Florida Senate - 2024 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. HB 5101
Ì436990BÎ436990
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Senate . House
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Floor: 1/R/3R . Floor: AD
03/08/2024 02:24 PM . 03/08/2024 01:48 PM
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Senator Perry moved the following:
1 Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
2
3 Delete everything after the enacting clause
4 and insert:
5 Section 1. Present paragraphs (h) through (r) of subsection
6 (2) of section 110.123, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
7 paragraphs (i) through (s), respectively, a new paragraph (h) is
8 added to that subsection, and paragraphs (c) and (e) and present
9 paragraphs (j) and (l) of that subsection are amended, to read:
10 110.123 State group insurance program.—
11 (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in ss. 110.123-110.1239, the term:
12 (c) “Enrollee” means all state officers and employees,
13 retired state officers and employees, surviving spouses of
14 deceased state officers and employees, eligible former
15 employees, and terminated employees or individuals with
16 continuation coverage who are enrolled in an insurance plan
17 offered by the state group insurance program. The term includes
18 all state university officers and employees, retired state
19 university officers and employees, surviving spouses of deceased
20 state university officers and employees, and terminated state
21 university employees or individuals with continuation coverage
22 who are enrolled in an insurance plan offered by the state group
23 insurance program. The term includes all participating college
24 officers and employees, retired participating college officers
25 and employees, surviving spouses of deceased participating
26 community officers and employees, and terminated participating
27 community employees or individuals with continuation coverage
28 who are enrolled in an insurance plan offered by the state group
29 insurance program. As used in this paragraph, state employees
30 and retired state employees also include employees and retired
31 employees of the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation.
32 (e) “Full-time state employees” means employees of all
33 branches or agencies of state government holding salaried
34 positions who are paid by state warrant or from agency funds and
35 who work or are expected to work an average of at least 30 hours
36 per week; employees of the Division of Rehabilitation and
37 Liquidation who work or are expected to work an average of at
38 least 30 hours per week; employees paid from regular salary
39 appropriations for 8 months’ employment, including university
40 personnel on academic contracts; and employees paid from other
41 personal-services (OPS) funds as described in subparagraphs 1.
42 and 2. The term includes all full-time employees of the state
43 universities and the participating colleges. The term does not
44 include seasonal workers who are paid from OPS funds.
45 1. For persons hired before April 1, 2013, the term
46 includes any person paid from OPS funds who:
47 a. Has worked an average of at least 30 hours or more per
48 week during the initial measurement period from April 1, 2013,
49 through September 30, 2013; or
50 b. Has worked an average of at least 30 hours or more per
51 week during a subsequent measurement period.
52 2. For persons hired after April 1, 2013, the term includes
53 any person paid from OPS funds who:
54 a. Is reasonably expected to work an average of at least 30
55 hours or more per week; or
56 b. Has worked an average of at least 30 hours or more per
57 week during the person’s measurement period.
58 (h) “Participating college” means a Florida College System
59 institution that enrolls in the state group insurance program
60 pursuant to s. 110.1229.
61 (k)(j) “Retired state officer or employee” or “retiree”
62 means any state or state university or participating college
63 officer or employee, or, beginning with the 2023 plan year, an
64 employee of the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation, who
65 retires under a state retirement system or a state optional
66 annuity or retirement program or is placed on disability
67 retirement, and who was insured under the state group insurance
68 program or the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation’s
69 group insurance program at the time of retirement, and who
70 begins receiving retirement benefits immediately after
71 retirement from state or state university or participating
72 college office or employment. The term also includes any state
73 officer or state employee who retires under the Florida
74 Retirement System Investment Plan established under part II of
75 chapter 121 if he or she:
76 1. Meets the age and service requirements to qualify for
77 normal retirement as set forth in s. 121.021(29); or
78 2. Has attained the age specified by s. 72(t)(2)(A)(i) of
79 the Internal Revenue Code and has 6 years of creditable service.
80 (m)(l) “State agency” or “agency” means any branch,
81 department, or agency of state government. “State agency” or
82 “agency” includes any state university or participating college
83 and the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation for purposes
84 of this section only.
85 Section 2. Section 110.1229, Florida Statutes, is created
86 to read:
87 110.1229 Participation by Florida College System
88 institutions.—
89 (1) As used in this section, the term “college” means a
90 Florida College System institution identified in s. 1000.21(5).
91 (2) The district board of trustees of a college may apply
92 by August 1, 2024, for participation in the state group health
93 insurance program authorized by s. 110.123 and the prescription
94 drug coverage program authorized by s. 110.12315 by submitting
95 an application along with a $500 nonrefundable fee to the
96 department.
97 (3) If the department determines that a college is eligible
98 to enroll, the college must agree to the following terms and
99 conditions:
100 (a) The minimum enrollment or contractual period must be 3
101 years.
102 (b) Termination of participation of a college requires
103 written notice 1 year before the termination date.
104 (c) If participation is terminated, a college may not
105 reapply for participation for a period of 2 years.
106 (d) If a college employer fails to make the payments
107 required by this section to fully reimburse the state, the
108 Department of Revenue or the Department of Financial Services
109 shall, upon the request of the Department of Management
110 Services, deduct the amount owed by the employer from any funds
111 not pledged to bond debt service satisfaction which are to be
112 distributed by it to the college. The amounts to be deducted
113 must be transferred to the Department of Management Services for
114 further distribution to the trust funds in accordance with this
115 chapter.
116 (e) The college shall furnish the department any
117 information requested by the department which the department
118 considers necessary to administer the state group health
119 insurance program and the prescription drug coverage program.
120 (f) The college shall adopt the state’s eligibility rules.
121 (g) The college shall pay monthly premiums in amounts
122 sufficient to cover claims costs and administrative costs.
123 (4) The enrollment period for colleges determined eligible
124 by the department shall begin before July 31, 2025.
125 (5) The provisions of ss. 624.436-624.446 do not apply to
126 the State Group Insurance Program or to this section.
127 Section 3. Section 985.176, Florida Statutes, is created to
128 read:
129 985.176 AMIkids, Inc.—As authorized by and consistent with
130 funding appropriated in the General Appropriations Act, the
131 department, the Department of Education, and the Department of
132 Children and Families may contract, in accordance with ss.
133 394.457 and 985.644 and the statutes governing the Department of
134 Education and the Department of Children and Families, with
135 AMIkids, Inc., a nonprofit organization exempt from taxation
136 pursuant to s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, to
137 provide alternatives to institutionalization or commitment for
138 young men and women by providing services, including, but not
139 limited to, education, behavior modification, skills
140 development, mental health, workforce development, family
141 functioning, and advocacy.
142 Section 4. Paragraph (b) of subsection (17) of section
143 1002.33, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
144 1002.33 Charter schools.—
145 (17) FUNDING.—Students enrolled in a charter school,
146 regardless of the sponsorship, shall be funded as if they are in
147 a basic program or a special program, the same as students
148 enrolled in other public schools in a school district. Funding
149 for a charter lab school shall be as provided in s. 1002.32.
150 (b)1. The basis for the agreement for funding students
151 enrolled in a charter school shall be the sum of the school
152 district’s operating funds from the Florida Education Finance
153 Program as provided in s. 1011.62 and the General Appropriations
154 Act, including gross state and local funds, discretionary
155 lottery funds, and funds from the school district’s current
156 operating discretionary millage levy; divided by total funded
157 weighted full-time equivalent students in the school district;
158 and multiplied by the weighted full-time equivalent students for
159 the charter school. Charter schools whose students or programs
160 meet the eligibility criteria in law are entitled to their
161 proportionate share of categorical program funds included in the
162 total funds available in the Florida Education Finance Program
163 by the Legislature, including transportation, and the evidence
164 based reading allocation. Total funding for each charter school
165 shall be recalculated during the year to reflect the revised
166 calculations under the Florida Education Finance Program by the
167 state and the actual weighted full-time equivalent students
168 reported by the charter school during the full-time equivalent
169 student survey periods designated by the Commissioner of
170 Education. For charter schools operated by a not-for-profit or
171 municipal entity, any unrestricted current and capital assets
172 identified in the charter school’s annual financial audit may be
173 used for other charter schools operated by the not-for-profit or
174 municipal entity within the school district. For charter schools
175 operated by a not-for-profit entity, any unrestricted current or
176 capital assets identified in the charter school’s annual audit
177 may be used for other charter schools operated by the not-for
178 profit entity which are located outside of the originating
179 charter school’s school district, but within the state, through
180 an unforgivable loan that must be repaid within 5 years to the
181 originating charter school by the receiving charter school.
182 Unrestricted current assets shall be used in accordance with s.
183 1011.62, and any unrestricted capital assets shall be used in
184 accordance with s. 1013.62(2).
185 2.a. Funding for students enrolled in a charter school
186 sponsored by a state university or Florida College System
187 institution pursuant to paragraph (5)(a) shall be provided as
188 follows: funded as if they are in a basic program or a special
189 program in the school district. The basis for funding these
190 students is the sum of the total operating funds from the
191 Florida Education Finance Program for the school district in
192 which the school is located as provided in s. 1011.62 and the
193 General Appropriations Act, including gross state and local
194 funds, discretionary lottery funds, and funds from each school
195 district’s current operating discretionary millage levy, divided
196 by total funded weighted full-time equivalent students in the
197 district, and multiplied by the full-time equivalent membership
198 of the charter school. The Department of Education shall develop
199 a tool that each state university or Florida College System
200 institution sponsoring a charter school shall use for purposes
201 of calculating the funding amount for each eligible charter
202 school student. The total amount obtained from the calculation
203 must be appropriated from state funds in the General
204 Appropriations Act to the charter school.
205 (I) Each charter school shall receive state funds for
206 operating purposes provided in the Florida Education Finance
207 Program as defined in s. 1011.61(5) and as specified in the
208 General Appropriations Act.
209 (II) The nonvoted required local effort millage established
210 pursuant to s. 1011.71(1) which would otherwise be required for
211 charter schools must be from state funds.
212 (III) An equivalent amount of funds for the operating
213 discretionary millage authorized pursuant to s. 1011.71(1) must
214 be allocated to each charter school through a state-funded
215 discretionary contribution established pursuant to s.
216 1011.62(6).
217 (IV) All operating funds provided under this section must
218 be expended for the purposes of this section. The college or
219 university sponsoring a charter school is the fiscal agent for
220 such funds, and all rules of the institution governing the
221 budgeting and expenditure of state funds apply to the funds
222 unless otherwise provided by law or rule of the State Board of
223 Education.
224 b. Capital outlay funding for a charter school sponsored by
225 a state university or Florida College System institution
226 pursuant to paragraph (5)(a) is determined pursuant to s.
227 1013.62 and the General Appropriations Act.
228 Section 5. Subsection (5) is added to section 1002.391,
229 Florida Statutes, to read:
230 1002.391 Auditory-oral education programs.—
231 (5) As authorized by and consistent with funding
232 appropriated in the General Appropriations Act, the Bridge to
233 Speech Program is created to fund auditory-oral education
234 programs required at schools pursuant to this section. Funds
235 shall be provided at the level of the published tuition rates up
236 to the funds available as provided in the General Appropriations
237 Act. The Department of Education must award these funds to
238 eligible recipients no later than September 1 of each year, with
239 subsequent payments monthly thereafter.
240 Section 6. Paragraph (a) of subsection (12) of section
241 1002.394, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
242 1002.394 The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.—
243 (12) SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING AND PAYMENT.—
244 (a)1. Scholarships for students determined eligible
245 pursuant to paragraph (3)(a) may be funded once all scholarships
246 have been funded in accordance with s. 1002.395(6)(l)2. The
247 calculated scholarship amount for a participating student
248 determined eligible pursuant to paragraph (3)(a) shall be based
249 upon the grade level and school district in which the student
250 was assigned as 100 percent of the funds per unweighted full
251 time equivalent in the Florida Education Finance Program for a
252 student in the basic program established pursuant to s.
253 1011.62(1)(c)1., plus a per-full-time equivalent share of funds
254 for the categorical programs established in s. 1011.62(5),
255 (7)(a), and (16), as funded in the General Appropriations Act.
256 2. A scholarship of $750 or an amount equal to the school
257 district expenditure per student riding a school bus, as
258 determined by the department, whichever is greater, may be
259 awarded to a an eligible student whose household income level
260 does not exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty level or who
261 is currently placed, or during the previous state fiscal year
262 was placed, in foster care or in out-of-home care as defined in
263 s. 39.01 and who is enrolled in a Florida public school that is
264 different from the school to which the student was assigned or
265 in a lab school as defined in s. 1002.32 if the school district
266 does not provide the student with transportation to the school.
267 Only one scholarship may be awarded pursuant to this
268 subparagraph per household.
269 3. The organization must provide the department with the
270 documentation necessary to verify the student’s participation.
271 Upon receiving the documentation, the department shall transfer,
272 beginning August 1, from state funds only, the amount calculated
273 pursuant to subparagraph 2. to the organization for quarterly
274 disbursement to parents of participating students each school
275 year in which the scholarship is in force. For a student exiting
276 a Department of Juvenile Justice commitment program who chooses
277 to participate in the scholarship program, the amount of the
278 Family Empowerment Scholarship calculated pursuant to
279 subparagraph 2. must be transferred from the school district in
280 which the student last attended a public school before
281 commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice. When a student
282 enters the scholarship program, the organization must receive
283 all documentation required for the student’s participation,
284 including the private school’s and the student’s fee schedules,
285 at least 30 days before the first quarterly scholarship payment
286 is made for the student.
287 4. The initial payment shall be made after the
288 organization’s verification of admission acceptance, and
289 subsequent payments shall be made upon verification of continued
290 enrollment and attendance at the private school. Payment must be
291 by funds transfer or any other means of payment that the
292 department deems to be commercially viable or cost-effective. An
293 organization shall ensure that the parent has approved a funds
294 transfer before any scholarship funds are deposited.
295 5. An organization may not transfer any funds to an account
296 of a student determined eligible pursuant to paragraph (3)(a)
297 which has a balance in excess of $24,000.
298 Section 7. Paragraph (a) of subsection (11) of section
299 1002.395, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
300 1002.395 Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program.—
301 (11) SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT AND PAYMENT.—
302 (a) The scholarship amount provided to any student for any
303 single school year by an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding
304 organization from eligible contributions shall be for total
305 costs authorized under paragraph (6)(d), not to exceed annual
306 limits, which shall be determined as follows:
307 1. For a student who received a scholarship in the 2018
308 2019 school year, who remains eligible, and who is enrolled in
309 an eligible private school, the amount shall be the greater
310 amount calculated pursuant to subparagraph 2. or a percentage of
311 the unweighted FTE funding amount for the 2018-2019 state fiscal
312 year and thereafter as follows:
313 a. Eighty-eight percent for a student enrolled in
314 kindergarten through grade 5.
315 b. Ninety-two percent for a student enrolled in grade 6
316 through grade 8.
317 c. Ninety-six percent for a student enrolled in grade 9
318 through grade 12.
319 2. For students initially eligible in the 2019-2020 school
320 year or thereafter, the calculated amount for a student to
321 attend an eligible private school shall be calculated in
322 accordance with s. 1002.394(12)(a).
323 3. The scholarship amount awarded to a student whose
324 household income level does not exceed 185 percent of the
325 federal poverty level or who is currently placed, or during the
326 previous state fiscal year was placed, in foster care or in out
327 of-home care as defined in s. 39.01 and who is enrolled in a
328 Florida public school that is different from the school to which
329 the student was assigned, or in a lab school as defined in s.
330 1002.32, must be an amount equal to the school district
331 expenditure per student riding a school bus, as determined by
332 the department, or $750, whichever is greater. Only one
333 scholarship may be awarded pursuant to this subparagraph per
334 household.
335 Section 8. Subsection (7) of section 1002.71, Florida
336 Statutes, is amended to read:
337 1002.71 Funding; financial and attendance reporting.—
338 (7) The department shall require that administrative
339 expenditures be kept to the minimum necessary for efficient and
340 effective administration of the Voluntary Prekindergarten
341 Education Program. Administrative policies and procedures must
342 shall be revised, to the maximum extent practicable, to
343 incorporate the use of automation and electronic submission of
344 forms, including those required for child eligibility and
345 enrollment, provider and class registration, and monthly
346 certification of attendance for payment. A school district may
347 use its automated daily attendance reporting system for the
348 purpose of transmitting attendance records to the early learning
349 coalition in a mutually agreed-upon format. In addition, actions
350 must shall be taken to reduce paperwork, eliminate the
351 duplication of reports, and eliminate other duplicative
352 activities. Each early learning coalition may retain and expend
353 no more than 5 4.0 percent of the funds paid by the coalition to
354 private prekindergarten providers and public schools under
355 paragraph (5)(b). Funds retained by an early learning coalition
356 under this subsection may be used only for administering the
357 Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program and may not be used
358 for the school readiness program or other programs.
359 Section 9. Section 1003.4206, Florida Statutes, is created
360 to read:
361 1003.4206 Charity for Change program.—As authorized by and
362 consistent with funding appropriated in the General
363 Appropriations Act, the Charity for Change program is created to
364 implement the character education standards required pursuant to
365 s. 1003.42(2)(t). The program may use third-party providers to
366 deliver after-school and summer services that empower students
367 with an evidence-based curriculum that integrates character
368 education, service learning, charitable and community
369 engagement, and academics.
370 Section 10. Subsection (3) of section 1003.435, Florida
371 Statutes, is amended to read:
372 1003.435 High school equivalency diploma program.—
373 (3) Each district school board shall:
374 (a) Offer and administer the high school equivalency
375 diploma examinations and the subject area examinations to all
376 candidates pursuant to rules of the State Board of Education.
377 (b) Notify each candidate of adult secondary and
378 postsecondary education options available in or near the
379 district. The candidate must also be informed of the eligibility
380 requirements and any minimum academic requirements for each
381 available option.
382 Section 11. Section 1004.933, Florida Statutes, is created
383 to read:
384 1004.933 Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education
385 (GATE) Program.—
386 (1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—It is the intent of the Legislature
387 that each high school student have the opportunity to earn
388 postsecondary course credits at no cost to the student while
389 pursuing the completion of a standard high school diploma or
390 equivalent credential. Furthermore, to help meet this state’s
391 workforce skill needs, it is the intent of the Legislature that
392 high school students have access to high-quality workforce
393 education programs that can help them build their basic
394 education abilities and attain industry-recognized postsecondary
395 credentials.
396 (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
397 (a) “Career education program” means an applied technology
398 diploma program as defined in s. 1004.02(7) or a career
399 certificate program as defined in s. 1004.02(20).
400 (b) “Institution” means a school district career center
401 under s. 1001.44, a charter technical career center under s.
402 1002.34, or a Florida College System institution under s.
403 1000.21.
404 (3) ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSE.—The Graduation Alternative to
405 Traditional Education (GATE) Program is created within the
406 Department of Education for the following purposes:
407 (a) Assisting students who may have challenges in
408 completing the requirements for a standard high school diploma
409 in a traditional setting.
410 (b) Creating an alternative education pathway that supports
411 this state’s commitment to educational accessibility for all
412 students by providing additional opportunities for students 16
413 to 21 years of age who have discontinued enrollment in
414 traditional high school programs.
415 (c) Increasing the number of students who successfully earn
416 a high school credential in this state.
417 (d) Increasing the interest and participation of students
418 in career and technical education (CTE) programs.
419 (4) PAYMENT EXEMPTION; ELIGIBILITY.—
420 (a) Any student enrolled in the GATE Program is exempt from
421 the payment of registration, tuition, laboratory, and
422 examination fees to a participating institution. Instructional
423 materials assigned for use under the GATE Program must be made
424 available to GATE Program students free of charge. An
425 institution may not require payment by students of instructional
426 material costs eligible for reimbursement under s. 1009.711.
427 (b) To be eligible for participation in the GATE Program, a
428 student may not have earned a standard high school diploma
429 pursuant to s. 1003.4282 or a high school equivalency diploma
430 pursuant to s. 1003.435 before enrolling in the GATE Program and
431 must:
432 1. Be a resident of this state as defined in s. 1009.21;
433 2. Be concurrently enrolled in an adult secondary education
434 program as defined in s. 1004.02(4) and a career education
435 program at a Florida College System institution, a school
436 district career center, or a charter technical career center;
437 3. Be 16 to 21 years of age at the time of initial
438 enrollment;
439 4. Select the CTE pathway or program of his or her choice
440 at the time of enrollment. The student may not change the
441 requested pathway after enrollment;
442 5. Maintain a 2.0 GPA for CTE coursework; and
443 6. Complete the programs under subparagraph 2. within 3
444 years after initial enrollment unless the institution determines
445 that an extension is warranted due to extenuating circumstances.
446 (c) An institution may not impose additional criteria to
447 determine a student’s eligibility to receive a waiver under this
448 section.
449 (5) RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt rules
450 to implement this section.
451 Section 12. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
452 1008.34, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
453 1008.34 School grading system; school report cards;
454 district grade.—
455 (3) DESIGNATION OF SCHOOL GRADES.—
456 (b)1. A school’s grade shall be based on the following
457 components, each worth 100 points:
458 a. The percentage of eligible students passing statewide,
459 standardized assessments in English Language Arts under s.
460 1008.22(3).
461 b. The percentage of eligible students passing statewide,
462 standardized assessments in mathematics under s. 1008.22(3).
463 c. The percentage of eligible students passing statewide,
464 standardized assessments in science under s. 1008.22(3).
465 d. The percentage of eligible students passing statewide,
466 standardized assessments in social studies under s. 1008.22(3).
467 e. The percentage of eligible students who make Learning
468 Gains in English Language Arts as measured by statewide,
469 standardized assessments administered under s. 1008.22(3).
470 f. The percentage of eligible students who make Learning
471 Gains in mathematics as measured by statewide, standardized
472 assessments administered under s. 1008.22(3).
473 g. The percentage of eligible students in the lowest 25
474 percent in English Language Arts, as identified by prior year
475 performance on statewide, standardized assessments, who make
476 Learning Gains as measured by statewide, standardized English
477 Language Arts assessments administered under s. 1008.22(3).
478 h. The percentage of eligible students in the lowest 25
479 percent in mathematics, as identified by prior year performance
480 on statewide, standardized assessments, who make Learning Gains
481 as measured by statewide, standardized Mathematics assessments
482 administered under s. 1008.22(3).
483 i. For schools comprised of middle grades 6 through 8 or
484 grades 7 and 8, the percentage of eligible students passing high
485 school level statewide, standardized end-of-course assessments
486 or attaining national industry certifications identified in the
487 CAPE Industry Certification Funding List pursuant to state board
488 rule.
489 j. Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, for schools
490 comprised of grade levels that include grade 3, the percentage
491 of eligible students who score an achievement level 3 or higher
492 on the grade 3 statewide, standardized English Language Arts
493 assessment administered under s. 1008.22(3).
494
495 In calculating Learning Gains for the components listed in sub
496 subparagraphs e.-h., the State Board of Education shall require
497 that learning growth toward achievement levels 3, 4, and 5 is
498 demonstrated by students who scored below each of those levels
499 in the prior year. In calculating the components in sub
500 subparagraphs a.-d., the state board shall include the
501 performance of English language learners only if they have been
502 enrolled in a school in the United States for more than 2 years.
503 2. For a school comprised of grades 9, 10, 11, and 12, or
504 grades 10, 11, and 12, the school’s grade shall also be based on
505 the following components, each worth 100 points:
506 a. The 4-year high school graduation rate of the school as
507 defined by state board rule. Students enrolled in high school
508 who choose to enroll in the GATE Program pursuant to s. 1004.933
509 may not be included in their school’s graduation rate.
510 b. The percentage of students who were eligible to earn
511 college and career credit through an assessment identified
512 pursuant to s. 1007.27(2), College Board Advanced Placement
513 examinations, International Baccalaureate examinations, dual
514 enrollment courses, including career dual enrollment courses
515 resulting in the completion of 300 or more clock hours during
516 high school which are approved by the state board as meeting the
517 requirements of s. 1007.271, or Advanced International
518 Certificate of Education examinations; who, at any time during
519 high school, earned national industry certification identified
520 in the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List, pursuant to
521 rules adopted by the state board; or who earned an Armed
522 Services Qualification Test score that falls within Category II
523 or higher on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and
524 earned a minimum of two credits in Junior Reserve Officers’
525 Training Corps courses from the same branch of the United States
526 Armed Forces.
527 Section 13. Section 1009.711, Florida Statutes, is created
528 to read:
529 1009.711 GATE Scholarship Program.—
530 (1) The GATE Scholarship Program is created to financially
531 support institutions in providing the GATE Program established
532 pursuant to s. 1004.933.
533 (2) The Department of Education shall administer the GATE
534 Scholarship Program in accordance with rules adopted by the
535 State Board of Education pursuant to subsection (6).
536 (3) The program shall reimburse eligible institutions for
537 registration, tuition, laboratory, and examination fees and
538 related instructional materials costs for students enrolled in
539 the GATE Program. School district career centers and Florida
540 College System institutions must be reimbursed at the in-state
541 resident tuition rate established in s. 1009.22(3)(c).
542 (4) Each participating institution shall report to the
543 department all students enrolled in the GATE Scholarship Program
544 during the fall, spring, or summer terms within 30 days after
545 the end of regular registration. For each eligible student, the
546 institution shall report the total reimbursable expenses by
547 category, which the department must consider in determining an
548 institution’s award under this section. The department shall
549 reimburse each participating institution no later than 30 days
550 after the institution has reported enrollment for that term.
551 (5) Reimbursements from the GATE Scholarship Program are
552 contingent upon an annual appropriation in the General
553 Appropriations Act. If the statewide reimbursement amount is
554 greater than the appropriation, the institutional reimbursement
555 amounts specified in subsection (3) must be prorated among the
556 institutions that have timely reported eligible students to the
557 department.
558 (6) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to
559 implement this section.
560 Section 14. Subsection (9) of section 1011.62, Florida
561 Statutes, is amended to read:
562 1011.62 Funds for operation of schools.—If the annual
563 allocation from the Florida Education Finance Program to each
564 district for operation of schools is not determined in the
565 annual appropriations act or the substantive bill implementing
566 the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as
567 follows:
568 (9) CALCULATION OF SUPPLEMENTAL ALLOCATION FOR JUVENILE
569 JUSTICE EDUCATION PROGRAMS.—The juvenile justice education
570 supplement is created to provide supplemental funding to support
571 the education of students in juvenile justice education
572 programs. The supplemental allocation must be the sum of the
573 class-size-reduction allocation and the student allocation.
574 (a) The class-size-reduction allocation shall be calculated
575 by multiplying the total kindergarten through grade 12 weighted
576 full-time equivalent student membership in juvenile justice
577 education programs in each school district shall be multiplied
578 by the amount of the state average class-size-reduction factor
579 multiplied by the comparable wage factor for the school district
580 established in subsection (2). An amount equal to the sum of
581 this calculation shall be allocated in the Florida Education
582 Finance Program to each school district to supplement other
583 sources of funding for students in juvenile justice education
584 programs.
585 (b) The student allocation shall be calculated based on the
586 number of students reported in a juvenile justice education
587 program. The total kindergarten through grade 12 unweighted
588 full-time equivalent student membership in juvenile justice
589 education programs in each school district, excluding students
590 with disabilities, shall be multiplied by a percentage of the
591 base student allocation as provided in the General
592 Appropriations Act. The total kindergarten through grade 12
593 unweighted full-time equivalent student membership in juvenile
594 justice education programs in each school district, for students
595 with disabilities, shall be multiplied by an additional
596 percentage of the base student allocation as provided in the
597 General Appropriations Act. The base amount and the amount for
598 students with disabilities shall be summed to provide the
599 student allocation.
600 (c) Funds allocated under this subsection shall be used to
601 provide the juvenile justice education programs pursuant to s.
602 1003.52 and may be used to pay for the high school equivalency
603 examination fees for juvenile justice students who pass the high
604 school equivalency examination in full, or in part, while in a
605 juvenile justice education program, the industry credentialing
606 testing fees for such students, and the costs associated with
607 such juvenile justice students enrolled in career and technical
608 education courses that lead to industry-recognized
609 certifications.
610 Section 15. Subsection (10) of section 1011.80, Florida
611 Statutes, is amended to read:
612 1011.80 Funds for operation of workforce education
613 programs.—
614 (10) A high school student dually enrolled under s.
615 1007.271 in a workforce education program operated by a Florida
616 College System institution or school district career center
617 generates the amount calculated for workforce education funding,
618 including any payment of performance funding, and the
619 proportional share of full-time equivalent enrollment generated
620 through the Florida Education Finance Program for the student’s
621 enrollment in a high school. If a high school student is dually
622 enrolled in a Florida College System institution program,
623 including a program conducted at a high school, the Florida
624 College System institution earns the funds generated for
625 workforce education funding, and the school district earns the
626 proportional share of full-time equivalent funding from the
627 Florida Education Finance Program. If a student is dually
628 enrolled in a career center operated by the same district as the
629 district in which the student attends high school, that district
630 earns the funds generated for workforce education funding and
631 also earns the proportional share of full-time equivalent
632 funding from the Florida Education Finance Program. If a student
633 is dually enrolled in a workforce education program provided by
634 a career center operated by a different school district, the
635 funds must be divided between the two school districts
636 proportionally from the two funding sources. A student may not
637 be reported for funding in a dual enrollment workforce education
638 program unless the student has completed the basic skills
639 assessment pursuant to s. 1004.91. A student who is coenrolled
640 in a K-12 education program and an adult education program may
641 be reported for purposes of funding in an adult education
642 program. If a student is coenrolled in core curricula courses
643 for credit recovery or dropout prevention purposes and does not
644 have a pattern of excessive absenteeism or habitual truancy or a
645 history of disruptive behavior in school, the student may be
646 reported for funding for up to four two courses per year. Such a
647 student is exempt from the payment of the block tuition for
648 adult general education programs provided in s. 1009.22(3)(c).
649 The Department of Education shall develop a list of courses to
650 be designated as core curricula courses for the purposes of
651 coenrollment.
652 Section 16. Section 1011.804, Florida Statutes, is created
653 to read:
654 1011.804 GATE Program Student Success Incentive Fund.—
655 (1) A GATE Program Student Success Incentive Fund is
656 created to reward school districts and Florida College System
657 institutions for the documented success of students
658 participating in the GATE Program established under s. 1004.933.
659 (2) As used in this section, the term “institution” means a
660 school district career center established under s. 1001.44, a
661 charter technical career center established under s. 1002.34, or
662 a Florida College System institution identified in s. 1000.21,
663 which offers the GATE Program pursuant to s. 1004.933.
664 (3) Subject to legislative appropriation, each
665 participating institution must receive an allocation based on
666 the performance of students in its GATE Program according to the
667 following metrics:
668 (a) The number of students obtaining a standard high school
669 diploma or high school equivalency diploma while participating
670 in the program.
671 (b) The number of postsecondary industry certifications or
672 other program completion credentials earned by students
673 participating in the program. Eligible industry certifications
674 must be identified on the CAPE Industry Certification Funding
675 List approved by the State Board of Education under s. 1008.44.
676 (c) Unless otherwise specified in the General
677 Appropriations Act, each institution must be provided $750 per
678 student described in paragraph (a) and $1,000 per student
679 earning certificates or credentials as provided in paragraph
680 (b). If funds are insufficient to fully fund the calculated
681 total award, such funds must be prorated among the institutions.
682 Section 17. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.
683
684 ================= T I T L E A M E N D M E N T ================
685 And the title is amended as follows:
686 Delete everything before the enacting clause
687 and insert:
688 A bill to be entitled
689 An act relating to education; amending s. 110.123,
690 F.S.; revising definitions; defining the term
691 “participating college”; creating s. 110.1229, F.S.;
692 defining the term “college”; authorizing the district
693 board of trustees of a college to apply by a specified
694 date for participation in the state group health
695 insurance program and the prescription drug coverage
696 program; requiring the college to agree to specified
697 conditions; providing a timeframe for the enrollment
698 period; providing applicability; creating s. 985.176,
699 F.S.; subject to legislative appropriation,
700 authorizing specified entities to contract with
701 AMIkids, Inc., for specified purposes; amending s.
702 1002.33, F.S.; revising funding methods for students
703 enrolled in certain charter schools; requiring a
704 charter school to receive certain funds; requiring
705 that certain funds be expended; amending s. 1002.391,
706 F.S.; subject to legislative appropriation, creating
707 the Bridge to Speech Program; providing for the use of
708 funds; requiring the Department of Education to award
709 funds by a specified date; amending s. 1002.394, F.S.;
710 revising requirements for the Family Empowerment
711 Scholarship Program; amending s. 1002.395, F.S.;
712 revising requirements for the Florida Tax Credit
713 Scholarship Program; amending s. 1002.71, F.S.;
714 revising the percentage of certain funds that may be
715 expended by an early learning coalition; making
716 technical changes; creating s. 1003.4206, F.S.;
717 subject to legislative appropriation, creating the
718 Charity for Change program; authorizing the program to
719 use third-party providers to deliver specified
720 services; amending s. 1003.435, F.S.; requiring
721 district school boards to notify all candidates for
722 the high school equivalency diploma of adult secondary
723 and postsecondary education options; creating s.
724 1004.933, F.S.; providing legislative intent; defining
725 the terms “career education program” and
726 “institution”; establishing the Graduation Alternative
727 to Traditional Education (GATE) Program within the
728 Department of Education; providing the purposes of the
729 program; providing that students enrolled in the
730 program are exempt from payments for registration,
731 tuition, laboratory, and examination fees; providing
732 eligibility requirements; prohibiting an institution
733 from imposing additional eligibility requirements;
734 requiring the State Board of Education to adopt rules;
735 amending s. 1008.34, F.S.; providing that students in
736 high school who enroll in the GATE Program may not be
737 included in their school’s graduation rate; creating
738 s. 1009.711, F.S.; creating the GATE Scholarship
739 Program; requiring the department to administer the
740 program; requiring the program to reimburse eligible
741 institutions for student costs; requiring
742 participating institutions to report to the department
743 all students enrolled in the program; requiring the
744 department to reimburse participating institutions
745 within a specified timeframe; providing that
746 reimbursements are contingent on legislative
747 appropriations and may be prorated in the event that
748 total reimbursements owed exceed available funds;
749 requiring the state board to adopt rules; amending s.
750 1011.62, F.S.; creating the juvenile justice education
751 supplement; providing the purpose of the supplemental
752 allocation for juvenile justice education programs;
753 providing for calculation of the supplement as the sum
754 of specified allocations; revising the calculation of
755 the class-size-reduction allocation and specifying the
756 manner for calculating the student allocation;
757 amending s. 1011.80, F.S.; revising the number of
758 courses that certain students may be reported for,
759 relating to funding purposes; providing that such
760 courses do not have to be core curricula courses;
761 deleting a requirement for the department to develop a
762 list of courses to be designated as core curricula
763 courses; creating s. 1011.804, F.S.; creating the GATE
764 Program Student Success Incentive Fund for a specified
765 purpose; defining the term “institution”; providing
766 that, subject to the appropriation of funds by the
767 Legislature, each participating institution must
768 receive specified allocations; providing for proration
769 of funds, as necessary; providing an effective date.