HB 409 requires all Florida K-12 public school districts to observe Veterans' Day as an official school holiday, directly affecting school calendars and operations. The bill amends Florida Statutes to mandate that school boards designate Veterans' Day - listed in Section 110.117(1)(f) - as a holiday, replacing current discretionary observance. This policy change ensures consistent recognition of Veterans' Day across all public schools, with implementation required by July 1, 2026. The law does not alter the holiday's date or create new requirements beyond standard school holiday designation.
Oaths of Classroom Teachers; Requires persons employed as classroom teachers to take specified oath before entering upon duties of classroom teacher; & provides requirements for such oath.
HB 109 prohibits all school district employees in Florida public schools from using corporal punishment on students. The bill removes existing provisions that allowed limited use of corporal punishment under strict conditions, such as principal approval, an adult witness, and parent notification. It amends multiple statutes to eliminate references to corporal punishment as an allowable disciplinary tool and requires school boards to adopt alternative discipline programs instead. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026, directly affecting all public school students and staff in Florida.
Career and Academic Planning For Middle and High School Students; Requires district school boards to annually provide students & their parents with certain information relating to career & technical education programs beginning in specified grade; requires middle schools to hold career & academic planning meeting for specified students & their parents; requires certain information to be included in meeting; revises information included in student's personalized academic & career plan; requires students in specified grades to annually review personalized academic & career plan; requires such review to include certain demonstration.
Discrimination in Education; Requires each district school board, Florida College System institution, & state university to designate Title VI coordinator; provides requirements for such coordinators; & establishes process for complaints relating to violations of Title VI of Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964.
HB 41, titled "Jaime's Law," proposes requiring background checks for ammunition sales in Florida. It would mandate that licensed sellers conduct a criminal history check through the Department of Law Enforcement before selling or transferring ammunition, similar to firearm sales rules, with a $8 fee per transaction. Key exceptions include transfers to law enforcement officers, at shooting ranges, or for hunting/fishing when specific conditions are met. The bill is currently under review by the Criminal Justice Subcommittee and does not apply to ammunition transfers between residents across state lines.
Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans; Removes limitation on value of tax exemption that surviving spouse could transfer to new residence; revises when specified tax exemption is considered to be granted.
Student Elopement ; Requires public schools to create School Staff Assistance for Emergencies (SAFE) Team & school elopement plan; provides requirements for SAFE Teams, elopement plans, & schools.
Verification of Reemployment Assistance Benefit Eligibility; Revises circumstances under which COM disqualifies claimants from reemployment assistance benefits; requires department to verify claimants' identities before paying benefits & to cross-check certain information to verify claimants' eligibility; requires department to maintain web page for specified purpose & to notify employers each year of web page.
Use of Campaign Funds for Campaign-related Child Care Expenses; Defines "campaign-related child care expenses" & "eligible child care provider"; authorizes candidate to use funds on deposit in his or her campaign account to pay for campaign-related child care expenses under specified conditions; requires candidate to maintain specified records for specified timeframe & provide such records to Division of Elections upon request; requires candidate to disclose use of campaign funds for campaign-related child care expenses in his or her regular campaign finance reports.
Specialty License Plates; Directs DHSMV to develop Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) license plate; provides for distribution & use of fees collected from sale of plate.
Cardiac Service Providers; Revises requirements for licensure of Level I & Level II adult cardiovascular programs; requires AHCA to update specified rules as new applicable industry standards & guidelines are published.
