Ethics for Public Employees

HB 603 updates Florida's ethics rules for public employees by expanding the definition of "relative" to include foster parents and foster children. This change directly affects public employees and school board members, who must now consider foster relationships when applying gift restrictions. The bill revises Section 112.312 to include foster parents/children in the "relative" definition, ensuring school board members (per Section 1001.421) cannot accept gifts over $50 from foster relatives. The policy clarifies existing ethics standards without creating new restrictions, applying to all public employees subject to these rules. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.