ENROLLED
       2019 Legislature                   CS for SB 7070, 1st Engrossed
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                                             20197070er
    1  
    2         An act relating to K-12 education; amending s.
    3         212.099, F.S.; deleting a specified reference to a
    4         certain program; revising the definition of the terms
    5         “eligible contribution” or “contribution”; revising
    6         the authorized uses of eligible contributions;
    7         amending s. 212.1832, F.S.; deleting a specified
    8         reference to a certain program; deleting obsolete
    9         language; amending s. 1002.20, F.S.; revising the
   10         programs through which certain parents may seek
   11         private educational choice options; amending s.
   12         1002.33, F.S.; providing that charters may include a
   13         provision for charter schools to be held responsible
   14         for all costs incurred by the district in connection
   15         with complaints to the Office of Civil Rights or the
   16         Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; amending s.
   17         1002.333, F.S.; revising definitions; revising
   18         requirements for hope operators seeking to open a
   19         school of hope; revising requirements for the
   20         performance-based agreement; revising requirements for
   21         the expenditure of funds under the Schools of Hope
   22         Program; requiring that ownership of certain property,
   23         furnishings, and equipment revert to the district
   24         school board upon the dissolution or termination of a
   25         school of hope; providing that certain funds and
   26         specified improvements, furnishings, equipment, and
   27         records be held in trust upon a request by a district
   28         school board; deleting the authorization for a
   29         traditional public school to receive funds from the
   30         program; deleting a requirement for the State Board of
   31         Education to provide awards and annually report
   32         certain information; conforming provisions to changes
   33         made by the act; creating s. 1002.394, F.S.;
   34         establishing the Family Empowerment Scholarship
   35         Program; providing the purpose of the program;
   36         defining terms; providing initial scholarship
   37         eligibility requirements; providing for the term of
   38         such scholarships; prohibiting certain students from
   39         scholarship eligibility; requiring school districts to
   40         inform specified households within their respective
   41         districts of their eligibility to receive a Family
   42         Empowerment Scholarship; requiring the Department of
   43         Education to provide the form to be used by school
   44         districts for that purpose; requiring school districts
   45         to notify certain students of specified information
   46         relating to statewide assessments; requiring school
   47         districts, upon the request of the department, to
   48         provide statewide assessments and related materials to
   49         certain private schools; providing requirements for
   50         the administration of statewide assessments at certain
   51         private schools; requiring school districts to publish
   52         information relating to the scholarship program on
   53         their respective websites; providing requirements for
   54         the published information; requiring the department to
   55         publish and update information relating to the program
   56         on the department website; requiring the department to
   57         cross-check specified information; providing
   58         requirements for private school participation in the
   59         program; providing requirements for participating
   60         students and their parents; providing obligations for
   61         participation of eligible scholarship-funding
   62         organizations in the program; providing the maximum
   63         number of students who may participate in the
   64         scholarship program, beginning with a specified school
   65         year; providing for subsequent increases in the
   66         authorized number of participating students; providing
   67         for the calculation of school district funding
   68         entitlement under the program; requiring school
   69         districts to report all students who attend a private
   70         school under the program; providing that such students
   71         must be reported separately for certain purposes;
   72         requiring the department to transfer funds from the
   73         General Revenue Fund to an account for the program;
   74         requiring that program funds for students entering a
   75         Department of Juvenile Justice commitment program be
   76         transferred from the school district in which the
   77         student last attended school before commitment;
   78         providing that the department must receive specified
   79         information relating to such students within a
   80         specified timeframe; requiring the Chief Financial
   81         Officer to make scholarship payments to the
   82         department; providing requirements for such payments;
   83         requiring the department to request from the
   84         Department of Financial Services a sample of certain
   85         endorsed warrants for a specified purpose; providing
   86         immunity from liability for the state; providing a
   87         scope of authority with regard to the regulation of
   88         private schools; requiring the state board to adopt
   89         rules; providing a requirement for such rules;
   90         providing an implementation schedule for a specified
   91         school year; providing additional eligibility
   92         requirements; requiring the Department of Education to
   93         expedite the publication of specified information on
   94         the department’s website; providing a deadline for a
   95         specified payment by the Chief Financial Officer;
   96         providing for the expiration of provisions related to
   97         a specified school year; amending s. 1002.385, F.S.;
   98         deleting the authorization for certain nonprofit
   99         scholarship-funding organizations to receive specified
  100         funds; amending s. 1002.395, F.S.; revising
  101         eligibility requirements under the Florida Tax Credit
  102         Scholarship Program for certain students; revising
  103         obligations of certain nonprofit scholarship-funding
  104         organizations relating to the program; revising a
  105         requirement for certain contributions to annually be
  106         used by a specified date to provide scholarships to
  107         eligible students; revising the calculation
  108         methodology to be used for the scholarship amount
  109         provided to certain students under the program;
  110         amending s. 1002.40, F.S.; revising the calculation
  111         methodology to be used for awards under the Hope
  112         Scholarship Program; conforming provisions to changes
  113         made by the act; specifying limitations on the amount
  114         of certain contributions which eligible scholarship
  115         funding organizations may carry forward to the
  116         following fiscal year; authorizing certain funds
  117         relating to the Hope Scholarship Program to be used to
  118         fund the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, under
  119         specified conditions; expanding the language required
  120         to be included on the contribution election form
  121         relating to the Hope Scholarship Program and the
  122         Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program; amending s.
  123         1002.411, F.S.; deleting obsolete language; revising
  124         the award of reading scholarship accounts to be
  125         provided in the General Appropriations Act; deleting
  126         the authorization for certain nonprofit scholarship
  127         funding organizations to receive specified funds;
  128         creating part VII of ch. 1003, F.S., entitled “Public
  129         School Innovation”; creating s. 1003.64, F.S.;
  130         providing legislative intent; creating the Community
  131         School Grant Program within the department; providing
  132         the purpose of the program; defining terms;
  133         establishing the Center for Community Schools within
  134         the University of Central Florida; authorizing the
  135         center to facilitate the implementation of its
  136         community school model through grants; providing
  137         duties for the center; providing that, in prioritizing
  138         planning grant awards, priority must be given to
  139         certain school districts; requiring the center to
  140         annually publish, by a specified date, specified
  141         information on its website; amending s. 1004.04, F.S.;
  142         revising requirements for the rules to establish
  143         uniform core curricula for state-approved teacher
  144         preparation programs; revising the evidence to be used
  145         in the determination of continued approval of teacher
  146         preparation programs; revising reporting requirements
  147         for public and private institutions that offer state
  148         approved teacher preparation programs; revising
  149         requirements for preservice field experience courses
  150         and internships; amending s. 1004.85, F.S.; revising
  151         requirements for educator preparation programs;
  152         revising requirements relating to annual performance
  153         evaluations that educator preparation institutes are
  154         required to submit to the department; amending s.
  155         1008.33, F.S.; authorizing a district-managed
  156         turnaround plan to include a proposal regarding the
  157         length and number of planned school days; making a
  158         technical change; amending s. 1011.62, F.S.; deleting
  159         a requirement for the total allocation of the
  160         federally connected student supplement to be prorated
  161         under specified circumstances; creating the Florida
  162         Best and Brightest Teacher and Principal Allocation;
  163         providing the purpose of the allocation; requiring
  164         that, subject to the appropriation of funds, each
  165         school district receive an allocation based on its
  166         proportional share of Florida Education Finance
  167         Program base funding; authorizing the Legislature to
  168         specify a minimum allocation; requiring school
  169         districts to provide specified awards to eligible
  170         teachers and principals from allocated funds;
  171         requiring school districts to prorate awards under
  172         certain circumstances; creating the turnaround school
  173         supplemental services allocation; providing a purpose;
  174         providing for services that may be funded by the
  175         allocation; authorizing school districts to enter into
  176         formal agreements with certain organizations to
  177         provide specified services to students and families;
  178         requiring a school district to submit a plan to its
  179         school board before distribution of the allocation;
  180         specifying requirements for such plans; requiring each
  181         school district to annually submit approved plans to
  182         the commissioner by a specified date; specifying the
  183         basis for each school district’s funding allocation;
  184         providing for a school’s continued eligibility for
  185         funding; amending s. 1011.71, F.S.; conforming a
  186         cross-reference and provisions to changes made by the
  187         act; amending s. 1012.56, F.S.; deleting obsolete
  188         language; requiring school districts to provide test
  189         support information to individuals who do not meet
  190         passing scores on any subtest of the general knowledge
  191         examination; deleting the requirement that an
  192         individual who holds a temporary certificate
  193         demonstrate mastery of general knowledge within a
  194         specified timeframe; removing the prohibition on
  195         employment for an individual who has not met specified
  196         requirements; expanding circumstances under which the
  197         State Board of Education is required to adopt rules to
  198         allow the department to extend the validity period of
  199         a temporary certificate; requiring the department to
  200         extend, rather than reissue, a temporary certificate
  201         in certain circumstances; amending s. 1012.59, F.S.;
  202         revising requirements for rulemaking by the state
  203         board relating to certification fees; deleting a
  204         requirement that an examination fee be sufficient to
  205         cover the actual cost of developing and administering
  206         the examination; amending s. 1012.731, F.S.; renaming
  207         the Florida Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarship
  208         Program as the Florida Best and Brightest Teacher
  209         Program; revising legislative intent relating to the
  210         program; deleting authority for the Department of
  211         Education to administer the program; specifying the
  212         funding source for the program; providing for
  213         recruitment, retention, and recognition awards;
  214         providing eligibility requirements; deleting a
  215         requirement for school districts to submit certain
  216         information to the department; deleting a requirement
  217         for the department to disburse scholarship funds to
  218         certain school districts; deleting a requirement for
  219         school districts to award specified scholarships;
  220         deleting a definition; amending s. 1012.732, F.S.;
  221         renaming the Florida Best and Brightest Principal
  222         Scholarship Program as the Florida Best and Brightest
  223         Principal Program; revising legislative intent
  224         relating to the program; deleting authority for the
  225         department to administer the program; specifying the
  226         funding source for the program; providing eligibility
  227         requirements; deleting a requirement for the
  228         department to identify eligible school principals and
  229         disburse funds; deleting a requirement for school
  230         districts to award scholarships to specified school
  231         principals; deleting a requirement for school
  232         districts to provide certain principals with
  233         additional authority and responsibilities; deleting a
  234         definition; amending s. 1013.31, F.S.; authorizing a
  235         school district, in the absence of a survey
  236         recommendation, to use funds from a taxpayer-approved
  237         bond referendum to fund construction of educational,
  238         auxiliary, or ancillary facilities and to use funds
  239         from a specified district school tax for certain
  240         capital outlay purposes; authorizing the commissioner
  241         to direct specified capital outlay funds to be
  242         withheld from school districts until a specified time;
  243         amending s. 1013.385, F.S.; revising voting
  244         requirements for adoption by a district school board
  245         of a resolution to implement exceptions to the
  246         educational facilities construction requirements;
  247         deleting actions required of district school boards
  248         before voting may take place; amending s. 1013.64,
  249         F.S.; authorizing certain school districts to request
  250         funding from a specified account before completion of
  251         certain requirements; revising the information
  252         required to be included in a school district’s request
  253         to receive certain funding; providing that specified
  254         restrictions do not apply to certain school districts;
  255         prohibiting district school boards from using
  256         specified funds to pay for any portion of the cost of
  257         certain new construction; requiring the department, in
  258         conjunction with the Office of Economic and
  259         Demographic Research, to annually review and adjust
  260         limits on the cost per student station, based on
  261         certain factors; requiring the department to use the
  262         adjusted cost per student station for each
  263         instructional level; requiring the department to
  264         collaborate with the office to select a certain index
  265         by a specified date; deleting a requirement that the
  266         department make the final determination on district
  267         compliance under specified circumstances; providing an
  268         exception to a prohibition on the usage of specified
  269         funds by district school boards; deleting obsolete
  270         language; revising the calculation methodology
  271         relating to a prohibition on funding for district
  272         school boards; deleting a requirement that school
  273         districts be subject to sanctions under certain
  274         circumstances; revising the costs that may be included
  275         and that may not be included in calculating the cost
  276         per student station; expanding the authority of the
  277         Department of Revenue to adopt emergency rules;
  278         providing that certain rules are effective for a
  279         specified length of time and may be renewed; providing
  280         an effective date; providing for future expiration;
  281         providing effective dates.
  282          
  283  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
  284  
  285         Section 1. Section 212.099, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  286  read:
  287         212.099 Credit for contributions to eligible nonprofit
  288  scholarship-funding organizations Florida Sales Tax Credit
  289  Scholarship Program.—
  290         (1) As used in this section, the term:
  291         (a) “Eligible business” means a tenant or person actually
  292  occupying, using, or entitled to the use of any property from
  293  which the rental or license fee is subject to taxation under s.
  294  212.031.
  295         (b) “Eligible contribution” or “contribution” means a
  296  monetary contribution from an eligible business to an eligible
  297  nonprofit scholarship-funding organization to be used pursuant
  298  to s. 1002.385 or s. 1002.395. The eligible business making the
  299  contribution may not designate a specific student as the
  300  beneficiary of the contribution.
  301         (c) “Eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization”
  302  or “organization” has the same meaning as provided in s.
  303  1002.395(2)(f).
  304         (2) An eligible business shall be granted a credit against
  305  the tax imposed under s. 212.031 and collected from the eligible
  306  business by a dealer. The credit shall be in an amount equal to
  307  100 percent of an eligible contribution made to an organization.
  308         (3) A dealer shall take a credit against the tax imposed
  309  under s. 212.031 in an amount equal to the credit taken by the
  310  eligible business under subsection (2).
  311         (4)(a) An eligible business must apply to the department
  312  for an allocation of tax credits under this section. The
  313  eligible business must specify in the application the state
  314  fiscal year during which the contribution will be made, the
  315  organization that will receive the contribution, the planned
  316  amount of the contribution, the address of the property from
  317  which the rental or license fee is subject to taxation under s.
  318  212.031, and the federal employer identification number of the
  319  dealer who collects the tax imposed under s. 212.031 from the
  320  eligible business and who will reduce collection of taxes from
  321  the eligible business pursuant to this section. The department
  322  shall approve allocations of tax credits on a first-come, first
  323  served basis and shall provide to the eligible business a
  324  separate approval or denial letter for each dealer for which the
  325  eligible business applied for an allocation of tax credits.
  326  Within 10 days after approving or denying an application, the
  327  department shall provide a copy of its approval or denial letter
  328  to the organization specified by the eligible business in the
  329  application. An approval letter must include the name and
  330  federal employer identification number of the dealer from whom a
  331  credit under this section can be taken and the amount of tax
  332  credits approved for use with that dealer.
  333         (b) Upon receipt of an eligible contribution, the
  334  organization shall provide the eligible business that made the
  335  contribution with a separate certificate of contribution for
  336  each dealer from whom a credit can be taken as approved under
  337  paragraph (a). A certificate of contribution must include the
  338  contributor’s name and, if available, federal employer
  339  identification number, the amount contributed, the date of
  340  contribution, the name of the organization, and the name and
  341  federal employer identification number of the dealer.
  342         (5) Each dealer that receives from an eligible business a
  343  copy of the department’s approval letter and a certificate of
  344  contribution, both of which identify the dealer as the dealer
  345  who collects the tax imposed under s. 212.031 from the eligible
  346  business and who will reduce collection of taxes from the
  347  eligible business pursuant to this section, shall reduce the tax
  348  collected from the eligible business under s. 212.031 by the
  349  total amount of contributions indicated in the certificate of
  350  contribution. The reduction may not exceed the amount of credit
  351  allocation approved by the department and may not exceed the
  352  amount of tax that would otherwise be collected from the
  353  eligible business by a dealer when a payment is made under the
  354  rental or license fee arrangement. However, payments by an
  355  eligible business to a dealer may not be reduced before October
  356  1, 2018.
  357         (a) If the total amount of credits an eligible business may
  358  take cannot be fully used within any period that a payment is
  359  due under the rental or license fee arrangement because of an
  360  insufficient amount of tax that the dealer would collect from
  361  the eligible business during that period, the unused amount may
  362  be carried forward for a period not to exceed 10 years.
  363         (b) A tax credit may not be claimed on an amended return or
  364  through a refund.
  365         (c) A dealer that claims a tax credit must file returns and
  366  pay taxes by electronic means under s. 213.755.
  367         (d) An eligible business may not convey, assign, or
  368  transfer an approved tax credit or a carryforward tax credit to
  369  another entity unless all of the assets of the eligible business
  370  are conveyed, assigned, or transferred in the same transaction
  371  and the successor business continues the same lease with the
  372  dealer.
  373         (e) Within any state fiscal year, an eligible business may
  374  rescind all or part of a tax credit approved under this section.
  375  The amount rescinded shall become available for that state
  376  fiscal year to another eligible business as approved by the
  377  department if the business receives notice from the department
  378  that the rescindment has been accepted by the department. Any
  379  amount rescinded under this subsection shall become available to
  380  an eligible business on a first-come, first-served basis based
  381  on tax credit applications received after the date the
  382  rescindment is accepted by the department.
  383         (f) Within 10 days after the rescindment of a tax credit
  384  under paragraph (e) is accepted by the department, the
  385  department shall notify the eligible nonprofit scholarship
  386  funding organization specified by the eligible business. The
  387  department shall also include the eligible nonprofit
  388  scholarship-funding organization specified by the eligible
  389  business on all letters or correspondence of acknowledgment for
  390  tax credits under this section.
  391         (6) An organization shall report to the department, on or
  392  before the 20th day of each month, the total amount of
  393  contributions received pursuant to subsection (4) in the
  394  preceding calendar month on a form provided by the department.
  395  Such report shall include the amount of contributions received
  396  during that reporting period and the federal employer
  397  identification number of each dealer associated with the
  398  contribution.
  399         (7)(a) Eligible contributions may be used to fund the
  400  program established under s. 1002.395 s. 1002.385 if funds
  401  appropriated in a state fiscal year for the program are
  402  insufficient to fund eligible students.
  403         (b)If the conditions in paragraph (a) are met, the
  404  organization shall first use eligible contributions received
  405  during a state fiscal year to fund scholarships for students in
  406  the priority set forth in s. 1002.385(12)(d). Remaining
  407  contributions may be used to fund scholarships for students
  408  eligible pursuant to s. 1002.395(3)(b)1. or 2.
  409         (b)(c) The organization shall separately account for each
  410  scholarship funded pursuant to this section.
  411         (d)Notwithstanding s. 1002.385(6)(b), any funds remaining
  412  from a closed scholarship account funded pursuant to this
  413  section shall be used to fund other scholarships pursuant to s.
  414  1002.385.
  415         (c)(e) The organization may, subject to the limitations of
  416  s. 1002.395(6)(j)1., use up to 3 percent of eligible
  417  contributions received during the state fiscal year in which
  418  such contributions are collected for administrative expenses.
  419         (8) The sum of tax credits that may be approved by the
  420  department in any state fiscal year is $57.5 million.
  421         (9) For purposes of the distributions of tax revenue under
  422  s. 212.20, the department shall disregard any tax credits
  423  allowed under this section to ensure that any reduction in tax
  424  revenue received that is attributable to the tax credits results
  425  only in a reduction in distributions to the General Revenue
  426  Fund.
  427         (10) The department may adopt rules to administer this
  428  section.
  429         Section 2. Section 212.1832, Florida Statutes, is amended
  430  to read:
  431         212.1832 Credit for contributions to eligible nonprofit
  432  scholarship-funding organizations the Hope Scholarship Program.—
  433         (1) The purchaser of a motor vehicle shall be granted a
  434  credit of 100 percent of an eligible contribution made to an
  435  eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization under s.
  436  1002.40 against any tax imposed by the state under this chapter
  437  and collected from the purchaser by a dealer, designated agent,
  438  or private tag agent as a result of the purchase or acquisition
  439  of a motor vehicle on or after October 1, 2018, except that a
  440  credit may not exceed the tax that would otherwise be collected
  441  from the purchaser by a dealer, designated agent, or private tag
  442  agent. For purposes of this subsection, the term “purchase” does
  443  not include the lease or rental of a motor vehicle.
  444         (2) A dealer shall take a credit against any tax imposed by
  445  the state under this chapter on the purchase of a motor vehicle
  446  in an amount equal to the credit granted to the purchaser under
  447  subsection (1).
  448         (3) For purposes of the distributions of tax revenue under
  449  s. 212.20, the department shall disregard any tax credits
  450  allowed under this section to ensure that any reduction in tax
  451  revenue received that is attributable to the tax credits results
  452  only in a reduction in distributions to the General Revenue
  453  Fund. The provisions of s. 1002.40 apply to the credit
  454  authorized by this section.
  455         Section 3. Paragraph (b) of subsection (6) of section
  456  1002.20, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  457         1002.20 K-12 student and parent rights.—Parents of public
  458  school students must receive accurate and timely information
  459  regarding their child’s academic progress and must be informed
  460  of ways they can help their child to succeed in school. K-12
  461  students and their parents are afforded numerous statutory
  462  rights including, but not limited to, the following:
  463         (6) EDUCATIONAL CHOICE.—
  464         (b) Private educational choices.—Parents of public school
  465  students may seek private educational choice options under
  466  certain programs established under chapter 1002.
  467         1. Under the McKay Scholarships for Students with
  468  Disabilities Program, the parent of a public school student with
  469  a disability may request and receive a McKay Scholarship for the
  470  student to attend a private school in accordance with s.
  471  1002.39.
  472         2. Under the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, the
  473  parent of a student who qualifies for free or reduced-price
  474  school lunch or who is currently placed, or during the previous
  475  state fiscal year was placed, in foster care as defined in s.
  476  39.01 may seek a scholarship from an eligible nonprofit
  477  scholarship-funding organization in accordance with s. 1002.395.
  478         3. Under the Florida Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts
  479  Program, the parent of a student with a qualifying disability
  480  may apply for a personal learning scholarship to be used for
  481  individual educational needs in accordance with s. 1002.385.
  482         Section 4. Paragraph (f) is added to subsection (7) of
  483  section 1002.33, Florida Statutes, to read:
  484         1002.33 Charter schools.—
  485         (7) CHARTER.—The terms and conditions for the operation of
  486  a charter school shall be set forth by the sponsor and the
  487  applicant in a written contractual agreement, called a charter.
  488  The sponsor and the governing board of the charter school shall
  489  use the standard charter contract pursuant to subsection (21),
  490  which shall incorporate the approved application and any addenda
  491  approved with the application. Any term or condition of a
  492  proposed charter contract that differs from the standard charter
  493  contract adopted by rule of the State Board of Education shall
  494  be presumed a limitation on charter school flexibility. The
  495  sponsor may not impose unreasonable rules or regulations that
  496  violate the intent of giving charter schools greater flexibility
  497  to meet educational goals. The charter shall be signed by the
  498  governing board of the charter school and the sponsor, following
  499  a public hearing to ensure community input.
  500         (f) A charter may include a provision requiring the charter
  501  school to be held responsible for all costs associated with, but
  502  not limited to, mediation, damages, and attorney fees incurred
  503  by the district in connection with complaints to the Office of
  504  Civil Rights or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
  505         Section 5. Subsections (1) and (4), paragraphs (b), (d),
  506  and (h) of subsection (5), subsection (10), and paragraphs (b)
  507  and (d) of subsection (11) of section 1002.333, Florida
  508  Statutes, are amended to read:
  509         1002.333 Persistently low-performing schools.—
  510         (1) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
  511         (a) “Florida Opportunity Zone” means a population census
  512  tract that has been designated by the United States Department
  513  of the Treasury as a Qualified Opportunity Zone pursuant to
  514  Internal Revenue Code s. 1400Z-1(b)(1)(B).
  515         (b)(a) “Hope operator” means an entity identified by the
  516  department pursuant to subsection (2).
  517         (c)(b) “Persistently low-performing school” means a school
  518  that has earned three consecutive grades lower than a “C,”
  519  pursuant to s. 1008.34, in at least 3 of the previous 5 years
  520  and has not earned a grade of “B” or higher in the most recent 2
  521  school years, and a school that was closed pursuant to s.
  522  1008.33(4) within 2 years after the submission of a notice of
  523  intent.
  524         (d)(c) “School of hope” means:
  525         1. A charter school operated by a hope operator which:
  526         a. Serves students from one or more persistently low
  527  performing schools and students who reside in a Florida
  528  Opportunity Zone;
  529         b. Is located in a Florida Opportunity Zone or in the
  530  attendance zone of a persistently low-performing school or
  531  within a 5-mile radius of such school, whichever is greater; and
  532         c. Is a Title I eligible school; or
  533         2. A school operated by a hope operator pursuant to s.
  534  1008.33(4)(b)3.
  535         (4) ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOLS OF HOPE.—A hope operator
  536  seeking to open a school of hope must submit a notice of intent
  537  to the school district in which a persistently low-performing
  538  school has been identified by the State Board of Education
  539  pursuant to subsection (10) or in which a Florida Opportunity
  540  Zone is located.
  541         (a) The notice of intent must include:
  542         1. An academic focus and plan.
  543         2. A financial plan.
  544         3. Goals and objectives for increasing student achievement
  545  for the students from low-income families.
  546         4. A completed or planned community outreach plan.
  547         5. The organizational history of success in working with
  548  students with similar demographics.
  549         6. The grade levels to be served and enrollment
  550  projections.
  551         7. The proposed location or geographic area proposed for
  552  the school consistent with the requirements of sub-subparagraphs
  553  (1)(d)1.a. and b and its proximity to the persistently low
  554  performing school.
  555         8. A staffing plan.
  556         (b) Notwithstanding the requirements of s. 1002.33, a
  557  school district shall enter into a performance-based agreement
  558  with a hope operator to open schools to serve students from
  559  persistently low-performing schools and students residing in a
  560  Florida Opportunity Zone.
  561         (5) PERFORMANCE-BASED AGREEMENT.—The following shall
  562  comprise the entirety of the performance-based agreement:
  563         (b) The location or geographic area proposed for the school
  564  of hope and its proximity to the persistently low-performing
  565  school, as applicable.
  566         (d) A plan of action and specific milestones for student
  567  recruitment and the enrollment of students from persistently
  568  low-performing schools and students residing in a Florida
  569  Opportunity Zone, including enrollment preferences and
  570  procedures for conducting transparent admissions lotteries that
  571  are open to the public. Students from persistently low
  572  performing schools and students residing in a Florida
  573  Opportunity Zone shall be exempt from any enrollment lottery to
  574  the extent permitted by federal grant requirements.
  575         (h) A provision allowing the hope operator to open
  576  additional schools to serve students enrolled in or zoned for a
  577  persistently low-performing school and students residing in a
  578  Florida Opportunity Zone if the hope operator maintains its
  579  status under subsection (3).
  580         (10) SCHOOLS OF HOPE PROGRAM.—The Schools of Hope Program
  581  is created within the Department of Education.
  582         (a) A school of hope is eligible to receive funds from the
  583  Schools of Hope Program for the following expenditures:
  584         1. Preparing teachers, school leaders, and specialized
  585  instructional support personnel, including costs associated
  586  with:
  587         a. Providing professional development.
  588         b. Hiring and compensating teachers, school leaders, and
  589  specialized instructional support personnel for services beyond
  590  the school day and year until the school reaches full enrollment
  591  in accordance with the performance-based agreement pursuant to
  592  subsection (5).
  593         2. Acquiring supplies, training, equipment, and educational
  594  materials, including developing and acquiring instructional
  595  materials.
  596         3. Providing one-time startup costs associated with
  597  providing transportation to students to and from the charter
  598  school.
  599         4. Carrying out community engagement activities, which may
  600  include paying the cost of student and staff recruitment.
  601         5. Providing funds to cover the nonvoted ad valorem millage
  602  that would otherwise be required for schools and the required
  603  local effort funds calculated pursuant to s. 1011.62 when the
  604  state board enters into an agreement with a hope operator
  605  pursuant to subsection (5).
  606         6. Providing funds for the initial leasing costs of a
  607  school facility in the event the department determines that a
  608  suitable district-owned facility is unavailable or not leased in
  609  a timely manner pursuant to paragraph (7)(d).
  610  
  611  In the event a school of hope is dissolved or is otherwise
  612  terminated, all property, furnishings, and equipment purchased
  613  with public funds shall automatically revert to full ownership
  614  by the district school board, subject to complete satisfaction
  615  of any lawful liens or encumbrances. Any unencumbered public
  616  funds from the school of hope, district school board property
  617  and improvements, furnishings, and equipment purchased with
  618  public funds, or financial or other records pertaining to the
  619  school of hope, in the possession of any person, entity, or
  620  holding company, other than the charter school, shall be held in
  621  trust upon the district school board’s request, until any appeal
  622  status is resolved.
  623         (b) A traditional public school that is required to submit
  624  a plan for implementation pursuant to s. 1008.33(4) is eligible
  625  to receive up to $2,000 per full-time equivalent student from
  626  the Schools of Hope Program based upon the strength of the
  627  school’s plan for implementation and its focus on evidence-based
  628  interventions that lead to student success by providing wrap
  629  around services that leverage community assets, improve school
  630  and community collaboration, and develop family and community
  631  partnerships. Wrap-around services include, but are not limited
  632  to, tutorial and after-school programs, student counseling,
  633  nutrition education, parental counseling, and adult education.
  634  Plans for implementation may also include models that develop a
  635  culture of attending college, high academic expectations,
  636  character development, dress codes, and an extended school day
  637  and school year. At a minimum, a plan for implementation must:
  638         1. Establish wrap-around services that develop family and
  639  community partnerships.
  640         2. Establish clearly defined and measurable high academic
  641  and character standards.
  642         3. Increase parental involvement and engagement in the
  643  child’s education.
  644         4. Describe how the school district will identify, recruit,
  645  retain, and reward instructional personnel. The state board may
  646  waive the requirements of s. 1012.22(1)(c)5., and suspend the
  647  requirements of s. 1012.34, to facilitate implementation of the
  648  plan.
  649         5. Identify a knowledge-rich curriculum that the school
  650  will use that focuses on developing a student’s background
  651  knowledge.
  652         6. Provide professional development that focuses on
  653  academic rigor, direct instruction, and creating high academic
  654  and character standards.
  655         (c) The state board shall:
  656         1. Provide awards for up to 25 schools and prioritize
  657  awards for plans submitted pursuant to paragraph (b) that are
  658  based on whole school transformation and that are developed in
  659  consultation with the school’s principal.
  660         2. Annually report on the implementation of this subsection
  661  in the report required by s. 1008.345(5), and provide summarized
  662  academic performance reports of each traditional public school
  663  receiving funds.
  664         (d) Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351,
  665  funds allocated for the purpose of this subsection which are not
  666  disbursed by June 30 of the fiscal year in which the funds are
  667  allocated may be carried forward for up to 5 years after the
  668  effective date of the original appropriation.
  669         (11) STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AUTHORITY AND OBLIGATIONS.
  670  Pursuant to Art. IX of the State Constitution, which prescribes
  671  the duty of the State Board of Education to supervise the public
  672  school system, the State Board of Education shall:
  673         (b) Adopt a standard notice of intent and performance-based
  674  agreement that must be used by hope operators and district
  675  school boards to eliminate regulatory and bureaucratic barriers
  676  that delay access to high quality schools for students in
  677  persistently low-performing schools and students residing in
  678  Florida Opportunity Zones.
  679         (d) Provide students in persistently low-performing schools
  680  and students residing in Florida Opportunity Zones with a public
  681  school that meets accountability standards. The State Board of
  682  Education may enter into a performance-based agreement with a
  683  hope operator when a school district has not improved the school
  684  after 3 years of the interventions and support provided under s.
  685  1008.33 or has not complied with the requirements of subsection
  686  (4). Upon the State Board of Education entering into a
  687  performance-based agreement with a hope operator, the school
  688  district shall transfer to the school of hope the proportionate
  689  share of state funds allocated from the Florida Education
  690  Finance Program.
  691         Section 6. Section 1002.394, Florida Statutes, is created
  692  to read:
  693         1002.394The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.—
  694         (1) PURPOSE.—The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program is
  695  established to provide children of families in this state which
  696  have limited financial resources with educational options to
  697  achieve success in their education.
  698         (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
  699         (a) “Department” means the Department of Education.
  700         (b) “Eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization”
  701  has the same meaning as provided in s. 1002.395(2)(f).
  702         (c) “Eligible private school” has the same meaning as
  703  provided in s. 1002.395(2)(g).
  704         (d) “Parent” means a resident of this state who is a
  705  parent, as defined in s. 1000.21.
  706         (e) “Program” means the Family Empowerment Scholarship
  707  Program.
  708         (3) INITIAL SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY.—A student is eligible
  709  for a Family Empowerment Scholarship under this section if the
  710  student meets the following criteria:
  711         (a)1.The student is on the direct certification list
  712  pursuant to s. 1002.395(2)(c) or the student’s household income
  713  level does not exceed 300 percent of the federal poverty level;
  714  or
  715         2. The student is currently placed, or during the previous
  716  state fiscal year was placed, in foster care or in out-of-home
  717  care as defined in s. 39.01.
  718  
  719  Priority shall be given to students whose household income
  720  levels do not exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty level or
  721  who are in foster care or out-of-home care. A student who
  722  initially receives a scholarship based on eligibility under
  723  subparagraph 2. remains eligible to participate until the
  724  student graduates from high school or attains the age of 21
  725  years, whichever occurs first, regardless of the student’s
  726  household income level. A sibling of a student who is
  727  participating in the scholarship program under this subsection
  728  is eligible for a scholarship if the student resides in the same
  729  household as the sibling.
  730         (b)The student is eligible to enroll in kindergarten or
  731  has spent the prior school year in attendance at a Florida
  732  public school. For purposes of this paragraph, prior school year
  733  in attendance means that the student was enrolled and reported
  734  by a school district for funding during the preceding October
  735  and February Florida Education Finance Program surveys in
  736  kindergarten through grade 12, which includes time spent in a
  737  Department of Juvenile Justice commitment program if funded
  738  under the Florida Education Finance Program.
  739  
  740  However, a dependent child of a member of the United States
  741  Armed Forces who transfers to a school in this state from out of
  742  state or from a foreign country due to a parent’s permanent
  743  change of station orders or a foster child is exempt from the
  744  prior public school attendance requirement under this paragraph,
  745  but must meet the other eligibility requirements specified under
  746  this section to participate in the program.
  747         (c) The parent has obtained acceptance for admission of the
  748  student to a private school that is eligible for the program
  749  under subsection (8) and the parent has requested a scholarship
  750  from the Department of Education at least 60 days before the
  751  date of the first scholarship payment. The request must be
  752  communicated directly to the department in a manner that creates
  753  a written or electronic record of the request and the date of
  754  receipt of the request. The department must notify the school
  755  district of the parent’s intent upon receipt of the parent’s
  756  request.
  757         (4) TERM OF SCHOLARSHIP.—
  758         (a) For purposes of continuity of educational choice, a
  759  Family Empowerment Scholarship shall remain in force until the
  760  student returns to a public school, graduates from high school,
  761  or reaches the age of 21, whichever occurs first. A scholarship
  762  student who enrolls in a public school or public school program
  763  is considered to have returned to a public school for the
  764  purpose of determining the end of the scholarship’s term.
  765  However, if a student enters a Department of Juvenile Justice
  766  detention center for a period of no more than 21 days, the
  767  student is not considered to have returned to a public school
  768  for that purpose.
  769         (b) Upon reasonable notice to the department and the school
  770  district, the student’s parent may remove the student from the
  771  private school and place the student in a public school in
  772  accordance with this section.
  773         (c) Upon reasonable notice to the department, the student’s
  774  parent may move the student from one participating private
  775  school to another participating private school.
  776         (5) SCHOLARSHIP PROHIBITIONS.—A student is not eligible for
  777  a Family Empowerment Scholarship while he or she is:
  778         (a) Enrolled in a public school, including, but not limited
  779  to, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind; the College
  780  Preparatory Boarding Academy; a developmental research school
  781  authorized under s. 1002.32; or a charter school authorized
  782  under chapter 1002;
  783         (b) Enrolled in a school operating for the purpose of
  784  providing educational services to youth in a Department of
  785  Juvenile Justice commitment program;
  786         (c) Receiving any other educational scholarship pursuant to
  787  this chapter;
  788         (d) Participating in a home education program as defined in
  789  s. 1002.01(1);
  790         (e) Participating in a private tutoring program pursuant to
  791  s. 1002.43; or
  792         (f) Participating in a virtual school, correspondence
  793  school, or distance learning program that receives state funding
  794  pursuant to the student’s participation.
  795         (6) SCHOOL DISTRICT OBLIGATIONS.—
  796         (a) By July 15, 2019, and by April 1 of each year
  797  thereafter, a school district shall inform all households within
  798  the district receiving free or reduced-priced meals under the
  799  National School Lunch Act of their eligibility to apply to the
  800  department for a Family Empowerment Scholarship. The form of
  801  such notice shall be provided by the department, and the school
  802  district shall include the provided form in any normal
  803  correspondence with eligible households. Such notice is limited
  804  to once a year.
  805         (b) The school district in which a participating student
  806  resides must notify the student and his or her parent about the
  807  locations and times to take all statewide assessments under s.
  808  1008.22 if the student chooses to participate in such
  809  assessments. Upon the request of the department, a school
  810  district shall coordinate with the department to provide to a
  811  participating private school the statewide assessments
  812  administered under s. 1008.22 and any related materials for
  813  administering the assessments. For a student who participates in
  814  the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program whose parent requests
  815  that the student take the statewide assessments under s.
  816  1008.22, the district in which the student attends a private
  817  school shall provide locations and times to take all statewide
  818  assessments. A school district is responsible for implementing
  819  test administrations at a participating private school,
  820  including the:
  821         1. Provision of training for private school staff on test
  822  security and assessment administration procedures;
  823         2. Distribution of testing materials to a private school;
  824         3. Retrieval of testing materials from a private school;
  825         4. Provision of the required format for a private school to
  826  submit information to the district for test administration and
  827  enrollment purposes; and
  828         5. Provision of any required assistance, monitoring, or
  829  investigation at a private school.
  830         (c) Each school district must publish information about the
  831  Family Empowerment Scholarship Program on the district’s website
  832  homepage. At a minimum, the published information must include a
  833  website link to the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program
  834  published on the Department of Education website as well as a
  835  telephone number and e-mail that students and parents may use to
  836  contact relevant personnel in the school district to obtain
  837  information about the scholarship.
  838         (7) DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OBLIGATIONS.—The department
  839  shall:
  840         (a) Publish and update, as necessary, information on the
  841  department website about the Family Empowerment Scholarship
  842  Program, including, but not limited to, student eligibility
  843  criteria, parental responsibilities, and relevant data.
  844         (b)Cross-check the list of participating scholarship
  845  students with the public school enrollment lists before each
  846  scholarship payment to avoid duplication.
  847         (8) PRIVATE SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY AND OBLIGATIONS.—To be
  848  eligible to participate in the Family Empowerment Scholarship
  849  Program, a private school may be sectarian or nonsectarian and
  850  must:
  851         (a) Comply with all requirements for private schools
  852  participating in state school choice scholarship programs
  853  pursuant to s. 1002.421.
  854         (b) Provide to the department all documentation required
  855  for a student’s participation, including the private school’s
  856  and student’s fee schedules, at least 30 days before any
  857  quarterly scholarship payment is made for the student pursuant
  858  to paragraph (11)(f). A student is not eligible to receive a
  859  quarterly scholarship payment if the private school fails to
  860  meet this deadline.
  861         (c)1.Annually administer or make provision for students
  862  participating in the program in grades 3 through 10 to take one
  863  of the nationally norm-referenced tests identified by the
  864  department or to take the statewide assessments pursuant to s.
  865  1008.22. Students with disabilities for whom standardized
  866  testing is not appropriate are exempt from this requirement. A
  867  participating private school shall report a student’s scores to
  868  his or her parent.
  869         2.Administer the statewide assessments pursuant to s.
  870  1008.22 if the private school chooses to offer the statewide
  871  assessments. A participating private school may choose to offer
  872  and administer the statewide assessments to all students who
  873  attend the private school in grades 3 through 10 and must submit
  874  a request in writing to the department by March 1 of each year
  875  in order to administer the statewide assessments in the
  876  subsequent school year.
  877  
  878  If a private school fails to meet the requirements of this
  879  subsection or s. 1002.421, the commissioner may determine that
  880  the private school is ineligible to participate in the
  881  scholarship program.
  882         (9) PARENT AND STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PROGRAM
  883  PARTICIPATION.—A parent who applies for a Family Empowerment
  884  Scholarship is exercising his or her parental option to place
  885  his or her child in a private school.
  886         (a) The parent must select the private school and apply for
  887  the admission of his or her student.
  888         (b) The parent must request the scholarship at least 60
  889  days before the date of the first scholarship payment.
  890         (c)The parent must inform the applicable school district
  891  when the parent withdraws his or her student from a public
  892  school to attend an eligible private school.
  893         (d) Any student participating in the program must remain in
  894  attendance throughout the school year unless excused by the
  895  school for illness or other good cause.
  896         (e) Before enrolling in a private school, a student and his
  897  or her parent or guardian must meet with the private school’s
  898  principal or the principal’s designee to review the school’s
  899  academic programs and policies, customized educational programs,
  900  code of student conduct, and attendance policies.
  901         (f) The parent shall ensure that the student participating
  902  in the scholarship program takes the norm-referenced assessment
  903  offered by the private school. The parent may also choose to
  904  have the student participate in the statewide assessments
  905  pursuant to paragraph (6)(b).
  906         (g) If the parent requests that the student participating
  907  in the program take all statewide assessments required pursuant
  908  to s. 1008.22, the parent is responsible for transporting the
  909  student to the assessment site designated by the school
  910  district.
  911         (h) Upon receipt of a scholarship warrant, the parent to
  912  whom the warrant is issued must restrictively endorse the
  913  warrant to the private school for deposit into the private
  914  school’s account. The parent may not designate any entity or
  915  individual associated with the participating private school as
  916  the parent’s attorney in fact to endorse a scholarship warrant.
  917  A participant who fails to comply with this paragraph forfeits
  918  the scholarship.
  919         (10) OBLIGATIONS OF ELIGIBLE SCHOLARSHIP-FUNDING
  920  ORGANIZATIONS.—An eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding
  921  organization:
  922         (a)Shall verify the household income level of students
  923  pursuant to subparagraph (3)(a)1. and submit the verified list
  924  of students and related documentation to the department.
  925         (b) May, from eligible contributions received pursuant to
  926  s. 1002.395(6)(j)1., use an amount not to exceed 1 percent of
  927  the total amount of all scholarships awarded under this section
  928  for administrative expenses associated with performing functions
  929  under this section. Such administrative expense amount is
  930  considered within the 3 percent limit on the total amount an
  931  organization may use to administer scholarships under this
  932  chapter.
  933         (c) Must, in a timely manner, submit any information
  934  requested by the department relating to the scholarship under
  935  this section.
  936         (d)Must notify the department about any violation of this
  937  section by a parent or a private school.
  938         (11) SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING AND PAYMENT.—
  939         (a) The scholarship is established for up to 18,000
  940  students annually on a first-come, first-served basis beginning
  941  with the 2019-2020 school year. Beginning in the 2020-2021
  942  school year, the number of students participating in the
  943  scholarship program under this section may annually increase by
  944  0.25 percent of the state’s total public school student
  945  enrollment.
  946         (b) The scholarship amount provided to a student for any
  947  single school year shall be for tuition and fees for an eligible
  948  private school, not to exceed annual limits, which shall be
  949  determined in accordance with this paragraph. The calculated
  950  amount for a student to attend an eligible private school shall
  951  be based upon the grade level and school district in which the
  952  student was assigned as 95 percent of the funds per unweighted
  953  full-time equivalent in the Florida Education Finance Program
  954  for a student in the basic program established pursuant to s.
  955  1011.62(1)(c)1., plus a per-full-time equivalent share of funds
  956  for all categorical programs, except for the Exceptional Student
  957  Education Guaranteed Allocation.
  958         (c) The amount of the Family Empowerment Scholarship shall
  959  be the calculated amount or the amount of the private school’s
  960  tuition and fees, whichever is less. The amount of any
  961  assessment fee required by the participating private school may
  962  be paid from the total amount of the scholarship.
  963         (d) The school district shall report all students who are
  964  attending a private school under this program. The students
  965  attending private schools on Family Empowerment Scholarships
  966  shall be reported separately from other students reported for
  967  purposes of the Florida Education Finance Program.
  968         (e) Following notification on July 1, September 1, December
  969  1, or February 1 of the number of program participants, the
  970  department shall transfer, from general revenue funds only, the
  971  amount calculated pursuant to paragraph (b) to a separate
  972  account for the scholarship program for quarterly disbursement
  973  to parents of participating students. For a student exiting a
  974  Department of Juvenile Justice commitment program who chooses to
  975  participate in the scholarship program, the amount of the Family
  976  Empowerment Scholarship calculated pursuant to paragraph (b)
  977  must be transferred from the school district in which the
  978  student last attended a public school before commitment to the
  979  Department of Juvenile Justice. When a student enters the
  980  scholarship program, the department must receive all
  981  documentation required for the student’s participation,
  982  including the private school’s and the student’s fee schedules,
  983  at least 30 days before the first quarterly scholarship payment
  984  is made for the student.
  985         (f) Upon notification by the department that it has
  986  received the documentation required under paragraph (e), the
  987  Chief Financial Officer shall make scholarship payments in four
  988  equal amounts no later than September 1, November 1, February 1,
  989  and April 1 of each school year in which the scholarship is in
  990  force. The initial payment shall be made after department
  991  verification of admission acceptance, and subsequent payments
  992  shall be made upon verification of continued enrollment and
  993  attendance at the private school. Payment must be by individual
  994  warrant made payable to the student’s parent and mailed by the
  995  department to the private school of the parent’s choice, and the
  996  parent shall restrictively endorse the warrant to the private
  997  school for deposit into the account of the private school.
  998         (g) Subsequent to each scholarship payment, the department
  999  shall request from the Department of Financial Services a sample
 1000  of endorsed warrants to review and confirm compliance with
 1001  endorsement requirements.
 1002         (12) LIABILITY.—No liability shall arise on the part of the
 1003  state based on the award or use of a Family Empowerment
 1004  Scholarship.
 1005         (13) SCOPE OF AUTHORITY.—The inclusion of eligible private
 1006  schools within the options available to Florida public school
 1007  students does not expand the regulatory authority of the state,
 1008  its officers, or any school district to impose any additional
 1009  regulation of private schools beyond those reasonably necessary
 1010  to enforce requirements expressly set forth in this section.
 1011         (14) RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt rules
 1012  pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer this
 1013  section. The state board rules must include a requirement that
 1014  the department work collaboratively with an approved
 1015  scholarship-funding organization to expedite the process for the
 1016  verification and reporting obligations specified under
 1017  subsection (10).
 1018         (15)IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE FOR THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL
 1019  YEAR.—Notwithstanding the provisions of this section related to
 1020  notification requirements and eligibility timelines, for the
 1021  2019-2020 school year:
 1022         (a) A student is eligible for a Family Empowerment
 1023  Scholarship under this section if the student’s parent has
 1024  obtained acceptance of the student’s admission to a private
 1025  school that is eligible for the program under subsection (8) and
 1026  the parent has requested a scholarship from the Department of
 1027  Education no later than August 15, 2019. The request must be
 1028  communicated directly to the department in a manner that creates
 1029  a written or electronic record of the request and the date of
 1030  receipt of the request.
 1031         (b) The department shall expedite the publication of
 1032  information relevant to the Family Empowerment Scholarship
 1033  Program on the department’s website, including, but not limited
 1034  to, the eligibility criteria for students to qualify for the
 1035  scholarship under this section and how parents may request the
 1036  scholarship. The department must immediately notify the school
 1037  district of the parent’s intent upon receipt of the parent’s
 1038  request.
 1039         (c) Upon notification by the department that it has
 1040  received the documentation required under paragraph (10)(a), the
 1041  Chief Financial Officer shall make the first quarter payment of
 1042  scholarships no later than October 1, 2019.
 1043  
 1044  This subsection shall expire June 30, 2020.
 1045         Section 7. Paragraph (g) of subsection (13) of section
 1046  1002.385, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1047         1002.385 The Gardiner Scholarship.—
 1048         (13) FUNDING AND PAYMENT.—
 1049         (g)In addition to funds appropriated for scholarship
 1050  awards and subject to a separate, specific legislative
 1051  appropriation, an organization may receive an amount equivalent
 1052  to not more than 3 percent of the amount of each scholarship
 1053  award from state funds for administrative expenses if the
 1054  organization has operated as a nonprofit entity for at least the
 1055  preceding 3 fiscal years and did not have any findings of
 1056  material weakness or material noncompliance in its most recent
 1057  audit under s. 1002.395(6)(m). Such administrative expenses must
 1058  be reasonable and necessary for the organization’s management
 1059  and distribution of scholarships under this section. Funds
 1060  authorized under this paragraph may not be used for lobbying or
 1061  political activity or expenses related to lobbying or political
 1062  activity. An organization may not charge an application fee for
 1063  a scholarship. Administrative expenses may not be deducted from
 1064  funds appropriated for scholarship awards.
 1065         Section 8. Subsection (3), paragraphs (d) and (j) of
 1066  subsection (6), and paragraph (a) of subsection (11) of section
 1067  1002.395, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1068         1002.395 Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program.—
 1069         (3) PROGRAM; SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY.—
 1070         (a) The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program is
 1071  established.
 1072         (b) A student is eligible for a Florida tax credit
 1073  scholarship under this section if the student meets one or more
 1074  of the following criteria:
 1075         1. The student is on the direct certification list or the
 1076  student’s household income level does not exceed 185 percent of
 1077  the federal poverty level; or
 1078         2. The student is currently placed, or during the previous
 1079  state fiscal year was placed, in foster care or in out-of-home
 1080  care as defined in s. 39.01.
 1081         3. The student’s household income level is greater than 185
 1082  percent of the federal poverty level but does not exceed 260
 1083  percent of the federal poverty level.
 1084  
 1085  A student who initially receives a scholarship based on
 1086  eligibility under subparagraph (b)2. remains eligible to
 1087  participate until the student graduates from high school or
 1088  attains the age of 21 years, whichever occurs first, regardless
 1089  of the student’s household income level. A student who initially
 1090  received a scholarship based on income eligibility before the
 1091  2019-2020 school year remains eligible to participate until he
 1092  or she graduates from high school, attains the age of 21 years,
 1093  or the student’s household income level exceeds 260 percent of
 1094  the federal poverty level, whichever occurs first. A sibling of
 1095  a student who is participating in the scholarship program under
 1096  this subsection is eligible for a scholarship if the student
 1097  resides in the same household as the sibling.
 1098         (6) OBLIGATIONS OF ELIGIBLE NONPROFIT SCHOLARSHIP-FUNDING
 1099  ORGANIZATIONS.—An eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding
 1100  organization:
 1101         (d) Must provide scholarships, from eligible contributions,
 1102  to eligible students for the cost of:
 1103         1. Tuition and fees for an eligible private school; or
 1104         2. Transportation to a Florida public school in which a
 1105  student is enrolled and that is different from the school to
 1106  which the student was assigned that is located outside the
 1107  district in which the student resides or to a lab school as
 1108  defined in s. 1002.32.
 1109         (j)1. May use up to 3 percent of eligible contributions
 1110  received pursuant to this section and ss. 212.099, 212.1832, and
 1111  1002.40 during the state fiscal year in which such contributions
 1112  are collected for administrative expenses if the organization
 1113  has operated as an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding
 1114  organization for at least the preceding 3 fiscal years and did
 1115  not have any findings of material weakness or material
 1116  noncompliance in its most recent audit under paragraph (m).
 1117  Administrative expenses from eligible contributions may not
 1118  exceed 3 percent of the total amount of all scholarships awarded
 1119  by an eligible scholarship-funding organization under this
 1120  chapter. Such administrative expenses must be reasonable and
 1121  necessary for the organization’s management and distribution of
 1122  scholarships awarded eligible contributions under this chapter
 1123  section. No funds authorized under this subparagraph shall be
 1124  used for lobbying or political activity or expenses related to
 1125  lobbying or political activity. Up to one-third of the funds
 1126  authorized for administrative expenses under this subparagraph
 1127  may be used for expenses related to the recruitment of
 1128  contributions from taxpayers. An eligible nonprofit scholarship
 1129  funding organization may not charge an application fee.
 1130         2. Must expend for annual or partial-year scholarships an
 1131  amount equal to or greater than 75 percent of the net eligible
 1132  contributions remaining after administrative expenses during the
 1133  state fiscal year in which such contributions are collected. No
 1134  more than 25 percent of such net eligible contributions may be
 1135  carried forward to the following state fiscal year. All amounts
 1136  carried forward, for audit purposes, must be specifically
 1137  identified for particular students, by student name and the name
 1138  of the school to which the student is admitted, subject to the
 1139  requirements of ss. 1002.22 and 1002.221 and 20 U.S.C. s. 1232g,
 1140  and the applicable rules and regulations issued pursuant
 1141  thereto. Any amounts carried forward shall be expended for
 1142  annual or partial-year scholarships in the following state
 1143  fiscal year. No later than September 30 of each year, net
 1144  eligible contributions remaining on June 30 of each year that
 1145  are in excess of the 25 percent that may be carried forward
 1146  shall be used to provide scholarships to eligible students or
 1147  transferred to other eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding
 1148  organizations to provide scholarships for eligible students. All
 1149  transferred funds must be deposited by each eligible nonprofit
 1150  scholarship-funding organization receiving such funds into its
 1151  scholarship account. All transferred amounts received by any
 1152  eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization must be
 1153  separately disclosed in the annual financial audit required
 1154  under paragraph (m).
 1155         3. Must, before granting a scholarship for an academic
 1156  year, document each scholarship student’s eligibility for that
 1157  academic year. A scholarship-funding organization may not grant
 1158  multiyear scholarships in one approval process.
 1159  
 1160  Information and documentation provided to the Department of
 1161  Education and the Auditor General relating to the identity of a
 1162  taxpayer that provides an eligible contribution under this
 1163  section shall remain confidential at all times in accordance
 1164  with s. 213.053.
 1165         (11) SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT AND PAYMENT.—
 1166         (a) Except as provided in subparagraph 2., The scholarship
 1167  amount provided to any student for any single school year by an
 1168  eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization from
 1169  eligible contributions shall be for total costs authorized under
 1170  paragraph (6)(d), not to exceed annual limits, which shall be
 1171  determined as follows:
 1172         1.a.For The base amount awarded to a student who received
 1173  a scholarship in the 2018-2019 school year, who remains
 1174  eligible, and who is enrolled in an eligible private school, the
 1175  amount shall be the greater amount calculated pursuant to
 1176  subparagraph 2. or determined as a percentage of the unweighted
 1177  FTE funding amount for the 2018-2019 that state fiscal year and
 1178  thereafter as follows:
 1179         a.(I) Eighty-eight percent for a student enrolled in
 1180  kindergarten through grade 5.
 1181         b.(II) Ninety-two percent for a student enrolled in grade 6
 1182  through grade 8.
 1183         c.(III) Ninety-six percent for a student enrolled in grade
 1184  9 through grade 12.
 1185         2. For students initially eligible in the 2019-2020 school
 1186  year or thereafter, the calculated amount for a student to
 1187  attend an eligible private school shall be based upon the grade
 1188  level and school district in which the student resides as 95
 1189  percent of the funds per unweighted full-time equivalent in the
 1190  Florida Education Finance Program for a student in the basic
 1191  program established pursuant to s. 1011.62(1)(c)1., plus a per
 1192  full-time equivalent share of funds for all categorical
 1193  programs, except for the Exceptional Student Education
 1194  Guaranteed Allocation.
 1195         3.b. The scholarship amount awarded to a student enrolled
 1196  in a Florida public school in which a student is enrolled and
 1197  that is different from the school to which the student was
 1198  assigned that is located outside the district in which the
 1199  student resides or in a lab school as defined in s. 1002.32, is
 1200  limited to $750.
 1201         2. The annual limit for a scholarship under sub
 1202  subparagraph 1.a. shall be reduced by:
 1203         a. Twelve percent if the student’s household income level
 1204  is greater than or equal to 200 percent, but less than 215
 1205  percent, of the federal poverty level.
 1206         b. Twenty-six percent if the student’s household income
 1207  level is greater than or equal to 215 percent, but less than 230
 1208  percent, of the federal poverty level.
 1209         c. Forty percent if the student’s household income level is
 1210  greater than or equal to 230 percent, but less than 245 percent,
 1211  of the federal poverty level.
 1212         d. Fifty percent if the student’s household income level is
 1213  greater than or equal to 245 percent, but less than or equal to
 1214  260 percent, of the federal poverty level.
 1215         Section 9. Effective upon becoming a law, paragraph (i) is
 1216  added to subsection (11) of section 1002.40, Florida Statutes,
 1217  and paragraphs (a) and (g) of subsection (11) and paragraph (a)
 1218  of subsection (13) of that section are amended, to read:
 1219         1002.40 The Hope Scholarship Program.—
 1220         (11) FUNDING AND PAYMENT.—
 1221         (a) For students initially eligible in the 2019-2020 school
 1222  year or thereafter, the calculated amount for a student to
 1223  attend an eligible private school shall be based upon the grade
 1224  level and school district in which the student was assigned as
 1225  95 percent of the funds per unweighted full-time equivalent in
 1226  the Florida Education Finance Program for a student in the basic
 1227  program established pursuant to s. 1011.62(1)(c)1., plus a per
 1228  full-time equivalent share of funds for all categorical
 1229  programs, except for the Exceptional Student Education
 1230  Guaranteed Allocation. The maximum amount awarded to a student
 1231  enrolled in an eligible private school shall be determined as a
 1232  percentage of the unweighted FTE funding amount for that state
 1233  fiscal year and thereafter as follows:
 1234         1.Eighty-eight percent for a student enrolled in
 1235  kindergarten through grade 5.
 1236         2.Ninety-two percent for a student enrolled in grade 6
 1237  through grade 8.
 1238         3.Ninety-six percent for a student enrolled in grade 9
 1239  through grade 12.
 1240         (g) An eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization,
 1241  subject to the limitations of s. 1002.395(6)(j)1., may use up to
 1242  3 percent of eligible contributions received during the state
 1243  fiscal year in which such contributions are collected for
 1244  administrative expenses if the organization has operated as an
 1245  eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization for at least
 1246  the preceding 3 fiscal years and did not have any findings of
 1247  material weakness or material noncompliance in its most recent
 1248  audit under s. 1002.395(6)(m). Such administrative expenses must
 1249  be reasonable and necessary for the organization’s management
 1250  and distribution of eligible contributions under this section.
 1251  Funds authorized under this paragraph may not be used for
 1252  lobbying or political activity or expenses related to lobbying
 1253  or political activity. Up to one-third of the funds authorized
 1254  for administrative expenses under this paragraph may be used for
 1255  expenses related to the recruitment of contributions. An
 1256  eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization may not
 1257  charge an application fee.
 1258         (i)Notwithstanding s. 1002.395(6)(j)2., no more than 5
 1259  percent of net eligible contributions may be carried forward to
 1260  the following state fiscal year by an eligible scholarship
 1261  funding organization. For audit purposes, all amounts carried
 1262  forward must be specifically identified for individual students
 1263  by student name and by the name of the school to which the
 1264  student is admitted, subject to the requirements of ss. 1002.21
 1265  and 1002.22 and 20 U.S.C. s. 1232g, and the applicable rules and
 1266  regulations issued pursuant to such requirements. Any amounts
 1267  carried forward shall be expended for annual scholarships or
 1268  partial-year scholarships in the following state fiscal year.
 1269  Net eligible contributions remaining on June 30 of each year
 1270  which are in excess of the 5 percent that may be carried forward
 1271  shall be transferred to other eligible nonprofit scholarship
 1272  funding organizations participating in the Hope Scholarship
 1273  Program to provide scholarships for eligible students. All
 1274  transferred funds must be deposited by each eligible nonprofit
 1275  scholarship-funding organization receiving such funds into the
 1276  scholarship account of eligible students. All transferred
 1277  amounts received by an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding
 1278  organization must be separately disclosed in the annual
 1279  financial audit requirement under s. 1002.395(6)(m). If no other
 1280  eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization participates
 1281  in the Hope Scholarship Program, net eligible contributions in
 1282  excess of the 5 percent may be used to fund scholarships for
 1283  students eligible under s. 1002.395(3).
 1284         (13) SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING TAX CREDITS.—
 1285         (a) A tax credit is available under s. 212.1832(1) for use
 1286  by a person that makes an eligible contribution. Eligible
 1287  contributions shall be used to fund scholarships under this
 1288  section and may be used to fund scholarships under s. 1002.395.
 1289  Each eligible contribution is limited to a single payment of
 1290  $105 per motor vehicle purchased at the time of purchase of a
 1291  motor vehicle or a single payment of $105 per motor vehicle
 1292  purchased at the time of registration of a motor vehicle that
 1293  was not purchased from a dealer, except that a contribution may
 1294  not exceed the state tax imposed under chapter 212 that would
 1295  otherwise be collected from the purchaser by a dealer,
 1296  designated agent, or private tag agent. Payments of
 1297  contributions shall be made to a dealer at the time of purchase
 1298  of a motor vehicle or to a designated agent or private tag agent
 1299  at the time of registration of a motor vehicle that was not
 1300  purchased from a dealer. An eligible contribution shall be
 1301  accompanied by a contribution election form provided by the
 1302  Department of Revenue. The form shall include, at a minimum, the
 1303  following brief description of the Hope Scholarship Program and
 1304  the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program: “THE HOPE
 1305  SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES A PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT WHO WAS
 1306  SUBJECTED TO AN INCIDENT OF VIOLENCE OR BULLYING AT SCHOOL THE
 1307  OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP TO ATTEND AN ELIGIBLE
 1308  PRIVATE SCHOOL RATHER THAN REMAIN IN AN UNSAFE SCHOOL
 1309  ENVIRONMENT. THE FLORIDA TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES
 1310  A LOW-INCOME STUDENT THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP
 1311  TO ATTEND AN ELIGIBLE PRIVATE SCHOOL.” The form shall also
 1312  include, at a minimum, a section allowing the consumer to
 1313  designate, from all participating scholarship funding
 1314  organizations, which organization will receive his or her
 1315  donation. For purposes of this subsection, the term “purchase”
 1316  does not include the lease or rental of a motor vehicle.
 1317         Section 10. Paragraphs (a) and (g) of subsection (7) of
 1318  section 1002.411, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1319         1002.411 Reading scholarship accounts.—
 1320         (7) ACCOUNT FUNDING AND PAYMENT.—
 1321         (a) For the 2018-2019 school year, The amount of the
 1322  scholarship shall be $500 per eligible student. Thereafter, the
 1323  maximum amount granted for an eligible student shall be as
 1324  provided in the General Appropriations Act.
 1325         (g)In addition to funds appropriated for scholarships and
 1326  subject to a separate, specific legislative appropriation, an
 1327  organization may receive an amount equivalent to not more than 3
 1328  percent of the amount of each scholarship from state funds for
 1329  administrative expenses if the organization has operated as a
 1330  nonprofit entity for at least the preceding 3 fiscal years and
 1331  did not have any findings of material weakness or material
 1332  noncompliance in its most recent audit under s. 1002.395. Such
 1333  administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary for the
 1334  organization’s management and distribution of scholarships under
 1335  this section. Funds authorized under this paragraph may not be
 1336  used for lobbying or political activity or expenses related to
 1337  lobbying or political activity. An organization may not charge
 1338  an application fee for a scholarship. Administrative expenses
 1339  may not be deducted from funds appropriated for scholarships.
 1340         Section 11. Part VII of chapter 1003, Florida Statutes,
 1341  consisting of s. 1003.64, Florida Statutes, is created and
 1342  entitled “Public School Innovation.”
 1343         1003.64Community School Grant Program.—It is the intent of
 1344  the Legislature to improve student success and well-being by
 1345  engaging and supporting parents and community organizations in
 1346  their efforts to positively impact student learning and
 1347  development.
 1348         (1) PURPOSE.—The Community School Grant Program is
 1349  established to fund and support the planning and implementation
 1350  of community school programs, subject to legislative
 1351  appropriation.
 1352         (2)DEFINITIONS.—
 1353         (a)“Center” means the Center for Community Schools at the
 1354  University of Central Florida.
 1355         (b)“Community organization” means a nonprofit organization
 1356  that has been in existence for at least 3 years and serves
 1357  individuals within a county in which a public school
 1358  implementing the community school model is located. The
 1359  community organization serves as the lead partner in the
 1360  community school model and facilitates the use of grant funds
 1361  under this section.
 1362         (c)“Community school model” means a school service model
 1363  developed by the center which utilizes a long-term partnership
 1364  among a school district, a community organization, a college or
 1365  university, and a health care provider to establish, develop,
 1366  and sustain a system for addressing student, family, and
 1367  community needs during and outside of the school day. The model
 1368  must establish a collaborative governance structure among the
 1369  community partners for providing services and include standards
 1370  for effective implementation, reporting, and evaluation at each
 1371  participating school. The governance structure may include other
 1372  community leaders such as parent-teacher organizations,
 1373  community businesses, and faith leaders. The model must also
 1374  provide for family engagement and expanded learning
 1375  opportunities and support for students. A community school may
 1376  include, but is not limited to, a community partnership school.
 1377         (3)GRANT PROGRAM.—Contingent upon available funds, the
 1378  center may facilitate the implementation of its community school
 1379  model in the state through grants that enable community
 1380  organizations to establish long-term partnerships and secure
 1381  resources for planning, staffing, and providing services to
 1382  students and families through the community school model. The
 1383  center shall:
 1384         (a)Require a participating public school to establish
 1385  long-term partnerships through a memorandum of understanding.
 1386  After receiving a grant award under this section, the center
 1387  shall condition the award of grant funds in the subsequent years
 1388  upon the matching funds secured through the long-term
 1389  partnerships.
 1390         (b)Prioritize awards based on demonstration of the
 1391  technical and financial ability to sustain the community school
 1392  model beyond an initial grant award. For planning grant awards,
 1393  priority must be given to school districts in which the
 1394  community school model has not been established and which
 1395  demonstrate the technical and financial ability to sustain the
 1396  community school model.
 1397         (4)REPORTING.—Beginning with September 1, 2020, and
 1398  annually thereafter, the center shall publish on its website
 1399  information on each community organization receiving a grant
 1400  from the center to implement the community school model. The
 1401  information must include:
 1402         (a)The amount of grant funds provided through the center
 1403  for each participating school and the amount of matching funds
 1404  provided by the community organization for each year the
 1405  community organization has received a grant for that school.
 1406         (b)The long-term partners who have entered into a
 1407  memorandum of understanding for implementing the community
 1408  school model pursuant to paragraph (2)(c).
 1409         (c)A description of the services and community engagement
 1410  activities provided through the community school model.
 1411         (d)The number of students, families, and community members
 1412  served through the community school model.
 1413         (e)The academic progress of students enrolled at the
 1414  public school, including student progression data, attendance,
 1415  behavior, and student achievement and learning gains on
 1416  statewide, standardized assessments as determined pursuant to s.
 1417  1008.34.
 1418         Section 12. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2), paragraphs
 1419  (a), (b), and (e) of subsection (4), and paragraphs (c) and (d)
 1420  of subsection (5) of section 1004.04, Florida Statutes, are
 1421  amended to read:
 1422         1004.04 Public accountability and state approval for
 1423  teacher preparation programs.—
 1424         (2) UNIFORM CORE CURRICULA AND CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT.—
 1425         (b) The rules to establish uniform core curricula for each
 1426  state-approved teacher preparation program must include, but are
 1427  not limited to, the following:
 1428         1. Candidate instruction and assessment in the Florida
 1429  Educator Accomplished Practices across content areas.
 1430         2. The use of state-adopted content standards to guide
 1431  curricula and instruction.
 1432         3. Scientifically researched and evidence-based reading
 1433  instructional strategies that improve reading performance for
 1434  all students, including explicit, systematic, and sequential
 1435  approaches to teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary,
 1436  fluency, and text comprehension and multisensory intervention
 1437  strategies.
 1438         4. Content literacy and mathematics practices.
 1439         5. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of English
 1440  language learners.
 1441         6. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of students
 1442  with disabilities.
 1443         7. Strategies to differentiate instruction based on student
 1444  needs School safety.
 1445         8.The use of character-based classroom management.
 1446         (4) CONTINUED PROGRAM APPROVAL.—Continued approval of a
 1447  teacher preparation program shall be based upon evidence that
 1448  the program continues to implement the requirements for initial
 1449  approval and upon significant, objective, and quantifiable
 1450  measures of the program and the performance of the program
 1451  completers.
 1452         (a) The criteria for continued approval must include each
 1453  of the following:
 1454         1. Documentation from the program that each program
 1455  candidate met the admission requirements provided in subsection
 1456  (3).
 1457         2. Documentation from the program that the program and each
 1458  program completer have met the requirements provided in
 1459  subsection (2).
 1460         3. Evidence of performance in each of the following areas:
 1461         a. Placement rate of program completers into instructional
 1462  positions in Florida public schools and private schools, if
 1463  available.
 1464         b. Rate of retention for employed program completers in
 1465  instructional positions in Florida public schools.
 1466         c. Performance of students in prekindergarten through grade
 1467  12 who are assigned to in-field program completers on statewide
 1468  assessments using the results of the student learning growth
 1469  formula adopted under s. 1012.34.
 1470         d. Performance of students in prekindergarten through grade
 1471  12 who are assigned to in-field program completers aggregated by
 1472  student subgroup, as defined in the federal Elementary and
 1473  Secondary Education Act (ESEA), 20 U.S.C. s.
 1474  6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II), as a measure of how well the program
 1475  prepares teachers to work with a diverse population of students
 1476  in a variety of settings in Florida public schools.
 1477         e. Results of program completers’ annual evaluations in
 1478  accordance with the timeline as set forth in s. 1012.34.
 1479         f. Production of program completers in statewide critical
 1480  teacher shortage areas as identified in s. 1012.07.
 1481         4.Results of the program completers’ survey measuring
 1482  their satisfaction with preparation for the realities of the
 1483  classroom.
 1484         5.Results of the employers’ survey measuring satisfaction
 1485  with the program and the program’s responsiveness to local
 1486  school districts.
 1487         (b) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules for
 1488  continued approval of teacher preparation programs which include
 1489  the program review process, the continued approval timelines,
 1490  and the performance level targets for each of the continued
 1491  approval criteria in paragraph (a). Additional criteria may be
 1492  approved by the State Board of Education. Such criteria may
 1493  include a program completer’s satisfaction with instruction and
 1494  an employer’s satisfaction with, and the program’s
 1495  responsiveness to, local school districts. The Commissioner of
 1496  Education shall determine the continued approval of each program
 1497  based on the data collected pursuant to this section and the
 1498  rules of the State Board of Education.
 1499         (e) Each Florida public and private institution that offers
 1500  a state-approved teacher preparation program must annually
 1501  report information regarding its approved programs to the state
 1502  and the general public. The report to the state must include a
 1503  list of candidates who are admitted to, who are enrolled in, or
 1504  who complete a teacher preparation program; additional evidence
 1505  necessary to document requirements for continued approval; and
 1506  data necessary to complete applicable federal reporting
 1507  requirements. The state reporting requirements must minimize a
 1508  program’s reporting burden whenever possible without
 1509  compromising data quality. The report to the general public must
 1510  include, at a minimum, the annual progress data reported by the
 1511  state under this paragraph and results of the surveys required
 1512  under paragraph (a), and may include other information chosen by
 1513  the institution or program.
 1514         (5) PRESERVICE FIELD EXPERIENCE.—All postsecondary
 1515  instructors, school district personnel and instructional
 1516  personnel, and school sites preparing instructional personnel
 1517  through preservice field experience courses and internships
 1518  shall meet special requirements. District school boards may pay
 1519  student teachers during their internships.
 1520         (c) Preservice field experience must fully prepare a
 1521  candidate to manage a classroom by requiring the include
 1522  candidate to practice and demonstrate demonstration of the
 1523  uniform core curricula specific to the candidate’s candidates’
 1524  area or areas of program concentration with a diverse population
 1525  of students in a variety of challenging environments, including,
 1526  but not limited to, high-poverty schools, urban schools, and
 1527  rural schools settings. The length of structured field
 1528  experiences may be extended to ensure that candidates achieve
 1529  the competencies needed to meet certification requirements.
 1530         (d) Postsecondary teacher preparation programs in
 1531  cooperation with district school boards and approved private
 1532  school associations shall select the school sites for preservice
 1533  field experience activities based upon the qualifications of the
 1534  supervising personnel as described in this subsection and the
 1535  needs of the candidates. These sites must represent the full
 1536  spectrum of school communities, including, but not limited to,
 1537  schools serving low-achieving students located in urban
 1538  settings. In order to be selected, school sites must demonstrate
 1539  commitment to the education of public school students and to the
 1540  preparation of future teachers.
 1541         Section 13. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) and subsection
 1542  (5) of section 1004.85, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1543         1004.85 Postsecondary educator preparation institutes.—
 1544         (3) Educator preparation institutes approved pursuant to
 1545  this section may offer competency-based certification programs
 1546  specifically designed for noneducation major baccalaureate
 1547  degree holders to enable program participants to meet the
 1548  educator certification requirements of s. 1012.56. An educator
 1549  preparation institute choosing to offer a competency-based
 1550  certification program pursuant to the provisions of this section
 1551  must implement a program previously approved by the Department
 1552  of Education for this purpose or a program developed by the
 1553  institute and approved by the department for this purpose.
 1554  Approved programs shall be available for use by other approved
 1555  educator preparation institutes.
 1556         (a) Within 90 days after receipt of a request for approval,
 1557  the Department of Education shall approve a preparation program
 1558  pursuant to the requirements of this subsection or issue a
 1559  statement of the deficiencies in the request for approval. The
 1560  department shall approve a certification program if the
 1561  institute provides evidence of the institute’s capacity to
 1562  implement a competency-based program that includes each of the
 1563  following:
 1564         1.a. Participant instruction and assessment in the Florida
 1565  Educator Accomplished Practices across content areas.
 1566         b. The use of state-adopted student content standards to
 1567  guide curriculum and instruction.
 1568         c. Scientifically researched and evidence-based reading
 1569  instructional strategies that improve reading performance for
 1570  all students, including explicit, systematic, and sequential
 1571  approaches to teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary,
 1572  fluency, and text comprehension and multisensory intervention
 1573  strategies.
 1574         d. Content literacy and mathematical practices.
 1575         e. Strategies appropriate for instruction of English
 1576  language learners.
 1577         f. Strategies appropriate for instruction of students with
 1578  disabilities.
 1579         g. Strategies to differentiate instruction based on student
 1580  needs School safety.
 1581         h.The use of character-based classroom management.
 1582         2. An educational plan for each participant to meet
 1583  certification requirements and demonstrate his or her ability to
 1584  teach the subject area for which the participant is seeking
 1585  certification, which is based on an assessment of his or her
 1586  competency in the areas listed in subparagraph 1.
 1587         3. Field experiences appropriate to the certification
 1588  subject area specified in the educational plan with a diverse
 1589  population of students in a variety of challenging environments,
 1590  including, but not limited to, high-poverty schools, urban
 1591  schools, and rural schools, settings under the supervision of
 1592  qualified educators.
 1593         4. A certification ombudsman to facilitate the process and
 1594  procedures required for participants who complete the program to
 1595  meet any requirements related to the background screening
 1596  pursuant to s. 1012.32 and educator professional or temporary
 1597  certification pursuant to s. 1012.56.
 1598         (5) Each institute approved pursuant to this section shall
 1599  submit to the Department of Education annual performance
 1600  evaluations that measure the effectiveness of the programs,
 1601  including the pass rates of participants on all examinations
 1602  required for teacher certification, employment rates,
 1603  longitudinal retention rates, and employer satisfaction surveys
 1604  of employers and candidates. The employer satisfaction surveys
 1605  must be designed to measure the sufficient preparation of the
 1606  educator for the realities of to enter the classroom and the
 1607  institute’s responsiveness to local school districts. These
 1608  evaluations shall be used by the Department of Education for
 1609  purposes of continued approval of an educator preparation
 1610  institute’s certification program.
 1611         Section 14. Paragraphs (a) and (d) of subsection (4) of
 1612  section 1008.33, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1613         1008.33 Authority to enforce public school improvement.—
 1614         (4)(a) The state board shall apply intensive intervention
 1615  and support strategies tailored to the needs of schools earning
 1616  two consecutive grades of “D” or a grade of “F.” In the first
 1617  full school year after a school initially earns two consecutive
 1618  grades of “D” or a grade of “F,” the school district must
 1619  immediately implement intervention and support strategies
 1620  prescribed in rule under paragraph (3)(c) and, by September 1,
 1621  provide the department with the memorandum of understanding
 1622  negotiated pursuant to s. 1001.42(21) and, by October 1, a
 1623  district-managed turnaround plan for approval by the state
 1624  board. The district-managed turnaround plan may include a
 1625  proposal for the district to implement an extended school day, a
 1626  summer program, or a combination of an extended school day and a
 1627  summer program. Upon approval by the state board, the school
 1628  district must implement the plan for the remainder of the school
 1629  year and continue the plan for 1 full school year. The state
 1630  board may allow a school an additional year of implementation
 1631  before the school must implement a turnaround option required
 1632  under paragraph (b) if it determines that the school is likely
 1633  to improve to a grade of “C” or higher after the first full
 1634  school year of implementation.
 1635         (d) If a school earning two consecutive grades of “D” or a
 1636  grade of “F” does not improve to a grade of “C” or higher after
 1637  2 full school years of implementing the turnaround option
 1638  selected by the school district under paragraph (b), the school
 1639  district must implement another turnaround option.
 1640  Implementation of the turnaround option must begin the school
 1641  year following the implementation period of the existing
 1642  turnaround option, unless the state board determines that the
 1643  school is likely to improve to a grade of “C” or higher if
 1644  additional time is provided to implement the existing turnaround
 1645  option.
 1646         Section 15. Present subsections (18) and (19) of section
 1647  1011.62, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (19)
 1648  and (20), respectively, a new subsection (18) and subsection
 1649  (21) are added to that section, and paragraph (a) of subsection
 1650  (4), subsection (11), paragraph (d) of subsection (13), and
 1651  subsection (14) of that section are amended, to read:
 1652         1011.62 Funds for operation of schools.—If the annual
 1653  allocation from the Florida Education Finance Program to each
 1654  district for operation of schools is not determined in the
 1655  annual appropriations act or the substantive bill implementing
 1656  the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as
 1657  follows:
 1658         (4) COMPUTATION OF DISTRICT REQUIRED LOCAL EFFORT.—The
 1659  Legislature shall prescribe the aggregate required local effort
 1660  for all school districts collectively as an item in the General
 1661  Appropriations Act for each fiscal year. The amount that each
 1662  district shall provide annually toward the cost of the Florida
 1663  Education Finance Program for kindergarten through grade 12
 1664  programs shall be calculated as follows:
 1665         (a) Estimated taxable value calculations.—
 1666         1.a. Not later than 2 working days before July 19, the
 1667  Department of Revenue shall certify to the Commissioner of
 1668  Education its most recent estimate of the taxable value for
 1669  school purposes in each school district and the total for all
 1670  school districts in the state for the current calendar year
 1671  based on the latest available data obtained from the local
 1672  property appraisers. The value certified shall be the taxable
 1673  value for school purposes for that year, and no further
 1674  adjustments shall be made, except those made pursuant to
 1675  paragraphs (c) and (d), or an assessment roll change required by
 1676  final judicial decisions as specified in paragraph (19)(b)
 1677  (18)(b). Not later than July 19, the Commissioner of Education
 1678  shall compute a millage rate, rounded to the next highest one
 1679  one-thousandth of a mill, which, when applied to 96 percent of
 1680  the estimated state total taxable value for school purposes,
 1681  would generate the prescribed aggregate required local effort
 1682  for that year for all districts. The Commissioner of Education
 1683  shall certify to each district school board the millage rate,
 1684  computed as prescribed in this subparagraph, as the minimum
 1685  millage rate necessary to provide the district required local
 1686  effort for that year.
 1687         b. The General Appropriations Act shall direct the
 1688  computation of the statewide adjusted aggregate amount for
 1689  required local effort for all school districts collectively from
 1690  ad valorem taxes to ensure that no school district’s revenue
 1691  from required local effort millage will produce more than 90
 1692  percent of the district’s total Florida Education Finance
 1693  Program calculation as calculated and adopted by the
 1694  Legislature, and the adjustment of the required local effort
 1695  millage rate of each district that produces more than 90 percent
 1696  of its total Florida Education Finance Program entitlement to a
 1697  level that will produce only 90 percent of its total Florida
 1698  Education Finance Program entitlement in the July calculation.
 1699         2. On the same date as the certification in sub
 1700  subparagraph 1.a., the Department of Revenue shall certify to
 1701  the Commissioner of Education for each district:
 1702         a. Each year for which the property appraiser has certified
 1703  the taxable value pursuant to s. 193.122(2) or (3), if
 1704  applicable, since the prior certification under sub-subparagraph
 1705  1.a.
 1706         b. For each year identified in sub-subparagraph a., the
 1707  taxable value certified by the appraiser pursuant to s.
 1708  193.122(2) or (3), if applicable, since the prior certification
 1709  under sub-subparagraph 1.a. This is the certification that
 1710  reflects all final administrative actions of the value
 1711  adjustment board.
 1712         (11) VIRTUAL EDUCATION CONTRIBUTION.—The Legislature may
 1713  annually provide in the Florida Education Finance Program a
 1714  virtual education contribution. The amount of the virtual
 1715  education contribution shall be the difference between the
 1716  amount per FTE established in the General Appropriations Act for
 1717  virtual education and the amount per FTE for each district and
 1718  the Florida Virtual School, which may be calculated by taking
 1719  the sum of the base FEFP allocation, the discretionary local
 1720  effort, the state-funded discretionary contribution, the
 1721  discretionary millage compression supplement, the research-based
 1722  reading instruction allocation, best and brightest teacher and
 1723  principal allocation, and the instructional materials
 1724  allocation, and then dividing by the total unweighted FTE. This
 1725  difference shall be multiplied by the virtual education
 1726  unweighted FTE for programs and options identified in s.
 1727  1002.455 and the Florida Virtual School and its franchises to
 1728  equal the virtual education contribution and shall be included
 1729  as a separate allocation in the funding formula.
 1730         (13) FEDERALLY CONNECTED STUDENT SUPPLEMENT.—The federally
 1731  connected student supplement is created to provide supplemental
 1732  funding for school districts to support the education of
 1733  students connected with federally owned military installations,
 1734  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) real
 1735  property, and Indian lands. To be eligible for this supplement,
 1736  the district must be eligible for federal Impact Aid Program
 1737  funds under s. 8003 of Title VIII of the Elementary and
 1738  Secondary Education Act of 1965. The supplement shall be
 1739  allocated annually to each eligible school district in the
 1740  General Appropriations Act. The supplement shall be the sum of
 1741  the student allocation and an exempt property allocation.
 1742         (d) The amount allocated for each eligible school district
 1743  shall be recalculated during the year using actual student
 1744  membership, as amended, from the most recent February survey and
 1745  the tax-exempt valuation from the most recent assessment roll.
 1746  Upon recalculation, if the total allocation is greater than the
 1747  amount provided in the General Appropriations Act, it must be
 1748  prorated to the level of the appropriation based on each
 1749  district’s share of the total recalculated amount.
 1750         (14) QUALITY ASSURANCE GUARANTEE.—The Legislature may
 1751  annually in the General Appropriations Act determine a
 1752  percentage increase in funds per K-12 unweighted FTE as a
 1753  minimum guarantee to each school district. The guarantee shall
 1754  be calculated from prior year base funding per unweighted FTE
 1755  student which shall include the adjusted FTE dollars as provided
 1756  in subsection (19) (18), quality guarantee funds, and actual
 1757  nonvoted discretionary local effort from taxes. From the base
 1758  funding per unweighted FTE, the increase shall be calculated for
 1759  the current year. The current year funds from which the
 1760  guarantee shall be determined shall include the adjusted FTE
 1761  dollars as provided in subsection (19) (18) and potential
 1762  nonvoted discretionary local effort from taxes. A comparison of
 1763  current year funds per unweighted FTE to prior year funds per
 1764  unweighted FTE shall be computed. For those school districts
 1765  which have less than the legislatively assigned percentage
 1766  increase, funds shall be provided to guarantee the assigned
 1767  percentage increase in funds per unweighted FTE student. Should
 1768  appropriated funds be less than the sum of this calculated
 1769  amount for all districts, the commissioner shall prorate each
 1770  district’s allocation. This provision shall be implemented to
 1771  the extent specifically funded.
 1772         (18) THE FLORIDA BEST AND BRIGHTEST TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL
 1773  ALLOCATION.—
 1774         (a)The Florida Best and Brightest Teacher and Principal
 1775  Allocation is created to recruit, retain, and recognize
 1776  classroom teachers and instructional personnel who meet the
 1777  criteria established in s. 1012.731 and reward principals who
 1778  meet the criteria established in s. 1012.732. Subject to annual
 1779  appropriation, each school district shall receive an allocation
 1780  based on the district’s proportionate share of FEFP base
 1781  funding. The Legislature may specify a minimum allocation for
 1782  all districts in the General Appropriations Act.
 1783         (b) From the allocation, each district shall provide the
 1784  following:
 1785         1. A one-time recruitment award, as provided in s.
 1786  1012.731(3)(a);
 1787         2. A retention award, as provided in s. 1012.731(3)(b); and
 1788         3. A recognition award, as provided in s. 1012.731(3)(c)
 1789  from the remaining balance of the appropriation after the
 1790  payment of all other awards authorized under ss. 1012.731 and
 1791  1012.732.
 1792         (c) From the allocation, each district shall provide
 1793  eligible principals an award as provided in s. 1012.732(3).
 1794  
 1795  If a district’s calculated awards exceed the allocation, the
 1796  district may prorate the awards.
 1797         (21) TURNAROUND SCHOOL SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES ALLOCATION.
 1798  The turnaround school supplemental services allocation is
 1799  created to provide district-managed turnaround schools, as
 1800  identified in s. 1008.33(4)(a), schools that earn three
 1801  consecutive grades below a “C,” as identified in s.
 1802  1008.33(4)(b)3., and schools that have improved to a “C” and are
 1803  no longer in turnaround status, as identified in s.
 1804  1008.33(4)(c), with funds to offer services designed to improve
 1805  the overall academic and community welfare of the schools’
 1806  students and their families.
 1807         (a)1. Services funded by the allocation may include, but
 1808  are not limited to, tutorial and after-school programs, student
 1809  counseling, nutrition education, parental counseling, and an
 1810  extended school day and school year. In addition, services may
 1811  include models that develop a culture that encourages students
 1812  to complete high school and to attend college or career
 1813  training, set high academic expectations, and inspire character
 1814  development.
 1815         2. A school district may enter into a formal agreement with
 1816  a nonprofit organization that has tax-exempt status under s.
 1817  501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code to implement an
 1818  integrated student support service model that provides students
 1819  and families with access to wrap-around services, including, but
 1820  not limited to, health services, after-school programs, drug
 1821  prevention programs, college and career readiness programs, and
 1822  food and clothing banks.
 1823         (b) Before distribution of the allocation, the school
 1824  district shall develop and submit a plan for implementation to
 1825  its school board for approval no later than August 1 of each
 1826  fiscal year.
 1827         (c) At a minimum, the plan required under paragraph (b)
 1828  must:
 1829         1. Establish comprehensive support services that develop
 1830  family and community partnerships;
 1831         2. Establish clearly defined and measurable high academic
 1832  and character standards;
 1833         3. Increase parental involvement and engagement in the
 1834  child’s education;
 1835         4. Describe how instructional personnel will be identified,
 1836  recruited, retained, and rewarded;
 1837         5. Provide professional development that focuses on
 1838  academic rigor, direct instruction, and creating high academic
 1839  and character standards;
 1840         6. Provide focused instruction to improve student academic
 1841  proficiency, which may include additional instruction time
 1842  beyond the normal school day or school year; and
 1843         7. Include a strategy for continuing to provide services
 1844  after the school is no longer in turnaround status by virtue of
 1845  achieving a grade of “C” or higher.
 1846         (d) Each school district shall submit its approved plans to
 1847  the commissioner by September 1 of each fiscal year.
 1848         (e) Subject to legislative appropriation, each school
 1849  district’s allocation must be based on the unweighted FTE
 1850  student enrollment at the eligible schools and a per-FTE funding
 1851  amount of $500 or as provided in the General Appropriations Act.
 1852  The supplement provided in the General Appropriations Act shall
 1853  be based on the most recent school grades and shall serve as a
 1854  proxy for the official calculation. Once school grades are
 1855  available for the school year immediately preceding the fiscal
 1856  year coinciding with the appropriation, the supplement shall be
 1857  recalculated for the official participating schools as part of
 1858  the subsequent FEFP calculation. The commissioner may prepare a
 1859  preliminary calculation so that districts may proceed with
 1860  timely planning and use of the funds. If the calculated funds
 1861  for the statewide allocation exceed the funds appropriated, the
 1862  allocation of funds to each school district must be prorated
 1863  based on each school district’s share of the total unweighted
 1864  FTE student enrollment for the eligible schools.
 1865         (f) Subject to legislative appropriation, each school shall
 1866  remain eligible for the allocation for a maximum of 4 continuous
 1867  fiscal years while implementing a turnaround option pursuant to
 1868  s. 1008.33(4). In addition, a school that improves to a grade of
 1869  “C” or higher shall remain eligible to receive the allocation
 1870  for a maximum of 2 continuous fiscal years after exiting
 1871  turnaround status.
 1872         Section 16. Subsection (1) and paragraph (a) of subsection
 1873  (2) of section 1011.71, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1874         1011.71 District school tax.—
 1875         (1) If the district school tax is not provided in the
 1876  General Appropriations Act or the substantive bill implementing
 1877  the General Appropriations Act, each district school board
 1878  desiring to participate in the state allocation of funds for
 1879  current operation as prescribed by s. 1011.62(19) s. 1011.62(18)
 1880  shall levy on the taxable value for school purposes of the
 1881  district, exclusive of millage voted under s. 9(b) or s. 12,
 1882  Art. VII of the State Constitution, a millage rate not to exceed
 1883  the amount certified by the commissioner as the minimum millage
 1884  rate necessary to provide the district required local effort for
 1885  the current year, pursuant to s. 1011.62(4)(a)1. In addition to
 1886  the required local effort millage levy, each district school
 1887  board may levy a nonvoted current operating discretionary
 1888  millage. The Legislature shall prescribe annually in the
 1889  appropriations act the maximum amount of millage a district may
 1890  levy.
 1891         (2) In addition to the maximum millage levy as provided in
 1892  subsection (1), each school board may levy not more than 1.5
 1893  mills against the taxable value for school purposes for charter
 1894  schools pursuant to s. 1013.62(1) and (3) and for district
 1895  schools to fund:
 1896         (a) New construction, and remodeling projects, as set forth
 1897  in s. 1013.64(6)(b) and included in the district’s educational
 1898  plant survey pursuant to s. 1013.31, without regard to
 1899  prioritization, sites and site improvement or expansion to new
 1900  sites, existing sites, auxiliary facilities, athletic
 1901  facilities, or ancillary facilities.
 1902         Section 17. Effective upon becoming a law, subsections (2),
 1903  (3), and (7) of section 1012.56, Florida Statutes, are amended
 1904  to read:
 1905         1012.56 Educator certification requirements.—
 1906         (2) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.—To be eligible to seek
 1907  certification, a person must:
 1908         (a) Be at least 18 years of age.
 1909         (b) File an affidavit that the applicant subscribes to and
 1910  will uphold the principles incorporated in the Constitution of
 1911  the United States and the Constitution of the State of Florida
 1912  and that the information provided in the application is true,
 1913  accurate, and complete. The affidavit shall be by original
 1914  signature or by electronic authentication. The affidavit shall
 1915  include substantially the following warning:
 1916  
 1917  WARNING: Giving false information in order to obtain or renew a
 1918  Florida educator’s certificate is a criminal offense under
 1919  Florida law. Anyone giving false information on this affidavit
 1920  is subject to criminal prosecution as well as disciplinary
 1921  action by the Education Practices Commission.
 1922         (c) Document receipt of a bachelor’s or higher degree from
 1923  an accredited institution of higher learning, or a nonaccredited
 1924  institution of higher learning that the Department of Education
 1925  has identified as having a quality program resulting in a
 1926  bachelor’s degree, or higher. Each applicant seeking initial
 1927  certification must have attained at least a 2.5 overall grade
 1928  point average on a 4.0 scale in the applicant’s major field of
 1929  study. The applicant may document the required education by
 1930  submitting official transcripts from institutions of higher
 1931  education or by authorizing the direct submission of such
 1932  official transcripts through established electronic network
 1933  systems. The bachelor’s or higher degree may not be required in
 1934  areas approved in rule by the State Board of Education as
 1935  nondegreed areas. The State Board of Education may adopt rules
 1936  that, for purposes of demonstrating completion of specific
 1937  certification requirements, allow for the acceptance of college
 1938  course credits recommended by the American Council for Education
 1939  (ACE), as posted on an official ACE transcript.
 1940         (d) Submit to background screening in accordance with
 1941  subsection (10). If the background screening indicates a
 1942  criminal history or if the applicant acknowledges a criminal
 1943  history, the applicant’s records shall be referred to the
 1944  investigative section in the Department of Education for review
 1945  and determination of eligibility for certification. If the
 1946  applicant fails to provide the necessary documentation requested
 1947  by the department within 90 days after the date of the receipt
 1948  of the certified mail request, the statement of eligibility and
 1949  pending application shall become invalid.
 1950         (e) Be of good moral character.
 1951         (f) Be competent and capable of performing the duties,
 1952  functions, and responsibilities of an educator.
 1953         (g) Demonstrate mastery of general knowledge, pursuant to
 1954  subsection (3), if the person serves as a classroom teacher
 1955  pursuant to s. 1012.01(2)(a).
 1956         (h) Demonstrate mastery of subject area knowledge, pursuant
 1957  to subsection (5).
 1958         (i) Demonstrate mastery of professional preparation and
 1959  education competence, pursuant to subsection (6).
 1960         (3) MASTERY OF GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.—Acceptable means of
 1961  demonstrating mastery of general knowledge are:
 1962         (a) Achievement of passing scores on the general knowledge
 1963  examination required by state board rule;
 1964         (b) Documentation of a valid professional standard teaching
 1965  certificate issued by another state;
 1966         (c) Documentation of a valid certificate issued by the
 1967  National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or a national
 1968  educator credentialing board approved by the State Board of
 1969  Education;
 1970         (d) Documentation of two semesters of successful, full-time
 1971  or part-time teaching in a Florida College System institution,
 1972  state university, or private college or university that awards
 1973  an associate or higher degree and is an accredited institution
 1974  or an institution of higher education identified by the
 1975  Department of Education as having a quality program; or
 1976         (e) Effective July 1, 2015, Achievement of passing scores,
 1977  identified in state board rule, on national or international
 1978  examinations that test comparable content and relevant standards
 1979  in verbal, analytical writing, and quantitative reasoning
 1980  skills, including, but not limited to, the verbal, analytical
 1981  writing, and quantitative reasoning portions of the Graduate
 1982  Record Examination. Passing scores identified in state board
 1983  rule must be at approximately the same level of rigor as is
 1984  required to pass the general knowledge examinations.
 1985  
 1986  A school district that employs an individual who does not
 1987  achieve passing scores on any subtest of the general knowledge
 1988  examination must provide information regarding the availability
 1989  of state-level and district-level supports and instruction to
 1990  assist him or her in achieving a passing score. Such information
 1991  must include, but need not be limited to, state-level test
 1992  information guides, school district test preparation resources,
 1993  and preparation courses offered by state universities and
 1994  Florida College System institutions.
 1995         (7) TYPES AND TERMS OF CERTIFICATION.—
 1996         (a) The Department of Education shall issue a professional
 1997  certificate for a period not to exceed 5 years to any applicant
 1998  who fulfills one of the following:
 1999         1. Meets all the applicable requirements outlined in
 2000  subsection (2).
 2001         2. For a professional certificate covering grades 6 through
 2002  12:
 2003         a. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)
 2004  (h).
 2005         b. Holds a master’s or higher degree in the area of
 2006  science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
 2007         c. Teaches a high school course in the subject of the
 2008  advanced degree.
 2009         d. Is rated highly effective as determined by the teacher’s
 2010  performance evaluation under s. 1012.34, based in part on
 2011  student performance as measured by a statewide, standardized
 2012  assessment or an Advanced Placement, Advanced International
 2013  Certificate of Education, or International Baccalaureate
 2014  examination.
 2015         e. Achieves a passing score on the Florida professional
 2016  education competency examination required by state board rule.
 2017         3. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)
 2018  (h) and completes a professional preparation and education
 2019  competence program approved by the department pursuant to
 2020  paragraph (8)(c). An applicant who completes the program and is
 2021  rated highly effective as determined by his or her performance
 2022  evaluation under s. 1012.34 is not required to take or achieve a
 2023  passing score on the professional education competency
 2024  examination in order to be awarded a professional certificate.
 2025         (b) The department shall issue a temporary certificate to
 2026  any applicant who completes the requirements outlined in
 2027  paragraphs (2)(a)-(f) and completes the subject area content
 2028  requirements specified in state board rule or demonstrates
 2029  mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5) and
 2030  holds an accredited degree or a degree approved by the
 2031  Department of Education at the level required for the subject
 2032  area specialization in state board rule.
 2033         (c) The department shall issue one nonrenewable 2-year
 2034  temporary certificate and one nonrenewable 5-year professional
 2035  certificate to a qualified applicant who holds a bachelor’s
 2036  degree in the area of speech-language impairment to allow for
 2037  completion of a master’s degree program in speech-language
 2038  impairment.
 2039  
 2040  Each temporary certificate is valid for 3 school fiscal years
 2041  and is nonrenewable. However, the requirement in paragraph
 2042  (2)(g) must be met within 1 calendar year of the date of
 2043  employment under the temporary certificate. Individuals who are
 2044  employed under contract at the end of the 1 calendar year time
 2045  period may continue to be employed through the end of the school
 2046  year in which they have been contracted. A school district shall
 2047  not employ, or continue the employment of, an individual in a
 2048  position for which a temporary certificate is required beyond
 2049  this time period if the individual has not met the requirement
 2050  of paragraph (2)(g). At least 1 year before an individual’s
 2051  temporary certificate is set to expire, the department shall
 2052  electronically notify the individual of the date on which his or
 2053  her certificate will expire and provide a list of each method by
 2054  which the qualifications for a professional certificate can be
 2055  completed. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to
 2056  allow the department to extend the validity period of a
 2057  temporary certificate for 2 years when the requirements for the
 2058  professional certificate, not including the requirement in
 2059  paragraph (2)(g), were not completed due to the serious illness
 2060  or injury of the applicant, the military service of an
 2061  applicant’s spouse, or other extraordinary extenuating
 2062  circumstances, or if the certificateholder is rated highly
 2063  effective in the immediate prior year’s performance evaluation
 2064  pursuant to s. 1012.34 or has completed a 2-year mentorship
 2065  program pursuant to s. 1012.56(8). The rules must authorize the
 2066  department to extend the validity period of a temporary
 2067  certificate for 1 year if the certificateholder is rated
 2068  effective or highly effective based solely on a student learning
 2069  growth formula approved by the Commissioner of Education
 2070  pursuant to s. 1012.34(8). The department shall extend reissue
 2071  the temporary certificate for 2 additional years upon approval
 2072  by the Commissioner of Education. A written request for
 2073  extension reissuance of the certificate shall be submitted by
 2074  the district school superintendent, the governing authority of a
 2075  university lab school, the governing authority of a state
 2076  supported school, or the governing authority of a private
 2077  school.
 2078         Section 18. Effective upon becoming a law, subsection (1)
 2079  of section 1012.59, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 2080         1012.59 Certification fees.—
 2081         (1) The State Board of Education, by rule, shall establish
 2082  by rule separate fees for applications, examinations,
 2083  certification, certification renewal, late renewal,
 2084  recordmaking, and recordkeeping, and may establish procedures
 2085  for scheduling and administering an examination upon an
 2086  applicant’s request. Unless otherwise specified in this
 2087  subsection, each fee shall be based on department estimates of
 2088  the revenue required to implement the provisions of law with
 2089  respect to certification of school personnel. The application
 2090  fee is shall be nonrefundable. The rule must specify an Each
 2091  examination fee for the following:
 2092         (a) Initial registration for first-time test takers.
 2093         (b) Retake of the full battery of subtests of an
 2094  examination, if applicable. The retake fee for the full battery
 2095  of subtests may not exceed the fee for the initial registration.
 2096         (c) Retake for each subtest of an examination. The retake
 2097  fee for each subtest must be prorated based on the number of
 2098  subtests within the examination shall be sufficient to cover the
 2099  actual cost of developing and administering the examination.
 2100         Section 19. Section 1012.731, Florida Statutes, is amended
 2101  to read:
 2102         1012.731 The Florida Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarship
 2103  Program.—
 2104         (1) The Legislature recognizes that, second only to
 2105  parents, teachers play the most critical role within schools in
 2106  preparing students to achieve a high level of academic
 2107  performance. The Legislature further recognizes that research
 2108  has linked student outcomes to a teacher’s own academic
 2109  achievement. Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to
 2110  recruit, retain, and recognize designate teachers who meet the
 2111  needs of this state and have achieved success in the classroom
 2112  high academic standards during their own education as Florida’s
 2113  best and brightest teacher scholars.
 2114         (2) There is created The Florida Best and Brightest Teacher
 2115  Scholarship Program is created to be administered by the
 2116  Department of Education. The scholarship program shall provide
 2117  categorical funding for scholarships to recruitment and
 2118  retention awards to classroom teachers, as defined in
 2119  1012.01(2)(a), and recognition awards to instructional
 2120  personnel, as defined in 1012.01(2), to be funded as provided in
 2121  s. 1011.62(18) be awarded to classroom teachers, as defined in
 2122  s. 1012.01(2)(a), who have demonstrated a high level of academic
 2123  achievement.
 2124         (3)(a) To be eligible for a one-time recruitment award as
 2125  specified in the General Appropriations Act, a newly hired
 2126  classroom teacher must be a content expert, based on criteria
 2127  established by the department, in mathematics, science, computer
 2128  science, reading, or civics scholarship in the amount of $6,000,
 2129  a classroom teacher must:
 2130         1. Have achieved a composite score at or above the 80th
 2131  percentile on either the SAT or the ACT based on the National
 2132  Percentile Ranks in effect when the classroom teacher took the
 2133  assessment and have been evaluated as highly effective pursuant
 2134  to s. 1012.34 in the school year immediately preceding the year
 2135  in which the scholarship will be awarded, unless the classroom
 2136  teacher is newly hired by the district school board and has not
 2137  been evaluated pursuant to s. 1012.34.
 2138         2. Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, have achieved
 2139  a composite score at or above the 77th percentile or, if the
 2140  classroom teacher graduated cum laude or higher with a
 2141  baccalaureate degree, the 71st percentile on either the SAT,
 2142  ACT, GRE, LSAT, GMAT, or MCAT based on the National Percentile
 2143  Ranks in effect when the classroom teacher took the assessment;
 2144  and have been evaluated as highly effective pursuant to s.
 2145  1012.34, or have been evaluated as highly effective based on a
 2146  commissioner-approved student learning growth formula pursuant
 2147  to s. 1012.34(8), in the school year immediately preceding the
 2148  year in which the scholarship will be awarded, unless the
 2149  classroom teacher is newly hired by the district school board
 2150  and has not been evaluated pursuant to s. 1012.34.
 2151         (b) To be eligible for a retention award as specified in
 2152  the General Appropriations Act, a classroom teacher must have
 2153  been rated as highly effective or effective the preceding year
 2154  pursuant to s. 1012.34, and teach in a school for 2 consecutive
 2155  school years, including the current year, which has improved an
 2156  average of 3 percentage points or more in the percentage of
 2157  total possible points achieved for determining school grades
 2158  over the prior 3 years
 2159         1.In order to demonstrate eligibility for an award, an
 2160  eligible classroom teacher must submit to the school district,
 2161  no later than November 1, an official record of his or her
 2162  qualifying assessment score and, beginning with the 2020-2021
 2163  school year, an official transcript demonstrating that he or she
 2164  graduated cum laude or higher with a baccalaureate degree, if
 2165  applicable. Once a classroom teacher is deemed eligible by the
 2166  school district, the teacher shall remain eligible as long as he
 2167  or she remains employed by the school district as a classroom
 2168  teacher at the time of the award and receives an annual
 2169  performance evaluation rating of highly effective pursuant to s.
 2170  1012.34 or is evaluated as highly effective based on a
 2171  commissioner-approved student learning growth formula pursuant
 2172  to s. 1012.34(8) for the 2019-2020 school year or thereafter.
 2173         2. A school district employee who is no longer a classroom
 2174  teacher may receive an award if the employee was a classroom
 2175  teacher in the prior school year, was rated highly effective,
 2176  and met the requirements of this section as a classroom teacher.
 2177         (c) To be eligible for a recognition award, instructional
 2178  personnel must be rated as highly effective or effective and be
 2179  selected by his or her school principal, based on performance
 2180  criteria and policies adopted by the district school board or
 2181  charter school governing board. Recognition awards must be
 2182  provided from funds remaining under the allocation provided in
 2183  s. 1011.62(18) after the payment of all teacher recruitment and
 2184  retention awards and principal awards authorized under this
 2185  section and the General Appropriations Act Notwithstanding the
 2186  requirements of this subsection, for the 2017-2018, 2018-2019,
 2187  and 2019-2020 school years, any classroom teacher who:
 2188         1. Was evaluated as highly effective pursuant to s. 1012.34
 2189  in the school year immediately preceding the year in which the
 2190  scholarship will be awarded shall receive a scholarship of
 2191  $1200, including a classroom teacher who received an award
 2192  pursuant to paragraph (a).
 2193         2. Was evaluated as effective pursuant to s. 1012.34 in the
 2194  school year immediately preceding the year in which the
 2195  scholarship will be awarded a scholarship of up to $800. If the
 2196  number of eligible classroom teachers under this subparagraph
 2197  exceeds the total allocation, the department shall prorate the
 2198  per-teacher scholarship amount.
 2199  
 2200  This paragraph expires July 1, 2020.
 2201         (4) Annually, by December 1, each school district shall
 2202  submit to the department:
 2203         (a) The number of eligible classroom teachers who qualify
 2204  for the scholarship.
 2205         (b) The name and master school identification number (MSID)
 2206  of each school in the district to which an eligible classroom
 2207  teacher is assigned.
 2208         (c) The name of the school principal of each eligible
 2209  classroom teacher’s school if he or she has served as the
 2210  school’s principal for at least 2 consecutive school years
 2211  including the current school year.
 2212         (5) Annually, by February 1, the department shall disburse
 2213  scholarship funds to each school district for each eligible
 2214  classroom teacher to receive a scholarship in accordance with
 2215  this section.
 2216         (6) Annually, by April 1, each school district shall award
 2217  the scholarship to each eligible classroom teacher.
 2218         (7) For purposes of this section, the term “school
 2219  district” includes the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind
 2220  and charter school governing boards.
 2221         Section 20. Section 1012.732, Florida Statutes, is amended
 2222  to read:
 2223         1012.732 The Florida Best and Brightest Principal
 2224  Scholarship Program.—
 2225         (1) The Legislature recognizes that the most effective
 2226  school principals establish a safe and supportive school
 2227  environment for students and faculty. Research shows that these
 2228  principals increase student learning by providing opportunities
 2229  for the professional growth, collaboration, and autonomy that
 2230  classroom teachers need to become and remain highly effective
 2231  educational professionals. As a result, these principals are
 2232  able to recruit and retain more of the best classroom teachers
 2233  and improve student outcomes at their schools, including schools
 2234  serving low-income and high-need student populations. Therefore,
 2235  it is the intent of the Legislature to designate school
 2236  principals whose schools make noticeable academic improvement
 2237  school faculty has a high percentage of classroom teachers who
 2238  are designated as Florida’s best and brightest teacher scholars
 2239  pursuant to s. 1012.731 as Florida’s best and brightest
 2240  principals.
 2241         (2) There is created The Florida Best and Brightest
 2242  Principal Scholarship Program is created to be administered by
 2243  the Department of Education. The program shall provide awards to
 2244  categorical funding for scholarships to be awarded to school
 2245  principals, as defined in s. 1012.01(3)(c)1., to be funded as
 2246  provided in s. 1011.62(18) who have recruited and retained a
 2247  high percentage of best and brightest teachers.
 2248         (3) A school principal identified pursuant to s.
 2249  1012.731(4)(c) is eligible to receive an award, as specified in
 2250  the General Appropriations Act, a scholarship under this section
 2251  if he or she has served as school principal at his or her school
 2252  for at least 4 2 consecutive school years, including the current
 2253  school year, and the school has improved an average of 3
 2254  percentage points or more in the percentage of total possible
 2255  points achieved for determining school grades over the prior 3
 2256  years his or her school has a ratio of best and brightest
 2257  teachers to other classroom teachers that is at the 80th
 2258  percentile or higher for schools within the same grade group,
 2259  statewide, including elementary schools, middle schools, high
 2260  schools, and schools with a combination of grade levels.
 2261         (4) Annually, by February 1, the department shall identify
 2262  eligible school principals and disburse funds to each school
 2263  district for each eligible school principal to receive a
 2264  scholarship. A scholarship of $5,000 must be awarded to every
 2265  eligible school principal assigned to a Title I school and a
 2266  scholarship of $4,000 to every eligible school principal who is
 2267  not assigned to a Title I school.
 2268         (5) Annually, by April 1, each school district must award a
 2269  scholarship to each eligible school principal.
 2270         (6)A school district must provide a best and brightest
 2271  principal with the additional authority and responsibilities
 2272  provided in s. 1012.28(8) for a minimum of 2 years.
 2273         (7) For purposes of this section, the term “school
 2274  district” includes the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind
 2275  and charter school governing boards.
 2276         Section 21. Paragraphs (a) and (d) of subsection (1) of
 2277  section 1013.31, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 2278         1013.31 Educational plant survey; localized need
 2279  assessment; PECO project funding.—
 2280         (1) At least every 5 years, each board shall arrange for an
 2281  educational plant survey, to aid in formulating plans for
 2282  housing the educational program and student population, faculty,
 2283  administrators, staff, and auxiliary and ancillary services of
 2284  the district or campus, including consideration of the local
 2285  comprehensive plan. The Department of Education shall document
 2286  the need for additional career and adult education programs and
 2287  the continuation of existing programs before facility
 2288  construction or renovation related to career or adult education
 2289  may be included in the educational plant survey of a school
 2290  district or Florida College System institution that delivers
 2291  career or adult education programs. Information used by the
 2292  Department of Education to establish facility needs must
 2293  include, but need not be limited to, labor market data, needs
 2294  analysis, and information submitted by the school district or
 2295  Florida College System institution.
 2296         (a) Educational plant survey and localized need assessment
 2297  for capital outlay purposes.—A survey recommendation is not
 2298  required when a district uses may only use funds from the
 2299  following sources for educational, auxiliary, and ancillary
 2300  plant capital outlay purposes without needing a survey
 2301  recommendation:
 2302         1. The local capital outlay improvement fund, consisting of
 2303  funds that come from and are a part of the district’s basic
 2304  operating budget;
 2305         2. A taxpayer-approved bond referendum, to fund
 2306  construction of If a board decides to build an educational,
 2307  auxiliary, or ancillary plant facility without a survey
 2308  recommendation and the taxpayers approve a bond referendum, the
 2309  voted bond referendum;
 2310         3. One-half cent sales surtax revenue;
 2311         4. One cent local governmental surtax revenue;
 2312         5. Impact fees; and
 2313         6. Private gifts or donations; and
 2314         7. The district school tax levied pursuant to s.
 2315  1011.71(2).
 2316         (d) Review and validation.—The Department of Education
 2317  shall review and validate the surveys of school districts and
 2318  Florida College System institutions, and the Chancellor of the
 2319  State University System shall review and validate the surveys of
 2320  universities, and any amendments thereto for compliance with the
 2321  requirements of this chapter and shall recommend those in
 2322  compliance for approval by the State Board of Education or the
 2323  Board of Governors, as appropriate. Annually, the department
 2324  shall perform an in-depth analysis of a representative sample of
 2325  each survey of recommended needs for five districts selected by
 2326  the commissioner from among districts with the largest need-to
 2327  revenue ratio. For the purpose of this subsection, the need-to
 2328  revenue ratio is determined by dividing the total 5-year cost of
 2329  projects listed on the district survey by the total 5-year fixed
 2330  capital outlay revenue projections from state and local sources
 2331  as determined by the department. The commissioner may direct
 2332  fixed capital outlay funds provided from general revenue or from
 2333  state trust funds to be withheld from districts until such time
 2334  as the survey accurately projects facilities needs.
 2335         Section 22. Subsection (1) of section 1013.385, Florida
 2336  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2337         1013.385 School district construction flexibility.—
 2338         (1) A district school board may, with a majority
 2339  supermajority vote at a public meeting that begins no earlier
 2340  than 5 p.m., adopt a resolution to implement one or more of the
 2341  exceptions to the educational facilities construction
 2342  requirements provided in this section. Before voting on the
 2343  resolution, a district school board must conduct a cost-benefit
 2344  analysis prepared according to a professionally accepted
 2345  methodology that describes how each exception selected by the
 2346  district school board achieves cost savings, improves the
 2347  efficient use of school district resources, and impacts the
 2348  life-cycle costs and life span for each educational facility to
 2349  be constructed, as applicable, and demonstrates that
 2350  implementation of the exception will not compromise student
 2351  safety or the quality of student instruction. The district
 2352  school board must conduct at least one public workshop to
 2353  discuss and receive public comment on the proposed resolution
 2354  and cost-benefit analysis, which must begin no earlier than 5
 2355  p.m. and may occur at the same meeting at which the resolution
 2356  will be voted upon.
 2357         Section 23. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) and paragraphs
 2358  (b), (c), and (d) of subsection (6) of section 1013.64, Florida
 2359  Statutes, are amended to read:
 2360         1013.64 Funds for comprehensive educational plant needs;
 2361  construction cost maximums for school district capital
 2362  projects.—Allocations from the Public Education Capital Outlay
 2363  and Debt Service Trust Fund to the various boards for capital
 2364  outlay projects shall be determined as follows:
 2365         (2)(a) The department shall establish, as a part of the
 2366  Public Education Capital Outlay and Debt Service Trust Fund, a
 2367  separate account, in an amount determined by the Legislature, to
 2368  be known as the “Special Facility Construction Account.” The
 2369  Special Facility Construction Account shall be used to provide
 2370  necessary construction funds to school districts which have
 2371  urgent construction needs but which lack sufficient resources at
 2372  present, and cannot reasonably anticipate sufficient resources
 2373  within the period of the next 3 years, for these purposes from
 2374  currently authorized sources of capital outlay revenue. A school
 2375  district requesting funding from the Special Facility
 2376  Construction Account shall submit one specific construction
 2377  project, not to exceed one complete educational plant, to the
 2378  Special Facility Construction Committee. A district may not
 2379  receive funding for more than one approved project in any 3-year
 2380  period or while any portion of the district’s participation
 2381  requirement is outstanding. The first year of the 3-year period
 2382  shall be the first year a district receives an appropriation.
 2383  During the 2019-2020 school year, a school district that
 2384  sustained hurricane damage in the 2018-2019 school year may
 2385  request funding from the Special Facility Construction Account
 2386  for a new project before the completion of the district’s
 2387  participation requirement for an outstanding project. The
 2388  department shall encourage a construction program that reduces
 2389  the average size of schools in the district. The request must
 2390  meet the following criteria to be considered by the committee:
 2391         1. The project must be deemed a critical need and must be
 2392  recommended for funding by the Special Facility Construction
 2393  Committee. Before developing construction plans for the proposed
 2394  facility, the district school board must request a
 2395  preapplication review by the Special Facility Construction
 2396  Committee or a project review subcommittee convened by the chair
 2397  of the committee to include two representatives of the
 2398  department and two staff members from school districts not
 2399  eligible to participate in the program. A school district may
 2400  request a preapplication review at any time; however, if the
 2401  district school board seeks inclusion in the department’s next
 2402  annual capital outlay legislative budget request, the
 2403  preapplication review request must be made before February 1.
 2404  Within 90 days after receiving the preapplication review
 2405  request, the committee or subcommittee must meet in the school
 2406  district to review the project proposal and existing facilities.
 2407  To determine whether the proposed project is a critical need,
 2408  the committee or subcommittee shall consider, at a minimum, the
 2409  capacity of all existing facilities within the district as
 2410  determined by the Florida Inventory of School Houses; the
 2411  district’s pattern of student growth; the district’s existing
 2412  and projected capital outlay full-time equivalent student
 2413  enrollment as determined by the demographic, revenue, and
 2414  education estimating conferences established in s. 216.136; the
 2415  district’s existing satisfactory student stations; the use of
 2416  all existing district property and facilities; grade level
 2417  configurations; and any other information that may affect the
 2418  need for the proposed project.
 2419         2. The construction project must be recommended in the most
 2420  recent survey or survey amendment cooperatively prepared by the
 2421  district and the department, and approved by the department
 2422  under the rules of the State Board of Education. If a district
 2423  employs a consultant in the preparation of a survey or survey
 2424  amendment, the consultant may not be employed by or receive
 2425  compensation from a third party that designs or constructs a
 2426  project recommended by the survey.
 2427         3. The construction project must appear on the district’s
 2428  approved project priority list under the rules of the State
 2429  Board of Education.
 2430         4. The district must have selected and had approved a site
 2431  for the construction project in compliance with s. 1013.36 and
 2432  the rules of the State Board of Education.
 2433         5. The district shall have developed a district school
 2434  board adopted list of facilities that do not exceed the norm for
 2435  net square feet occupancy requirements under the State
 2436  Requirements for Educational Facilities, using all possible
 2437  programmatic combinations for multiple use of space to obtain
 2438  maximum daily use of all spaces within the facility under
 2439  consideration.
 2440         6. Upon construction, the total cost per student station,
 2441  including change orders, must not exceed the cost per student
 2442  station as provided in subsection (6) unless approved except for
 2443  cost overruns created by a disaster as defined in s. 252.34 or
 2444  an unforeseeable circumstance beyond the district’s control as
 2445  determined by the Special Facility Construction Committee. At
 2446  the discretion of the committee, costs that exceed the cost per
 2447  student station for special facilities may include legal and
 2448  administrative fees, the cost of site improvements or related
 2449  offsite improvements, the cost of complying with public shelter
 2450  and hurricane hardening requirements, cost overruns created by a
 2451  disaster as defined in s. 252.34(2), costs of security
 2452  enhancements approved by the school safety specialist, and
 2453  unforeseeable circumstances beyond the district’s control.
 2454         7. There shall be an agreement signed by the district
 2455  school board stating that it will advertise for bids within 30
 2456  days of receipt of its encumbrance authorization from the
 2457  department.
 2458         8. For construction projects for which Special Facilities
 2459  Construction Account funding is sought before the 2019-2020
 2460  fiscal year, the district shall, at the time of the request and
 2461  for a continuing period necessary to meet the district’s
 2462  participation requirement, levy the maximum millage against its
 2463  nonexempt assessed property value as allowed in s. 1011.71(2) or
 2464  shall raise an equivalent amount of revenue from the school
 2465  capital outlay surtax authorized under s. 212.055(6). Beginning
 2466  with construction projects for which Special Facilities
 2467  Construction Account funding is sought in the 2019-2020 fiscal
 2468  year, the district shall, for a minimum of 3 years before
 2469  submitting the request and for a continuing period necessary to
 2470  meet its participation requirement, levy the maximum millage
 2471  against the district’s nonexempt assessed property value as
 2472  authorized under s. 1011.71(2) or shall raise an equivalent
 2473  amount of revenue from the school capital outlay surtax
 2474  authorized under s. 212.055(6). Any district with a new or
 2475  active project, funded under the provisions of this subsection,
 2476  shall be required to budget no more than the value of 1 mill per
 2477  year to the project until the district’s participation
 2478  requirement relating to the local discretionary capital
 2479  improvement millage or the equivalent amount of revenue from the
 2480  school capital outlay surtax is satisfied.
 2481         9. If a contract has not been signed 90 days after the
 2482  advertising of bids, the funding for the specific project shall
 2483  revert to the Special Facility New Construction Account to be
 2484  reallocated to other projects on the list. However, an
 2485  additional 90 days may be granted by the commissioner.
 2486         10. The department shall certify the inability of the
 2487  district to fund the survey-recommended project over a
 2488  continuous 3-year period using projected capital outlay revenue
 2489  derived from s. 9(d), Art. XII of the State Constitution, as
 2490  amended, paragraph (3)(a) of this section, and s. 1011.71(2).
 2491         11. The district shall have on file with the department an
 2492  adopted resolution acknowledging its commitment to satisfy its
 2493  participation requirement, which is equivalent to all
 2494  unencumbered and future revenue acquired from s. 9(d), Art. XII
 2495  of the State Constitution, as amended, paragraph (3)(a) of this
 2496  section, and s. 1011.71(2), in the year of the initial
 2497  appropriation and for the 2 years immediately following the
 2498  initial appropriation.
 2499         12. Phase I Final phase III plans must be approved
 2500  certified by the district school board as being complete and in
 2501  compliance with the building and life safety codes before June 1
 2502  of the year the application is made.
 2503         (6)
 2504         (b)1. A district school board may not use funds from the
 2505  following sources: Public Education Capital Outlay and Debt
 2506  Service Trust Fund; School District and Community College
 2507  District Capital Outlay and Debt Service Trust Fund; Classrooms
 2508  First Program funds provided in s. 1013.68; nonvoted 1.5-mill
 2509  levy of ad valorem property taxes provided in s. 1011.71(2);
 2510  Classrooms for Kids Program funds provided in s. 1013.735;
 2511  District Effort Recognition Program funds provided in s.
 2512  1013.736; or High Growth District Capital Outlay Assistance
 2513  Grant Program funds provided in s. 1013.738 to pay for any
 2514  portion of the cost of for any new construction of educational
 2515  plant space with a total cost per student station, including
 2516  change orders, which exceeds that equals more than:
 2517         a. $17,952 for an elementary school;,
 2518         b. $19,386 for a middle school;, or
 2519         c. $25,181 for a high school,
 2520  
 2521  (January 2006) as adjusted annually to reflect increases or
 2522  decreases in the Consumer Price Index. The department, in
 2523  conjunction with the Office of Economic and Demographic
 2524  Research, shall review and adjust the cost per student station
 2525  limits to reflect actual construction costs by January 1, 2020,
 2526  and annually thereafter. The adjusted cost per student station
 2527  shall be used by the department for computation of the statewide
 2528  average costs per student station for each instructional level
 2529  pursuant to paragraph (d). The department shall also collaborate
 2530  with the Office of Economic and Demographic Research to select
 2531  an industry-recognized construction index to replace the
 2532  Consumer Price Index by January 1, 2020, adjusted annually to
 2533  reflect changes in the construction index.
 2534         2. School districts shall maintain accurate documentation
 2535  related to the costs of all new construction of educational
 2536  plant space reported to the Department of Education pursuant to
 2537  paragraph (d). The Auditor General shall review the
 2538  documentation maintained by the school districts and verify
 2539  compliance with the limits under this paragraph during its
 2540  scheduled operational audits of the school district. The
 2541  department shall make the final determination on district
 2542  compliance based on the recommendation of the Auditor General.
 2543         3. Except for educational facilities and sites subject to a
 2544  lease-purchase agreement entered pursuant to s. 1011.71(2)(e)
 2545  Effective July 1, 2017, in addition to the funding sources
 2546  listed in subparagraph 1., a district school board may not use
 2547  funds from any sources for new construction of educational plant
 2548  space with a total cost per student station, including change
 2549  orders, which equals more than the current adjusted amounts
 2550  provided in sub-subparagraphs 1.a.-c. which shall subsequently
 2551  be adjusted annually to reflect increases or decreases in the
 2552  Consumer Price Index. However, if a contract has been executed
 2553  for architectural and design services or for construction
 2554  management services before July 1, 2017, a district school board
 2555  may use funds from any source for the new construction of
 2556  educational plant space and such funds are exempt from the total
 2557  cost per student station requirements.
 2558         4. A district school board must not use funds from the
 2559  Public Education Capital Outlay and Debt Service Trust Fund or
 2560  the School District and Community College District Capital
 2561  Outlay and Debt Service Trust Fund for any new construction of
 2562  an ancillary plant that exceeds 70 percent of the average cost
 2563  per square foot of new construction for all schools.
 2564         (c) Except as otherwise provided, new construction for
 2565  which a contract has been executed for architectural and design
 2566  services or for construction management services by a district
 2567  school board on or after July 1, 2017, may not exceed the cost
 2568  per student station as provided in paragraph (b). A school
 2569  district that exceeds the cost per student station provided in
 2570  paragraph (b), as determined by the Auditor General, shall be
 2571  subject to sanctions. If the Auditor General determines that the
 2572  cost per student station overage is de minimus or due to
 2573  extraordinary circumstances outside the control of the district,
 2574  the sanctions shall not apply. The sanctions are as follows:
 2575         1. The school district shall be ineligible for allocations
 2576  from the Public Education Capital Outlay and Debt Service Trust
 2577  Fund for the next 3 years in which the school district would
 2578  have received allocations had the violation not occurred.
 2579         2. The school district shall be subject to the supervision
 2580  of a district capital outlay oversight committee. The oversight
 2581  committee is authorized to approve all capital outlay
 2582  expenditures of the school district, including new construction,
 2583  renovations, and remodeling, for 3 fiscal years following the
 2584  violation.
 2585         a. Each oversight committee shall be composed of the
 2586  following:
 2587         (I) One appointee of the Commissioner of Education who has
 2588  significant financial management, school facilities
 2589  construction, or related experience.
 2590         (II) One appointee of the office of the state attorney with
 2591  jurisdiction over the district.
 2592         (III) One appointee of the Chief Financial Officer who is a
 2593  licensed certified public accountant.
 2594         b. An appointee to the oversight committee may not be
 2595  employed by the school district; be a relative, as defined in
 2596  s. 1002.33(24)(a)2., of any school district employee; or be an
 2597  elected official. Each appointee must sign an affidavit
 2598  attesting to these conditions and affirming that no conflict of
 2599  interest exists in his or her oversight role.
 2600         (d) The department shall:
 2601         1. Compute for each calendar year the statewide average
 2602  construction costs for facilities serving each instructional
 2603  level, for relocatable educational facilities, for
 2604  administrative facilities, and for other ancillary and auxiliary
 2605  facilities. The department shall compute the statewide average
 2606  costs per student station for each instructional level.
 2607         2. Annually review the actual completed construction costs
 2608  of educational facilities in each school district. For any
 2609  school district in which the total actual cost per student
 2610  station, including change orders, exceeds the statewide limits
 2611  established in paragraph (b), the school district shall report
 2612  to the department the actual cost per student station and the
 2613  reason for the school district’s inability to adhere to the
 2614  limits established in paragraph (b). The department shall
 2615  collect all such reports and shall provide these reports to the
 2616  Auditor General for verification purposes.
 2617  
 2618  Cost per student station includes contract costs, legal and
 2619  administrative costs, fees of architects and engineers, and the
 2620  cost of furniture and equipment, and site improvement costs.
 2621  Cost per student station does not include the cost of purchasing
 2622  or leasing the site for the construction, legal and
 2623  administrative costs, or the cost of related site or offsite
 2624  improvements. Cost per student station also does not include the
 2625  cost for securing entries, checkpoint construction, lighting
 2626  specifically designed for entry point security, security
 2627  cameras, automatic locks and locking devices, electronic
 2628  security systems, fencing designed to prevent intruder entry
 2629  into a building, bullet-proof glass, or other capital
 2630  construction items approved by the school safety specialist to
 2631  ensure building security for new educational, auxiliary, or
 2632  ancillary facilities; costs for these items must be below 2
 2633  percent per student station.
 2634         Section 24. (1) The Department of Revenue is authorized,
 2635  and all conditions are deemed to be met, to adopt emergency
 2636  rules pursuant to s. 120.54(4), Florida Statutes, for the
 2637  purpose of administering the provisions of this act relating to
 2638  the Hope Scholarship Program and Florida Tax Credit Scholarship
 2639  Program.
 2640         (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, emergency
 2641  rules adopted pursuant to subsection (1) are effective for 6
 2642  months after adoption and may be renewed during the pendency of
 2643  procedures to adopt permanent rules addressing the subject of
 2644  the emergency rules.
 2645         (3) This section shall take effect upon this act becoming a
 2646  law and shall expire January 1, 2022.
 2647         Section 25. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
 2648  act and except for this section, which shall take effect upon
 2649  becoming a law, this act shall take effect July 1, 2019.