model or to the school grading
 1011  scale shall go into effect, at the earliest, in the following
 1012  school year.
 1013         2. The calculation of school grades may not include any
 1014  provision that would raise or lower the school’s grade beyond
 1015  the percentage of points earned. Extra weight may not be added
 1016  in the calculation of any components.
 1017         Section 19. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section
 1018  1009.21, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1019         1009.21 Determination of resident status for tuition
 1020  purposes.—Students shall be classified as residents or
 1021  nonresidents for the purpose of assessing tuition in
 1022  postsecondary educational programs offered by charter technical
 1023  career centers or career centers operated by school districts,
 1024  in Florida College System institutions, and in state
 1025  universities.
 1026         (3)
 1027         (c) Each institution of higher education shall
 1028  affirmatively determine that an applicant who has been granted
 1029  admission to that institution as a Florida resident meets the
 1030  residency requirements of this section at the time of initial
 1031  enrollment. The residency determination must be documented by
 1032  the submission of written or electronic verification that
 1033  includes two or more of the documents identified in this
 1034  paragraph, unless the document provided is the document
 1035  described in sub-subparagraph 1.f., which is deemed a single,
 1036  conclusive piece of evidence proving residency. No single piece
 1037  of evidence shall be conclusive.
 1038         1. The documents must include at least one of the
 1039  following:
 1040         a. A Florida voter’s registration card.
 1041         b. A Florida driver license.
 1042         c. A State of Florida identification card.
 1043         d. A Florida vehicle registration.
 1044         e. Proof of a permanent home in Florida which is occupied
 1045  as a primary residence by the individual or by the individual’s
 1046  parent if the individual is a dependent child.
 1047         f. Proof of a homestead exemption in Florida.
 1048         g. Transcripts from a Florida high school for multiple
 1049  years if the Florida high school diploma or high school
 1050  equivalency diploma was earned within the last 12 months.
 1051         h. Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida for
 1052  at least 30 hours per week for a 12-month period.
 1053         2. The documents may include one or more of the following:
 1054         a. A declaration of domicile in Florida.
 1055         b. A Florida professional or occupational license.
 1056         c. Florida incorporation.
 1057         d. A document evidencing family ties in Florida.
 1058         e. Proof of membership in a Florida-based charitable or
 1059  professional organization.
 1060         f. Any other documentation that supports the student’s
 1061  request for resident status, including, but not limited to,
 1062  utility bills and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments; a
 1063  lease agreement and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments;
 1064  or an official state, federal, or court document evidencing
 1065  legal ties to Florida.
 1066         Section 20. Subsection (22) is added to section 1009.23,
 1067  Florida Statutes, to read:
 1068         1009.23 Florida College System institution student fees.—
 1069         (22) Beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year, Miami Dade
 1070  College, Polk State College, and Tallahassee Community College
 1071  are authorized to charge an amount not to exceed $290 per credit
 1072  hour for nonresident tuition and fees for distance learning.
 1073  Such institutions may phase in this nonresident tuition rate by
 1074  degree program.
 1075         Section 21. Paragraphs (a) through (f) of subsection (10)
 1076  of section 1009.98, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1077         1009.98 Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program.—
 1078         (10) PAYMENTS ON BEHALF OF QUALIFIED BENEFICIARIES.—
 1079         (a) As used in this subsection, the term:
 1080         1. “Actuarial reserve” means the amount by which the
 1081  expected value of the assets exceeds the expected value of the
 1082  liabilities of the trust fund.
 1083         2. “Dormitory fees” means the fees included under advance
 1084  payment contracts pursuant to paragraph (2)(d).
 1085         3. “Fiscal year” means the fiscal year of the state
 1086  pursuant to s. 215.01.
 1087         4. “Local fees” means the fees covered by an advance
 1088  payment contract provided pursuant to subparagraph (2)(b)2.
 1089         5. “Tuition differential” means the fee covered by advance
 1090  payment contracts sold pursuant to subparagraph (2)(b)3. The
 1091  base rate for the tuition differential fee for the 2012-2013
 1092  fiscal year is established at $37.03 per credit hour. The base
 1093  rate for the tuition differential in subsequent years is the
 1094  amount assessed for the tuition differential for the preceding
 1095  year adjusted pursuant to subparagraph (b)2.
 1096         (b) Effective with the 2022-2023 2009-2010 academic year
 1097  and thereafter, and notwithstanding s. 1009.24, the amount paid
 1098  by the board to any state university on behalf of a qualified
 1099  beneficiary of an advance payment contract whose contract was
 1100  purchased before July 1, 2034 2024, shall be:
 1101         1. As to registration fees, if the actuarial reserve is
 1102  less than 5 percent of the expected liabilities of the trust
 1103  fund, the board shall pay the state universities 5.5 percent
 1104  above the amount assessed for registration fees in the preceding
 1105  fiscal year. If the actuarial reserve is between 5 percent and 6
 1106  percent of the expected liabilities of the trust fund, the board
 1107  shall pay the state universities 6 percent above the amount
 1108  assessed for registration fees in the preceding fiscal year. If
 1109  the actuarial reserve is between 6 percent and 7.5 percent of
 1110  the expected liabilities of the trust fund, the board shall pay
 1111  the state universities 6.5 percent above the amount assessed for
 1112  registration fees in the preceding fiscal year. If the actuarial
 1113  reserve is equal to or greater than 7.5 percent of the expected
 1114  liabilities of the trust fund, the board shall pay the state
 1115  universities 7 percent above the amount assessed for
 1116  registration fees in the preceding fiscal year, whichever is
 1117  greater.
 1118         2. As to the tuition differential, if the actuarial reserve
 1119  is less than 5 percent of the expected liabilities of the trust
 1120  fund, the board shall pay the state universities 5.5 percent
 1121  above the amount assessed base rate for the tuition differential
 1122  fee in the preceding fiscal year. If the actuarial reserve is
 1123  between 5 percent and 6 percent of the expected liabilities of
 1124  the trust fund, the board shall pay the state universities 6
 1125  percent above the amount assessed base rate for the tuition
 1126  differential fee in the preceding fiscal year. If the actuarial
 1127  reserve is between 6 percent and 7.5 percent of the expected
 1128  liabilities of the trust fund, the board shall pay the state
 1129  universities 6.5 percent above the amount assessed base rate for
 1130  the tuition differential fee in the preceding fiscal year. If
 1131  the actuarial reserve is equal to or greater than 7.5 percent of
 1132  the expected liabilities of the trust fund, the board shall pay
 1133  the state universities 7 percent above the amount assessed base
 1134  rate for the tuition differential fee in the preceding fiscal
 1135  year.
 1136         3. As to local fees, the board shall pay the state
 1137  universities 5 percent above the amount assessed for local fees
 1138  in the preceding fiscal year.
 1139         4. As to dormitory fees, the board shall pay the state
 1140  universities 6 percent above the amount assessed for dormitory
 1141  fees in the preceding fiscal year.
 1142         5. Qualified beneficiaries of advance payment contracts
 1143  purchased before July 1, 2007, are exempt from paying any
 1144  tuition differential fee.
 1145         (c) Notwithstanding the amount assessed for registration
 1146  fees, the tuition differential, or local fees, the amount paid
 1147  by the board to any state university on behalf of a qualified
 1148  beneficiary of an advance payment contract purchased before July
 1149  1, 2034 July 1, 2024, may not exceed 100 percent of the amount
 1150  charged by the state university for the aggregate sum of those
 1151  fees.
 1152         (d) Notwithstanding the amount assessed for dormitory fees,
 1153  the amount paid by the board to any state university on behalf
 1154  of a qualified beneficiary of an advance payment contract
 1155  purchased before July 1, 2034 July 1, 2024, may not exceed 100
 1156  percent of the amount charged by the state university for
 1157  dormitory fees.
 1158         (e) Notwithstanding the number of credit hours used by a
 1159  state university to assess the amount for registration fees,
 1160  tuition, tuition differential, or local fees, the amount paid by
 1161  the board to any state university on behalf of a qualified
 1162  beneficiary of an advance payment contract purchased before July
 1163  1, 2034 July 1, 2024, may not exceed the number of credit hours
 1164  taken by that qualified beneficiary at the state university.
 1165         (f) The board shall pay state universities the actual
 1166  amount assessed in accordance with law for registration fees,
 1167  the tuition differential, local fees, and dormitory fees for
 1168  advance payment contracts purchased on or after July 1, 2034
 1169  July 1, 2024.
 1170         Section 22. Subsection (5) is added to section 1012.55,
 1171  Florida Statutes, to read:
 1172         1012.55 Positions for which certificates required.—
 1173         (5) Notwithstanding ss. 1012.32, 1012.55, and 1012.56, or
 1174  any other provision of law or rule to the contrary, the State
 1175  Board of Education shall adopt rules to allow for the issuance
 1176  of a classical education teaching certificate, upon the request
 1177  of a classical school, to any applicant who fulfills the
 1178  requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f) and (11) and any other
 1179  criteria established by the department. Such certificate is only
 1180  valid at a classical school. For the purposes of this
 1181  subsection, the term “classical school” means a school that
 1182  implements and provides professional learning in a classical
 1183  education school model that emphasizes the development of
 1184  students in the principles of moral character and civic virtue
 1185  through a well-rounded education in the liberal arts and
 1186  sciences that is based on the classical trivium stages of
 1187  grammar, logic, and rhetoric.
 1188         Section 23. Subsection (5), paragraph (a) of subsection
 1189  (6), and subsection (9) of section 1012.79, Florida Statutes,
 1190  are amended to read:
 1191         1012.79 Education Practices Commission; organization.—
 1192         (5) The Commissioner of Education may, at his or her
 1193  discretion, appoint and remove commission, by a vote of three
 1194  fourths of the membership, shall employ an executive director,
 1195  who shall be exempt from career service. The executive director
 1196  may be dismissed by a majority vote of the membership.
 1197         (6)(a) The commission shall be assigned to the Department
 1198  of Education for administrative and fiscal accountability
 1199  purposes. The commission, in the performance of its powers and
 1200  duties, may shall not be subject to control, supervision, or
 1201  direction by the Department of Education.
 1202         (9) The commission shall make such expenditures as may be
 1203  necessary in exercising its authority and powers and carrying
 1204  out its duties and responsibilities, including expenditures for
 1205  personal services, legal services general counsel or access to
 1206  counsel, and rent at the seat of government and elsewhere; for
 1207  books of reference, periodicals, furniture, equipment, and
 1208  supplies; and for printing and binding. The expenditures of the
 1209  commission shall be subject to the powers and duties of the
 1210  Department of Financial Services as provided in s. 17.03.
 1211         Section 24. Section 1012.86, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
 1212         Section 25. Subsection (19) of section 1001.64, Florida
 1213  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1214         1001.64 Florida College System institution boards of
 1215  trustees; powers and duties.—
 1216         (19) Each board of trustees shall appoint, suspend, or
 1217  remove the president of the Florida College System institution.
 1218  The board of trustees may appoint a search committee. The board
 1219  of trustees shall conduct annual evaluations of the president in
 1220  accordance with rules of the State Board of Education and submit
 1221  such evaluations to the State Board of Education for review. The
 1222  evaluation must address the achievement of the performance goals
 1223  established by the accountability process implemented pursuant
 1224  to s. 1008.45 and the performance of the president in achieving
 1225  the annual and long-term goals and objectives established in the
 1226  Florida College System institution’s employment accountability
 1227  program implemented pursuant to s. 1012.86.
 1228         Section 26. Subsection (22) of section 1001.65, Florida
 1229  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1230         1001.65 Florida College System institution presidents;
 1231  powers and duties.—The president is the chief executive officer
 1232  of the Florida College System institution, shall be corporate
 1233  secretary of the Florida College System institution board of
 1234  trustees, and is responsible for the operation and
 1235  administration of the Florida College System institution. Each
 1236  Florida College System institution president shall:
 1237         (22)Submit an annual employment accountability plan to the
 1238  Department of Education pursuant to the provisions of s.
 1239  1012.86.
 1240         Section 27. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.

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