Bill Text: FL S1884 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Military and Veterans Affairs

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 23-13-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-03-02 - Laid on Table, refer to CS/HB 29 [S1884 Detail]

Download: Florida-2018-S1884-Introduced.html
       Florida Senate - 2018                                    SB 1884
       
       
        
       By Senator Broxson
       
       
       
       
       
       1-01587-18                                            20181884__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to military and veterans affairs;
    3         creating s. 250.483, F.S.; providing requirements
    4         relating to licensure or qualification for a trade,
    5         occupation, or profession of persons ordered into
    6         active duty or state active duty; amending s. 446.041,
    7         F.S.; providing duties of the Department of Education
    8         with respect to veteran outreach efforts; amending s.
    9         446.081, F.S.; providing construction; amending s.
   10         455.02, F.S.; requiring the Department of Business and
   11         Professional Regulation to waive certain fees for
   12         certain individuals; amending s. 456.024, F.S.;
   13         revising licensure eligibility requirements;
   14         specifying conditions under which a spouse of a person
   15         serving on active duty in the United States Armed
   16         Forces has a defense to a citation and cause of action
   17         brought due to the unlicensed practice of a health
   18         care profession; amending ss. 472.015, 472.016,
   19         493.6105, 493.6107, and 493.6113, F.S.; requiring the
   20         Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to
   21         waive certain fees under specified circumstances;
   22         revising formats for certain applications; amending
   23         ss. 494.00312 and 494.00313, F.S.; requiring the
   24         Office of Financial Regulation to waive certain fees
   25         for loan originator licensure; amending s. 497.140,
   26         F.S.; providing an exemption from the special
   27         unlicensed activity fee; amending s. 497.141, F.S.;
   28         conforming a provision to changes made by the act;
   29         amending s. 497.142, F.S.; requiring the licensing
   30         authority to waive fingerprinting requirements for
   31         certain individuals seeking licensure under ch. 497,
   32         F.S.; amending ss. 497.281, 497.368, 497.369, 497.370,
   33         497.371, 497.373, 497.374, and 497.375, F.S.;
   34         providing exemptions from certain fees; creating s.
   35         497.393, F.S.; authorizing the licensing authority to
   36         recognize certain military-issued credentials for
   37         purposes of licensure; amending ss. 497.453, 497.466,
   38         and 497.554, F.S.; providing exemptions from certain
   39         fees; amending s. 497.602, F.S.; providing an
   40         exemption from an application fee for direct
   41         disposers; authorizing the licensing authority to
   42         recognize certain military-issued credentials for
   43         purposes of licensure; amending s. 501.015, F.S.;
   44         requiring the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
   45         Services to waive certain fees for specified health
   46         studios; prescribing the format of the waiver
   47         application; amending ss. 501.605, 501.607, 501.609,
   48         and 507.03, F.S.; requiring the Department of
   49         Agriculture and Consumer Services to waive certain
   50         fees for certain licensees; prescribing the format of
   51         the waiver application; amending s. 517.12, F.S.;
   52         requiring the Office of Financial Regulation to waive
   53         certain fees for certain individuals; amending ss.
   54         527.02 and 539.001, F.S.; requiring the Department of
   55         Agriculture and Consumer Services to waive certain
   56         licensing fees regarding licensure for the sale of
   57         liquefied petroleum gas and pawnbroking, respectively,
   58         for certain individuals; amending ss. 559.904 and
   59         559.928, F.S.; requiring the Department of Agriculture
   60         and Consumer Services to waive certain registration
   61         fees for motor vehicle repair shops and sellers of
   62         travel, respectively, under certain circumstances;
   63         amending ss. 626.025, 626.171, 626.172, 626.202,
   64         626.292, and 626.321, F.S.; requiring the Department
   65         of Financial Services to waive certain fingerprinting
   66         requirements for certain individuals; amending ss.
   67         626.732, 626.7355, 626.7851, 626.8311, and 626.8417,
   68         F.S.; revising prelicensure course requirements for
   69         certain applicants; amending ss. 626.8732 and
   70         626.8734, F.S.; requiring the Department of Financial
   71         Services to waive certain fingerprinting requirements
   72         for certain applicants; amending ss. 626.927 and
   73         626.9272; providing that prelicensure course
   74         requirements do not apply to certain applicants;
   75         amending s. 626.9912, F.S.; requiring the department
   76         to waive certain fingerprinting requirements for
   77         certain applicants for a viatical settlement provider
   78         license; amending ss. 633.304 and 633.332, F.S.;
   79         authorizing the Division of State Fire Marshal to
   80         extend the period within which reexamination for
   81         certain certifications is not required for certain
   82         persons; amending s. 633.412, F.S.; requiring the
   83         Department of Financial Services to waive
   84         fingerprinting requirements for certain persons;
   85         amending s. 633.414, F.S.; authorizing an extension
   86         for firefighter certification renewal for certain
   87         persons; amending s. 633.444, F.S.; requiring the
   88         Division of State Fire Marshal to waive certain
   89         expenses associated with attending the Florida State
   90         Fire College for certain individuals; amending ss.
   91         648.34 and 648.355, F.S.; requiring the Department of
   92         Financial Services to waive certain fingerprinting
   93         requirements for certain applicants; creating s.
   94         683.147, F.S.; designating March 25 of each year as
   95         “Medal of Honor Day”; authorizing the Governor to
   96         issue a proclamation in recognizing such observance;
   97         amending s. 1002.37, F.S.; revising the list of
   98         students who must be given priority by the Florida
   99         Virtual School; amending s. 1003.42, F.S.; providing
  100         for a character development program that incorporates
  101         the values of recipients of the Congressional Medal of
  102         Honor; amending s. 1012.55, F.S.; requiring the
  103         Department of Education to issue a temporary
  104         certificate in educational leadership to certain
  105         persons; revising certain exemptions from requirements
  106         for teacher certification for certain individuals;
  107         authorizing instructors of junior reserve officer
  108         training to receive funding through the Florida
  109         Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Program; amending
  110         s. 1012.56, F.S.; requiring the State Board of
  111         Education to adopt certain rules; amending s. 1012.59,
  112         F.S.; requiring the State Board of Education to waive
  113         certain certification fees for certain individuals;
  114         providing an effective date.
  115          
  116  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
  117  
  118         Section 1. Section 250.483, Florida Statutes, is created to
  119  read:
  120         250.483Active duty; licensure or qualification.—
  121         (1)If a member of the Florida National Guard or the United
  122  States Armed Forces Reserves seeking licensure or qualification
  123  for a trade, occupation, or profession is ordered into state
  124  active duty or active duty as defined in this chapter, and his
  125  or her period of training, study, apprenticeship, or practical
  126  experience is interrupted or the start thereof is delayed, he or
  127  she is entitled to licensure or qualification under the laws
  128  covering his or her licensure or qualification at the time of
  129  entrance into active duty pursuant to subsection (2).
  130         (2)A board of examiners or other qualification board
  131  regulated under general law shall accept periods of training and
  132  practical experience in the Florida National Guard or the United
  133  States Armed Forces Reserves in place of the interrupted or
  134  delayed periods of training, study, apprenticeship, or practical
  135  experience if the board finds the standard and type of work or
  136  training performed in the Florida National Guard or the United
  137  States Armed Forces Reserves to be substantially the same as the
  138  standard and type required under the laws of this state.
  139         (3)A member of the National Guard or the United States
  140  Armed Forces Reserves must request licensure or qualification
  141  pursuant to this section by the respective board of examiners or
  142  other qualification board within 6 months after release from
  143  active duty with the Florida National Guard or the United States
  144  Armed Forces Reserves.
  145         Section 2. Present subsections (7) through (12) of section
  146  446.041, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (8)
  147  through (13), respectively, and a new subsection (7) is added to
  148  that section, to read:
  149         446.041 Apprenticeship program, duties of the department.
  150  The department shall:
  151         (7)Lead and coordinate outreach efforts to educate
  152  veterans about apprenticeship and career opportunities.
  153         Section 3. Subsection (4) is added to section 446.081,
  154  Florida Statutes, to read:
  155         446.081 Limitation.—
  156         (4)Nothing in ss. 446.011-446.092 or in any rules adopted
  157  or contained in any approved apprentice agreement under such
  158  sections invalidates any special provision for veterans,
  159  minority persons, or women in the standards, qualifications, or
  160  operation of the apprenticeship program which is not otherwise
  161  prohibited by any applicable general law, rule, or regulation.
  162         Section 4. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 455.02,
  163  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  164         455.02 Licensure of members of the Armed Forces in good
  165  standing and their spouses or surviving spouses with
  166  administrative boards or programs.—
  167         (1) Any member of the United States Armed Forces of the
  168  United States now or hereafter on active duty who, at the time
  169  of becoming such a member, was in good standing with any of the
  170  boards or programs listed in s. 20.165 and was entitled to
  171  practice or engage in his or her profession or occupation
  172  vocation in the state shall be kept in good standing by the
  173  applicable board or program, without registering, paying dues or
  174  fees, or performing any other act on his or her part to be
  175  performed, as long as he or she is a member of the United States
  176  Armed Forces of the United States on active duty and for a
  177  period of 2 years after discharge from active duty as a member
  178  of the Armed Forces of the United States, if he or she is not
  179  engaged in his or her licensed profession or vocation in the
  180  private sector for profit. A member, during active duty and for
  181  a period of 2 years after discharge from active duty, engaged in
  182  his or her licensed profession or occupation in the private
  183  sector for profit in this state must complete all license
  184  renewal provisions except remitting the license renewal fee,
  185  which shall be waived by the department.
  186         (2) A spouse of a member of the Armed Services of the
  187  United States Armed Forces who is married to a member during a
  188  period of active duty, or a surviving spouse of a member who at
  189  the time of death was serving on active duty, who is in good
  190  standing with any of the boards or programs listed in s. 20.165
  191  shall be kept in good standing by the applicable board or
  192  program as described in subsection (1) and shall be exempt from
  193  licensure renewal provisions, but only in cases of his or her
  194  absence from the state because of his or her spouse’s duties
  195  with the United States Armed Forces. The department or the
  196  appropriate board or program shall waive any license renewal fee
  197  for such spouse when he or she is present in this state because
  198  of such member’s active duty and for a surviving spouse of a
  199  member who at the time of death was serving on active duty and
  200  died within the 2 years preceding the date of renewal.
  201         Section 5. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (3) and
  202  paragraph (j) of subsection (4) of section 456.024, Florida
  203  Statutes, are amended, and subsection (5) is added to that
  204  section, to read:
  205         456.024 Members of Armed Forces in good standing with
  206  administrative boards or the department; spouses; licensure.—
  207         (3)(a) A person is eligible for licensure as a health care
  208  practitioner in this state if he or she:
  209         1. Serves or has served as a health care practitioner in
  210  the United States Armed Forces, the United States Reserve
  211  Forces, or the National Guard;
  212         2. Serves or has served on active duty with the United
  213  States Armed Forces as a health care practitioner in the United
  214  States Public Health Service; or
  215         3. Is a health care practitioner, other than a dentist, in
  216  another state, the District of Columbia, or a possession or
  217  territory of the United States and is the spouse of a person
  218  serving on active duty with the United States Armed Forces.
  219  
  220  The department shall develop an application form, and each
  221  board, or the department if there is no board, shall waive the
  222  application fee, licensure fee, and unlicensed activity fee for
  223  such applicants. For purposes of this subsection, “health care
  224  practitioner” means a health care practitioner as defined in s.
  225  456.001 and a person licensed under part III of chapter 401 or
  226  part IV of chapter 468.
  227         (b) The board, or the department if there is no board,
  228  shall issue a license to practice in this state to a person who:
  229         1. Submits a complete application.
  230         2. If he or she is a member of the United States Armed
  231  Forces, the United States Reserve Forces, or the National Guard,
  232  submits proof that he or she has received an honorable discharge
  233  within 6 months before, or will receive an honorable discharge
  234  within 6 months after, the date of submission of the
  235  application.
  236         3.a. Holds an active, unencumbered license issued by
  237  another state, the District of Columbia, or a possession or
  238  territory of the United States and who has not had disciplinary
  239  action taken against him or her in the 5 years preceding the
  240  date of submission of the application;
  241         b. Is a military health care practitioner in a profession
  242  for which licensure in a state or jurisdiction is not required
  243  to practice in the United States Armed Forces, if he or she
  244  submits to the department evidence of military training or
  245  experience substantially equivalent to the requirements for
  246  licensure in this state in that profession and evidence that he
  247  or she has obtained a passing score on the appropriate
  248  examination of a national or regional standards organization if
  249  required for licensure in this state; or
  250         c. Is the spouse of a person serving on active duty in the
  251  United States Armed Forces and is a health care practitioner in
  252  a profession, excluding dentistry, for which licensure in
  253  another state or jurisdiction is not required, if he or she
  254  submits to the department evidence of training or experience
  255  substantially equivalent to the requirements for licensure in
  256  this state in that profession and evidence that he or she has
  257  obtained a passing score on the appropriate examination of a
  258  national or regional standards organization if required for
  259  licensure in this state.
  260         4. Attests that he or she is not, at the time of submission
  261  of the application, the subject of a disciplinary proceeding in
  262  a jurisdiction in which he or she holds a license or by the
  263  United States Department of Defense for reasons related to the
  264  practice of the profession for which he or she is applying.
  265         5. Actively practiced the profession for which he or she is
  266  applying for the 3 years preceding the date of submission of the
  267  application.
  268         6. Submits a set of fingerprints for a background screening
  269  pursuant to s. 456.0135, if required for the profession for
  270  which he or she is applying.
  271  
  272  The department shall verify information submitted by the
  273  applicant under this subsection using the National Practitioner
  274  Data Bank.
  275         (4)
  276         (j)An applicant who is issued a temporary professional
  277  license to practice as a dentist pursuant to this section must
  278  practice under the indirect supervision, as defined in s.
  279  466.003, of a dentist licensed pursuant to chapter 466.
  280         (5)The spouse of a person serving on active duty with the
  281  United States Armed Forces has a defense to any citation and
  282  related cause of action brought under s. 456.065 if the
  283  following conditions are met:
  284         (a)The spouse holds an active, unencumbered license issued
  285  by another state or jurisdiction to provide health care services
  286  for which there is no equivalent license in this state.
  287         (b)The spouse is providing health care services within the
  288  scope of practice of the out-of-state license.
  289         (c)The training or experience required by the out-of-state
  290  license is substantially similar to the license requirements to
  291  practice a similar health care profession in this state.
  292         Section 6. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
  293  472.015, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  294         472.015 Licensure.—
  295         (3)
  296         (b) The department shall waive the initial license fee for
  297  an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed
  298  Forces;, the spouse or surviving spouse of such a veteran; a
  299  current member of the United States Armed Forces who has served
  300  on active duty or the spouse of such a member; the surviving
  301  spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces who died
  302  while serving on active duty;, or a business entity that has a
  303  majority ownership held by such a veteran, or spouse, or
  304  surviving spouse, if the department receives an application, in
  305  a format prescribed by the department. The application format
  306  must include the applicant’s signature, under penalty of
  307  perjury, and supporting documentation, within 60 months after
  308  the date of the veteran’s discharge from any branch of the
  309  United States Armed Forces. To qualify for the waiver:,
  310         1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his
  311  or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of
  312  Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as
  313  specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs;
  314         2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide
  315  to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued
  316  by the United States Department of Defense, or another
  317  acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department
  318  of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or
  319  certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the
  320  veteran at the time of discharge; or
  321         3. A business entity must provide to the department proof
  322  that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran
  323  holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the
  324  veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department
  325  of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as
  326  specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if
  327  applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate
  328  verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was
  329  lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge.
  330         Section 7. Section 472.016, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  331  read:
  332         472.016 Members of Armed Forces in good standing with the
  333  board.—
  334         (1) Any member of the United States Armed Forces of the
  335  United States who is now or in the future on active duty and
  336  who, at the time of becoming such a member of the United States
  337  Armed Forces, was in good standing with the board and entitled
  338  to practice or engage in surveying and mapping in the state
  339  shall be kept in good standing by the board, without
  340  registering, paying dues or fees, or performing any other act on
  341  his or her part to be performed, as long as he or she is a
  342  member of the United States Armed Forces of the United States on
  343  active duty and for a period of 2 years 6 months after discharge
  344  from active duty, provided that he or she is not engaged in the
  345  practice of surveying or mapping in the private sector for
  346  profit. A member, during active duty and for a period of 2 years
  347  after discharge from active duty, engaged in the practice of
  348  surveying or mapping in the private sector for profit in this
  349  state must complete all licensure renewal provisions except
  350  remitting the license renewal fee, which shall be waived by the
  351  department.
  352         (2) The board shall adopt rules exempting the spouses of
  353  members of the United States Armed Forces of the United States
  354  from licensure renewal provisions, but only in cases of absence
  355  from the state because of their spouses’ duties with the United
  356  States Armed Forces. The department or the appropriate board or
  357  program shall waive any license renewal fee for the spouse of a
  358  member of the United States Armed Forces when such member is
  359  present in this state because of the member’s active duty with
  360  the United States Armed Forces, and for the surviving spouse of
  361  a member who at the time of death was serving on active duty and
  362  died within the 2 years preceding the date of renewal.
  363         Section 8. Subsection (1) of section 493.6105, Florida
  364  Statutes, is amended to read:
  365         493.6105 Initial application for license.—
  366         (1) Each individual, partner, or principal officer in a
  367  corporation, shall file with the department a complete
  368  application accompanied by an application fee not to exceed $60,
  369  except that an the applicant for a Class “D” or Class “G”
  370  license is not required to submit an application fee. An
  371  application fee is not required for an applicant who qualifies
  372  for the fee waiver in s. 493.6107(6). The application fee is not
  373  refundable.
  374         (a) The application submitted by any individual, partner,
  375  or corporate officer must be approved by the department before
  376  the individual, partner, or corporate officer assumes his or her
  377  duties.
  378         (b) Individuals who invest in the ownership of a licensed
  379  agency but do not participate in, direct, or control the
  380  operations of the agency are not required to file an
  381  application.
  382         (c)The initial application fee for a veteran, as defined
  383  in s. 1.01, shall be waived if he or she applies for a Class
  384  “C,” Class “CC,” Class “DI,” Class “E,” Class “EE,” Class “K,”
  385  Class “M,” Class “MA,” Class “MB,” Class “MR,” or Class “RI”
  386  license within 24 months after being discharged from a branch of
  387  the United States Armed Forces. An eligible veteran must include
  388  a copy of his or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States
  389  Department of Defense, or another acceptable form of
  390  identification as specified by the Department of Veterans’
  391  Affairs with his or her application in order to obtain a waiver.
  392         Section 9. Subsection (6) of section 493.6107, Florida
  393  Statutes, is amended to read:
  394         493.6107 Fees.—
  395         (6) The initial application license fee for a veteran, as
  396  defined in s. 1.01, the spouse or surviving spouse of such
  397  veteran, a member of the United States Armed Forces who has
  398  served on active duty, or the spouse or surviving spouse of such
  399  member who at the time of death was serving on active duty and
  400  died within the 2 years preceding the initial application, must
  401  shall be waived if he or she applies for a Class “C,” Class
  402  “CC,” Class “DI,” Class “E,” Class “EE,” Class “K,” Class “M,”
  403  Class “MA,” Class “MB,” Class “MR,” or Class “RI” license in a
  404  format prescribed by the department. The application format must
  405  include the applicant’s signature, under penalty of perjury, and
  406  supporting documentation Class “M” or Class “K” license within
  407  24 months after being discharged from any branch of the United
  408  States Armed Forces. An eligible veteran must include a copy of
  409  his or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States
  410  Department of Defense, or another acceptable form of
  411  identification as specified by the Department of Veterans’
  412  Affairs with his or her application in order to obtain a waiver.
  413  
  414  A licensee seeking such a waiver must apply in a format
  415  prescribed by the department, including the applicant’s
  416  signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting
  417  documentation.
  418         Section 10. Subsection (7) is added to section 493.6113,
  419  Florida Statutes, to read:
  420         493.6113 Renewal application for licensure.—
  421         (7)The department shall waive the respective fees for a
  422  licensee who:
  423         (a)Is an active duty member of the United States Armed
  424  Forces or the spouse of such member;
  425         (b)Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces
  426  and served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the
  427  expiration date of the license. A licensee who is a former
  428  member of the United States Armed Forces who served on active
  429  duty within the 2 years preceding the application must have
  430  received an honorable discharge upon separation or discharge
  431  from the United States Armed Forces; or
  432         (c)Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United
  433  States Armed Forces who was serving on active duty at the time
  434  of death and died within the 2 years preceding the expiration
  435  date of the license.
  436  
  437  A licensee seeking such a waiver must apply in a format
  438  prescribed by the department, including the applicant’s
  439  signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting
  440  documentation.
  441         Section 11. Subsection (8) is added to section 494.00312,
  442  Florida Statutes, to read:
  443         494.00312 Loan originator license.—
  444         (8)The office shall waive the fees required by paragraph
  445  (2)(e) for an applicant who:
  446         (a)Is or was an active duty member of the United States
  447  Armed Forces. To qualify for the fee waiver, an applicant who is
  448  a former member of the United States Armed Forces must have
  449  received an honorable discharge upon separation or discharge
  450  from the United States Armed Forces;
  451         (b)Is married to a current or former member of the United
  452  States Armed Forces and is or was married to the member during
  453  any period of active duty; or
  454         (c)Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United
  455  States Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at
  456  the time of death.
  457  
  458  An applicant seeking such a fee waiver must submit proof, in a
  459  form prescribed by commission rule, that the applicant meets one
  460  of the qualifications in this subsection.
  461         Section 12. Subsection (4) is added to section 494.00313,
  462  Florida Statutes, to read:
  463         494.00313 Loan originator license renewal.—
  464         (4)The office shall waive the fees required by paragraph
  465  (1)(b) for a loan originator who:
  466         (a)Is an active duty member of the United States Armed
  467  Forces or the spouse of such member;
  468         (b)Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces
  469  and served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the
  470  expiration date of the license pursuant to s. 494.00312(7). To
  471  qualify for the fee waiver, a loan originator who is a former
  472  member of the United States Armed Forces who served on active
  473  duty within the 2 years preceding the expiration date of the
  474  license must have received an honorable discharge upon
  475  separation or discharge from the United States Armed Forces; or
  476         (c)Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United
  477  States Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at
  478  the time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the
  479  surviving spouse’s license expiration date pursuant to s.
  480  494.00312(7).
  481  
  482  A loan originator seeking such a fee waiver must submit proof,
  483  in a form prescribed by commission rule, that the loan
  484  originator meets one of the qualifications in this subsection.
  485         Section 13. Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of section
  486  497.140, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  487         497.140 Fees.—
  488         (6)(a)1. The department shall impose, upon initial
  489  licensure and each renewal thereof, a special unlicensed
  490  activity fee of $5 per licensee, in addition to all other fees
  491  provided for in this chapter. Such fee shall be used by the
  492  department to fund efforts to identify and combat unlicensed
  493  activity which violates this chapter. Such fee shall be in
  494  addition to all other fees collected from each licensee and
  495  shall be deposited in a separate account of the Regulatory Trust
  496  Fund; however, the department is not limited to the funds in
  497  such an account for combating improper unlicensed activity in
  498  violation of this chapter.
  499         2.A member of the United States Armed Forces, such
  500  member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces
  501  who separated from service within the 2 years preceding the
  502  application for licensure are exempt from the special unlicensed
  503  activity fee associated with initial licensure. To qualify for
  504  the fee exemption under this subparagraph, a licensee must
  505  provide a copy of a military identification card, military
  506  dependent identification card, military service record, military
  507  personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation
  508  document that indicates that such member is currently in good
  509  standing or such veteran was honorably discharged.
  510         Section 14. Subsection (4) of section 497.141, Florida
  511  Statutes, is amended to read:
  512         497.141 Licensing; general application procedures.—
  513         (4) Before the issuance of any license, the department
  514  shall collect such initial fee as specified by this chapter or,
  515  where authorized, by rule of the board, unless an applicant is
  516  exempted as specified in this chapter. Upon receipt of a
  517  completed application and the appropriate fee, and certification
  518  by the board that the applicant meets the applicable
  519  requirements of law and rules, the department shall issue the
  520  license applied for. However, an applicant who is not otherwise
  521  qualified for licensure is not entitled to licensure solely
  522  based on a passing score on a required examination.
  523         Section 15. Subsection (12) of section 497.142, Florida
  524  Statutes, is amended to read:
  525         497.142 Licensing; fingerprinting and criminal background
  526  checks.—
  527         (12) The licensing authority may by rule establish forms,
  528  procedures, and fees for the submission and processing of
  529  fingerprints required to be submitted in accordance with this
  530  chapter. The licensing authority may by rule waive the
  531  requirement for submission of fingerprints otherwise required by
  532  this chapter if the person has within the preceding 24 months
  533  submitted fingerprints to the licensing authority and the
  534  licensing authority has obtained a criminal history report
  535  utilizing those prior fingerprints. The cost for the fingerprint
  536  processing shall be paid to the Department of Law Enforcement
  537  and may be borne by the Department of Financial Services, the
  538  employer, or the person subject to the background check. The
  539  licensing authority shall waive fingerprint requirements if the
  540  licensee is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States
  541  Armed Forces and applies for licensure within 2 years after
  542  discharge.
  543         Section 16. Subsection (1) of section 497.281, Florida
  544  Statutes, is amended to read:
  545         497.281 Licensure of brokers of burial rights.—
  546         (1)(a) No person shall receive compensation to act as a
  547  third party to the sale or transfer of three or more burial
  548  rights in a 12-month period unless the person pays a license fee
  549  as determined by licensing authority rule but not to exceed $250
  550  and is licensed with the department as a burial rights broker in
  551  accordance with this section.
  552         (b)A member of the United States Armed Forces, such
  553  member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces
  554  who separated from service within the 2 years preceding
  555  application for licensure are exempt from the initial license
  556  fee. To qualify for the license fee exemption, an applicant must
  557  provide a copy of a military identification card, military
  558  dependent identification card, military service record, military
  559  personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation
  560  document that indicates such member is currently in good
  561  standing or such veteran was honorably discharged.
  562         Section 17. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and subsection
  563  (3) of section 497.368, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  564         497.368 Embalmers; licensure as an embalmer by examination;
  565  provisional license.—
  566         (1) Any person desiring to be licensed as an embalmer shall
  567  apply to the licensing authority to take the licensure
  568  examination. The licensing authority shall examine each
  569  applicant who has remitted an examination fee set by rule of the
  570  licensing authority not to exceed $200 plus the actual per
  571  applicant cost to the licensing authority for portions of the
  572  examination and who has:
  573         (a) Completed the application form and remitted a
  574  nonrefundable application fee set by the licensing authority not
  575  to exceed $200. A member of the United States Armed Forces, such
  576  member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces
  577  who separated from service within the 2 years preceding
  578  application for licensure are exempt from the application fee.
  579  To qualify for the application fee exemption, an applicant must
  580  provide a copy of a military identification card, military
  581  dependent identification card, military service record, military
  582  personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation
  583  document that indicates such member is currently in good
  584  standing or such veteran was honorably discharged.
  585         (3) Any applicant who has completed the required 1-year
  586  internship and has been approved for examination as an embalmer
  587  may qualify for a provisional license to work in a licensed
  588  funeral establishment, under the direct supervision of a
  589  licensed embalmer for a limited period of 6 months as provided
  590  by rule of the licensing authority. The fee for provisional
  591  licensure shall be set by rule of the licensing authority, but
  592  may not exceed $200, and shall be nonrefundable and in addition
  593  to the fee required in subsection (1). This provisional license
  594  may be renewed no more than one time. A member of the United
  595  States Armed Forces, such member’s spouse, and a veteran of the
  596  United States Armed Forces who separated from service within the
  597  2 years preceding application for licensure are exempt from the
  598  initial provisional licensure fee. To qualify for the initial
  599  provisional licensure fee exemption, an applicant must provide a
  600  copy of a military identification card, military dependent
  601  identification card, military service record, military personnel
  602  file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation document
  603  that indicates such member is currently in good standing or such
  604  veteran was honorably discharged.
  605         Section 18. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and subsection
  606  (5) of section 497.369, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  607         497.369 Embalmers; licensure as an embalmer by endorsement;
  608  licensure of a temporary embalmer.—
  609         (1) The licensing authority shall issue a license by
  610  endorsement to practice embalming to an applicant who has
  611  remitted an examination fee set by rule of the licensing
  612  authority not to exceed $200 and who the licensing authority
  613  certifies:
  614         (a) Has completed the application form and remitted a
  615  nonrefundable application fee set by rule of the licensing
  616  authority not to exceed $200. A member of the United States
  617  Armed Forces, such member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United
  618  States Armed Forces who separated from service within the 2
  619  years preceding application for licensure are exempt from the
  620  application fee. To qualify for the application fee exemption,
  621  an applicant must provide a copy of a military identification
  622  card, military dependent identification card, military service
  623  record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge
  624  paper, or separation document that indicates such member is
  625  currently in good standing or such veteran was honorably
  626  discharged.
  627         (5)(a) There may be adopted by the licensing authority
  628  rules authorizing an applicant who has met the requirements of
  629  paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) and who is awaiting an opportunity to
  630  take the examination required by subsection (4) to be licensed
  631  as a temporary licensed embalmer. A temporary licensed embalmer
  632  may work as an embalmer in a licensed funeral establishment
  633  under the general supervision of a licensed embalmer. Such
  634  temporary license shall expire 60 days after the date of the
  635  next available examination required under subsection (4);
  636  however, the temporary license may be renewed one time under the
  637  same conditions as initial issuance. The fee for issuance or
  638  renewal of an embalmer temporary license shall be set by rule of
  639  the licensing authority but may not exceed $200. The fee
  640  required in this subsection shall be nonrefundable and in
  641  addition to the fee required in subsection (1).
  642         (b)A member of the United States Armed Forces, such
  643  member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces
  644  who separated from service within the 2 years preceding
  645  application for licensure are exempt from the initial issuance
  646  fee. To qualify for the initial issuance fee exemption, an
  647  applicant must provide a copy of a military identification card,
  648  military dependent identification card, military service record,
  649  military personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or
  650  separation document that indicates such member is currently in
  651  good standing or such veteran was honorably discharged.
  652         Section 19. Subsection (1) of section 497.370, Florida
  653  Statutes, is amended to read:
  654         497.370 Embalmers; licensure of an embalmer intern.—
  655         (1)(a) Any person desiring to become an embalmer intern
  656  shall make application to the licensing authority on forms
  657  specified by rule, together with a nonrefundable fee determined
  658  by rule of the licensing authority but not to exceed $200.
  659         (b)A member of the United States Armed Forces, such
  660  member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces
  661  who separated from service within the 2 years preceding
  662  application for licensure are exempt from the application fee.
  663  To qualify for the application fee exemption under this
  664  paragraph, an applicant must provide a copy of a military
  665  identification card, military dependent identification card,
  666  military service record, military personnel file, veteran
  667  record, discharge paper, or separation document that indicates
  668  such member is currently in good standing or such veteran was
  669  honorably discharged.
  670  
  671  The application shall indicate the name and address of the
  672  licensed embalmer under whose supervision the intern will
  673  receive training and the name of the licensed funeral
  674  establishment or centralized embalming facility where such
  675  training is to be conducted. The embalmer intern shall intern
  676  under the direct supervision of a licensed embalmer who has an
  677  active, valid license under s. 497.368 or s. 497.369.
  678         Section 20. Section 497.371, Florida Statutes, is amended
  679  to read:
  680         497.371 Embalmers; establishment of embalmer apprentice
  681  program.—
  682         (1) The licensing authority adopts rules establishing an
  683  embalmer apprentice program. An embalmer apprentice may perform
  684  only those tasks, functions, and duties relating to embalming
  685  which are performed under the direct supervision of an embalmer
  686  who has an active, valid license under s. 497.368 or s. 497.369.
  687  An embalmer apprentice is eligible to serve in an apprentice
  688  capacity for a period not to exceed 3 years as may be determined
  689  by licensing authority rule or for a period not to exceed 5
  690  years if the apprentice is enrolled in and attending a course in
  691  mortuary science or funeral service education at any mortuary
  692  college or funeral service education college or school. An
  693  embalmer apprentice shall be issued a license upon payment of a
  694  licensure fee as determined by licensing authority rule but not
  695  to exceed $200.
  696         (2)A member of the United States Armed Forces, such
  697  member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces
  698  who separated from service within the 2 years preceding
  699  application for licensure are exempt from the licensure fee. To
  700  qualify for the licensure fee exemption under this subsection,
  701  an applicant must provide a copy of a military identification
  702  card, military dependent identification card, military service
  703  record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge
  704  paper, or separation document that indicates such member is
  705  currently in good standing or such veteran was honorably
  706  discharged.
  707  
  708  An applicant for the embalmer apprentice program may not be
  709  issued a license unless the licensing authority determines that
  710  the applicant is of good character and has not demonstrated a
  711  history of lack of trustworthiness or integrity in business or
  712  professional matters.
  713         Section 21. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and subsection
  714  (3) of section 497.373, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  715         497.373 Funeral directing; licensure as a funeral director
  716  by examination; provisional license.—
  717         (1) Any person desiring to be licensed as a funeral
  718  director shall apply to the licensing authority to take the
  719  licensure examination. The licensing authority shall examine
  720  each applicant who has remitted an examination fee set by rule
  721  of the licensing authority not to exceed $200 plus the actual
  722  per applicant cost to the licensing authority for portions of
  723  the examination and who the licensing authority certifies has:
  724         (a) Completed the application form and remitted a
  725  nonrefundable application fee set by rule of the licensing
  726  authority not to exceed $200. A member of the United States
  727  Armed Forces, such member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United
  728  States Armed Forces who separated from service within the 2
  729  years preceding application for licensure are exempt from the
  730  application fee. To qualify for the application fee exemption,
  731  an applicant must provide a copy of a military identification
  732  card, military dependent identification card, military service
  733  record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge
  734  paper, or separation document that indicates such member is
  735  currently in good standing or such veteran was honorably
  736  discharged.
  737         (3) Any applicant who has completed the required 1-year
  738  internship and has been approved for examination as a funeral
  739  director may qualify for a provisional license to work in a
  740  licensed funeral establishment, under the direct supervision of
  741  a licensed funeral director for 6 months as provided by rule of
  742  the licensing authority. However, a provisional licensee may
  743  work under the general supervision of a licensed funeral
  744  director upon passage of the laws and rules examination required
  745  under paragraph (2)(b). The fee for provisional licensure shall
  746  be set by rule of the licensing authority but may not exceed
  747  $200. The fee required in this subsection shall be nonrefundable
  748  and in addition to the fee required by subsection (1). This
  749  provisional license may be renewed no more than one time. A
  750  member of the United States Armed Forces, such member’s spouse,
  751  and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who separated
  752  from service within the 2 years preceding application for
  753  licensure are exempt from the initial provisional licensure fee.
  754  To qualify for the initial provisional licensure fee exemption,
  755  a licensee must provide a copy of a military identification
  756  card, military dependent identification card, military service
  757  record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge
  758  paper, or separation document that indicates such member is
  759  currently in good standing or such veteran was honorably
  760  discharged.
  761         Section 22. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and subsection
  762  (5) of section 497.374, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  763         497.374 Funeral directing; licensure as a funeral director
  764  by endorsement; licensure of a temporary funeral director.—
  765         (1) The licensing authority shall issue a license by
  766  endorsement to practice funeral directing to an applicant who
  767  has remitted a fee set by rule of the licensing authority not to
  768  exceed $200 and who:
  769         (a) Has completed the application form and remitted a
  770  nonrefundable application fee set by rule of the licensing
  771  authority not to exceed $200. A member of the United States
  772  Armed Forces, such member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United
  773  States Armed Forces who separated from service within the 2
  774  years preceding application for licensure are exempt from the
  775  nonrefundable application fee. To qualify for the exemption, an
  776  applicant must provide a copy of a military identification card,
  777  military dependent identification card, military service record,
  778  military personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or
  779  separation document that indicates such member is currently in
  780  good standing or such veteran was honorably discharged.
  781         (5) There may be adopted rules authorizing an applicant who
  782  has met the requirements of paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) and who is
  783  awaiting an opportunity to take the examination required by
  784  subsection (4) to obtain a license as a temporary funeral
  785  director. A licensed temporary funeral director may work as a
  786  funeral director in a licensed funeral establishment under the
  787  general supervision of a funeral director licensed under
  788  subsection (1) or s. 497.373. Such license shall expire 60 days
  789  after the date of the next available examination required under
  790  subsection (4); however, the temporary license may be renewed
  791  one time under the same conditions as initial issuance. The fee
  792  for initial issuance or renewal of a temporary license under
  793  this subsection shall be set by rule of the licensing authority
  794  but may not exceed $200. The fee required in this subsection
  795  shall be nonrefundable and in addition to the fee required in
  796  subsection (1). A member of the United States Armed Forces, such
  797  member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces
  798  who separated from service within the 2 years preceding
  799  application for licensure are exempt from the initial issuance
  800  fee. To qualify for the initial issuance fee exemption, an
  801  applicant must provide a copy of a military identification card,
  802  military dependent identification card, military service record,
  803  military personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or
  804  separation document that indicates such member is currently in
  805  good standing or such veteran was honorably discharged.
  806         Section 23. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
  807  497.375, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  808         497.375 Funeral directing; licensure of a funeral director
  809  intern.—
  810         (1)(a) Any person desiring to become a funeral director
  811  intern must apply to the licensing authority on forms prescribed
  812  by rule of the licensing authority, together with a
  813  nonrefundable fee set by rule of the licensing authority not to
  814  exceed $200. A member of the United States Armed Forces, such
  815  member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces
  816  who separated from service within the 2 years preceding
  817  application for licensure are exempt from the application fee.
  818  To qualify for the application fee exemption, an applicant must
  819  provide a copy of a military identification card, military
  820  dependent identification card, military service record, military
  821  personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation
  822  document that indicates such member is currently in good
  823  standing or such veteran was honorably discharged.
  824         Section 24. Section 497.393, Florida Statutes, is created
  825  to read:
  826         497.393Licensure; military-issued credentials for
  827  licensure.—The licensing authority shall recognize military
  828  issued credentials relating to funeral and cemetery services for
  829  purposes of licensure as a funeral director or embalmer.
  830         Section 25. Paragraph (n) of subsection (1) of section
  831  497.453, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  832         497.453 Application for preneed license, procedures and
  833  criteria; renewal; reports.—
  834         (1) PRENEED LICENSE APPLICATION PROCEDURES.—
  835         (n) The application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable
  836  fee as determined by licensing authority rule but not to exceed
  837  $500. A member of the United States Armed Forces, such member’s
  838  spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who
  839  separated from service within the 2 years preceding application
  840  for licensure are exempt from the application fee. To qualify
  841  for the application fee exemption, an applicant must provide a
  842  copy of a military identification card, military dependent
  843  identification card, military service record, military personnel
  844  file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation document
  845  that indicates such member is currently in good standing or such
  846  veteran was honorably discharged.
  847         Section 26. Paragraph (h) of subsection (2) of section
  848  497.466, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  849         497.466 Preneed sales agents, license required; application
  850  procedures and criteria; appointment of agents; responsibility
  851  of preneed licensee.—
  852         (2) PRENEED SALES AGENT LICENSE; APPLICATION PROCEDURES.—
  853         (h) The application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable
  854  fee of $150 if made through the department’s online licensing
  855  system or $175 if made using paper forms. Payment of either fee
  856  shall entitle the applicant to one initial appointment without
  857  payment of further fees by the preneed sales agent or the
  858  appointing preneed licensee if a preneed sales agent license is
  859  issued. The licensing authority may from time to time increase
  860  such fees but not to exceed $300. A member of the United States
  861  Armed Forces, such member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United
  862  States Armed Forces who separated from service within the 2
  863  years preceding application for licensure are exempt from the
  864  application fee. To qualify for the application fee exemption,
  865  an applicant must provide a copy of a military identification
  866  card, military dependent identification card, military service
  867  record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge
  868  paper, or separation document that indicates such member is
  869  currently in good standing or such veteran was honorably
  870  discharged.
  871         Section 27. Paragraph (e) of subsection (2) of section
  872  497.554, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  873         497.554 Monument establishment sales representatives.—
  874         (2) APPLICATION PROCEDURES.—Licensure as a monument
  875  establishment sales agent shall be by submission of an
  876  application for licensure to the department on a form prescribed
  877  by rule.
  878         (e) The monument establishment sales agent application
  879  shall be accompanied by a fee of $50. The licensing authority
  880  may from time to time increase the application fee by rule but
  881  not to exceed $200. A member of the United States Armed Forces,
  882  such member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed
  883  Forces who separated from service within the 2 years preceding
  884  application for licensure are exempt from the application fee.
  885  To qualify for the application fee exemption, an applicant must
  886  provide a copy of a military identification card, military
  887  dependent identification card, military service record, military
  888  personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation
  889  document that indicates such member is currently in good
  890  standing or such veteran was honorably discharged.
  891         Section 28. Paragraph (i) of subsection (2) and subsection
  892  (4) of section 497.602, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  893         497.602 Direct disposers, license required; licensing
  894  procedures and criteria; regulation.—
  895         (2) APPLICATION PROCEDURES.—
  896         (i) The application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable
  897  fee of $300. The licensing authority may from time to time
  898  increase the fee by rule but not to exceed more than $500. A
  899  member of the United States Armed Forces, such member’s spouse,
  900  and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who separated
  901  from service within the 2 years preceding application for
  902  licensure are exempt from the application fee. To qualify for
  903  the application fee exemption, an applicant must provide a copy
  904  of a military identification card, military dependent
  905  identification card, military service record, military personnel
  906  file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation document
  907  that indicates such member is currently in good standing or such
  908  veteran was honorably discharged.
  909         (4) ISSUANCE OF LICENSE.—Upon approval of the application
  910  by the licensing authority, the license shall be issued. The
  911  licensing authority shall recognize military-issued credentials
  912  relating to funeral and cemetery services for purposes of
  913  licensure as a direct disposer.
  914         Section 29. Subsection (2) of section 501.015, Florida
  915  Statutes, is amended to read:
  916         501.015 Health studios; registration requirements and
  917  fees.—Each health studio shall:
  918         (2) Remit an annual registration fee of $300 to the
  919  department at the time of registration for each of the health
  920  studio’s business locations.
  921         (a) The department shall waive the initial registration fee
  922  for an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed
  923  Forces;, the spouse or surviving spouse of such a veteran; a
  924  current member of the United States Armed Forces who has served
  925  on active duty; the spouse of such a member; the surviving
  926  spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces if the
  927  member died while serving on active duty;, or a business entity
  928  that has a majority ownership held by such a veteran, or spouse,
  929  or surviving spouse, if the department receives an application,
  930  in a format prescribed by the department. The application format
  931  must include the applicant’s signature, under penalty of
  932  perjury, and supporting documentation, within 60 months after
  933  the date of the veteran’s discharge from any branch of the
  934  United States Armed Forces. To qualify for the waiver:,
  935         1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his
  936  or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of
  937  Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as
  938  specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs;
  939         2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide
  940  to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued
  941  by the United States Department of Defense, or another
  942  acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department
  943  of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or
  944  certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the
  945  veteran at the time of discharge; or
  946         3. A business entity must provide to the department proof
  947  that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran
  948  holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the
  949  veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department
  950  of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as
  951  specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if
  952  applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate
  953  verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was
  954  lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge.
  955         (b)The department shall waive the registration renewal fee
  956  for a registrant who:
  957         1.Is an active duty member of the United States Armed
  958  Forces or the spouse of such member;
  959         2.Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces and
  960  served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the renewal
  961  date. To qualify for the fee waiver, a registrant who is a
  962  former member of the United States Armed Forces who served on
  963  active duty within the 2 years preceding the expiration date of
  964  the registration must have received an honorable discharge upon
  965  separation or discharge from the United States Armed Forces; or
  966         3.Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States
  967  Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at the
  968  time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the date of
  969  renewal.
  970  
  971  A registrant seeking such a waiver must apply in a format
  972  prescribed by the department, including the applicant’s
  973  signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting
  974  documentation.
  975         Section 30. Paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of section
  976  501.605, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  977         501.605 Licensure of commercial telephone sellers and
  978  entities providing substance abuse marketing services.—
  979         (5) An application filed pursuant to this part must be
  980  verified and accompanied by:
  981         (b) A fee for licensing in the amount of $1,500. The fee
  982  shall be deposited into the General Inspection Trust Fund. The
  983  department shall waive the initial license fee for an honorably
  984  discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces;, the
  985  spouse or surviving spouse of such a veteran; a current member
  986  of the United States Armed Forces who has served on active duty;
  987  the spouse of such a member; the surviving spouse of a member of
  988  the United States Armed Forces if such member died while serving
  989  on active duty;, or a business entity that has a majority
  990  ownership held by such a veteran, or spouse, or surviving
  991  spouse, if the department receives an application, in a format
  992  prescribed by the department. The application format must
  993  include the applicant’s signature, under penalty of perjury, and
  994  supporting documentation, within 60 months after the date of the
  995  veteran’s discharge from any branch of the United States Armed
  996  Forces. To qualify for the waiver:,
  997         1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his
  998  or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of
  999  Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as
 1000  specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs;
 1001         2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide
 1002  to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued
 1003  by the United States Department of Defense, or another
 1004  acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department
 1005  of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or
 1006  certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the
 1007  veteran at the time of discharge; or
 1008         3. A business entity must provide to the department proof
 1009  that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran
 1010  holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the
 1011  veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department
 1012  of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as
 1013  specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if
 1014  applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate
 1015  verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was
 1016  lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge.
 1017         Section 31. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
 1018  501.607, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1019         501.607 Licensure of salespersons.—
 1020         (2) An application filed pursuant to this section must be
 1021  verified and be accompanied by:
 1022         (b) A fee for licensing in the amount of $50 per
 1023  salesperson. The fee shall be deposited into the General
 1024  Inspection Trust Fund. The fee for licensing may be paid after
 1025  the application is filed, but must be paid within 14 days after
 1026  the applicant begins work as a salesperson. The department shall
 1027  waive the initial license fee for an honorably discharged
 1028  veteran of the United States Armed Forces;, the spouse or
 1029  surviving spouse of such a veteran; a current member of the
 1030  United States Armed Forces who has served on active duty; the
 1031  spouse of such a member; the surviving spouse of a member of the
 1032  United States Armed Forces if the member died while serving on
 1033  active duty;, or a business entity that has a majority ownership
 1034  held by such a veteran, or spouse, or surviving spouse, if the
 1035  department receives an application, in a format prescribed by
 1036  the department. The application format must include the
 1037  applicant’s signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting
 1038  documentation, within 60 months after the date of the veteran’s
 1039  discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces. To
 1040  qualify for the waiver:,
 1041         1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his
 1042  or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of
 1043  Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as
 1044  specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs;
 1045         2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide
 1046  to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued
 1047  by the United States Department of Defense, or another
 1048  acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department
 1049  of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or
 1050  certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the
 1051  veteran at the time of discharge; or
 1052         3. A business entity must provide to the department proof
 1053  that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran
 1054  holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the
 1055  veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department
 1056  of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as
 1057  specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if
 1058  applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate
 1059  verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was
 1060  lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge.
 1061         Section 32. Subsection (5) is added to section 501.609,
 1062  Florida Statutes, to read:
 1063         501.609 License renewal.—
 1064         (5)The department shall waive the annual fee to renew for
 1065  a licensee who:
 1066         (a)Is an active duty member of the United States Armed
 1067  Forces or the spouse of such member;
 1068         (b)Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces
 1069  and served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the
 1070  renewal date. To qualify for the fee waiver, a licensee who is a
 1071  former member of the United States Armed Forces who served on
 1072  active duty within the 2 years preceding the expiration date of
 1073  the registration must have received an honorable discharge upon
 1074  separation or discharge from the United States Armed Forces; or
 1075         (c)Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United
 1076  States Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at
 1077  the time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the
 1078  renewal.
 1079  
 1080  A licensee seeking such a waiver must apply in a format
 1081  prescribed by the department, including the applicant’s
 1082  signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting
 1083  documentation.
 1084         Section 33. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
 1085  507.03, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (c) is added
 1086  to that subsection, to read:
 1087         507.03 Registration.—
 1088         (3)
 1089         (b) The department shall waive the initial registration fee
 1090  for an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed
 1091  Forces;, the spouse or surviving spouse of such a veteran; a
 1092  current member of the United States Armed Forces who has served
 1093  on active duty; the spouse of such a member; the surviving
 1094  spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces if the
 1095  member died while serving on active duty;, or a business entity
 1096  that has a majority ownership held by such a veteran, or spouse,
 1097  or surviving spouse, if the department receives an application,
 1098  in a format prescribed by the department. The application format
 1099  must include the applicant’s signature, under penalty of
 1100  perjury, and supporting documentation, within 60 months after
 1101  the date of the veteran’s discharge from any branch of the
 1102  United States Armed Forces. To qualify for the waiver:,
 1103         1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his
 1104  or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of
 1105  Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as
 1106  specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs;
 1107         2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide
 1108  to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued
 1109  by the United States Department of Defense, or another
 1110  acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department
 1111  of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or
 1112  certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the
 1113  veteran at the time of discharge; or
 1114         3. A business entity must provide to the department proof
 1115  that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran
 1116  holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the
 1117  veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department
 1118  of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as
 1119  specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if
 1120  applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate
 1121  verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was
 1122  lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge.
 1123         (c)The department shall waive the biennial fee to renew
 1124  for a registrant who:
 1125         1.Is an active duty member of the United States Armed
 1126  Forces or the spouse of such member;
 1127         2.Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces and
 1128  served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the
 1129  expiration date. To qualify for the fee waiver, a registrant who
 1130  is a former member of the United States Armed Forces who served
 1131  on active duty within the 2 years preceding the expiration date
 1132  of the registration must have received an honorable discharge
 1133  upon separation or discharge from the United States Armed
 1134  Forces; or
 1135         3.Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States
 1136  Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at the
 1137  time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the renewal.
 1138  
 1139  A registrant seeking such a waiver must apply in a format
 1140  prescribed by the department, including the applicant’s
 1141  signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting
 1142  documentation.
 1143         Section 34. Subsections (10) and (11) of section 517.12,
 1144  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1145         517.12 Registration of dealers, associated persons,
 1146  intermediaries, and investment advisers.—
 1147         (10)(a) An applicant for registration shall pay an
 1148  assessment fee of $200, in the case of a dealer or investment
 1149  adviser, or $50, in the case of an associated person. An
 1150  associated person may be assessed an additional fee to cover the
 1151  cost for the fingerprints to be processed by the office. Such
 1152  fee shall be determined by rule of the commission. Such fees
 1153  become the revenue of the state, except for those assessments
 1154  provided for under s. 517.131(1) until such time as the
 1155  Securities Guaranty Fund satisfies the statutory limits, and are
 1156  not returnable in the event that registration is withdrawn or
 1157  not granted.
 1158         (b)The office shall waive the $50 assessment fee required
 1159  by paragraph (a) of an associated person for an applicant who:
 1160         1.Is or was an active duty member of the United States
 1161  Armed Forces. To qualify for the fee waiver, an applicant who is
 1162  a former member of the United States Armed Forces must have
 1163  received an honorable discharge upon separation or discharge
 1164  from the United States Armed Forces;
 1165         2.Is married to a current or former member of the United
 1166  States Armed Forces and is or was married to the member during
 1167  any period of active duty; or
 1168         3.Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States
 1169  Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at the
 1170  time of death.
 1171  
 1172  An applicant seeking such a fee waiver must submit proof, in a
 1173  form prescribed by commission rule, that the applicant meets one
 1174  of the qualifications in this paragraph.
 1175         (11)(a) If the office finds that the applicant is of good
 1176  repute and character and has complied with the provisions of
 1177  this chapter and the rules made pursuant hereto, it shall
 1178  register the applicant. The registration of each dealer,
 1179  investment adviser, and associated person expires on December 31
 1180  of the year the registration became effective unless the
 1181  registrant has renewed his or her registration on or before that
 1182  date. Registration may be renewed by furnishing such information
 1183  as the commission may require, together with payment of the fee
 1184  required in paragraph (10)(a) subsection (10) for dealers,
 1185  investment advisers, or associated persons and the payment of
 1186  any amount lawfully due and owing to the office pursuant to any
 1187  order of the office or pursuant to any agreement with the
 1188  office. Any dealer, investment adviser, or associated person who
 1189  has not renewed a registration by the time the current
 1190  registration expires may request reinstatement of such
 1191  registration by filing with the office, on or before January 31
 1192  of the year following the year of expiration, such information
 1193  as may be required by the commission, together with payment of
 1194  the fee required in paragraph (10)(a) subsection (10) for
 1195  dealers, investment advisers, or associated persons and a late
 1196  fee equal to the amount of such fee. Any reinstatement of
 1197  registration granted by the office during the month of January
 1198  shall be deemed effective retroactive to January 1 of that year.
 1199         (b)The office shall waive the $50 assessment fee required
 1200  by paragraph (10)(a) of an associated person for a registrant
 1201  renewing his or her registration who:
 1202         1.Is an active duty member of the United States Armed
 1203  Forces or the spouse of such member;
 1204         2.Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces and
 1205  served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the
 1206  expiration date of the registration pursuant to paragraph (a).
 1207  To qualify for the fee waiver, a registrant who is a former
 1208  member of the United States Armed Forces who served on active
 1209  duty within the 2 years preceding the expiration date of the
 1210  registration must have received an honorable discharge upon
 1211  separation or discharge from the United States Armed Forces; or
 1212         3.Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States
 1213  Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at the
 1214  time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the
 1215  surviving spouse’s registration expiration date pursuant to
 1216  paragraph (a).
 1217  
 1218  A registrant seeking such a fee waiver must submit proof, in a
 1219  form prescribed by commission rule, that the registrant meets
 1220  one of the qualifications in this paragraph.
 1221         Section 35. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
 1222  527.02, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (c) is added
 1223  to that subsection, to read:
 1224         527.02 License; penalty; fees.—
 1225         (3)
 1226         (b) The department shall waive the initial license fee for
 1227  an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed
 1228  Forces;, the spouse or surviving spouse of such a veteran; a
 1229  current member of the United States Armed Forces who has served
 1230  on active duty; the spouse of such a member; the surviving
 1231  spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces if the
 1232  member died while serving on active duty;, or a business entity
 1233  that has a majority ownership held by such a veteran, or spouse
 1234  , or surviving spouse, if the department receives an
 1235  application, in a format prescribed by the department. The
 1236  application format must include the applicant’s signature, under
 1237  penalty of perjury, and supporting documentation, within 60
 1238  months after the date of the veteran’s discharge from any branch
 1239  of the United States Armed Forces. To qualify for the waiver:,
 1240         1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his
 1241  or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of
 1242  Defense or another acceptable form of identification as
 1243  specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs;
 1244         2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide
 1245  to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued
 1246  by the United States Department of Defense, or another
 1247  acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department
 1248  of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or
 1249  certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the
 1250  veteran at the time of discharge; or
 1251         3. A business entity must provide to the department proof
 1252  that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran
 1253  holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the
 1254  veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department
 1255  of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as
 1256  specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if
 1257  applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate
 1258  verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was
 1259  lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge.
 1260         (c)The department shall waive license renewal fees for a
 1261  licensee who:
 1262         1.Is an active duty member of the United States Armed
 1263  Forces or the spouse of such member;
 1264         2.Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces and
 1265  served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the renewal
 1266  date. To qualify for the fee waiver under this subparagraph, a
 1267  licensee who is a former member of the United States Armed
 1268  Forces who served on active duty within the 2 years preceding
 1269  the annual renewal date must have received an honorable
 1270  discharge upon separation or discharge from the United States
 1271  Armed Forces; or
 1272         3.Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States
 1273  Armed Forces if such member was serving on active duty at the
 1274  time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the
 1275  surviving spouse’s renewal.
 1276  
 1277  A licensee seeking such a waiver must apply in a format
 1278  prescribed by the department, including the applicant’s
 1279  signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting
 1280  documentation.
 1281         Section 36. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section
 1282  539.001, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (g) is
 1283  added to that subsection, to read:
 1284         539.001 The Florida Pawnbroking Act.—
 1285         (3) LICENSE REQUIRED.—
 1286         (c) Each license is valid for a period of 1 year unless it
 1287  is earlier relinquished, suspended, or revoked. Each license
 1288  shall be renewed annually, and each licensee shall, initially
 1289  and annually thereafter, pay to the agency a license fee of $300
 1290  for each license held. The agency shall waive the initial
 1291  license fee for an honorably discharged veteran of the United
 1292  States Armed Forces;, the spouse or surviving spouse of such a
 1293  veteran; a current member of the United States Armed Forces who
 1294  has served on active duty; the spouse of such a member; the
 1295  surviving spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces
 1296  if the member died while serving on active duty;, or a business
 1297  entity that has a majority ownership held by such a veteran, or
 1298  spouse, or surviving spouse, if the agency receives an
 1299  application, in a format prescribed by the agency. The
 1300  application format must include the applicant’s signature, under
 1301  penalty of perjury, and supporting documentation, within 60
 1302  months after the date of the veteran’s discharge from any branch
 1303  of the United States Armed Forces. To qualify for the waiver:,
 1304         1. A veteran must provide to the agency a copy of his or
 1305  her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of
 1306  Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as
 1307  specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs;
 1308         2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide
 1309  to the agency a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by
 1310  the United States Department of Defense, or another acceptable
 1311  form of identification as specified by the Department of
 1312  Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or
 1313  certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the
 1314  veteran at the time of discharge; or
 1315         3. A business entity must provide to the agency proof that
 1316  a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran holds a
 1317  majority ownership in the business, a copy of the veteran’s DD
 1318  Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of Defense,
 1319  or another acceptable form of identification as specified by the
 1320  Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if applicable, a copy of a
 1321  valid marriage license or certificate verifying that the spouse
 1322  or surviving spouse of the veteran was lawfully married to the
 1323  veteran at the time of discharge.
 1324         (g)The agency shall waive license renewal fees for a
 1325  licensee who:
 1326         1.Is an active duty member of the United States Armed
 1327  Forces or the spouse of such member;
 1328         2.Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces and
 1329  served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the renewal
 1330  date. To qualify for the fee waiver under this subparagraph, a
 1331  licensee who is a former member of the United States Armed
 1332  Forces who served on active duty within the 2 years preceding
 1333  the annual renewal date must have received an honorable
 1334  discharge upon separation or discharge from the United States
 1335  Armed Forces; or
 1336         3.Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States
 1337  Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at the
 1338  time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the renewal.
 1339  
 1340  A licensee seeking such a waiver must apply in a format
 1341  prescribed by the agency, including the applicant’s signature,
 1342  under penalty of perjury, and supporting documentation.
 1343         Section 37. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
 1344  559.904, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (c) is
 1345  added to that subsection, to read:
 1346         559.904 Motor vehicle repair shop registration;
 1347  application; exemption.—
 1348         (3)
 1349         (b) The department shall waive the initial registration fee
 1350  for an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed
 1351  Forces;, the spouse or surviving spouse of such a veteran; a
 1352  current member of the United States Armed Forces who has served
 1353  on active duty; the spouse of such a member; the surviving
 1354  spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces if the
 1355  member died while serving on active duty;, or a business entity
 1356  that has a majority ownership held by such a veteran, or spouse,
 1357  or surviving spouse, if the department receives an application,
 1358  in a format prescribed by the department. The application format
 1359  must include the applicant’s signature, under penalty of
 1360  perjury, and supporting documentation, within 60 months after
 1361  the date of the veteran’s discharge from any branch of the
 1362  United States Armed Forces. To qualify for the waiver:,
 1363         1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his
 1364  or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of
 1365  Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as
 1366  specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs;
 1367         2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide
 1368  to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued
 1369  by the United States Department of Defense, or another
 1370  acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department
 1371  of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or
 1372  certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the
 1373  veteran at the time of discharge; or
 1374         3. A business entity must provide to the department proof
 1375  that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran
 1376  holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the
 1377  veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department
 1378  of Defense or another acceptable form of identification as
 1379  specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if
 1380  applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate
 1381  verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was
 1382  lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge.
 1383         (c)The department shall waive registration renewal fees
 1384  for a registrant who:
 1385         1.Is an active duty member of the United States Armed
 1386  Forces or the spouse of such member;
 1387         2.Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces and
 1388  served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the renewal
 1389  date. To qualify for the fee waiver under this subparagraph, a
 1390  registrant who is a former member of the United States Armed
 1391  Forces who served on active duty within the 2 years preceding
 1392  the biennial renewal date must have received an honorable
 1393  discharge upon separation or discharge from the United States
 1394  Armed Forces; or
 1395         3.Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States
 1396  Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at the
 1397  time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the renewal.
 1398  
 1399  A registrant seeking such a waiver must apply in a format
 1400  prescribed by the department, including the applicant’s
 1401  signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting
 1402  documentation.
 1403         Section 38. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section
 1404  559.928, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (d) is
 1405  added to that subsection, to read:
 1406         559.928 Registration.—
 1407         (2)
 1408         (c) The department shall waive the initial registration fee
 1409  for an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed
 1410  Forces;, the spouse or surviving spouse of such a veteran; a
 1411  current member of the United States Armed Forces who has served
 1412  on active duty; the spouse of such a member; the surviving
 1413  spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces if the
 1414  member died while serving on active duty;, or a business entity
 1415  that has a majority ownership held by such a veteran, or spouse,
 1416  or surviving spouse, if the department receives an application,
 1417  in a format prescribed by the department. The application format
 1418  must include the applicant’s signature, under penalty of
 1419  perjury, and supporting documentation, within 60 months after
 1420  the date of the veteran’s discharge from any branch of the
 1421  United States Armed Forces. To qualify for the waiver:,
 1422         1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his
 1423  or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of
 1424  Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as
 1425  specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs;
 1426         2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide
 1427  to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued
 1428  by the United States Department of Defense, or another
 1429  acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department
 1430  of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or
 1431  certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the
 1432  veteran at the time of discharge; or
 1433         3. A business entity must provide to the department proof
 1434  that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran
 1435  holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the
 1436  veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department
 1437  of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as
 1438  specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if
 1439  applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate
 1440  verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was
 1441  lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge.
 1442         (d)The department shall waive the registration renewal fee
 1443  for a registrant who:
 1444         1.Is an active duty member of the United States Armed
 1445  Forces or the spouse of such member;
 1446         2.Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces and
 1447  served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the renewal
 1448  date. To qualify for the fee waiver under this subparagraph, a
 1449  registrant who is a former member of the United States Armed
 1450  Forces who served on active duty within the 2 years preceding
 1451  the annual registration renewal date must have received an
 1452  honorable discharge upon separation or discharge from the United
 1453  States Armed Forces; or
 1454         3.Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States
 1455  Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at the
 1456  time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the renewal.
 1457  
 1458  A registrant seeking such a waiver must apply in a format
 1459  prescribed by the department, including the applicant’s
 1460  signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting
 1461  documentation.
 1462         Section 39. Subsection (2) of section 626.025, Florida
 1463  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1464         626.025 Consumer protections.—To transact insurance, agents
 1465  shall comply with consumer protection laws, including the
 1466  following, as applicable:
 1467         (2) Fingerprinting requirements for resident and
 1468  nonresident agents, as required under s. 626.171 or s. 626.202.
 1469  The department shall waive the fingerprinting requirement for an
 1470  agent who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United
 1471  States Armed Forces and applies for licensure within 2 years
 1472  after discharge.
 1473         Section 40. Subsections (4) and (6) of section 626.171,
 1474  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1475         626.171 Application for license as an agent, customer
 1476  representative, adjuster, service representative, managing
 1477  general agent, or reinsurance intermediary.—
 1478         (4) An applicant for a license as an agent, customer
 1479  representative, adjuster, service representative, managing
 1480  general agent, or reinsurance intermediary must submit a set of
 1481  the individual applicant’s fingerprints, or, if the applicant is
 1482  not an individual, a set of the fingerprints of the sole
 1483  proprietor, majority owner, partners, officers, and directors,
 1484  to the department and must pay the fingerprint processing fee
 1485  set forth in s. 624.501. Fingerprints shall be used to
 1486  investigate the applicant’s qualifications pursuant to s.
 1487  626.201. The fingerprints shall be taken by a law enforcement
 1488  agency, designated examination center, or other department
 1489  approved entity. The department shall require all designated
 1490  examination centers to have fingerprinting equipment and to take
 1491  fingerprints from any applicant or prospective applicant who
 1492  pays the applicable fee. The department may not approve an
 1493  application for licensure as an agent, customer service
 1494  representative, adjuster, service representative, managing
 1495  general agent, or reinsurance intermediary if fingerprints have
 1496  not been submitted. The department shall waive fingerprint
 1497  requirements for an applicant who is an honorably discharged
 1498  veteran of the United States Armed Forces and applies for
 1499  licensure within 2 years after discharge.
 1500         (6) Members of the United States Armed Forces and their
 1501  spouses, and veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have
 1502  separated from service retired within 24 months before
 1503  application for licensure, are exempt from the application
 1504  filing fee prescribed in s. 624.501. Qualified individuals must
 1505  provide a copy of a military identification card, military
 1506  dependent identification card, military service record, military
 1507  personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation
 1508  document, or a separation document that indicates such members
 1509  of the United States Armed Forces are currently in good standing
 1510  or such veterans were honorably discharged.
 1511         Section 41. Paragraph (f) of subsection (2) of section
 1512  626.172, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1513         626.172 Application for insurance agency license.—
 1514         (2) An application for an insurance agency license must be
 1515  signed by an individual required to be listed in the application
 1516  under paragraph (a). An insurance agency may permit a third
 1517  party to complete, submit, and sign an application on the
 1518  insurance agency’s behalf; however, the insurance agency is
 1519  responsible for ensuring that the information on the application
 1520  is true and correct and is accountable for any misstatements or
 1521  misrepresentations. The application for an insurance agency
 1522  license must include:
 1523         (f) The fingerprints of each of the following:
 1524         1. A sole proprietor;
 1525         2. Each individual required to be listed in the application
 1526  under paragraph (a); and
 1527         3. Each individual who directs or participates in the
 1528  management or control of an incorporated agency whose shares are
 1529  not traded on a securities exchange.
 1530  
 1531  Fingerprints must be taken by a law enforcement agency or other
 1532  entity approved by the department and must be accompanied by the
 1533  fingerprint processing fee specified in s. 624.501. Fingerprints
 1534  must be processed in accordance with s. 624.34. However,
 1535  fingerprints need not be filed for an individual who is
 1536  currently licensed and appointed under this chapter. The
 1537  department shall waive fingerprint requirements for an applicant
 1538  who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States
 1539  Armed Forces and applies for licensure within 2 years after
 1540  discharge. This paragraph does not apply to corporations whose
 1541  voting shares are traded on a securities exchange.
 1542         Section 42. Section 626.202, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1543  to read:
 1544         626.202 Fingerprinting requirements.—If there is a change
 1545  in ownership or control of any entity licensed under this
 1546  chapter, or if a new partner, officer, or director is employed
 1547  or appointed, a set of fingerprints of the new owner, partner,
 1548  officer, or director must be filed with the department or office
 1549  within 30 days after the change. The acquisition of 10 percent
 1550  or more of the voting securities of a licensed entity is
 1551  considered a change of ownership or control. The fingerprints
 1552  must be taken by a law enforcement agency or other department
 1553  approved entity and be accompanied by the fingerprint processing
 1554  fee in s. 624.501. The department shall waive the fingerprinting
 1555  requirement if the owner, partner, officer, or director is an
 1556  honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces
 1557  and is employed or appointed within 2 years after discharge.
 1558         Section 43. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section
 1559  626.292, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1560         626.292 Transfer of license from another state.—
 1561         (2) To qualify for a license transfer, an individual
 1562  applicant must meet the following requirements:
 1563         (c) The individual must submit a completed application for
 1564  this state which is received by the department within 90 days
 1565  after the date the individual became a resident of this state,
 1566  along with payment of the applicable fees set forth in s.
 1567  624.501 and submission of the following documents:
 1568         1. A certification issued by the appropriate official of
 1569  the applicant’s home state identifying the type of license and
 1570  lines of authority under the license and stating that, at the
 1571  time the license from the home state was canceled, the applicant
 1572  was in good standing in that state or that the state’s Producer
 1573  Database records, maintained by the National Association of
 1574  Insurance Commissioners, its affiliates, or subsidiaries,
 1575  indicate that the agent or all-lines adjuster is or was licensed
 1576  in good standing for the line of authority requested.
 1577         2. A set of the applicant’s fingerprints in accordance with
 1578  s. 626.171(4). The department shall waive the fingerprinting
 1579  requirement for an applicant who is an honorably discharged
 1580  veteran of the United States Armed Forces and applies for a
 1581  license transfer within 2 years after discharge.
 1582         Section 44. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section
 1583  626.321, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1584         626.321 Limited licenses.—
 1585         (1) The department shall issue to a qualified applicant a
 1586  license as agent authorized to transact a limited class of
 1587  business in any of the following categories of limited lines
 1588  insurance:
 1589         (c) Travel insurance.—License covering only policies and
 1590  certificates of travel insurance which are subject to review by
 1591  the office. Policies and certificates of travel insurance may
 1592  provide coverage for risks incidental to travel, planned travel,
 1593  or accommodations while traveling, including, but not limited
 1594  to, accidental death and dismemberment of a traveler; trip or
 1595  event cancellation, interruption, or delay; loss of or damage to
 1596  personal effects or travel documents; damages to travel
 1597  accommodations; baggage delay; emergency medical travel or
 1598  evacuation of a traveler; or medical, surgical, and hospital
 1599  expenses related to an illness or emergency of a traveler. Such
 1600  policy or certificate may be issued for terms longer than 90
 1601  days, but, other than a policy or certificate providing coverage
 1602  for air ambulatory services only, each policy or certificate
 1603  must be limited to coverage for travel or use of accommodations
 1604  of no longer than 90 days. The license may be issued only:
 1605         1. To a full-time salaried employee of a common carrier or
 1606  a full-time salaried employee or owner of a transportation
 1607  ticket agency and may authorize the sale of such ticket policies
 1608  only in connection with the sale of transportation tickets, or
 1609  to the full-time salaried employee of such an agent. Such policy
 1610  may not be for more than 48 hours or more than the duration of a
 1611  specified one-way trip or round trip.
 1612         2. To an entity or individual that is:
 1613         a. The developer of a timeshare plan that is the subject of
 1614  an approved public offering statement under chapter 721;
 1615         b. An exchange company operating an exchange program
 1616  approved under chapter 721;
 1617         c. A managing entity operating a timeshare plan approved
 1618  under chapter 721;
 1619         d. A seller of travel as defined in chapter 559; or
 1620         e. A subsidiary or affiliate of any of the entities
 1621  described in sub-subparagraphs a.-d.
 1622         3. To a full-time salaried employee of a licensed general
 1623  lines agent or a business entity that offers travel planning
 1624  services if insurance sales activities authorized by the license
 1625  are in connection with, and incidental to, travel.
 1626         a. A license issued to a business entity that offers travel
 1627  planning services must encompass each office, branch office, or
 1628  place of business making use of the entity’s business name in
 1629  order to offer, solicit, and sell insurance pursuant to this
 1630  paragraph.
 1631         b. The application for licensure must list the name,
 1632  address, and phone number for each office, branch office, or
 1633  place of business that is to be covered by the license. The
 1634  licensee shall notify the department of the name, address, and
 1635  phone number of any new location that is to be covered by the
 1636  license before the new office, branch office, or place of
 1637  business engages in the sale of insurance pursuant to this
 1638  paragraph. The licensee shall notify the department within 30
 1639  days after the closing or terminating of an office, branch
 1640  office, or place of business. Upon receipt of the notice, the
 1641  department shall delete the office, branch office, or place of
 1642  business from the license.
 1643         c. A licensed and appointed entity is directly responsible
 1644  and accountable for all acts of the licensee’s employees and
 1645  parties with whom the licensee has entered into a contractual
 1646  agreement to offer travel insurance.
 1647  
 1648  A licensee shall require each individual who offers policies or
 1649  certificates under subparagraph 2. or subparagraph 3. to receive
 1650  initial training from a general lines agent or an insurer
 1651  authorized under chapter 624 to transact insurance within this
 1652  state. For an entity applying for a license as a travel
 1653  insurance agent, the fingerprinting requirement of this section
 1654  applies only to the president, secretary, and treasurer and to
 1655  any other officer or person who directs or controls the travel
 1656  insurance operations of the entity. The department shall waive
 1657  the fingerprinting requirement for an individual who is an
 1658  honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces
 1659  who has been discharged within the previous 2 years.
 1660         Section 45. Subsection (6) of section 626.732, Florida
 1661  Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (7), and a new subsection
 1662  (6) is added to that section, to read:
 1663         626.732 Requirement as to knowledge, experience, or
 1664  instruction.—
 1665         (6)Prelicensure coursework is not required for an
 1666  applicant who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United
 1667  States Armed Forces or the spouse of such a veteran.
 1668         Section 46. Subsection (13) is added to section 626.7355,
 1669  Florida Statutes, to read:
 1670         626.7355 Temporary license as customer representative
 1671  pending examination.—
 1672         (13)Evidence of prelicensure customer representative
 1673  educational course enrollment is not required for an applicant
 1674  who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States
 1675  Armed Forces or the spouse of such a veteran.
 1676         Section 47. Section 626.7851, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1677  to read:
 1678         626.7851 Requirement as to knowledge, experience, or
 1679  instruction.—An applicant for a license as a life agent, except
 1680  for a chartered life underwriter (CLU), shall not be qualified
 1681  or licensed unless within the 4 years immediately preceding the
 1682  date the application for a license is filed with the department
 1683  he or she has:
 1684         (1) Successfully completed 40 hours of coursework in life
 1685  insurance, annuities, and variable contracts approved by the
 1686  department, 3 hours of which shall be on the subject matter of
 1687  ethics. Courses must include instruction on the subject matter
 1688  of unauthorized entities engaging in the business of insurance;
 1689         (2) Successfully completed a minimum of 60 hours of
 1690  coursework in multiple areas of insurance, which included life
 1691  insurance, annuities, and variable contracts, approved by the
 1692  department, 3 hours of which shall be on the subject matter of
 1693  ethics. Courses must include instruction on the subject matter
 1694  of unauthorized entities engaging in the business of insurance;
 1695         (3) Earned or maintained an active designation as Chartered
 1696  Financial Consultant (ChFC) from the American College of
 1697  Financial Services; or Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI)
 1698  from the Life Management Institute;
 1699         (4) Held an active license in life insurance in another
 1700  state. This provision may not be used unless the other state
 1701  grants reciprocal treatment to licensees formerly licensed in
 1702  the state; or
 1703         (5) Been employed by the department or office for at least
 1704  1 year, full time in life insurance regulatory matters and who
 1705  was not terminated for cause, and application for examination is
 1706  made within 4 years after the date of termination of his or her
 1707  employment with the department or office.
 1708  
 1709  The successful completion of prelicensure coursework required by
 1710  subsection (1) is not required for an applicant who is an
 1711  honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces
 1712  or the spouse of such a veteran.
 1713         Section 48. Section 626.8311, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1714  to read:
 1715         626.8311 Requirement as to knowledge, experience, or
 1716  instruction.—An applicant for a license as a health agent,
 1717  except for a chartered life underwriter (CLU), shall not be
 1718  qualified or licensed unless within the 4 years immediately
 1719  preceding the date the application for license is filed with the
 1720  department he or she has:
 1721         (1) Successfully completed 40 hours of coursework in health
 1722  insurance, approved by the department, 3 hours of which shall be
 1723  on the subject matter of ethics. Courses must include
 1724  instruction on the subject matter of unauthorized entities
 1725  engaging in the business of insurance, to include the Florida
 1726  Nonprofit Multiple-Employer Welfare Arrangement Act and the
 1727  Employee Retirement Income Security Act, 29 U.S.C. ss. 1001 et
 1728  seq., as it relates to the provision of health insurance by
 1729  employers to their employees and the regulation thereof;
 1730         (2) Successfully completed a minimum of 60 hours of
 1731  coursework in multiple areas of insurance, which included health
 1732  insurance, approved by the department, 3 hours of which shall be
 1733  on the subject matter of ethics. Courses must include
 1734  instruction on the subject matter of unauthorized entities
 1735  engaging in the business of insurance;
 1736         (3) Earned or maintained an active designation as a
 1737  Registered Health Underwriter (RHU), Chartered Healthcare
 1738  Consultant (ChHC), or Registered Employee Benefits Consultant
 1739  (REBC) from the American College of Financial Services;
 1740  Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) from the Wharton
 1741  School of the University of Pennsylvania; or Health Insurance
 1742  Associate (HIA) from America’s Health Insurance Plans;
 1743         (4) Held an active license in health insurance in another
 1744  state. This provision may not be utilized unless the other state
 1745  grants reciprocal treatment to licensees formerly licensed in
 1746  Florida; or
 1747         (5) Been employed by the department or office for at least
 1748  1 year, full time in health insurance regulatory matters and who
 1749  was not terminated for cause, and application for examination is
 1750  made within 4 years after the date of termination of his or her
 1751  employment with the department or office.
 1752  
 1753  The successful completion of prelicensure coursework required by
 1754  subsection (1) is not required for an applicant who is an
 1755  honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces
 1756  or the spouse of such a veteran.
 1757         Section 49. Subsection (7) is added to section 626.8417,
 1758  Florida Statutes, to read:
 1759         626.8417 Title insurance agent licensure; exemptions.—
 1760         (7)The successful completion of prelicensure coursework
 1761  required by paragraph (3)(a) is not required for an applicant
 1762  who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States
 1763  Armed Forces or the spouse of such a veteran.
 1764         Section 50. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
 1765  626.8732, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1766         626.8732 Nonresident public adjuster’s qualifications,
 1767  bond.—
 1768         (2) The applicant shall furnish the following with his or
 1769  her application:
 1770         (a) A complete set of his or her fingerprints. The
 1771  applicant’s fingerprints must be certified by an authorized law
 1772  enforcement officer. The department may not authorize an
 1773  applicant to take the required examination or issue a
 1774  nonresident public adjuster’s license to the applicant until the
 1775  department has received a report from the Florida Department of
 1776  Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation relative
 1777  to the existence or nonexistence of a criminal history report
 1778  based on the applicant’s fingerprints. The department shall
 1779  waive the fingerprinting requirement for an applicant who is an
 1780  honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces
 1781  and applies for licensure within 2 years after discharge.
 1782         Section 51. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
 1783  626.8734, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1784         626.8734 Nonresident all-lines adjuster license
 1785  qualifications.—
 1786         (2) The applicant must furnish the following with his or
 1787  her application:
 1788         (a) A complete set of his or her fingerprints. The
 1789  applicant’s fingerprints must be certified by an authorized law
 1790  enforcement officer. The department shall waive the
 1791  fingerprinting requirement for an applicant who is an honorably
 1792  discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces and applies
 1793  for licensure within 2 years after discharge.
 1794         Section 52. Subsection (7) is added to section 626.927,
 1795  Florida Statutes, to read:
 1796         626.927 Licensing of surplus lines agent.—
 1797         (7)Successful completion of prelicensure coursework is not
 1798  required for an individual who is an honorably discharged
 1799  veteran of the United States Armed Forces or the spouse of such
 1800  a veteran.
 1801         Section 53. Subsection (7) is added to section 626.9272,
 1802  Florida Statutes, to read:
 1803         626.9272 Licensing of nonresident surplus lines agents.—
 1804         (7)Successful completion of prelicensure coursework is not
 1805  required for an applicant who is an honorably discharged veteran
 1806  of the United States Armed Forces or the spouse of such a
 1807  veteran.
 1808         Section 54. Paragraph (e) of subsection (3) of section
 1809  626.9912, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1810         626.9912 Viatical settlement provider license required;
 1811  application for license.—
 1812         (3) In the application, the applicant must provide all of
 1813  the following:
 1814         (e) With respect to each individual identified under
 1815  paragraph (d):
 1816         1. A sworn biographical statement on forms adopted by the
 1817  commission and supplied by the office.
 1818         2. A set of fingerprints on forms prescribed by the
 1819  commission, certified by a law enforcement officer, and
 1820  accompanied by the fingerprinting fee specified in s. 624.501.
 1821  The department shall waive the fingerprinting requirement for an
 1822  applicant who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United
 1823  States Armed Forces and applies for licensure within 2 years
 1824  after discharge.
 1825         3. Authority for release of information relating to the
 1826  investigation of the individual’s background.
 1827         Section 55. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section
 1828  633.304, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1829         633.304 Fire suppression equipment; license to install or
 1830  maintain.—
 1831         (4)
 1832         (a) Such licenses and permits shall be issued by the
 1833  division for 2 years beginning January 1, 2000, and each 2-year
 1834  period thereafter and expiring December 31 of the second year.
 1835  All licenses or permits issued will expire on December 31 of
 1836  each odd-numbered year. The failure to renew a license or permit
 1837  by December 31 of the second year will cause the license or
 1838  permit to become inoperative. The holder of an inoperative
 1839  license or permit may not engage in any activities for which a
 1840  license or permit is required by this section. A license or
 1841  permit which is inoperative because of the failure to renew it
 1842  shall be restored upon payment of the applicable fee plus a
 1843  penalty equal to the applicable fee, if the application for
 1844  renewal is filed no later than the following March 31. If the
 1845  application for restoration is not made before the March 31st
 1846  deadline, the fee for restoration shall be equal to the original
 1847  application fee and the penalty provided for herein, and, in
 1848  addition, the State Fire Marshal shall require reexamination of
 1849  the applicant. The period within which reexamination is not
 1850  required may, in the discretion of the department, be extended
 1851  to 12 months after discharge from military service if the
 1852  military service does not exceed 3 years, but not more than 6
 1853  years from the date of issue or renewal, if applicable, for
 1854  licenses or permits held by an honorably discharged veteran of
 1855  the United States Armed Forces or the spouse of such a veteran.
 1856  A qualifying veteran and the spouse of such veteran are not
 1857  subject to the penalty fee. The fee for a license or permit
 1858  issued for 1 year or less shall be prorated at 50 percent of the
 1859  applicable fee for a biennial license or permit.
 1860         Section 56. Subsection (1) of section 633.332, Florida
 1861  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1862         633.332 Certificate; expiration; renewal; inactive
 1863  certificate; continuing education.—
 1864         (1) Certificates shall expire every 2 years at midnight on
 1865  June 30. All certificates must be renewed every 2 years. The
 1866  failure to renew a certificate before June 30 shall cause the
 1867  certificate to become inoperative, and it is unlawful thereafter
 1868  for a person to engage, offer to engage, or hold herself or
 1869  himself out as engaging in contracting under the certificate
 1870  unless the certificate is restored or reissued. A certificate
 1871  which is inoperative because of failure to renew shall be
 1872  restored on payment of the proper renewal fee if the application
 1873  for restoration is made within 90 days after June 30. If the
 1874  application for restoration is not made within the 90-day
 1875  period, the fee for restoration must be equal to the original
 1876  application fee, and, in addition, the State Fire Marshal must
 1877  require examination or reexamination of the applicant. The
 1878  period within which reexamination is not required may, in the
 1879  discretion of the department, be extended to 12 months after
 1880  discharge from military service if the military service does not
 1881  exceed 3 years, but not more than 6 years from the date of issue
 1882  or renewal, if applicable, for certificates held by an honorably
 1883  discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces or the
 1884  spouse of such a veteran.
 1885         Section 57. Subsection (3) of section 633.412, Florida
 1886  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1887         633.412 Firefighters; qualifications for certification.—A
 1888  person applying for certification as a firefighter must:
 1889         (3) Submit a set of fingerprints to the division with a
 1890  current processing fee. The fingerprints will be forwarded to
 1891  the Department of Law Enforcement for state processing and
 1892  forwarded by the Department of Law Enforcement to the Federal
 1893  Bureau of Investigation for national processing. The department
 1894  shall waive the fingerprinting requirement for an applicant who
 1895  is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed
 1896  Forces and applies for certification within 2 years after
 1897  discharge.
 1898         Section 58. Section 633.414, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1899  to read:
 1900         633.414 Retention of firefighter and volunteer firefighter
 1901  certifications.—
 1902         (1) In order for a firefighter to retain her or his
 1903  Firefighter Certificate of Compliance, every 4 years he or she
 1904  must meet the requirements for renewal provided in this chapter
 1905  and by rule, which must include at least one of the following:
 1906         (a) Be active as a firefighter.
 1907         (b) Maintain a current and valid fire service instructor
 1908  certificate, instruct at least 40 hours during the 4-year
 1909  period, and provide proof of such instruction to the division,
 1910  which proof must be registered in an electronic database
 1911  designated by the division.
 1912         (c) Within 6 months before the 4-year period expires,
 1913  successfully complete a Firefighter Retention Refresher Course
 1914  consisting of a minimum of 40 hours of training to be prescribed
 1915  by rule.
 1916         (d) Within 6 months before the 4-year period expires,
 1917  successfully retake and pass the Minimum Standards Course
 1918  examination pursuant to s. 633.408.
 1919         (2) In order for a volunteer firefighter to retain her or
 1920  his Volunteer Firefighter Certificate of Completion, every 4
 1921  years he or she must:
 1922         (a) Be active as a volunteer firefighter; or
 1923         (b) Successfully complete a refresher course consisting of
 1924  a minimum of 40 hours of training to be prescribed by rule.
 1925         (3) Subsection (1) does not apply to state-certified
 1926  firefighters who are certified and employed full-time, as
 1927  determined by the fire service provider, as firesafety
 1928  inspectors or fire investigators, regardless of their employment
 1929  status as firefighters or volunteer firefighters.
 1930         (4) For the purposes of this section, the term “active”
 1931  means being employed as a firefighter or providing service as a
 1932  volunteer firefighter for a cumulative period of 6 months within
 1933  a 4-year period.
 1934         (5) The 4-year period begins upon issuance of the
 1935  certificate or separation from employment.
 1936         (6) A certificate for a firefighter or volunteer
 1937  firefighter expires if he or she fails to meet the requirements
 1938  of this section.
 1939         (7) The State Fire Marshal may deny, refuse to renew,
 1940  suspend, or revoke the certificate of a firefighter or volunteer
 1941  firefighter if the State Fire Marshal finds that any of the
 1942  following grounds exists:
 1943         (a) Any cause for which issuance of a certificate could
 1944  have been denied if it had then existed and had been known to
 1945  the division.
 1946         (b) A violation of any provision of this chapter or any
 1947  rule or order of the State Fire Marshal.
 1948         (c) Falsification of a record relating to any certificate
 1949  issued by the division.
 1950  
 1951  The 4-year period may, in the discretion of the department, be
 1952  extended for an honorably discharged veteran of the United
 1953  States Armed Forces or the spouse of such a veteran to 12 months
 1954  after discharge from military service if the military service
 1955  does not exceed 3 years, but in no event more than 6 years from
 1956  the date of issue or renewal, if applicable.
 1957         Section 59. Subsection (3) is added to section 633.444,
 1958  Florida Statutes, to read:
 1959         633.444 Division powers and duties; Florida State Fire
 1960  College.—
 1961         (3)The division shall waive all living and incidental
 1962  expenses associated with attending the Florida State Fire
 1963  College for an active duty member of the United States Armed
 1964  Forces, the spouse of such a member who was serving on active
 1965  duty at the time of death and died within the 2 years preceding
 1966  the spouse attending the college, an honorably discharged
 1967  veteran of the United States Armed Forces, or the spouse or
 1968  surviving spouse of such a veteran.
 1969         Section 60. Subsection (4) of section 648.34, Florida
 1970  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1971         648.34 Bail bond agents; qualifications.—
 1972         (4) The applicant shall furnish, with his or her
 1973  application, a complete set of his or her fingerprints and a
 1974  recent credential-sized, fullface photograph of the applicant.
 1975  The applicant’s fingerprints shall be certified by an authorized
 1976  law enforcement officer. The department shall not authorize an
 1977  applicant to take the required examination until the department
 1978  has received a report from the Department of Law Enforcement and
 1979  the Federal Bureau of Investigation relative to the existence or
 1980  nonexistence of a criminal history report based on the
 1981  applicant’s fingerprints. The department shall waive the
 1982  fingerprinting requirement for an applicant who is an honorably
 1983  discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces and applies
 1984  for licensure within 2 years after discharge.
 1985         Section 61. Subsection (4) of section 648.355, Florida
 1986  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1987         648.355 Temporary limited license as limited surety agent
 1988  or professional bail bond agent; pending examination.—
 1989         (4) The applicant shall furnish, with the application for
 1990  temporary license, a complete set of the applicant’s
 1991  fingerprints and a recent credential-sized, fullface photograph
 1992  of the applicant. The applicant’s fingerprints shall be
 1993  certified by an authorized law enforcement officer. The
 1994  department shall not issue a temporary license under this
 1995  section until the department has received a report from the
 1996  Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of
 1997  Investigation relative to the existence or nonexistence of a
 1998  criminal history report based on the applicant’s fingerprints.
 1999  The department shall waive the fingerprinting requirement for an
 2000  applicant who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United
 2001  States Armed Forces and applies for licensure within 2 years
 2002  after discharge.
 2003         Section 62. Section 683.147, Florida Statutes, is created
 2004  to read:
 2005         683.147Medal of Honor Day.—
 2006         (1)March 25 of each year is designated as “Medal of Honor
 2007  Day.”
 2008         (2)The Governor may annually issue a proclamation
 2009  designating March 25 as “Medal of Honor Day” and calling upon
 2010  public officials, schools, private organizations, and all
 2011  residents of the state to commemorate Medal of Honor Day and
 2012  honor recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor who
 2013  distinguished themselves through their conspicuous bravery and
 2014  gallantry during wartime, at considerable risk to their own
 2015  lives, while serving as members of the United States Armed
 2016  Forces.
 2017         Section 63. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
 2018  1002.37, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 2019         1002.37 The Florida Virtual School.—
 2020         (1)
 2021         (b) The mission of the Florida Virtual School is to provide
 2022  students with technology-based educational opportunities to gain
 2023  the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed. The school shall
 2024  serve any student in the state who meets the profile for success
 2025  in this educational delivery context and shall give priority to:
 2026         1. Students who need expanded access to courses in order to
 2027  meet their educational goals, such as home education students
 2028  and students in inner-city and rural high schools who do not
 2029  have access to higher-level courses.
 2030         2. Students seeking accelerated access in order to obtain a
 2031  high school diploma at least one semester early.
 2032         3.Students who are children of an active duty member of
 2033  the United States Armed Forces who is not stationed in this
 2034  state whose home of record or state of legal residence is
 2035  Florida.
 2036  
 2037  The board of trustees of the Florida Virtual School shall
 2038  identify appropriate performance measures and standards based on
 2039  student achievement that reflect the school’s statutory mission
 2040  and priorities, and shall implement an accountability system for
 2041  the school that includes assessment of its effectiveness and
 2042  efficiency in providing quality services that encourage high
 2043  student achievement, seamless articulation, and maximum access.
 2044         Section 64. Subsection (2) of section 1003.42, Florida
 2045  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2046         1003.42 Required instruction.—
 2047         (2) Members of the instructional staff of the public
 2048  schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education
 2049  and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and
 2050  faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the
 2051  highest standards for professionalism and historical accuracy,
 2052  following the prescribed courses of study, and employing
 2053  approved methods of instruction, the following:
 2054         (a) The history and content of the Declaration of
 2055  Independence, including national sovereignty, natural law, self
 2056  evident truth, equality of all persons, limited government,
 2057  popular sovereignty, and inalienable rights of life, liberty,
 2058  and property, and how they form the philosophical foundation of
 2059  our government.
 2060         (b) The history, meaning, significance, and effect of the
 2061  provisions of the Constitution of the United States and
 2062  amendments thereto, with emphasis on each of the 10 amendments
 2063  that make up the Bill of Rights and how the constitution
 2064  provides the structure of our government.
 2065         (c) The arguments in support of adopting our republican
 2066  form of government, as they are embodied in the most important
 2067  of the Federalist Papers.
 2068         (d) Flag education, including proper flag display and flag
 2069  salute.
 2070         (e) The elements of civil government, including the primary
 2071  functions of and interrelationships between the Federal
 2072  Government, the state, and its counties, municipalities, school
 2073  districts, and special districts.
 2074         (f) The history of the United States, including the period
 2075  of discovery, early colonies, the War for Independence, the
 2076  Civil War, the expansion of the United States to its present
 2077  boundaries, the world wars, and the civil rights movement to the
 2078  present. American history shall be viewed as factual, not as
 2079  constructed, shall be viewed as knowable, teachable, and
 2080  testable, and shall be defined as the creation of a new nation
 2081  based largely on the universal principles stated in the
 2082  Declaration of Independence.
 2083         (g) The history of the Holocaust (1933-1945), the
 2084  systematic, planned annihilation of European Jews and other
 2085  groups by Nazi Germany, a watershed event in the history of
 2086  humanity, to be taught in a manner that leads to an
 2087  investigation of human behavior, an understanding of the
 2088  ramifications of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping, and an
 2089  examination of what it means to be a responsible and respectful
 2090  person, for the purposes of encouraging tolerance of diversity
 2091  in a pluralistic society and for nurturing and protecting
 2092  democratic values and institutions.
 2093         (h) The history of African Americans, including the history
 2094  of African peoples before the political conflicts that led to
 2095  the development of slavery, the passage to America, the
 2096  enslavement experience, abolition, and the contributions of
 2097  African Americans to society. Instructional materials shall
 2098  include the contributions of African Americans to American
 2099  society.
 2100         (i) The elementary principles of agriculture.
 2101         (j) The true effects of all alcoholic and intoxicating
 2102  liquors and beverages and narcotics upon the human body and
 2103  mind.
 2104         (k) Kindness to animals.
 2105         (l) The history of the state.
 2106         (m) The conservation of natural resources.
 2107         (n) Comprehensive health education that addresses concepts
 2108  of community health; consumer health; environmental health;
 2109  family life, including an awareness of the benefits of sexual
 2110  abstinence as the expected standard and the consequences of
 2111  teenage pregnancy; mental and emotional health; injury
 2112  prevention and safety; Internet safety; nutrition; personal
 2113  health; prevention and control of disease; and substance use and
 2114  abuse. The health education curriculum for students in grades 7
 2115  through 12 shall include a teen dating violence and abuse
 2116  component that includes, but is not limited to, the definition
 2117  of dating violence and abuse, the warning signs of dating
 2118  violence and abusive behavior, the characteristics of healthy
 2119  relationships, measures to prevent and stop dating violence and
 2120  abuse, and community resources available to victims of dating
 2121  violence and abuse.
 2122         (o) Such additional materials, subjects, courses, or fields
 2123  in such grades as are prescribed by law or by rules of the State
 2124  Board of Education and the district school board in fulfilling
 2125  the requirements of law.
 2126         (p) The study of Hispanic contributions to the United
 2127  States.
 2128         (q) The study of women’s contributions to the United
 2129  States.
 2130         (r) The nature and importance of free enterprise to the
 2131  United States economy.
 2132         (s) A character-development program in the elementary
 2133  schools, similar to Character First or Character Counts, which
 2134  is secular in nature. Beginning in school year 2004-2005, the
 2135  character-development program shall be required in kindergarten
 2136  through grade 12. Each district school board shall develop or
 2137  adopt a curriculum for the character-development program that
 2138  shall be submitted to the department for approval. The
 2139  character-development curriculum shall stress the qualities of
 2140  patriotism; responsibility; citizenship; kindness; respect for
 2141  authority, life, liberty, and personal property; honesty;
 2142  charity; self-control; racial, ethnic, and religious tolerance;
 2143  and cooperation. The character-development curriculum for grades
 2144  9 through 12 shall, at a minimum, include instruction on
 2145  developing leadership skills, interpersonal skills, organization
 2146  skills, and research skills; creating a resume; developing and
 2147  practicing the skills necessary for employment interviews;
 2148  conflict resolution, workplace ethics, and workplace law;
 2149  managing stress and expectations; and developing skills that
 2150  enable students to become more resilient and self-motivated.
 2151         (t) In order to encourage patriotism, the sacrifices that
 2152  veterans and Medal of Honor recipients have made in serving our
 2153  country and protecting democratic values worldwide. Such
 2154  instruction must occur on or before Medal of Honor Day,
 2155  Veterans’ Day, and Memorial Day. Members of the instructional
 2156  staff are encouraged to use the assistance of local veterans and
 2157  Medal of Honor recipients when practicable.
 2158  
 2159  The State Board of Education is encouraged to adopt standards
 2160  and pursue assessment of the requirements of this subsection. A
 2161  character development program that incorporates the values of
 2162  the recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor and that is
 2163  offered as part of a social studies, English Language Arts, or
 2164  other schoolwide character-building and veteran awareness
 2165  initiative meets the requirements of paragraphs (s) and (t).
 2166         Section 65. Subsection (4) of section 1012.55, Florida
 2167  Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (e) is added to subsection
 2168  (1) of that section, to read:
 2169         1012.55 Positions for which certificates required.—
 2170         (1)
 2171         (e)1.The department shall issue a 3-year temporary
 2172  certificate in educational leadership under s. 1012.56(7) to an
 2173  individual who:
 2174         a.Earned a passing score on the Florida Educational
 2175  Leadership Examination;
 2176         b.Served as a commissioned or noncommissioned military
 2177  officer in the United States Armed Forces for at least 3 years;
 2178         c.Was honorably discharged or has retired from the United
 2179  States Armed Forces; and
 2180         d.Is employed full time in a position for which an
 2181  educator certificate is required in a Florida public school,
 2182  state-supported school, or nonpublic school that has a Level II
 2183  program approved under s. 1012.562.
 2184         2.A Level II program approved under s. 1012.562 must
 2185  accept an applicant who holds a temporary certificate as
 2186  required under subparagraph 1. The department shall issue a
 2187  permanent certification as a school principal to an individual
 2188  who holds a temporary certificate issued under subparagraph 1.
 2189  and successfully completes the Level II program.
 2190         (4) A commissioned or noncommissioned military officer who
 2191  is an instructor of junior reserve officer training shall be
 2192  exempt from requirements for teacher certification, except for
 2193  the background screening pursuant to s. 1012.32, if he or she
 2194  meets the following qualifications:
 2195         (a) Is retired from active military duty, pursuant to
 2196  chapter 102 of Title 10 U.S.C.
 2197         (b) Satisfies criteria established by the appropriate
 2198  military service for certification by the service as a junior
 2199  reserve officer training instructor.
 2200         (c) Has an exemplary military record.
 2201  
 2202  If such instructor is assigned instructional duties other than
 2203  junior reserve officer training, he or she shall hold the
 2204  certificate required by law and rules of the state board for the
 2205  type of service rendered. An instructor of junior reserve
 2206  officer training under this subsection may receive funding
 2207  through the Florida Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Program
 2208  established in s. 1012.71.
 2209         Section 66. Subsection (7) of section 1012.56, Florida
 2210  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2211         1012.56 Educator certification requirements.—
 2212         (7) TYPES AND TERMS OF CERTIFICATION.—
 2213         (a) The Department of Education shall issue a professional
 2214  certificate for a period not to exceed 5 years to any applicant
 2215  who fulfills one of the following:
 2216         1. Meets all the requirements outlined in subsection (2).
 2217         2. For a professional certificate covering grades 6 through
 2218  12:
 2219         a. Meets the requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)-(h).
 2220         b. Holds a master’s or higher degree in the area of
 2221  science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
 2222         c. Teaches a high school course in the subject of the
 2223  advanced degree.
 2224         d. Is rated highly effective as determined by the teacher’s
 2225  performance evaluation under s. 1012.34, based in part on
 2226  student performance as measured by a statewide, standardized
 2227  assessment or an Advanced Placement, Advanced International
 2228  Certificate of Education, or International Baccalaureate
 2229  examination.
 2230         e. Achieves a passing score on the Florida professional
 2231  education competency examination required by state board rule.
 2232         3. Meets the requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)-(h) and
 2233  completes a professional preparation and education competence
 2234  program approved by the department pursuant to paragraph (8)(c).
 2235  An applicant who completes the program and is rated highly
 2236  effective as determined by his or her performance evaluation
 2237  under s. 1012.34 is not required to take or achieve a passing
 2238  score on the professional education competency examination in
 2239  order to be awarded a professional certificate.
 2240         (b) The department shall issue a temporary certificate to
 2241  any applicant who completes the requirements outlined in
 2242  paragraphs (2)(a)-(f) and completes the subject area content
 2243  requirements specified in state board rule or demonstrates
 2244  mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5) and
 2245  holds an accredited degree or a degree approved by the
 2246  Department of Education at the level required for the subject
 2247  area specialization in state board rule.
 2248         (c) The department shall issue one nonrenewable 2-year
 2249  temporary certificate and one nonrenewable 5-year professional
 2250  certificate to a qualified applicant who holds a bachelor’s
 2251  degree in the area of speech-language impairment to allow for
 2252  completion of a master’s degree program in speech-language
 2253  impairment.
 2254  
 2255  Each temporary certificate is valid for 3 school fiscal years
 2256  and is nonrenewable. However, the requirement in paragraph
 2257  (2)(g) must be met within 1 calendar year of the date of
 2258  employment under the temporary certificate. Individuals who are
 2259  employed under contract at the end of the 1 calendar year time
 2260  period may continue to be employed through the end of the school
 2261  year in which they have been contracted. A school district shall
 2262  not employ, or continue the employment of, an individual in a
 2263  position for which a temporary certificate is required beyond
 2264  this time period if the individual has not met the requirement
 2265  of paragraph (2)(g). At least 1 year before an individual’s
 2266  temporary certificate is set to expire, the department shall
 2267  electronically notify the individual of the date on which his or
 2268  her certificate will expire and provide a list of each method by
 2269  which the qualifications for a professional certificate can be
 2270  completed. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to
 2271  allow the department to extend the validity period of a
 2272  temporary certificate for 2 years when the requirements for the
 2273  professional certificate, not including the requirement in
 2274  paragraph (2)(g), were not completed due to the serious illness
 2275  or injury of the applicant, the military service of an
 2276  applicant’s spouse, or other extraordinary extenuating
 2277  circumstances. The rules must authorize the department to extend
 2278  the validity period of a temporary certificate or for 1 year if
 2279  the temporary certificateholder is rated effective or highly
 2280  effective based solely on a student learning growth formula
 2281  approved by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to s.
 2282  1012.34(8). The department shall reissue the temporary
 2283  certificate for 2 additional years upon approval by the
 2284  Commissioner of Education. A written request for reissuance of
 2285  the certificate shall be submitted by the district school
 2286  superintendent, the governing authority of a university lab
 2287  school, the governing authority of a state-supported school, or
 2288  the governing authority of a private school.
 2289         Section 67. Subsection (3) is added to section 1012.59,
 2290  Florida Statutes, to read:
 2291         1012.59 Certification fees.—
 2292         (3)The State Board of Education shall waive initial
 2293  general knowledge, professional education, and subject area
 2294  examination fees and certification and certification renewal
 2295  fees for:
 2296         (a)A member of the United States Armed Forces or a reserve
 2297  component thereof who is serving or has served on active duty or
 2298  the spouse of such a member.
 2299         (b)The surviving spouse of a member of the United States
 2300  Armed Forces or a reserve component thereof who was serving on
 2301  active duty at the time of death and died within the 2 years
 2302  preceding the spouse’s application for certification or
 2303  certification renewal or registration for an examination.
 2304         (c)An honorably discharged veteran of the United States
 2305  Armed Forces or a veteran of a reserve component thereof who
 2306  served on active duty and the spouse or surviving spouse of such
 2307  a veteran.
 2308         Section 68. This act shall take effect July 1, 2018.

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