Education

District school boards are now exempt from standard state administrative rules when adopting rules with public input, giving them more autonomy in rule-making processes.

New requirements mandate monthly written verification of student attendance by parents for Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program participants, including a specific certification form.

Charter schools are now required to respond to monitoring questions from the Department of Education, enhancing state oversight of charter operations.

Charter schools are now explicitly required to provide safe-school officers if the district denies them access to other officer options, ensuring safety staffing regardless of district policy.

The epinephrine policy was broadened to allow students to carry FDA-approved delivery devices (not just auto-injectors) and authorized private schools to purchase supplies, though the text retains some repetitive phrasing about auto-injectors.

New provisions require school districts to take specific actions if a related service in a student's IEP is not provided, including notifying parents within 10 days and allowing parents to request provider logs within 15 days.

Completion of 2 years of marching band now satisfies both physical education and performing arts credit requirements, and dance techniques courses can satisfy physical education or performing arts credits.

Curriculum review and approval processes for underperforming VPK providers now explicitly include proprietary curricula not available for purchase, ensuring all curricula meet state standards.

Private schools are now permitted to operate in various existing facility types (like churches or community centers) and in certain zoning districts without rezoning, provided they meet specific fire safety and building standards.

The criteria for awarding 15-year charter renewals were tightened, requiring schools to have an 'A' or 'B' grade and no financial emergency, whereas previous versions allowed lower grades under certain conditions.

The bill includes an effective date of July 1, 2026, and establishes various implementation timelines for new applied algebra courses and AI tool recommendations.

Added a new Section 16 establishing the 'GATE Startup Grant Program' to provide funding for institutions that do not yet offer adult secondary or career education programs, specifically targeting rural areas of opportunity.

Added a specific reference to Florida Statute 1011.804 in the summary and text to formally codify the GATE Startup Grant Program.

Updated the bill header to reflect 'Committee Substitute' status and changed the committee attribution to include both the Appropriations and Education committees.

Revised the summary of the bill's contents to explicitly list the new GATE Startup Grant Program and related administrative changes.

Clarified the definition of 'rural area of opportunity' for the GATE Startup Grant Program by referencing specific state statutes.