FloridaHB 12792026HouseWALLET

Education

Sponsored By: Jennifer Kincart Jonsson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationCareers & Workforce SubcommitteeBudget CommitteeEducation & Employment CommitteeHouse CalendarRules

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

27 provisions identified: 16 benefits, 2 costs, 9 mixed.

Schools can use more allergy devices

Public and private school rules now cover FDA-approved epinephrine delivery devices, not just auto-injectors. Schools may stock devices, but purchases are not required; supplies must be secured and staff must follow physician protocols. Staff administering the medicine must be trained to recognize severe allergic reactions. Public-school students at risk of life-threatening reactions may carry and self-administer devices with parent and physician authorization. Liability protections apply when school personnel follow the protocol, except for willful and wanton conduct.

Advanced course teachers earn student bonuses

Beginning July 1, 2026, advanced-course teachers receive $50 for each student meeting the required state-identified assessment score. A qualifying teacher at a D- or F-rated school receives another $500 when at least one student qualifies. For grades 9–12, each qualifying student generates 0.16 extra full-time-equivalent student funding units in the next fiscal year. Districts must send at least 80% of related advanced-course instruction funds to the high school generating them.

Service families keep resident tuition status

Beginning July 1, 2026, qualifying out-of-state service alone does not end Florida resident tuition status. Covered roles include active-duty or civilian Armed Forces personnel, State or Defense Department assignments, and Defense Department dependent-school teachers. Dependent children receive the same protection when their parents perform the qualifying service.

Students can delay Benacquisto scholarship awards

Beginning July 1, 2026, students qualifying for an initial Benacquisto Scholarship can defer that award for up to 1 year. The change provides more time to use the initial award rather than increasing its amount.

Students gain clearer dual enrollment options

Eligible Florida secondary and home education students can take dual enrollment courses at participating public and eligible nonprofit colleges. Courses must count toward both high school completion and a career certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree. Eligible students are exempt from registration, tuition, and laboratory fees.

Students get more virtual course choices

Florida school districts must give students access to their choice of courses through district virtual programs or approved virtual providers. Districts must award credit when students successfully complete these courses. Districts must also include these virtual options in public information about school programs.

Homeless students face tuition exemption limits

Beginning July 1, 2026, the homeless-student tuition exemption requires a prior homelessness determination by a Florida public school. Students must meet the federal McKinney-Vento definition of homeless children and youths. The exemption covers workforce education, Florida College System institutions, and state universities, but excludes distance-learning students living outside Florida. Previously identified students retain a presumption of homelessness in later years as provided by law.

Blind consumers learn about free services

Fee-based providers serving blind or visually impaired people must disclose possible free public alternatives before signing a contract or accepting payment. The written notice must use plain language and include Division of Blind Services contact information. Providers must supply an accessible format on request and obtain acknowledgment from the consumer or representative. Failure to disclose is an unfair or deceptive trade practice subject to enforcement.

Band and dance count toward graduation

Two years of marching band satisfy both the one-credit physical education requirement and the one-credit performing arts requirement. One credit in a qualifying dance techniques course satisfies either requirement, with a grade of C or better. The dance course must include significant health-related and lifelong fitness activities. Neither option satisfies personal fitness or adaptive physical education requirements under an individualized education program or 504 plan.

Parents gain special education service records

Districts must notify parents within 10 school days when a scheduled related service in an individualized education program is missed. Notice must be written or electronic, explain the reason, and discuss a plan for make-up services. On request, parents can access service logs or progress notes within 15 school days after the service is provided. Districts must explain this access right at every individualized education program meeting.

Private schools gain hybrid attendance option

Participating private schools have a defined teacher-contact option for personalized education program students and students eligible for the specified scholarship. Schools can meet the rule through direct teacher contact on campus at least 2 school days each week. The student learning plan must cover the remaining instructional time.

Students get new career-linked math pathways

Florida’s education department must identify 3 secondary math pathways by September 1, 2026, including career-linked applied algebra. Applied algebra courses are due January 1, 2027, for district use in the 2029–2030 school year. Courses must count toward required math credit and prepare students for the Algebra I end-of-course test. Students must be able to move between pathways, and the department must provide teacher learning, resources, and technical help. The department must work with the Board of Governors to secure acceptance for state university admissions.

Therapist applicants gain longer degree window

Marriage and family therapist applicants can use the qualifying master’s-degree pathway for degrees awarded before September 1, 2032. The prior cutoff was September 1, 2027. The degree must emphasize marriage and family therapy or a closely related field. Applicants must also complete the graduate courses approved by the licensing board.

School officers face stronger safety oversight

School leaders must notify the county sheriff and Office of Safe Schools immediately, no later than 72 hours after specified events. These include officer dismissal for misconduct, other discipline, or an on-duty firearm discharge outside training. Safe-school officers who are sworn law enforcement officers must also complete mental health crisis intervention training. The curriculum must come from a national organization with expertise in that field.

Schools gain trained security guard options

Every school facility, including charter schools, must have at least one safe-school officer. Districts and charters can combine officer options despite local ordinances or development orders; districts must help charters access those options. Schools can contract through security agencies for guards holding Class D and Class G licenses. Guards need 144 hours of sheriff-led training, psychological screening, initial and random drug tests, and each assigned county sheriff’s approval. Guards must help stop active assailants and complete ongoing training, weapon inspections, and firearm qualification at least annually.

Schools can fund more technology learning

Beginning July 1, 2026, districts may reserve up to 1% of Title I funds for eligible schools’ educational services. Allowed services now include science, technology, engineering, and math curricula, materials, and tools such as coding, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and robotics. Districts must first meet federal reservations and cannot reduce school allocations below federal requirements. Services must follow the approved Title I plan; no new appropriation is specified.

Trafficking data repository faces scheduled sunset

The section governing Florida’s anonymous human trafficking data repository is repealed on July 1, 2027. The repeal does not occur if the Legislature reviews and reenacts the section before that date.

Colleges face tighter licensing exemption rules

A college cannot avoid Commission for Independent Education oversight solely because another state agency approves one course or program. For this exemption, the other agency must approve or license the institution itself to operate. Separate exemptions remain for contract training, continuing education, and professional development, including covered dental programs and courses.

Middle school digital certificates gain limits

Public middle-grade students can earn CAPE Digital Tool certificates, alongside elementary students. Middle-grade students can earn no more than 2 certificates per school year. Certificates are paired with digital-skills coursework and remain eligible for extra school funding.

Struggling schools gain emergency staffing powers

Districts may use educational-emergency powers when any school has a D or F grade or is persistently low-performing. These powers include salary incentives and strategies for assigning high-quality teachers. Specified personnel strategies can proceed despite collective-bargaining requirements. The law does not guarantee a particular staffing change or student outcome.

Students get uniform weighted grading rules

The State Board of Education must establish one statewide weighted grading system for honors courses and covered college-credit acceleration options. Districts must use it to calculate weighted high school grade point averages. The law does not specify the weights or how an individual student’s average changes.

Public law schools use national standards

Florida International University and Florida A&M law schools use nationally recognized law-school accreditation standards for specified library and education requirements. Those standards also guide specified approval and disapproval triggers for state oversight recommendations. Library development and legal education programs must still follow sound legal education principles.

Childcare quality labels get revised safeguards

A class I childcare violation affects Gold Seal eligibility only when the state finds the provider was the primary cause. A responsible provider cannot apply for 2 years, and an existing designation may be terminated until 2 violation-free years pass. The law removes the discretionary exception for some providers operating at least 5 years. These rules affect which providers can display the quality designation.

Disability employment providers face approval standards

Beginning January 1, 2027, vocational rehabilitation providers must meet minimum qualifications and receive Division approval to participate. Providers apply during an annual application period and must maintain minimum effectiveness standards. Standards include placements in competitive, integrated employment, and the Division must publish an annual effectiveness report. The Division also sets service rates it determines are allocable, reasonable, and necessary.

Public colleges gain accreditation transition flexibility

Public colleges subject to the one-time accreditation change have up to 3 years after reaffirmation or a fifth-year review. They must obtain the new accreditation before their next such review. Colleges can use identified accrediting groups, not only regional groups, and must report progress quarterly. If all identified regional groups refuse candidacy, colleges must seek a different accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. These rules expire December 31, 2032.

University awards use revised performance measures

Public university performance awards use revised measures, including adjusted graduation rates for engineering programs. The access measure counts first-year undergraduates enrolled in the fall who received a Pell Grant that term. The law does not set an award amount or create a payment to students.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Jennifer Kincart Jonsson
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
Affiliation unavailable
Education & Employment Committee
Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 201 • No: 42

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 36 • No: 1

House vote • 3/13/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 81 • No: 16

House vote • 3/3/2026