SB 556 Florida Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Requirements for a Standard High School Diploma

Summary

Requirements for a Standard High School Diploma; Providing that students can substitute marching band experience for physical education and performing fine arts credit requirements for a standard high school diploma; providing that students with disabilities may participate in the Special Olympics to meet the physical education requirement for a standard high school diploma, etc.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Mar 5, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S 556 Filed → S 556 c1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add a new provision allowing students to substitute marching band experience for physical education and performing arts credit requirements. This change expands the options available to students to meet graduation requirements by recognizing extracurricular arts participation as equivalent to specific academic credits.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from only addressing Special Olympics participation for students with disabilities to also include general student eligibility for using marching band to satisfy graduation credits.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement allowing two years of marching band to satisfy one credit in physical education and one credit in performing arts.

Added a provision allowing one semester of marching band (with a grade of C or better) to satisfy one-half credit in either physical education or performing arts.

Added a restriction stating that marching band credits cannot be used to satisfy personal fitness requirements or adaptive physical education requirements under IEPs or 504 plans.

SCOPE

Changed the bill title and description to reflect the new marching band provision in addition to the existing Special Olympics provision.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header from 'Filed' version to 'Committee Substitute' and adjusted the effective date timestamp.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

24–0

Passed

Total votes 24

Feb 17, 2026

D Democratic5

5 Yea

100% Yea

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican18

18 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 17, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (24-0)

senate

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable by- Rules; YEAS 24 NAYS 0

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/17/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; YEAS 6 NAYS 0

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, 02/10/26, 12:00 pm, 301 Senate Building

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

upper

Jan 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Education Pre-K - 12, 01/13/26, 1:30 pm, 412 Knott Building

upper

Dec 9, 2025

Committee

Referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Rules

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor