CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 1 of 44 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 education; amending ss. 192.0105, 2 192.048, and 196.082, F.S.; conforming cross -3 references; amending s. 196.011, F.S.; providing that 4 an annual application for exemption on property used 5 to house a charter school is not necessary; requiri ng 6 the owner or lessee of such property to notify the 7 property appraiser in specified circumstances; 8 providing penalties; amending s. 1002.33, F.S.; 9 authorizing charter schools to give enrollment 10 preference to certain transfer students; defining the 11 term "classical school"; revising the definition of 12 the term "charter school personnel"; amending s. 13 1002.45, F.S.; providing approved virtual instruction 14 program provider, virtual charter school, and school 15 district responsibilities relating to statewide 16 assessments and progress monitoring for certain 17 students; creating s. 1003.052, F.S.; establishing the 18 Purple Star School District Program; providing 19 requirements for such program; authorizing the 20 Department of Education to establish additional 21 program criteria; authorizing the State Board of 22 Education to adopt rules; amending s. 1003.451, F.S.; 23 requiring school districts and charter schools to 24 provide certain students with an opportunity to take 25 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 2 of 44 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 the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test 26 and consult with a military recruiter; providing 27 requirements for the scheduling of such test; amending 28 s. 1003.53, F.S.; revising requirements for the 29 assignment of students to disciplinary programs and 30 alternative school settings or other programs; 31 revising requirement s for dropout prevention and 32 academic intervention programs; requiring such 33 programs to include academic intervention plans for 34 students; providing requirements for such plans; 35 providing that specified provisions apply to all 36 dropout prevention and academi c intervention programs; 37 requiring school principals or their designees to make 38 a reasonable effort to notify parents by specified 39 means and to document such effort; creating s. 40 1004.051, F.S.; prohibiting a public postsecondary 41 institution from implicitly or explicitly prohibiting 42 specified students from being employed; providing 43 nonapplicability; amending s. 1006.38, F.S.; requiring 44 instructional materials publishers and manufacturers 45 or their representatives to make sample copies of 46 specified instruction al materials available 47 electronically for use by certain institutes for a 48 specified purpose; amending s. 1007.25, F.S.; creating 49 associate in arts specialized transfer degrees; 50 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 3 of 44 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 providing requirements for such degrees; providing a 51 process for the approval o f such degree programs; 52 providing for rulemaking; amending s. 1007.271, F.S.; 53 requiring district school boards to make reasonable 54 efforts to enter into specified agreements with a 55 Florida College System institution for certain online 56 courses; amending s. 1 008.33, F.S.; revising the date 57 by which a memorandum of understanding relating to 58 schools in turnaround status must be provided to the 59 department; revising requirements for district -managed 60 turnaround plans; providing requirements for 61 turnaround schools t hat close and reopen as charter 62 schools and school districts in which such schools 63 reside; providing that specified provisions do not 64 apply to certain turnaround schools; requiring the 65 state board to adopt rules for a charter school 66 turnaround contract and specified leases and 67 agreements; amending s. 1008.34, F.S.; requiring 68 changes to the school grades model or school grading 69 scale to take effect after a specified period of time; 70 amending s. 1009.21, F.S.; providing that a specified 71 document is a single, c onclusive piece of evidence to 72 prove residency for tuition purposes; amending s. 73 1009.98, F.S.; revising the definition of the term 74 "tuition differential"; revising provisions relating 75 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 4 of 44 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 to certain payments by the Florida Prepaid College 76 Board; amending s. 1 012.55, F.S.; requiring the state 77 board to adopt rules for the issuance of a classical 78 education teaching certificate; providing requirements 79 for such certificate; defining the term "classical 80 school"; amending s. 1012.79, F.S.; authorizing the 81 Commissioner of Education to appoint an executive 82 director of the Education Practices Commission; 83 revising the purpose of the commission; authorizing 84 the commission to expend funds for legal services; 85 repealing s. 1012.86, F.S., relating to the Florida 86 College System institution employment equity 87 accountability program; amending ss. 1001.64 and 88 1001.65, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made 89 by the act; providing an effective date. 90 91 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 92 93 Section 1. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) and paragraphs 94 (b) and (c) of subsection (2) of section 192.0105, Florida 95 Statutes, are amended to read: 96 192.0105 Taxpayer rights. —There is created a Florida 97 Taxpayer's Bill of Rights for property taxes and assessments to 98 guarantee that the rights, privacy, and property of the 99 taxpayers of this state are adequately safeguarded and protected 100 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 5 of 44 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 during tax levy, assessment, collection, and enforcement 101 processes administered under the revenue laws of this state. The 102 Taxpayer's Bill of Rights compiles, in one document, brief but 103 comprehensive statements that summarize the rights and 104 obligations of the property appraisers, tax collectors, clerks 105 of the court, local governing boards, the Department of Revenue, 106 and taxpayers. Additional rights afforded to payors of taxes and 107 assessments imposed under the revenue laws of this state are 108 provided in s. 213.015. The rights afforded taxpayers to assure 109 that their privacy and property are safeguarded and protected 110 during tax levy, assessment, a nd collection are available only 111 insofar as they are implemented in other parts of the Florida 112 Statutes or rules of the Department of Revenue. The rights so 113 guaranteed to state taxpayers in the Florida Statutes and the 114 departmental rules include: 115 (1) THE RIGHT TO KNOW.— 116 (f) The right of an exemption recipient to be sent a 117 renewal application for that exemption, the right to a receipt 118 for homestead exemption claim when filed, and the right to 119 notice of denial of the exemption (see ss. 196.011(7) 120 196.011(6), 196.131(1), 196.151, and 196.193(1)(c) and (5)). 121 122 Notwithstanding the right to information contained in this 123 subsection, under s. 197.122 property owners are held to know 124 that property taxes are due and payable annually and are charged 125 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 6 of 44 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 with a duty to ascertain the amount of current and delinquent 126 taxes and obtain the necessary information from the applicable 127 governmental officials. 128 (2) THE RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS. — 129 (b) The right to petition the value adjustment board over 130 objections to assessments, den ial of exemption, denial of 131 agricultural classification, denial of historic classification, 132 denial of high-water recharge classification, disapproval of tax 133 deferral, and any penalties on deferred taxes imposed for 134 incorrect information willfully filed. Pa yment of estimated 135 taxes does not preclude the right of the taxpayer to challenge 136 his or her assessment (see ss. 194.011(3), 196.011(7) and 137 (10)(a) 196.011(6) and (9)(a) , 196.151, 196.193(1)(c) and (5), 138 193.461(2), 193.503(7), 193.625(2), 197.2425, 197.301 (2), and 139 197.2301(11)). 140 (c) The right to file a petition for exemption or 141 agricultural classification with the value adjustment board when 142 an application deadline is missed, upon demonstration of 143 particular extenuating circumstances for filing late (see ss. 144 193.461(3)(a) and 196.011(1), (8), (9), and (10)(e) (7), (8), 145 and (9)(e)). 146 Section 2. Paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of subsection (1) 147 of section 192.048, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 148 192.048 Electronic transmission. — 149 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the following documents may 150 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 7 of 44 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 be transmitted electronically rather than by regular mail: 151 (b) The tax exemption renewal application required under 152 s. 196.011(7)(a) s. 196.011(6)(a). 153 (c) The tax exemption renewal application required under 154 s. 196.011(7)(b) s. 196.011(6)(b). 155 (d) A notification of an intent to deny a tax exemption 156 required under s. 196.011(10)(e) s. 196.011(9)(e). 157 Section 3. Subsections (3) and (4) of section 196.082, 158 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 159 196.082 Discounts for disabled veterans; surviving spouse 160 carryover.— 161 (3) If the partially or totally and permanently disabled 162 veteran predeceases his or her spouse and if, upon the death of 163 the veteran, the spouse holds the legal or beneficial title to 164 the homestead and permanently resides thereon as specified in s. 165 196.031, the discount from ad valorem tax that the veteran 166 received carries over to the benefit of the veteran's spouse 167 until such time as he or she remarries or sells or otherwise 168 disposes of the property. If the spouse sells or otherwise 169 disposes of the property, a discount not to exceed the dollar 170 amount granted from the most recent ad valorem tax roll may be 171 transferred to his or her new residence, as long as it is used 172 as his or her primary residence an d he or she does not remarry. 173 An applicant who is qualified to receive a discount under this 174 section and who fails to file an application by March 1 may file 175 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 8 of 44 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 an application for the discount and may file a petition pursuant 176 to s. 194.011(3) with the value a djustment board requesting that 177 the discount be granted. Such application and petition shall be 178 subject to the same procedures as for exemptions set forth in s. 179 196.011(9) s. 196.011(8). 180 (4) To qualify for the discount granted under this 181 section, an applicant must submit to the county property 182 appraiser by March 1: 183 (a) An official letter from the United States Department 184 of Veterans Affairs which states the percentage of the veteran's 185 service-connected disability and evidence that reasonably 186 identifies the disability as combat -related; 187 (b) A copy of the veteran's honorable discharge; and 188 (c) Proof of age as of January 1 of the year to which the 189 discount will apply. 190 191 Any applicant who is qualified to receive a discount under this 192 section and who fails to file an application by March 1 may file 193 an application for the discount and may file, pursuant to s. 194 194.011(3), a petition with the value adjustment board 195 requesting that the discount be granted. Such application and 196 petition shall be subject to the s ame procedures as for 197 exemptions set forth in s. 196.011(9) s. 196.011(8). 198 Section 4. Subsections (5) through (12) of section 199 196.011, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (6) 200 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 9 of 44 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 through (13), respectively, present subsections (1), (10), and 201 (11) are amended, and a new subsection (5) is added to that 202 section, to read: 203 196.011 Annual application required for exemption. — 204 (1)(a) Except as provided in s. 196.081(1)(b), every 205 person or organization who, on January 1, has the legal title to 206 real or personal property, except inventory, which is entitled 207 by law to exemption from taxation as a result of its ownership 208 and use shall, on or before March 1 of each year, file an 209 application for exemption with the county property appraiser, 210 listing and describing the property for which exemption is 211 claimed and certifying its ownership and use. The Department of 212 Revenue shall prescribe the forms upon which the application is 213 made. Failure to make application, when required, on or before 214 March 1 of any year sh all constitute a waiver of the exemption 215 privilege for that year, except as provided in subsection (8) 216 (7) or subsection (9) (8). 217 (b) The form to apply for an exemption under s. 196.031, 218 s. 196.081, s. 196.091, s. 196.101, s. 196.102, s. 196.173, or 219 s. 196.202 must include a space for the applicant to list the 220 social security number of the applicant and of the applicant's 221 spouse, if any. If an applicant files a timely and otherwise 222 complete application, and omits the required social security 223 numbers, the application is incomplete. In that event, the 224 property appraiser shall contact the applicant, who may refile a 225 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 10 of 44 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 complete application by April 1. Failure to file a complete 226 application by that date constitutes a waiver of the exemption 227 privilege for that yea r, except as provided in subsection (8) 228 (7) or subsection (9) (8). 229 (5) It shall not be necessary to make annual application 230 for exemption on property used to house a charter school 231 pursuant to s. 196.1983. The owner or lessee of any property 232 used to house a charter school pursuant to s. 196.1983 who is 233 not required to file an annual application shall notify the 234 property appraiser promptly whenever the use of the property or 235 the status or condition of the owner or lessee changes so as to 236 change the exempt status of the property. If any owner or lessee 237 fails to so notify the property appraiser and the property 238 appraiser determines that for any year within the prior 10 years 239 the owner or lessee was not entitled to receive such exemption, 240 the owner or lessee o f the property is subject to the taxes 241 exempted as a result of such failure plus 15 percent interest 242 per annum and a penalty of 50 percent of the taxes exempted. The 243 property appraiser making such determination shall record in the 244 public records of the cou nty a notice of tax lien against any 245 property owned by that person or entity in the county, and such 246 property must be identified in the notice of tax lien. Such 247 property is subject to the payment of all taxes and penalties. 248 Such lien when filed shall attac h to any property, identified in 249 the notice of tax lien, owned by the person or entity who 250 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 11 of 44 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 illegally or improperly received the exemption. If such person 251 or entity no longer owns property in that county but owns 252 property in some other county or counties in the state, the 253 property appraiser shall record a notice of tax lien in such 254 other county or counties, identifying the property owned by such 255 person or entity in such county or counties, and it shall become 256 a lien against such property in such county or co unties. 257 (11)(10) At the option of the property appraiser and 258 notwithstanding any other provision of this section, initial or 259 original applications for homestead exemption for the succeeding 260 year may be accepted and granted after March 1. Reapplication on 261 a short form as authorized by subsection (6) (5) shall be 262 required if the county has not waived the requirement of an 263 annual application. Once the initial or original application and 264 reapplication have been granted, the property may qualify for 265 the exemption in each succeeding year pursuant to the provisions 266 of subsection (7) (6) or subsection (10) (9). 267 (12)(11) For exemptions enumerated in paragraph (1)(b), 268 social security numbers of the applicant and the applicant's 269 spouse, if any, are required and mus t be submitted to the 270 department. Applications filed pursuant to subsection (6) (5) or 271 subsection (7) (6) shall include social security numbers of the 272 applicant and the applicant's spouse, if any. For counties where 273 the annual application requirement has been waived, property 274 appraisers may require refiling of an application to obtain such 275 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 12 of 44 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 information. 276 Section 5. Paragraph (d) of subsection (10) and paragraph 277 (a) of subsection (24) of section 1002.33, Florida Statutes, are 278 amended to read: 279 1002.33 Charter schools. — 280 (10) ELIGIBLE STUDENTS. — 281 (d) A charter school may give enrollment preference to the 282 following student populations: 283 1. Students who are siblings of a student enrolled in the 284 charter school. 285 2. Students who are the children of a member of the 286 governing board of the charter school. 287 3. Students who are the children of an employee of the 288 charter school. 289 4. Students who are the children of: 290 a. An employee of the business partner of a charter 291 school-in-the-workplace established under paragraph (15)(b) or a 292 resident of the municipality in which such charter school is 293 located; or 294 b. A resident or employee of a municipality that operates 295 a charter school-in-a-municipality pursuant to paragraph (15)(c) 296 or allows a charter school to use a school facility or portion 297 of land provided by the municipality for the operation of the 298 charter school. 299 5. Students who have successfully completed, during the 300 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 13 of 44 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 previous year, a voluntary prekindergarten education program 301 under ss. 1002.51-1002.79 provided by the charter school, the 302 charter school's governing board, or a voluntary prekindergarten 303 provider that has a written agreement with the governing board. 304 6. Students who are the children of an active duty member 305 of any branch of the United States Armed Forces. 306 7. Students who attended or are assigned to failing 307 schools pursuant to s. 1002.38(2). 308 8. Students who are the children of a safe -school officer, 309 as defined in s. 1006.12, at the school. 310 9. Students who transfer from a classical school in the 311 state to a charter classical school in the state. For purposes 312 of this subparagraph, the term "class ical school" means a 313 traditional public school or charter school which implements a 314 classical education school model that emphasizes the development 315 of students in the principles of moral character and civic 316 virtue through a well -rounded education in the l iberal arts and 317 sciences that is based on the classical trivium stages of 318 grammar, logic, and rhetoric. 319 (24) RESTRICTION ON EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES. — 320 (a) This subsection applies to charter school personnel in 321 a charter school operated by a private enti ty. As used in this 322 subsection, the term: 323 1. "Charter school personnel" means a charter school 324 owner, president, chairperson of the governing board of 325 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 14 of 44 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 directors, superintendent, governing board member, principal, 326 assistant principal, or any other person employed by the charter 327 school who has equivalent decisionmaking authority and in whom 328 is vested the authority, or to whom the authority has been 329 delegated, to appoint, employ, promote, or advance individuals 330 or to recommend individuals for appointment, em ployment, 331 promotion, or advancement in connection with employment in a 332 charter school, including the authority as a member of a 333 governing body of a charter school to vote on the appointment, 334 employment, promotion, or advancement of individuals. 335 2. "Relative" means father, mother, son, daughter, 336 brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, 337 husband, wife, father -in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, 338 daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, 339 stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, ste pbrother, stepsister, half 340 brother, or half sister. 341 342 Charter school personnel in schools operated by a municipality 343 or other public entity are subject to s. 112.3135. 344 Section 6. Paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of section 345 1002.45, Florida Statutes, is a mended to read: 346 1002.45 Virtual instruction programs. — 347 (5) STUDENT PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS. —Each student 348 enrolled in the school district's virtual instruction program 349 authorized pursuant to paragraph (1)(c) must: 350 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 15 of 44 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) Take statewide assessments pur suant to s. 1008.22 and 351 participate in the coordinated screening and progress monitoring 352 system under s. 1008.25(9). Statewide assessments and progress 353 monitoring may be administered within the school district in 354 which such student resides , or as specified in the contract 355 under in accordance with s. 1008.24(3). If requested by the 356 approved virtual instruction program provider or virtual charter 357 school, the district of residence must provide the student with 358 access to the district's testing facilities. It is the 359 responsibility of the approved virtual instruction program 360 provider or virtual charter school to provide a list of students 361 to be administered statewide assessments and progress monitoring 362 to the school district, including the students' names, Florida 363 Education Identifiers, grade levels, assessments and progress 364 monitoring to be administered, and contact information. Unless 365 an alternative testing site is mutually agreed to by the 366 approved virtual instruction program provider or virtual charter 367 school and the school district, or as specified in the contract 368 under s. 1008.24, all assessments and progress monitoring must 369 be taken at the school to which the student would be assigned 370 according to district school board attendance policies. A school 371 district must provide the student with access to the school's or 372 district's testing facilities and provide the student with the 373 date and time of the administration of each assessment and 374 progress monitoring. 375 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 16 of 44 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 7. Section 1003.052, Florida Statutes, is cr eated 376 to read: 377 1003.052 The Purple Star School District Program. — 378 (1)(a) The Department of Education shall establish the 379 Purple Star School District Program. At a minimum, the program 380 must require a participating school district to: 381 1. Have at least 75 percent of the schools within the 382 district be designated as Purple Star Campuses under s. 383 1003.051. 384 2. Maintain a web page on the district's website which 385 includes resources for military students and their families and 386 a link to each Purple Star Campu s's web page that meets the 387 requirements of s. 1003.051(2)(a)2. 388 (b) The department may establish additional program 389 criteria to identify school districts that demonstrate a 390 commitment to or provide critical coordination of services for 391 military students and their families, including, but not limited 392 to, establishing a council consisting of a representative from 393 each Purple Star Campus in the district and one district -level 394 representative to ensure the alignment of military student -395 focused policies and pro cedures within the district. 396 (2) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to 397 administer this section. 398 Section 8. Subsection (4) of section 1003.451, Florida 399 Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (5), and a new subsection 400 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 17 of 44 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 (4) is added to that sect ion to read: 401 1003.451 Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps; military 402 recruiters; access to public school campuses ; Armed Services 403 Vocational Aptitude Battery Test (ASVAB) .— 404 (4) Each school district and charter school shall provide 405 students in grades 11 and 12 an opportunity to take the Armed 406 Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test (ASVAB) and consult 407 with a military recruiter if the student selects. To optimize 408 student participation, the ASVAB must be scheduled during normal 409 school hours. 410 Section 9. Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (1) and 411 subsections (2) through (7) of section 1003.53, Florida 412 Statutes, are amended to read: 413 1003.53 Dropout prevention and academic intervention. — 414 (1)(a) Dropout prevention and academic intervention 415 programs may differ from traditional educational programs and 416 schools in scheduling, administrative structure, philosophy, 417 curriculum, or setting and shall employ alternative teaching 418 methodologies, curricula, learning activities, and diagnostic 419 and assessment procedures in order to meet the needs, interests, 420 abilities, and talents of eligible students. The educational 421 program shall provide curricula, character development and law 422 education, and related services that support the program goals 423 and lead to improved performance in the areas of academic 424 achievement, attendance, and discipline. Student participation 425 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 18 of 44 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 in such programs shall be voluntary. District school boards may, 426 however, assign students to a disciplinary program for 427 disruptive students or an alternative school setting or other 428 program pursuant to s. 1006.13 . Notwithstanding any other 429 provision of law to the contrary, no student shall be identified 430 as being eligible to receive services funded through the dropout 431 prevention and academic intervention progr am based solely on the 432 student being from a single -parent family or having a 433 disability. 434 (c) A student shall be identified as being eligible to 435 receive services funded through the dropout prevention and 436 academic intervention program based upon one of the following 437 criteria: 438 1. The student is academically unsuccessful as evidenced 439 by low test scores, retention, failing grades, low grade point 440 average, falling behind in earning credits, or not meeting the 441 state or district achievement levels in reading, mathematics, or 442 writing. 443 2. The student has a pattern of excessive absenteeism or 444 has been identified as a habitual truant. 445 3. The student has a history of disruptive behavior in 446 school or has committed an offense that warrants out -of-school 447 suspension or expulsion from school according to the district 448 school board's code of student conduct. For the purposes of this 449 program, "disruptive behavior" is behavior that: 450 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 19 of 44 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. Interferes with the student's own learning or the 451 educational process of others and r equires attention and 452 assistance beyond that which the traditional program can provide 453 or results in frequent conflicts of a disruptive nature while 454 the student is under the jurisdiction of the school either in or 455 out of the classroom; or 456 b. Severely threatens the general welfare of students or 457 others with whom the student comes into contact. 458 4. The student is identified by a school's early warning 459 system pursuant to s. 1001.42(18)(b). 460 (2)(a) Each district school board may establish dropout 461 prevention and academic intervention programs at the elementary, 462 middle, junior high school, or high school level. Programs 463 designed to eliminate patterns of excessive absenteeism or 464 habitual truancy shall emphasize academic performance and may 465 provide specific inst ruction in the areas of career education, 466 preemployment training, and behavioral management. Such programs 467 shall utilize instructional teaching methods and student 468 services that lead to improved student behavior as appropriate 469 to the specific needs of the student. 470 (b) Each school that establishes a dropout prevention and 471 academic intervention program at that school site shall reflect 472 that program in the school improvement plan as required under s. 473 1001.42(18). 474 (c) For each student enrolled in a dropout prevention and 475 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 20 of 44 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 academic intervention program, an academic intervention plan 476 shall be developed to address eligibility for placement in the 477 program and to provide individualized student goals and progress 478 monitoring procedures. A student's academic interven tion plan 479 must be consistent with the student's individual education plan 480 (IEP). 481 (3) Each district school board providing receiving state 482 funding for dropout prevention and academic intervention 483 programs through the General Appropriations Act shall submit 484 information through an annual report to the Department of 485 Education's database documenting the extent to which each of the 486 district's dropout prevention and academic intervention programs 487 has been successful in the areas of graduation rate, dropout 488 rate, attendance rate, and retention/promotion rate. The 489 department shall compile this information into an annual report 490 which shall be submitted to the presiding officers of the 491 Legislature by February 15. 492 (4) Each district school board shall establish cours e 493 standards, as defined by rule of the State Board of Education, 494 for dropout prevention and academic intervention programs and 495 procedures for ensuring that teachers assigned to the programs 496 are certified pursuant to s. 1012.55 and possess the affective, 497 pedagogical, and content -related skills necessary to meet the 498 needs of these students. 499 (5) Each district school board providing a dropout 500 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 21 of 44 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 prevention and academic intervention program pursuant to this 501 section shall maintain for each participating student re cords 502 documenting the student's eligibility, the length of 503 participation, the type of program to which the student was 504 assigned or the type of academic intervention services provided, 505 and an evaluation of the student's academic and behavioral 506 performance while in the program. Before The school principal or 507 his or her designee shall, prior to placement in a dropout 508 prevention and academic intervention program or the provision of 509 an academic service, the school principal or his or her designee 510 shall provide written notice of placement or services by 511 certified mail, return receipt requested, to the student's 512 parent; shall make a reasonable effort to notify the student's 513 parent by telephone or e -mail, or both; and must document such 514 effort. The parent of the stu dent shall sign an acknowledgment 515 of the notice of placement or service and return the signed 516 acknowledgment to the principal within 3 days after receipt of 517 the notice. The parents of a student assigned to such a dropout 518 prevention and academic interventio n program shall be notified 519 in writing and entitled to an administrative review of any 520 action by school personnel relating to such placement pursuant 521 to the provisions of chapter 120. 522 (6) District school board dropout prevention and academic 523 intervention programs shall be coordinated with social service, 524 law enforcement, prosecutorial, and juvenile justice agencies 525 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 22 of 44 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 and juvenile assessment centers in the school district. 526 Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 1002.22, these agencies are 527 authorized to exchang e information contained in student records 528 and juvenile justice records. Such information is confidential 529 and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1). District school 530 boards and other agencies receiving such information shall use 531 the information only fo r official purposes connected with the 532 certification of students for admission to and for the 533 administration of the dropout prevention and academic 534 intervention program, and shall maintain the confidentiality of 535 such information unless otherwise provided b y law or rule. 536 (7) The State Board of Education shall have the authority 537 pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to adopt rules necessary 538 to implement the provisions of this section; such rules shall 539 require the minimum amount of necessary paperwork and re porting. 540 Section 10. Section 1004.051, Florida Statutes, is created 541 to read: 542 1004.051 Regulation of working students. — 543 (1) A public postsecondary institution may not, as a 544 condition of admission to or enrollment in any of the 545 institution's schools , colleges, or programs, implicitly or 546 explicitly prohibit an applicant or currently enrolled student 547 from being employed, either full time or part time. 548 (2) This section does not apply if the applicant or 549 currently enrolled student is employed by an organization or 550 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 23 of 44 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 agency that is affiliated or associated with a foreign country 551 of concern as defined in s. 288.860(1). 552 Section 11. Subsections (3) through (16) of section 553 1006.38, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (4) 554 through (17), respectively, present subsections (14) and (16) 555 are amended, and a new subsection (3) is added to that section, 556 to read: 557 1006.38 Duties, responsibilities, and req uirements of 558 instructional materials publishers and manufacturers. —This 559 section applies to both the state and district approval 560 processes. Publishers and manufacturers of instructional 561 materials, or their representatives, shall: 562 (3) For each adoption cyc le, make sample copies of all 563 instructional materials on the commissioner's list of state -564 adopted instructional materials available electronically for use 565 by educator preparation institutes as defined in s. 1004.85(1) 566 to enable educators to practice teachi ng with currently adopted 567 instructional materials aligned to state academic standards. 568 (15)(14) Accurately and fully disclose only the names of 569 those persons who actually authored the instructional materials. 570 In addition to the penalties provided in subs ection (17) (16), 571 the commissioner may remove from the list of state -adopted 572 instructional materials those instructional materials whose 573 publisher or manufacturer misleads the purchaser by falsely 574 representing genuine authorship. 575 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 24 of 44 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 (17)(16) Upon the willful failure of the publisher or 576 manufacturer to comply with the requirements of this section, be 577 liable to the department in the amount of three times the total 578 sum which the publisher or manufacturer was paid in excess of 579 the price required under subsection s (6) (5) and (7) (6) and in 580 the amount of three times the total value of the instructional 581 materials and services which the district school board is 582 entitled to receive free of charge under subsection (8) (7). 583 Section 12. Subsections (9) and (12) of s ection 1007.25, 584 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 585 1007.25 General education courses; common prerequisites; 586 other degree requirements. — 587 (9)(a) An associate in arts degree must shall require no 588 more than 60 semester hours of college credit and inclu de 36 589 semester hours of general education coursework. Beginning with 590 students initially entering a Florida College System institution 591 or state university in the 2014-2015 academic year and 592 thereafter, coursework for an associate in arts degree must 593 shall include demonstration of competency in a foreign language 594 pursuant to s. 1007.262. Except for developmental education 595 required pursuant to s. 1008.30, all required coursework must 596 shall count toward the associate in arts degree or the 597 baccalaureate degree. 598 (b) An associate in arts specialized transfer degree must 599 include 36 semester hours of general education coursework and 600 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 25 of 44 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 require 60 semester hours or more of college credit. Specialized 601 transfer degrees are designed for Florida College System 602 institution students who need supplemental lower -level 603 coursework in preparation for transfer to another institution. 604 The State Board of Education shall establish criteria for the 605 review and approval of new specialized transfer degrees. The 606 approval process must requi re: 607 1. A Florida College System institution to submit a notice 608 of its intent to propose a new associate in arts specialized 609 degree program to the Division of Florida Colleges. The notice 610 must include the recommended credit hours, the rationale for the 611 specialization, the demand for students entering the field, and 612 the coursework being proposed to be included beyond the 60 613 semester hours required for the general transfer degree, if 614 applicable. Notices of intent may be submitted by a Florida 615 College System institution at any time. 616 2. The Division of Florida Colleges to forward the notice 617 of intent within 10 business days after receipt to all Florida 618 College System institutions and the Chancellor of the State 619 University System, who shall forward the notice to all state 620 universities. State universities and Florida College System 621 institutions shall have 60 days after receipt of the notice to 622 submit comments to the proposed associate in arts specialized 623 transfer degree. 624 3. After the submission of comments pursuant to 625 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 26 of 44 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 subparagraph 2., the requesting Florida College System 626 institution to submit a proposal that, at a minimum, includes: 627 a. Evidence that the coursework for the associate in arts 628 specialized transfer degree i ncludes demonstration of competency 629 in a foreign language pursuant to s. 1007.262 and demonstration 630 of civic literacy competency as provided in subsection (5). 631 b. Demonstration that all required coursework will count 632 toward the associate in arts degree o r the baccalaureate degree. 633 c. An analysis of demand and unmet need for students 634 entering the specialized field of study at the baccalaureate 635 level. 636 d. Justification for the program length if it exceeds 60 637 credit hours, including references to the com mon prerequisite 638 manual or other requirements for the baccalaureate degree. This 639 includes documentation of alignment between the exit 640 requirements of a Florida College System institution and the 641 admissions requirements of a baccalaureate program at a state 642 university to which students would typically transfer. 643 e. Articulation agreements for graduates of the associate 644 in arts specialized transfer degree. 645 f. Responses to the comments received under subparagraph 646 2. 647 (c) The Division of Florida Colleges sh all review the 648 proposal and, within 30 days after receipt, shall provide 649 written notification to the Florida College System institution 650 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 27 of 44 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 any deficiencies and provide the institution with an 651 opportunity to correct the deficiencies. Within 45 days after 652 receipt of a completed proposal by the Division of Florida 653 Colleges, the Commissioner of Education shall recommend approval 654 or disapproval of the new specialized transfer degree to the 655 State Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall 656 consider the recommendation at its next meeting. 657 (d) Upon approval of an associate in arts specialized 658 transfer degree by the State Board of Education, a Florida 659 College System institution may offer the degree and shall report 660 data on student and program performance in a manner prescribed 661 by the Department of Education. 662 (e) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules 663 pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to prescribe format and 664 content requirements and submission procedures for notices of 665 intent, proposals, and compliance reviews under this subsection. 666 (12) A student who received an associate in arts degree 667 for successfully completing 60 semester credit hours may 668 continue to earn additional credits at a Florida College System 669 institution. The university must pr ovide credit toward the 670 student's baccalaureate degree for an additional Florida College 671 System institution course if, according to the statewide course 672 numbering, the Florida College System institution course is a 673 course listed in the university catalog a s required for the 674 degree or as prerequisite to a course required for the degree. 675 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 28 of 44 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 the courses required for the degree, at least half of the 676 credit hours required for the degree must shall be achievable 677 through courses designated as lower division, except in degree 678 programs approved by the State Board of Education for programs 679 offered by Florida College System institutions and by the Board 680 of Governors for programs offered by state universi ties. 681 Section 13. Subsection (4) of section 1007.271, Florida 682 Statutes, is amended to read: 683 1007.271 Dual enrollment programs. — 684 (4)(a) District school boards may not refuse to enter into 685 a dual enrollment articulation agreement with a local Florida 686 College System institution if that Florida College System 687 institution has the capacity to offer dual enrollment courses. 688 (b) District school boards must make reasonable efforts to 689 enter into dual enrollment articulation agreements with a 690 Florida College System institution which offers online dual 691 enrollment courses. 692 Section 14. Subsections (4) and (5) of section 1008.33, 693 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 694 1008.33 Authority to enforce public school improvement. — 695 (4)(a) The state board shall ap ply intensive intervention 696 and support strategies tailored to the needs of schools earning 697 two consecutive grades of "D" or a grade of "F." In the first 698 full school year after a school initially earns a grade of "D," 699 the school district must immediately im plement intervention and 700 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 29 of 44 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 support strategies prescribed in rule under paragraph (3)(c). 701 For a school that initially earns a grade of "F" or a second 702 consecutive grade of "D," the school district must either 703 continue implementing or immediately begin implem enting 704 intervention and support strategies prescribed in rule under 705 paragraph (3)(c) and , for the 2024-2025 school year, provide the 706 department, by September 1, with the memorandum of understanding 707 negotiated pursuant to s. 1001.42(21) and, by October 1, a 708 district-managed turnaround plan for approval by the state 709 board. For the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter, the school 710 district must provide the department, by August 1, with the 711 memorandum of understanding negotiated pursuant to s. 712 1001.42(21) and a district-managed turnaround plan for approval 713 by the state board. The plan must include measurable academic 714 benchmarks that put the school on a path to earning and 715 maintaining a grade of "C" or higher The district-managed 716 turnaround plan may include a prop osal for the district to 717 implement an extended school day, a summer program, a 718 combination of an extended school day and a summer program, or 719 any other option authorized under paragraph (b) for state board 720 approval. A school district is not required to wai t until a 721 school earns a second consecutive grade of "D" to submit a 722 turnaround plan for approval by the state board under this 723 paragraph. Upon approval by the state board, the school district 724 must implement the plan for the remainder of the school year an d 725 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 30 of 44 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 continue the plan for 1 full school year. The state board may 726 allow a school an additional year of implementation before the 727 school must implement a turnaround option required under 728 paragraph (b) if it determines that the school is likely to 729 improve to a grade of "C" or higher after the first full school 730 year of implementation. 731 (b) Unless an additional year of implementation is 732 provided pursuant to paragraph (a), a school that completes a 733 plan cycle under paragraph (a) and does not improve to a grade 734 of "C" or higher must implement one of the following : 735 1. Reassign students to another school and monitor the 736 progress of each reassigned student; 737 2. Close the school and reopen the school as one or more 738 charter schools, each with a governing board that h as a 739 demonstrated record of effectiveness . Upon reopening as a 740 charter school: 741 a. The school district shall continue to operate the 742 school for the following school year and no later than October 1 743 execute a charter school turnaround contract that will al low the 744 charter school an opportunity to conduct an evaluation of the 745 educational program and personnel currently assigned to the 746 school during the year in preparation for assuming full 747 operational control of the school and facility by July 1. The 748 school district may not reduce or remove resources from the 749 school during this time. 750 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 31 of 44 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. The charter school operator must provide enrollment 751 preference to students currently attending or who would have 752 otherwise attended or been zoned for the school. The school 753 district shall consult and negotiate with the charter school 754 every 3 years to determine whether realignment of the attendance 755 zone is appropriate to ensure that students residing closest to 756 the school are provided with an enrollment preference. 757 c. The charter school operator must serve the existing 758 grade levels served by the school at its current enrollment or 759 higher, but may, at its discretion, serve additional grade 760 levels. 761 d. The school district may not charge rental or leasing 762 fees for the existing f acility or for the property normally 763 inventoried to the school. The charter school and the school 764 district shall agree to reasonable maintenance provisions in 765 order to maintain the facility in a manner similar to all other 766 school facilities in the school d istrict. 767 e. The school district may not withhold an administrative 768 fee for the provision of services identified in s. 769 1002.33(20)(a); or 770 3. Contract with an outside entity that has a demonstrated 771 record of effectiveness to provide turnaround services 772 identified in state board rule, which may include school 773 leadership, educational modalities, teacher and leadership 774 professional development, curriculum, operation and management 775 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 32 of 44 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 services, school-based administrative staffing, budgeting, 776 scheduling, other educational service provider functions, or any 777 combination thereof. Selection of an outside entity may include 778 one or a combination of the following: 779 a. An external operator, which may be a district -managed 780 charter school or a high -performing charter scho ol network in 781 which all instructional personnel are not employees of the 782 school district, but are employees of an independent governing 783 board composed of members who did not participate in the review 784 or approval of the charter. 785 b. A contractual agreement that allows for a charter 786 school network or any of its affiliated subsidiaries to provide 787 individualized consultancy services tailored to address the 788 identified needs of one or more schools under this section. 789 790 A school district and outside entity under this subparagraph 791 must enter, at minimum, a 2 -year, performance-based contract. 792 The contract must include school performance and growth metrics 793 the outside entity must meet on an annual basis. The state board 794 may require the school district to modify or ca ncel the 795 contract. 796 (c) Implementation of the turnaround option is no longer 797 required if the school improves to a grade of "C" or higher , 798 unless the school district has already executed a charter school 799 turnaround contract pursuant to this section . 800 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 33 of 44 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 (d) If a school earning two consecutive grades of "D" or a 801 grade of "F" does not improve to a grade of "C" or higher after 802 2 school years of implementing the turnaround option selected by 803 the school district under paragraph (b), the school district 804 must implement another turnaround option. Implementation of the 805 turnaround option must begin the school year following the 806 implementation period of the existing turnaround option, unless 807 the state board determines that the school is likely to improve 808 to a grade of "C" or higher if additional time is provided to 809 implement the existing turnaround option. 810 (5) The state board shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 811 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer this section. The rules 812 shall include timelines for submission of implementa tion plans, 813 approval criteria for implementation plans, and timelines for 814 implementing intervention and support strategies , a standard 815 charter school turnaround contract, a standard facility lease, 816 and a mutual management agreement . The state board shall c onsult 817 with education stakeholders in developing the rules. 818 Section 15. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section 819 1008.34, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 820 1008.34 School grading system; school report cards; 821 district grade.— 822 (3) DESIGNATION OF SCHOOL GRADES.— 823 (c)1. The calculation of a school grade shall be based on 824 the percentage of points earned from the components listed in 825 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 34 of 44 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 subparagraph (b)1. and, if applicable, subparagraph (b)2. The 826 State Board of Education shall adopt in rule a school grading 827 scale that sets the percentage of points needed to earn each of 828 the school grades listed in subsection (2). There shall be at 829 least five percentage points separating the percentage 830 thresholds needed to earn each of the school grades. The state 831 board shall annually review the percentage of school grades of 832 "A" and "B" for the school year to determine whether to adjust 833 the school grading scale upward for the following school year's 834 school grades. The first adjustment would occur no earlier than 835 the 2023-2024 school year. An adjustment must be made if the 836 percentage of schools earning a grade of "A" or "B" in the 837 current year represents 75 percent or more of all graded schools 838 within a particular school type, which consists of elementary, 839 middle, high, and combination. The adjustment must reset the 840 minimum required percentage of points for each grade of "A," 841 "B," "C," or "D" at the next highest percentage ending in the 842 numeral 5 or 0, whichever is closest to the current percentage. 843 Annual reviews of the percentage of schools earning a grade of 844 "A" or "B" and adjustments to the required points must be 845 suspended when the following grading scale for a specific school 846 type is achieved: 847 a. Ninety percent or more of the points for a grade of 848 "A." 849 b. Eighty to eighty-nine percent of the points for a grade 850 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 35 of 44 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 "B." 851 c. Seventy to seventy -nine percent of the points for a 852 grade of "C." 853 d. Sixty to sixty-nine percent of the points for a grade 854 of "D." 855 856 When the state board adjusts the grading scale upward, the s tate 857 board must inform the public of the degree of the adjustment and 858 its anticipated impact on school grades. Beginning in the 2024 -859 2025 school year, any changes made by the state board to 860 components in the school grades model or to the school grading 861 scale shall take effect, at the earliest, in the following 862 school year. 863 2. The calculation of school grades may not include any 864 provision that would raise or lower the school's grade beyond 865 the percentage of points earned. Extra weight may not be added 866 in the calculation of any components. 867 Section 16. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section 868 1009.21, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 869 1009.21 Determination of resident status for tuition 870 purposes.—Students shall be classified as residents or 871 nonresidents for the purpose of assessing tuition in 872 postsecondary educational programs offered by charter technical 873 career centers or career centers operated by school districts, 874 in Florida College System institutions, and in state 875 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 36 of 44 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 universities. 876 (3) 877 (c) Each institution of higher education shall 878 affirmatively determine that an applicant who has been granted 879 admission to that institution as a Florida resident meets the 880 residency requirements of this section at the time of initial 881 enrollment. The residency dete rmination must be documented by 882 the submission of written or electronic verification that 883 includes two or more of the documents identified in this 884 paragraph, unless the document provided is the document in sub -885 subparagraph 1.f., which is deemed a single, c onclusive piece of 886 evidence proving residency . No single piece of evidence shall be 887 conclusive. 888 1. The documents must include at least one of the 889 following: 890 a. A Florida voter's registration card. 891 b. A Florida driver license. 892 c. A State of Florida identification card. 893 d. A Florida vehicle registration. 894 e. Proof of a permanent home in Florida which is occupied 895 as a primary residence by the individual or by the individual's 896 parent if the individual is a dependent child. 897 f. Proof of a homestead e xemption in Florida. 898 g. Transcripts from a Florida high school for multiple 899 years if the Florida high school diploma or high school 900 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 37 of 44 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 equivalency diploma was earned within the last 12 months. 901 h. Proof of permanent full -time employment in Florida for 902 at least 30 hours per week for a 12 -month period. 903 2. The documents may include one or more of the following: 904 a. A declaration of domicile in Florida. 905 b. A Florida professional or occupational license. 906 c. Florida incorporation. 907 d. A document evidencing family ties in Florida. 908 e. Proof of membership in a Florida -based charitable or 909 professional organization. 910 f. Any other documentation that supports the student's 911 request for resident status, including, but not limited to, 912 utility bills and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments; a 913 lease agreement and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments; 914 or an official state, federal, or court document evidencing 915 legal ties to Florida. 916 Section 17. Paragraphs (a) through (f) of subsection (10) 917 of section 1009.98, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 918 1009.98 Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program. — 919 (10) PAYMENTS ON BEHALF OF QUALIFIED BENEFICIARIES. — 920 (a) As used in this subsection, the term: 921 1. "Actuarial reserve" means the amoun t by which the 922 expected value of the assets exceeds the expected value of the 923 liabilities of the trust fund. 924 2. "Dormitory fees" means the fees included under advance 925 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 38 of 44 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 payment contracts pursuant to paragraph (2)(d). 926 3. "Fiscal year" means the fiscal yea r of the state 927 pursuant to s. 215.01. 928 4. "Local fees" means the fees covered by an advance 929 payment contract provided pursuant to subparagraph (2)(b)2. 930 5. "Tuition differential" means the fee covered by advance 931 payment contracts sold pursuant to subpara graph (2)(b)3. The 932 base rate for the tuition differential fee for the 2012 -2013 933 fiscal year is established at $37.03 per credit hour. The base 934 rate for the tuition differential in subsequent years is the 935 amount assessed for the tuition differential for the preceding 936 year adjusted pursuant to subparagraph (b)2. 937 (b) Effective with the 2022-2023 2009-2010 academic year 938 and thereafter, and notwithstanding s. 1009.24, the amount paid 939 by the board to any state university on behalf of a qualified 940 beneficiary of an advance payment contract whose contract was 941 purchased before July 1, 2034 July 1, 2024, shall be: 942 1. As to registration fees, if the actuarial reserve is 943 less than 5 percent of the expected liabilities of the trust 944 fund, the board shall pay the state universities 5.5 percent 945 above the amount assessed for registration fees in the preceding 946 fiscal year. If the actuarial reserve is between 5 percent and 6 947 percent of the expected liabilities of the trust fund, the board 948 shall pay the state universities 6 p ercent above the amount 949 assessed for registration fees in the preceding fiscal year. If 950 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 39 of 44 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 the actuarial reserve is between 6 percent and 7.5 percent of 951 the expected liabilities of the trust fund, the board shall pay 952 the state universities 6.5 percent above t he amount assessed for 953 registration fees in the preceding fiscal year. If the actuarial 954 reserve is equal to or greater than 7.5 percent of the expected 955 liabilities of the trust fund, the board shall pay the state 956 universities 7 percent above the amount ass essed for 957 registration fees in the preceding fiscal year, whichever is 958 greater. 959 2. As to the tuition differential, if the actuarial 960 reserve is less than 5 percent of the expected liabilities of 961 the trust fund, the board shall pay the state universities 5 .5 962 percent above the amount assessed base rate for the tuition 963 differential fee in the preceding fiscal year. If the actuarial 964 reserve is between 5 percent and 6 percent of the expected 965 liabilities of the trust fund, the board shall pay the state 966 universities 6 percent above the amount assessed base rate for 967 the tuition differential fee in the preceding fiscal year. If 968 the actuarial reserve is between 6 percent and 7.5 percent of 969 the expected liabilities of the trust fund, the board shall pay 970 the state universities 6.5 percent above the amount assessed 971 base rate for the tuition differential fee in the preceding 972 fiscal year. If the actuarial reserve is equal to or greater 973 than 7.5 percent of the expected liabilities of the trust fund, 974 the board shall pay the state universities 7 percent above the 975 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 40 of 44 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 amount assessed base rate for the tuition differential fee in 976 the preceding fiscal year. 977 3. As to local fees, the board shall pay the state 978 universities 5 percent above the amount assessed for local fees 979 in the preceding fiscal year. 980 4. As to dormitory fees, the board shall pay the state 981 universities 6 percent above the amount assessed for dormitory 982 fees in the preceding fiscal year. 983 5. Qualified beneficiaries of advance payment contracts 984 purchased before July 1, 2007, are exempt from paying any 985 tuition differential f ee. 986 (c) Notwithstanding the amount assessed for registration 987 fees, the tuition differential, or local fees, the amount paid 988 by the board to any state university on behalf of a qualified 989 beneficiary of an advance payment contract purchased before July 990 1, 2034 July 1, 2024, may not exceed 100 percent of the amount 991 charged by the state university for the aggregate sum of those 992 fees. 993 (d) Notwithstanding the amount assessed for dormitory 994 fees, the amount paid by the board to any state university on 995 behalf of a qualified beneficiary of an advance payment contract 996 purchased before July 1, 2034 July 1, 2024, may not exceed 100 997 percent of the amount charged by the state university for 998 dormitory fees. 999 (e) Notwithstanding the number of credit hours used by a 1000 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 41 of 44 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 state university to assess the amount for registration fees, 1001 tuition, tuition differential, or local fees, the amount paid by 1002 the board to any state university on behalf of a qualified 1003 beneficiary of an advance payment contract purchased before July 1004 1, 2034 July 1, 2024, may not exceed the number of credit hours 1005 taken by that qualified beneficiary at the state university. 1006 (f) The board shall pay state universities the actual 1007 amount assessed in accordance with law for registration fees, 1008 the tuition differentia l, local fees, and dormitory fees for 1009 advance payment contracts purchased on or after July 1, 2034 1010 July 1, 2024. 1011 Section 18. Subsection (5) is added to section 1012.55, 1012 Florida Statutes, to read: 1013 1012.55 Positions for which certificates required. — 1014 (5) Notwithstanding ss. 1012.32, 1012.55, and 1012.56, or 1015 any other provision of law or rule to the contrary, the State 1016 Board of Education shall adopt rules to allow for the issuance 1017 of a classical education teaching certificate, upon the request 1018 of a classical school, to any applicant who fulfills the 1019 requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a) -(f) and (11) and any other 1020 criteria established by the department. Such certificate is only 1021 valid at a classical school. For purposes of this subsection, 1022 the term "classical s chool" means a school that implements and 1023 provides professional learning in a classical education school 1024 model that emphasizes the development of students in the 1025 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 42 of 44 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 principles of moral character and civic virtue through a well -1026 rounded education in the liberal arts and sciences that is based 1027 on the classical trivium stages of grammar, logic, and rhetoric. 1028 Section 19. Subsection (5), paragraph (a) of subsection 1029 (6), and subsection (9) of section 1012.79, Florida Statutes, 1030 are amended to read: 1031 1012.79 Education Practices Commission; organization. — 1032 (5) The Commissioner of Education may, at his or her 1033 discretion, appoint and remove commission, by a vote of three -1034 fourths of the membership, shall employ an executive director, 1035 who shall be exempt from care er service. The executive director 1036 may be dismissed by a majority vote of the membership. 1037 (6)(a) The commission shall be assigned to the Department 1038 of Education for administrative and fiscal accountability 1039 purposes. The commission, in the performance of its powers and 1040 duties, may shall not be subject to control, supervision, or 1041 direction by the Department of Education. 1042 (9) The commission shall make such expenditures as may be 1043 necessary in exercising its authority and powers and carrying 1044 out its duties and responsibilities, including expenditures for 1045 personal services, legal services general counsel or access to 1046 counsel, and rent at the seat of government and elsewhere; for 1047 books of reference, periodicals, furniture, equipment, and 1048 supplies; and for print ing and binding. The expenditures of the 1049 commission shall be subject to the powers and duties of the 1050 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 43 of 44 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 Department of Financial Services as provided in s. 17.03. 1051 Section 20. Section 1012.86, Florida Statutes, is 1052 repealed. 1053 Section 21. Subsection (19) o f section 1001.64, Florida 1054 Statutes, is amended to read: 1055 1001.64 Florida College System institution boards of 1056 trustees; powers and duties. — 1057 (19) Each board of trustees shall appoint, suspend, or 1058 remove the president of the Florida College System instit ution. 1059 The board of trustees may appoint a search committee. The board 1060 of trustees shall conduct annual evaluations of the president in 1061 accordance with rules of the State Board of Education and submit 1062 such evaluations to the State Board of Education for re view. The 1063 evaluation must address the achievement of the performance goals 1064 established by the accountability process implemented pursuant 1065 to s. 1008.45 and the performance of the president in achieving 1066 the annual and long-term goals and objectives established in the 1067 Florida College System institution's employment accountability 1068 program implemented pursuant to s. 1012.86 . 1069 Section 22. Subsection (22) of section 1001.65, Florida 1070 Statutes, is amended to read: 1071 1001.65 Florida College System institution pre sidents; 1072 powers and duties.—The president is the chief executive officer 1073 of the Florida College System institution, shall be corporate 1074 secretary of the Florida College System institution board of 1075 CS/CS/HB 1285 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1285-02-c2 Page 44 of 44 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 trustees, and is responsible for the operation and 1076 administration of the Florida College System institution. Each 1077 Florida College System institution president shall: 1078 (22) Submit an annual employment accountability plan to 1079 the Department of Education pursuant to the provisions of s. 1080 1012.86. 1081 Section 23. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024. 1082