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FloridaSB 1242026Senate

Florida Virtual School

Sponsored By: Ana Maria Rodriguez (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationEducation Pre-K - 12Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 EducationFiscal PolicyHouse Calendar

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Retirement coverage required for virtual school workers

Beginning July 1, 2026, covered Florida Virtual School workers must have state-employee status for Florida Retirement System eligibility and benefits. This status was previously optional. Temporary, seasonal, and student employees are excluded. The law sets no individual retirement benefit amount.

Statewide student access replaces admission priorities

Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida Virtual School must serve students statewide who meet its profile for success in online learning. The law removes admission priorities for home-school students and students in rural or inner-city schools lacking higher-level courses. It also removes priorities for early graduation and children of active-duty military parents not stationed in Florida. Meeting the success profile does not guarantee admission.

Districts must support virtual students’ testing

Beginning July 1, 2026, required Florida Virtual School tests generally take place at each student’s assigned local school. The district must provide testing facilities, a test administrator, and the test date and time. This rule applies unless the virtual school and district agree on another site or a separate contract covers the test.

More funding options for virtual school

Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida Virtual School may use extra funding alongside the Florida Education Finance Program. It may receive revenue from both direct-support and supplemental support organizations. Their governing bodies recommend spending for the school, subject to review and approval by its president and chief executive officer. The law sets no funding amount and guarantees no extra revenue.

Virtual school partnerships expand with enrollment rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida Virtual School may make franchise agreements with districts, public and private groups, and government agencies. Its board must set criteria for approved franchises. District franchises may count students toward state funding when certified by the Commissioner of Education under those criteria. Full-time and part-time K–12 enrollment counts must follow statutory requirements, newly extending those requirements to part-time students in grades 6–12. The law guarantees no new service or funding amount.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ana Maria Rodriguez

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 180 • No: 2

House vote • 3/11/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 110 • No: 2

Senate vote • 2/11/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/5/2026

Fiscal Policy Vote

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/28/2026

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Vote

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Senate vote • 12/9/2025

Education Pre-K - 12 Vote

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2026-67

    5/12/2026

  2. Approved by Governor

    5/11/2026

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    4/30/2026

  4. Ordered enrolled

    3/17/2026Senate

  5. Passed; YEAS 110, NAYS 2

    3/11/2026House

  6. Read 3rd time

    3/11/2026House

  7. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    3/11/2026House

  8. Read 2nd time

    3/11/2026House

  9. 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)

    3/10/2026House

  10. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/11/2026)

    3/10/2026House

  11. Bill referred to House Calendar

    3/10/2026House

  12. In Messages

    2/11/2026House

  13. Immediately certified -SJ 299

    2/11/2026Senate

  14. Passed; YEAS 39 NAYS 0 -SJ 292

    2/11/2026Senate

  15. Read 3rd time -SJ 292

    2/11/2026Senate

  16. Read 2nd time -SJ 292

    2/11/2026Senate

  17. Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/11/26

    2/9/2026Senate

  18. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    2/5/2026Senate

  19. Favorable by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 15 NAYS 0

    2/5/2026Senate

  20. On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 02/05/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building

    2/2/2026Senate

  21. Now in Fiscal Policy

    1/29/2026Senate

  22. Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education; YEAS 10 NAYS 0

    1/28/2026Senate

  23. On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education, 01/28/26, 1:00 pm, 37 Senate Building

    1/23/2026Senate

  24. Introduced

    1/13/2026Senate

  25. Now in Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

    12/10/2025Senate

Bill Text

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