HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 1 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to standard high school diploma award 2
requirements; amending s. 1002.3105, F.S.; adding a 3
new requirement for the award of a standard high 4
school diploma to Academically Challenging Curriculum 5
to Enhance Learning students; amending s. 1003. 4282, 6
F.S.; requiring students, beginning with those 7
entering grade 9 in a specified school year, to submit 8
a Free Application for Federal Student Aid in order to 9
be awarded a standard high school diploma; providing 10
an exemption; amending s. 1003.5716, F.S .; conforming 11
cross-references; reenacting s. 1003.03(3)(c), F.S., 12
relating to maximum class size, to incorporate the 13
amendment made to s. 1002.3105, F.S., in a reference 14
thereto; reenacting ss. 1002.20(8), 1003.4281(1), 15
1003.4285(1), 1003.5716(1), and 101 1.62(1)(n), F.S., 16
relating to K-12 student and parent rights, early high 17
school graduation, standard high school diploma 18
designations, transition to postsecondary education 19
and career opportunities, and funds for operation of 20
schools, respectively, to inco rporate the amendment 21
made to s. 1003.4282, F.S., in references thereto; 22
reenacting ss. 409.1451(2)(a), 1002.33(7)(a), 23
1002.34(4)(g), 1002.45(4)(b), 1003.49(1), 1004.935(1), 24
1006.15(3)(a), 1009.531(1)(b), and 1009.893(4), F.S., 25
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 2 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
relating to the Road -to-Independence Program, charter 26
schools, charter technical career centers, virtual 27
instruction programs, graduation and promotion 28
requirements for publicly operated schools, the Adults 29
with Disabilities Workforce Education Program, 30
standards for participation in interscholastic and 31
intrascholastic extracurricular student activities, 32
the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, and 33
the Benacquisto Scholarship Program, respectively, to 34
incorporate the amendments made to ss. 1002.3105 and 35
1003.4282, F.S., in refe rences thereto; providing an 36
effective date. 37
38
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 39
40
Section 1. Subsection (5) of section 1002.3105, Florida 41
Statutes, is amended to read: 42
1002.3105 Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhanc e 43
Learning (ACCEL) options. — 44
(5) AWARD OF A STANDARD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. —A student who 45
meets the following grade 9 cohort graduation requirements shall 46
be awarded a standard high school diploma in a form prescribed 47
by the State Board of Education: 48
(a) The applicable grade 9 cohort graduation requirements 49
of s. 1003.4282(3)(a) -(e); 50
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 3 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(b)1. For a student who enters grade 9 before the 2023 -51
2024 school year, earn three credits in electives; or 52
2. For a student who enters grade 9 in the 2023 -2024 53
school year and thereafter, earn two and one -half credits in 54
electives and one-half credit in financial literacy; and 55
(c) Earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on 56
a 4.0 scale; and 57
(d) Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid 58
pursuant to s. 1003.4282(5). 59
Section 2. Present subsections (5) through (11) of section 60
1003.4282, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (6) 61
through (12), respectively, and a new subsection (5) is added to 62
that section, to read: 63
1003.4282 Requirements for a standard high school 64
diploma.— 65
(5) FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID REQUIREMENT. —66
Beginning with students entering grade 9 in the 2024 -2025 school 67
year, a student must submit a Free Application for Federal 68
Student Aid in order to be awarded a standard high school 69
diploma. However, a student is exempt from this subsection if 70
the student's parent or the student, if he or she is 18 years of 71
age or older, submits a letter to the school district declining 72
to submit the Free Application for Federa l Student Aid. 73
Section 3. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (2) of 74
section 1003.5716, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 75
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 4 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1003.5716 Transition to postsecondary education and career 76
opportunities.—All students with disabilities who are 3 years o f 77
age to 21 years of age have the right to a free, appropriate 78
public education. As used in this section, the term "IEP" means 79
individual education plan. 80
(2) Beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect 81
when the student enters high school, attains the age of 14, or 82
when determined appropriate by the parent and the IEP team, 83
whichever occurs first, the IEP must include the following 84
statements that must be updated annually: 85
(a) A statement of intent to pursue a standard high school 86
diploma and a Scholar or Merit designation, pursuant to s. 87
1003.4285, as determined by the parent. 88
1. The statement must document discussion of the process 89
for a student with a disability who meets the requirements for a 90
standard high school diploma to defer the receipt of such 91
diploma pursuant to s. 1003.4282(10)(c) s. 1003.4282(9)(c). 92
2. For the IEP in effect at the beginning of the school 93
year the student is expected to graduate, the statement must 94
include a signed statement by the parent, the guardian, or t he 95
student, if the student has reached the age of majority and 96
rights have transferred to the student, that he or she 97
understands the process for deferment and identifying if the 98
student will defer the receipt of his or her standard high 99
school diploma. 100
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 5 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(b) A statement of intent to receive a standard high 101
school diploma before the student attains the age of 22 and a 102
description of how the student will fully meet the requirements 103
in s. 1003.4282, including, but not limited to, a portfolio 104
pursuant to s. 1003.4282(10)(b) s. 1003.4282(9)(b) which meets 105
the criteria specified in State Board of Education rule. The IEP 106
must also specify the outcomes and additional benefits expected 107
by the parent and the IEP team at the time of the student's 108
graduation. 109
Section 4. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 110
made by this act to section 1002.3105, Florida Statutes, in a 111
reference thereto, paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section 112
1003.03, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 113
1003.03 Maximum class size. — 114
(3) IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS. —District school boards must 115
consider, but are not limited to, implementing the following 116
items in order to meet the constitutional class size maximums 117
described in subsection (1): 118
(c)1. Repeal district school board policies that require 119
students to earn more than the 24 credits to graduate from high 120
school. 121
2. Implement the early graduation options provided in ss. 122
1002.3105(5) and 1003.4281. 123
Section 5. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 124
made by this act to section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes, in a 125
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 6 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
reference thereto, subsection (8) of section 1002.20, Florida 126
Statutes, is reenacted to read: 127
1002.20 K-12 student and parent rights. —Parents of public 128
school students must receive accurate and timely information 129
regarding their child's academic progress and must be informed 130
of ways they can help their child to succeed in school. K -12 131
students and their parents are afforded numerous statutory 132
rights including, but not limited to, the following: 133
(8) STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.—Parents of public school 134
students with disabilities and parents of public school students 135
in residential care facilities are entitled to notice and due 136
process in accordance with the provisions of ss. 1003.57 and 137
1003.58. Public school stude nts with disabilities must be 138
provided the opportunity to meet the graduation requirements for 139
a standard high school diploma as set forth in s. 1003.4282 in 140
accordance with the provisions of ss. 1003.57 and 1008.22. 141
Section 6. For the purpose of incor porating the amendment 142
made by this act to section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes, in a 143
reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 1003.4281, Florida 144
Statutes, is reenacted to read: 145
1003.4281 Early high school graduation. — 146
(1) The purpose of this sectio n is to provide a student 147
the option of early graduation and receipt of a standard high 148
school diploma if the student earns 24 credits and meets the 149
graduation requirements set forth in s. 1003.4282. For purposes 150
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 7 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
of this section, the term "early graduation " means graduation 151
from high school in less than 8 semesters or the equivalent. 152
Section 7. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 153
made by this act to section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes, in a 154
reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 1003.42 85, Florida 155
Statutes, is reenacted to read: 156
1003.4285 Standard high school diploma designations. — 157
(1) Each standard high school diploma shall include, as 158
applicable, the following designations if the student meets the 159
criteria set forth for the designa tion: 160
(a) Scholar designation. —In addition to the requirements 161
of s. 1003.4282, in order to earn the Scholar designation, a 162
student must satisfy the following requirements: 163
1. Mathematics.—Earn one credit in Algebra II or an 164
equally rigorous course and one credit in statistics or an 165
equally rigorous course. Beginning with students entering grade 166
9 in the 2014-2015 school year, pass the Geometry statewide, 167
standardized assessment. 168
2. Science.—Pass the statewide, standardized Biology I EOC 169
assessment and earn one credit in chemistry or physics and one 170
credit in a course equally rigorous to chemistry or physics. 171
However, a student enrolled in an Advanced Placement (AP), 172
International Baccalaureate (IB), or Advanced International 173
Certificate of Education ( AICE) Biology course who takes the 174
respective AP, IB, or AICE Biology assessment and earns the 175
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 8 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
minimum score necessary to earn college credit as identified 176
pursuant to s. 1007.27(2) meets the requirement of this 177
subparagraph without having to take the stat ewide, standardized 178
Biology I EOC assessment. 179
3. Social studies.—Pass the statewide, standardized United 180
States History EOC assessment. However, a student enrolled in an 181
AP, IB, or AICE course that includes United States History 182
topics who takes the resp ective AP, IB, or AICE assessment and 183
earns the minimum score necessary to earn college credit as 184
identified pursuant to s. 1007.27(2) meets the requirement of 185
this subparagraph without having to take the statewide, 186
standardized United States History EOC a ssessment. 187
4. Foreign language. —Earn two credits in the same foreign 188
language. 189
5. Electives.—Earn at least one credit in an Advanced 190
Placement, an International Baccalaureate, an Advanced 191
International Certificate of Education, or a dual enrollment 192
course. 193
(b) Merit designation.—In addition to the requirements of 194
s. 1003.4282, in order to earn the Merit designation, a student 195
must attain one or more industry certifications from the list 196
established under s. 1003.492. 197
Section 8. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 198
made by this act to section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes, in a 199
reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 1003.5716, Florida 200
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 9 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Statutes, is reenacted to read: 201
1003.5716 Transition to postsecondary education and career 202
opportunities.—All students with disabilities who are 3 years of 203
age to 21 years of age have the right to a free, appropriate 204
public education. As used in this section, the term "IEP" means 205
individual education plan. 206
(1) To ensure quality planning for a successfu l transition 207
of a student with a disability to postsecondary education and 208
career opportunities, during the student's seventh grade year or 209
when the student attains the age of 12, whichever occurs first, 210
an IEP team shall begin the process of, and develop an IEP for, 211
identifying the need for transition services before the student 212
with a disability enters high school or attains the age of 14 213
years, whichever occurs first, in order for his or her 214
postsecondary goals and career goals to be identified. The plan 215
must be operational and in place to begin implementation on the 216
first day of the student's first year in high school. This 217
process must include, but is not limited to: 218
(a) Consideration of the student's need for instruction in 219
the area of self-determination and self -advocacy to assist the 220
student's active and effective participation in an IEP meeting; 221
(b) Preparation for the student to graduate from high 222
school with a standard high school diploma pursuant to s. 223
1003.4282 with a Scholar de signation unless the parent chooses a 224
Merit designation; and 225
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 10 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(c) Provision of the information to the student and his or 226
her parent of the school district's high school -level transition 227
services, career and technical education, and collegiate 228
programs available to students with disabilities and how to 229
access such programs. Information shall also be provided on 230
school-based transition programs and programs and services 231
available through Florida's Center for Students with Unique 232
Abilities, the Florida Center s for Independent Living, the 233
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Agency for Persons 234
with Disabilities, and the Division of Blind Services. Referral 235
forms, links, and technical support contacts for these services 236
must be provided to students and par ents at IEP meetings. 237
Section 9. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 238
made by this act to section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes, in a 239
reference thereto, paragraph (n) of subsection (1) of section 240
1011.62, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 241
1011.62 Funds for operation of schools. —If the annual 242
allocation from the Florida Education Finance Program to each 243
district for operation of schools is not determined in the 244
annual appropriations act or the substantive bill implementing 245
the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as 246
follows: 247
(1) COMPUTATION OF THE BASIC AMOUNT TO BE INCLUDED FOR 248
OPERATION.—The following procedure shall be followed in 249
determining the annual allocation to each district for 250
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 11 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
operation: 251
(n) Calculation of addit ional full-time equivalent 252
membership based on college board advanced placement scores of 253
students and earning college board advanced placement capstone 254
diplomas.—A value of 0.16 full -time equivalent student 255
membership shall be calculated for each student in each advanced 256
placement course who receives a score of 3 or higher on the 257
College Board Advanced Placement Examination for the prior year 258
and added to the total full -time equivalent student membership 259
in basic programs for grades 9 through 12 in the sub sequent 260
fiscal year. A value of 0.3 full -time equivalent student 261
membership shall be calculated for each student who receives a 262
College Board Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma and meets the 263
requirements for a standard high school diploma under s. 264
1003.4282. Such value shall be added to the total full -time 265
equivalent student membership in basic programs for grades 9 266
through 12 in the subsequent fiscal year. Each district must 267
allocate at least 80 percent of the funds provided to the 268
district for advanced p lacement instruction, in accordance with 269
this paragraph, to the high school that generates the funds. The 270
school district shall distribute to each classroom teacher who 271
provided advanced placement instruction: 272
1. A bonus in the amount of $50 for each stu dent taught by 273
the Advanced Placement teacher in each advanced placement course 274
who receives a score of 3 or higher on the College Board 275
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 12 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Advanced Placement Examination. 276
2. An additional bonus of $500 to each Advanced Placement 277
teacher in a school designa ted with a grade of "D" or "F" who 278
has at least one student scoring 3 or higher on the College 279
Board Advanced Placement Examination, regardless of the number 280
of classes taught or of the number of students scoring a 3 or 281
higher on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination. 282
283
Bonuses awarded under this paragraph shall be in addition to any 284
regular wage or other bonus the teacher received or is scheduled 285
to receive. For such courses, the teacher shall earn an 286
additional bonus of $50 for each student who has a qualifying 287
score. 288
Section 10. For the purpose of incorporating the 289
amendments made by this act to sections 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, 290
Florida Statutes, in references thereto, paragraph (a) of 291
subsection (2) of section 409.1451, Florida Statutes, is 292
reenacted to read: 293
409.1451 The Road-to-Independence Program. — 294
(2) POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION SERVICES AND SUPPORT. — 295
(a) A young adult is eligible for services and support 296
under this subsection if he or she: 297
1. Was living in licensed care on his or h er 18th birthday 298
or is currently living in licensed care; or was at least 16 299
years of age and was adopted from foster care or placed with a 300
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 13 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
court-approved dependency guardian after spending at least 6 301
months in licensed care within the 12 months immediatel y 302
preceding such placement or adoption; 303
2. Spent at least 6 months in licensed care before 304
reaching his or her 18th birthday; 305
3. Earned a standard high school diploma pursuant to s. 306
1002.3105(5), s. 1003.4281, or s. 1003.4282, or its equivalent 307
pursuant to s. 1003.435; 308
4. Has been admitted for enrollment as a full -time student 309
or its equivalent in an eligible postsecondary educational 310
institution as provided in s. 1009.533. For purposes of this 311
section, the term "full -time" means 9 credit hours or the 312
vocational school equivalent. A student may enroll part -time if 313
he or she has a recognized disability or is faced with another 314
challenge or circumstance that would prevent full -time 315
attendance. A student needing to enroll part -time for any reason 316
other than having a recognized disability must get approval from 317
his or her academic advisor; 318
5. Has reached 18 years of age but is not yet 23 years of 319
age; 320
6. Has applied, with assistance from the young adult's 321
caregiver and the community -based lead agency, f or any other 322
grants and scholarships for which he or she may qualify; 323
7. Submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid 324
which is complete and error free; and 325
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 14 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
8. Signed an agreement to allow the department and the 326
community-based care lead agency access to school records. 327
Section 11. For the purpose of incorporating the 328
amendments made by this act to sections 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, 329
Florida Statutes, in references thereto, paragraph (a) of 330
subsection (7) of section 1002.33, Florida Statutes, i s 331
reenacted to read: 332
1002.33 Charter schools. — 333
(7) CHARTER.—The terms and conditions for the operation of 334
a charter school, including a virtual charter school, shall be 335
set forth by the sponsor and the applicant in a written 336
contractual agreement, call ed a charter. The sponsor and the 337
governing board of the charter school or virtual charter school 338
shall use the standard charter contract or standard virtual 339
charter contract, respectively, pursuant to subsection (21), 340
which shall incorporate the approved application and any addenda 341
approved with the application. Any term or condition of a 342
proposed charter contract or proposed virtual charter contract 343
that differs from the standard charter or virtual charter 344
contract adopted by rule of the State Board of Ed ucation shall 345
be presumed a limitation on charter school flexibility. The 346
sponsor may not impose unreasonable rules or regulations that 347
violate the intent of giving charter schools greater flexibility 348
to meet educational goals. The charter shall be signed by the 349
governing board of the charter school and the sponsor, following 350
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 15 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
a public hearing to ensure community input. 351
(a) The charter shall address and criteria for approval of 352
the charter shall be based on: 353
1. The school's mission, the types of students to be 354
served, and, for a virtual charter school, the types of students 355
the school intends to serve who reside outside of the sponsoring 356
school district, and the ages and grades to be included. 357
2. The focus of the curriculum, the instructional methods 358
to be used, any distinctive instructional techniques to be 359
employed, and identification and acquisition of appropriate 360
technologies needed to improve educational and administrative 361
performance which include a means for promoting safe, ethical, 362
and appropriate uses of technology which comply with legal and 363
professional standards. 364
a. The charter shall ensure that reading is a primary 365
focus of the curriculum and that resources are provided to 366
identify and provide specialized instruction for students who 367
are reading below grade level. The curriculum and instructional 368
strategies for reading must be consistent with the Next 369
Generation Sunshine State Standards and grounded in 370
scientifically based reading research. 371
b. In order to provide students with access to diverse 372
instructional delivery models, to facilitate the integration of 373
technology within traditional classroom instruction, and to 374
provide students with the skills they need to compete in the 375
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 16 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
21st century economy, the Legislature encourages instructional 376
methods for blended learning courses consisting of both 377
traditional classroom and online instructional techniques. 378
Charter schools may implement blended learning courses which 379
combine traditional classroom instruction and virtual 380
instruction. Students in a blended learning course must be full -381
time students of the charter school pursuant to s. 382
1011.61(1)(a)1. Instructional personnel certified pursuant to s. 383
1012.55 who provide virtual instruction for blended learning 384
courses may be employees of the charter s chool or may be under 385
contract to provide instructional services to charter school 386
students. At a minimum, such instructional personnel must hold 387
an active state or school district adjunct certification under 388
s. 1012.57 for the subject area of the blended learning course. 389
The funding and performance accountability requirements for 390
blended learning courses are the same as those for traditional 391
courses. 392
3. The current incoming baseline standard of student 393
academic achievement, the outcomes to be achieved, a nd the 394
method of measurement that will be used. The criteria listed in 395
this subparagraph shall include a detailed description of: 396
a. How the baseline student academic achievement levels 397
and prior rates of academic progress will be established. 398
b. How these baseline rates will be compared to rates of 399
academic progress achieved by these same students while 400
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 17 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
attending the charter school. 401
c. To the extent possible, how these rates of progress 402
will be evaluated and compared with rates of progress of other 403
closely comparable student populations. 404
405
A district school board is required to provide academic student 406
performance data to charter schools for each of their students 407
coming from the district school system, as well as rates of 408
academic progress of comparab le student populations in the 409
district school system. 410
4. The methods used to identify the educational strengths 411
and needs of students and how well educational goals and 412
performance standards are met by students attending the charter 413
school. The methods s hall provide a means for the charter school 414
to ensure accountability to its constituents by analyzing 415
student performance data and by evaluating the effectiveness and 416
efficiency of its major educational programs. Students in 417
charter schools shall, at a min imum, participate in the 418
statewide assessment program created under s. 1008.22. 419
5. In secondary charter schools, a method for determining 420
that a student has satisfied the requirements for graduation in 421
s. 1002.3105(5), s. 1003.4281, or s. 1003.4282. 422
6. A method for resolving conflicts between the governing 423
board of the charter school and the sponsor. 424
7. The admissions procedures and dismissal procedures, 425
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 18 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
including the school's code of student conduct. Admission or 426
dismissal must not be based on a stud ent's academic performance. 427
8. The ways by which the school will achieve a 428
racial/ethnic balance reflective of the community it serves or 429
within the racial/ethnic range of other nearby public schools or 430
school districts. 431
9. The financial and administra tive management of the 432
school, including a reasonable demonstration of the professional 433
experience or competence of those individuals or organizations 434
applying to operate the charter school or those hired or 435
retained to perform such professional services a nd the 436
description of clearly delineated responsibilities and the 437
policies and practices needed to effectively manage the charter 438
school. A description of internal audit procedures and 439
establishment of controls to ensure that financial resources are 440
properly managed must be included. Both public sector and 441
private sector professional experience shall be equally valid in 442
such a consideration. 443
10. The asset and liability projections required in the 444
application which are incorporated into the charter and sha ll be 445
compared with information provided in the annual report of the 446
charter school. 447
11. A description of procedures that identify various 448
risks and provide for a comprehensive approach to reduce the 449
impact of losses; plans to ensure the safety and secur ity of 450
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 19 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
students and staff; plans to identify, minimize, and protect 451
others from violent or disruptive student behavior; and the 452
manner in which the school will be insured, including whether or 453
not the school will be required to have liability insurance, 454
and, if so, the terms and conditions thereof and the amounts of 455
coverage. 456
12. The term of the charter which shall provide for 457
cancellation of the charter if insufficient progress has been 458
made in attaining the student achievement objectives of the 459
charter and if it is not likely that such objectives can be 460
achieved before expiration of the charter. The initial term of a 461
charter shall be for 5 years, excluding 2 planning years. In 462
order to facilitate access to long -term financial resources for 463
charter school construction, charter schools that are operated 464
by a municipality or other public entity as provided by law are 465
eligible for up to a 15 -year charter, subject to approval by the 466
sponsor. A charter lab school is eligible for a charter for a 467
term of up to 15 years. In addition, to facilitate access to 468
long-term financial resources for charter school construction, 469
charter schools that are operated by a private, not -for-profit, 470
s. 501(c)(3) status corporation are eligible for up to a 15 -year 471
charter, subject to approval by the sponsor. Such long -term 472
charters remain subject to annual review and may be terminated 473
during the term of the charter, but only according to the 474
provisions set forth in subsection (8). 475
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 20 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
13. The facilities to be used and their location. Th e 476
sponsor may not require a charter school to have a certificate 477
of occupancy or a temporary certificate of occupancy for such a 478
facility earlier than 15 calendar days before the first day of 479
school. 480
14. The qualifications to be required of the teachers and 481
the potential strategies used to recruit, hire, train, and 482
retain qualified staff to achieve best value. 483
15. The governance structure of the school, including the 484
status of the charter school as a public or private employer as 485
required in paragraph ( 12)(i). 486
16. A timetable for implementing the charter which 487
addresses the implementation of each element thereof and the 488
date by which the charter shall be awarded in order to meet this 489
timetable. 490
17. In the case of an existing public school that is bei ng 491
converted to charter status, alternative arrangements for 492
current students who choose not to attend the charter school and 493
for current teachers who choose not to teach in the charter 494
school after conversion in accordance with the existing 495
collective bargaining agreement or district school board rule in 496
the absence of a collective bargaining agreement. However, 497
alternative arrangements shall not be required for current 498
teachers who choose not to teach in a charter lab school, except 499
as authorized by the e mployment policies of the state university 500
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 21 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
which grants the charter to the lab school. 501
18. Full disclosure of the identity of all relatives 502
employed by the charter school who are related to the charter 503
school owner, president, chairperson of the governin g board of 504
directors, superintendent, governing board member, principal, 505
assistant principal, or any other person employed by the charter 506
school who has equivalent decisionmaking authority. For the 507
purpose of this subparagraph, the term "relative" means fa ther, 508
mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first 509
cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, father -in-law, mother-in-510
law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, 511
stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, 512
stepsister, half brother, or half sister. 513
19. Implementation of the activities authorized under s. 514
1002.331 by the charter school when it satisfies the eligibility 515
requirements for a high -performing charter school. A high -516
performing charter school shall not ify its sponsor in writing by 517
March 1 if it intends to increase enrollment or expand grade 518
levels the following school year. The written notice shall 519
specify the amount of the enrollment increase and the grade 520
levels that will be added, as applicable. 521
Section 12. For the purpose of incorporating the 522
amendments made by this act to sections 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, 523
Florida Statutes, in references thereto, paragraph (g) of 524
subsection (4) of section 1002.34, Florida Statutes, is 525
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 22 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
reenacted to read: 526
1002.34 Charter technical career centers. — 527
(4) CHARTER.—A sponsor may designate centers as provided 528
in this section. An application to establish a center may be 529
submitted by a sponsor or another organization that is 530
determined, by rule of the State Board of Edu cation, to be 531
appropriate. However, an independent school is not eligible for 532
status as a center. The charter must be signed by the governing 533
body of the center and the sponsor and must be approved by the 534
district school board and Florida College System in stitution 535
board of trustees in whose geographic region the facility is 536
located. If a charter technical career center is established by 537
the conversion to charter status of a public technical center 538
formerly governed by a district school board, the charter s tatus 539
of that center takes precedence in any question of governance. 540
The governance of the center or of any program within the center 541
remains with its board of directors unless the board agrees to a 542
change in governance or its charter is revoked as provide d in 543
subsection (15). Such a conversion charter technical career 544
center is not affected by a change in the governance of public 545
technical centers or of programs within other centers that are 546
or have been governed by district school boards. A charter 547
technical career center, or any program within such a center, 548
that was governed by a district school board and transferred to 549
a Florida College System institution prior to the effective date 550
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 23 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
of this act is not affected by this provision. An applicant who 551
wishes to establish a center must submit to the district school 552
board or Florida College System institution board of trustees, 553
or a consortium of one or more of each, an application on a form 554
developed by the Department of Education which includes: 555
(g) A method for determining whether a student has 556
satisfied the requirements for graduation specified in s. 557
1002.3105(5), s. 1003.4281, or s. 1003.4282 and for completion 558
of a postsecondary certificate or degree. 559
560
Students at a center must meet the same testing and academic 561
performance standards as those established by law and rule for 562
students at public schools and public technical centers. The 563
students must also meet any additional assessment indicators 564
that are included within the charter approved by the district 565
school board or Florida College System institution board of 566
trustees. 567
Section 13. For the purpose of incorporating the 568
amendments made by this act to sections 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, 569
Florida Statutes, in references thereto, paragraph (b) of 570
subsection (4) of section 1002.45, Florida Statutes, is 571
reenacted to read: 572
1002.45 Virtual instruction programs. — 573
(4) CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS. —Each contract with an approved 574
virtual instruction program provider must, at minimum: 575
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 24 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(b) Provide a method for determin ing that a student has 576
satisfied the requirements for graduation in s. 1002.3105(5), s. 577
1003.4281, or s. 1003.4282 if the contract is for the provision 578
of a full-time virtual instruction program to students in grades 579
9 through 12. 580
581
A contracting school dis trict shall facilitate compliance with 582
the requirements of paragraphs (h) and (i). 583
Section 14. For the purpose of incorporating the 584
amendments made by this act to sections 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, 585
Florida Statutes, in references thereto, subsection (1) of 586
section 1003.49, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 587
1003.49 Graduation and promotion requirements for publicly 588
operated schools.— 589
(1) Each state or local public agency, including the 590
Department of Children and Families, the Department of 591
Corrections, the boards of trustees of universities and Florida 592
College System institutions, and the Board of Trustees of the 593
Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, which agency is 594
authorized to operate educational programs for students at any 595
level of grades kindergarten through 12, shall be subject to all 596
applicable requirements of ss. 1002.3105(5), 1003.4281, 597
1003.4282, 1008.23, and 1008.25. Within the content of these 598
cited statutes each such state or local public agency or entity 599
shall be considered a " district school board." 600
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 25 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Section 15. For the purpose of incorporating the 601
amendments made by this act to sections 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, 602
Florida Statutes, in references thereto, subsection (1) of 603
section 1004.935, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to rea d: 604
1004.935 Adults with Disabilities Workforce Education 605
Program.— 606
(1) The Adults with Disabilities Workforce Education 607
Program is established in the Department of Education in Hardee, 608
DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties to provide the option of 609
receiving a scholarship for instruction at private schools for 610
up to 30 students who: 611
(a) Have a disability; 612
(b) Are 22 years of age; 613
(c) Are receiving instruction from an instructor in a 614
private school to meet the high school graduation requirements 615
in s. 1002.3105(5) or s. 1003.4282; 616
(d) Do not have a standard high school diploma or a 617
special high school diploma; and 618
(e) Receive "supported employment services," which means 619
employment that is located or provided in an integrated work 620
setting with earnings paid on a commensurate wage basis and for 621
which continued support is needed for job maintenance. 622
623
As used in this section, the term "student with a disability" 624
includes a student who is documented as having an intellectual 625
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 26 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
disability; a speech impai rment; a language impairment; a 626
hearing impairment, including deafness; a visual impairment, 627
including blindness; a dual sensory impairment; an orthopedic 628
impairment; another health impairment; an emotional or 629
behavioral disability; a specific learning dis ability, 630
including, but not limited to, dyslexia, dyscalculia, or 631
developmental aphasia; a traumatic brain injury; a developmental 632
delay; or autism spectrum disorder. 633
Section 16. For the purpose of incorporating the 634
amendments made by this act to secti ons 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, 635
Florida Statutes, in references thereto, paragraph (a) of 636
subsection (3) of section 1006.15, Florida Statutes, is 637
reenacted to read: 638
1006.15 Student standards for participation in 639
interscholastic and intrascholastic extracurr icular student 640
activities; regulation. — 641
(3)(a) As used in this section and s. 1006.20, the term 642
"eligible to participate" includes, but is not limited to, a 643
student participating in tryouts, off -season conditioning, 644
summer workouts, preseason conditionin g, in-season practice, or 645
contests. The term does not mean that a student must be placed 646
on any specific team for interscholastic or intrascholastic 647
extracurricular activities. To be eligible to participate in 648
interscholastic extracurricular student activi ties, a student 649
must: 650
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 27 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1. Maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or above on a 4.0 651
scale, or its equivalent, in the previous semester or a 652
cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above on a 4.0 scale, 653
or its equivalent, in the courses required by s. 1002. 3105(5) or 654
s. 1003.4282. 655
2. Execute and fulfill the requirements of an academic 656
performance contract between the student, the district school 657
board, the appropriate governing association, and the student's 658
parents, if the student's cumulative grade point average falls 659
below 2.0, or its equivalent, on a 4.0 scale in the courses 660
required by s. 1002.3105(5) or s. 1003.4282. At a minimum, the 661
contract must require that the student attend summer school, or 662
its graded equivalent, between grades 9 and 10 or grad es 10 and 663
11, as necessary. 664
3. Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above 665
on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, in the courses required by s. 666
1002.3105(5) or s. 1003.4282 during his or her junior or senior 667
year. 668
4. Maintain satisfactory conduct , including adherence to 669
appropriate dress and other codes of student conduct policies 670
described in s. 1006.07(2). If a student is convicted of, or is 671
found to have committed, a felony or a delinquent act that would 672
have been a felony if committed by an ad ult, regardless of 673
whether adjudication is withheld, the student's participation in 674
interscholastic extracurricular activities is contingent upon 675
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 28 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
established and published district school board policy. 676
Section 17. For the purpose of incorporating the 677
amendments made by this act to sections 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, 678
Florida Statutes, in references thereto, paragraph (b) of 679
subsection (1) of section 1009.531, Florida Statutes, is 680
reenacted to read: 681
1009.531 Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program; 682
student eligibility requirements for initial awards. — 683
(1) In order to be eligible for an initial award from any 684
of the scholarships under the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship 685
Program, a student must: 686
(b) Earn a standard Florida high school diploma pursuant 687
to s. 1002.3105(5), s. 1003.4281, or s. 1003.4282 or a high 688
school equivalency diploma pursuant to s. 1003.435 unless: 689
1. The student completes a home education program 690
according to s. 1002.41; 691
2. The student earns a high school diploma from a non-692
Florida school while living with a parent or guardian who is on 693
military or public service assignment away from Florida; or 694
3. The student earns a high school diploma from a Florida 695
private school operating pursuant to s. 1002.42. 696
Section 18. For the purpose of incorporating the 697
amendments made by this act to sections 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, 698
Florida Statutes, in references thereto, subsection (4) of 699
section 1009.893, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 700
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 29 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1009.893 Benacquisto Scholarship Prog ram.— 701
(4) In order to be eligible for an initial award under the 702
scholarship program, a student must meet the requirements of 703
paragraph (a) or paragraph (b). 704
(a) A student who is a resident of this state, as 705
determined in s. 1009.40 and rules of the St ate Board of 706
Education, must: 707
1. Earn a standard Florida high school diploma or its 708
equivalent pursuant to s. 1002.3105, s. 1003.4281, s. 1003.4282, 709
or s. 1003.435 unless: 710
a. The student completes a home education program 711
according to s. 1002.41; or 712
b. The student earns a high school diploma from a non -713
Florida school while living with a parent who is on military or 714
public service assignment out of this state; 715
2. Be accepted by and enroll in a Florida public or 716
independent postsecondary educational i nstitution that is 717
regionally accredited; and 718
3. Be enrolled full -time in a baccalaureate degree program 719
at an eligible regionally accredited Florida public or 720
independent postsecondary educational institution during the 721
fall academic term following high school graduation. 722
(b) A student who initially enrolls in a baccalaureate 723
degree program in the 2018 -2019 through 2021-2022 academic years 724
and who is not a resident of this state, as determined in s. 725
HB 1453 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1453-00
Page 30 of 30
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1009.40 and rules of the State Board of Education, mu st: 726
1. Physically reside in this state on or near the campus 727
of the postsecondary educational institution in which the 728
student is enrolled; 729
2. Earn a high school diploma from a school outside 730
Florida which is comparable to a standard Florida high schoo l 731
diploma or its equivalent pursuant to s. 1002.3105, s. 732
1003.4281, s. 1003.4282, or s. 1003.435 or must complete a home 733
education program in another state; and 734
3. Be accepted by and enrolled full -time in a 735
baccalaureate degree program at an eligible reg ionally 736
accredited Florida public or independent postsecondary 737
educational institution during the fall academic term following 738
high school graduation. 739
Section 19. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023. 740