See All 2026 Bills that Cite Sections in this Chapter
Quick Links
- General Laws Conversion Table (2025) [PDF]
- Florida Statutes Definitions Index (2025) [PDF]
- Table of Section Changes (2025) [PDF]
- Preface to the Florida Statutes (2025) [PDF]
- Table Tracing Session Laws to Florida Statutes (2025) [PDF]
- Index to Special and Local Laws (1971-2025) [PDF]
- Index to Special and Local Laws (1845-1970) [PDF]
- Statute Search Tips
2025 Florida Statutes
Chapter 1004
PUBLIC POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
PUBLIC POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
CHAPTER 1004
PUBLIC POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS(ss. 1004.01-1004.0982)
PART II
STATE UNIVERSITIES(ss. 1004.22-1004.64991)
PART III
FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM INSTITUTIONS(ss. 1004.65-1004.89)
PART IV
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION(ss. 1004.91-1004.98)
PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS1004.01 Statement of purpose and mission.
1004.013 SAIL to 60 Initiative.
1004.02 Definitions.
1004.03 Program approval.
1004.04 Public accountability and state approval for teacher preparation programs.
1004.051 Regulation of working students.
1004.055 Security of data and information technology in state postsecondary education institutions.
1004.06 Prohibited expenditures.
1004.07 Student withdrawal from courses due to military service; effect.
1004.071 Collegiate Purple Star Campuses.
1004.075 Priority course registration for veterans.
1004.08 Patient safety instructional requirements.
1004.082 Talent retention programs.
1004.084 College affordability.
1004.085 Textbook and instructional materials affordability and transparency.
1004.095 Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps; military recruiters; access to Florida College System institution and state university campuses.
1004.096 Postsecondary credit for military training and education courses.
1004.0961 Credit for online courses.
1004.0962 Campus emergency response of a public postsecondary educational institution; public records exemption; public meetings exemption.
1004.097 Free expression on campus.
1004.0971 Emergency opioid antagonists in Florida College System institution and state university housing.
1004.098 Applicants for president of a state university or Florida College System institution; public records exemption; public meetings exemption.
1004.0981 College credit for law enforcement training.
1004.0982 Flexible education pathway for school counselors.
1004.01 Statement of purpose and mission.—
(1) The Legislature finds it in the public interest to provide a system of postsecondary education which is of the highest possible quality; which enables all students to participate in the search for knowledge and individual development; which stresses undergraduate teaching as its main priority; which offers selected professional, graduate, and research programs with emphasis on state and national needs; which fosters diversity of educational opportunity; which promotes service to the public; which makes effective and efficient use of human and physical resources; which functions cooperatively with other educational institutions and systems; and which promotes internal coordination and the wisest possible use of resources.
(2) The mission of the state system of postsecondary education is to develop human resources, to discover and disseminate knowledge, to extend knowledge and its application beyond the boundaries of its campuses, and to develop in students heightened intellectual, cultural, and humane sensitivities; scientific, professional, and technological expertise; and a sense of purpose. Inherent in this broad mission are methods of instruction, research, extended training, and public service designed to educate people and improve the human condition.
History.—s. 159, ch. 2002-387.
1004.013 SAIL to 60 Initiative.—
(1) The Strengthening Alignment between Industry and Learning (SAIL) to 60 Initiative is created to increase to 60 percent the percentage of working-age adults in this state with a high-value postsecondary certificate, degree, or training experience by 2030.
(2) The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors shall work collaboratively to, at a minimum:
(a) Increase the awareness and use of:
1. The student advising system established under s. 1006.73.
2. Summer bridge programs at state universities and Florida College System institutions that help students transition to postsecondary education.
(b) Support and publicize the efforts of the Florida College Access Network in developing public and private partnerships to:
1. Increase the number of high school seniors who submit at least one completed postsecondary education application.
2. Increase the number of high school seniors who submit a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid to receive financial aid to help pay for their postsecondary education expenses.
3. Recognize and celebrate high school seniors for their postsecondary education and career plans and encourage early preparation for college in accordance with s. 1001.43(14).
4. Conduct regional meetings with postsecondary educational institutions, business leaders, and community organizations to solve community-specific issues related to attainment of postsecondary certificates, associate degrees, and baccalaureate degrees.
(c) Facilitate a reverse transfer agreement between the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors to award postsecondary education credentials to students who have earned them.
(d) Facilitate the establishment of career pathways agreements between career centers and Florida College System institutions pursuant to s. 1007.233.
(e) Develop a systematic, cross-sector approach to awarding credit for prior learning.
(3) There is created within the SAIL to 60 Initiative the Strategic Efforts to Achieve Self-Sufficiency (SEAS) which consists of:
(a) The consumer-first workforce system under s. 14.36, which provides the public with more effective access to available federal, state, and local services and a systemwide, global view of workforce related program data across various programs through actionable qualitative and quantitative information.
(b) The Open Door Grant Program under s. 1009.895, which provides grants to school districts’ postsecondary technical centers and Florida College System institutions to cover up to two-thirds of the cost of short-term high-demand programs for eligible students upon successful completion and award of a credential of value.
(c) The Money-back Guarantee Program under s. 1011.803, which requires each school district and Florida College System institution to refund the cost of tuition to students who are not able to find a job within 6 months of successful completion of select workforce related programs.
History.—s. 17, ch. 2019-119; s. 3, ch. 2021-85; s. 25, ch. 2021-164; s. 26, ch. 2023-81.
1004.02 Definitions.—As used in this chapter:
(1) “Adult basic education” means courses of instruction designed to improve the employability of the state’s workforce through instruction in mathematics, reading, language, and workforce readiness skills at grade level equivalency 0-8.9.
(2) “Adult ESOL” or “adult ESL” means noncredit English literacy courses designed to improve the employability of the state’s workforce through acquisition of communication skills and cultural competencies that enhance ability to read, write, speak, and listen in English. ESOL means English for Speakers of Other Languages. ESL means English as a Second Language. The two terms are interchangeable.
(3) “Adult general education” means comprehensive instructional programs designed to improve the employability of the state’s workforce through adult basic education, adult secondary education, English for Speakers of Other Languages, applied academics for adult education instruction, and instruction for adults with disabilities.
(4) “Adult secondary education” means courses through which a person receives high school credit that leads to the award of a high school diploma or courses of instruction through which a student prepares to take the high school equivalency examination.
(5) “Adult student” is a student who is beyond the compulsory school age and who has legally left elementary or secondary school.
(6) “Adult with disability” means an individual who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment, and who requires modifications to the educational program, adaptive equipment, or specialized instructional methods and services in order to participate in workforce development programs that lead to competitive employment.
(7) “Applied technology diploma program” means a course of study that is part of a technical degree program, is less than 60 credit hours, and leads to employment in a specific occupation. An applied technology diploma program may consist of either technical credit or college credit. A public school district may offer an applied technology diploma program only as technical credit, with college credit awarded to a student upon articulation to a Florida College System institution. Statewide articulation among public schools and Florida College System institutions is guaranteed by s. 1007.23, and is subject to guidelines and standards adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to ss. 1007.24 and 1007.25.
(8) “Basic literacy,” means the demonstration of academic competence from 2.0 through 5.9 educational grade levels as measured by means approved for this purpose by the State Board of Education.
(9) “Beginning literacy” means the demonstration of academic competence from 0 through 1.9 educational grade levels as measured by means approved for this purpose by the State Board of Education.
(10) “Developmental education” means instruction through which a high school graduate who applies for any college credit program may attain the communication and computation skills necessary to successfully complete college credit instruction.
(11) “Community education” means the use of a school or other public facility as a community center operated in conjunction with other public, private, and governmental organizations for the purpose of providing educational, recreational, social, cultural, health, and community services for persons in the community in accordance with the needs, interests, and concerns of that community, including lifelong learning.
(12) “Continuing workforce education” means instruction that does not result in a registered apprenticeship certificate of completion, technical certificate, diploma, associate in applied science degree, or associate in science degree. Continuing workforce education is for:
(a) Individuals who are required to have training for licensure renewal or certification renewal by a regulatory agency or credentialing body;
(b) New or expanding businesses as described in chapter 288;
(c) Business, industry, and government agencies whose products or services are changing so that retraining of employees is necessary or whose employees need training in specific skills to increase efficiency and productivity; or
(d) Individuals who are enhancing occupational skills necessary to maintain current employment, to cross-train, or to upgrade employment.
(13) “Technical degree education program” means a course of study that leads to an associate in applied science degree or an associate in science degree. A technical degree program may contain within it one or more program progression points and may lead to certificates or diplomas within the course of study. The term is interchangeable with the term “degree career education program.” For licensure purposes, the term “associate in science degree” is interchangeable with “associate in applied science degree.”
(14) “Family literacy” means a program for adults with a literacy component for parents and children or other intergenerational literacy components.
(15) “Functional literacy,” which is also referred to as “intermediate adult basic education,” means the demonstration of academic competence from 6.0 through 8.9 educational grade levels as measured by means approved for this purpose by the State Board of Education.
(16) “High school equivalency examination preparation” means courses of instruction designed to prepare adults for success on high school equivalency diploma subject area tests leading to qualification for a State of Florida high school diploma.
(17) “Lifelong learning” means a noncredit course or activity offered by a school district or Florida College System institution that seeks to address community social and economic issues related to health and human relations, government, parenting, consumer economics, and senior citizens.
(18) “Local educational agency” means a Florida College System institution or school district.
(19) “Local sponsor” means a district school board, Florida College System institution board of trustees, public library, other public entity, or private nonprofit entity, or any combination of these entities, that provides adult literacy instruction.
(20) “Career certificate program” means a course of study that leads to at least one occupational completion point. The program may also confer credit that may articulate with a diploma or career degree education program, if authorized by rules of the State Board of Education. Any credit instruction designed to articulate to a degree program is subject to guidelines and standards adopted by the Department of Education pursuant to chapter 1007. The term is interchangeable with the term “certificate career education program.”
(21) “Occupational completion point” means the occupational competencies that qualify a person to enter an occupation that is linked to a career and technical program.
(22) “Career education planning region” means the geographic area in which career or adult education is provided. Each career region is contiguous with one of the 28 Florida College System institution service areas.
(23) “Applied academics for adult education” or “applied academics instruction” means adult general education through which persons attain academic and workforce readiness skills at the level of functional literacy (grade levels 6.0-8.9) or higher so that such persons may pursue technical certificate education or higher-level technical education.
(24) “Career program” means a group of identified competencies leading to occupations identified by a Classification of Instructional Programs number.
(25) “Workforce education” means adult general education or career education and may consist of a continuing workforce education course or a program of study leading to an occupational completion point, a career certificate, an applied technology diploma, a career degree, or a registered apprenticeship certificate of completion.
(26) “Workforce literacy” means the basic skills necessary to perform in entry-level occupations or the skills necessary to adapt to technological advances in the workplace.
History.—s. 160, ch. 2002-387; s. 87, ch. 2004-357; s. 39, ch. 2011-5; s. 17, ch. 2011-55; s. 47, ch. 2013-27; s. 9, ch. 2013-51; s. 19, ch. 2014-20; s. 49, ch. 2014-39; s. 27, ch. 2021-164.
1004.03 Program approval.—
(1) The Board of Governors shall establish criteria for the review and approval of proposed new programs at state universities to ensure the well-planned development, coordination, and operation of the State University System and to avoid wasteful duplication of facilities or programs. The Board of Governors shall submit an annual report to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor listing the reviews conducted and the results of each review.
(2) The State Board of Education shall establish criteria for the approval of new programs at Florida College System institutions, which criteria include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) New programs may not be approved unless the same objectives cannot be met through use of educational technology.
(b) Unnecessary duplication of programs offered by independent institutions shall be avoided.
(c) Cooperative programs, particularly within regions, should be encouraged.
(d) New programs may be approved only if they are consistent with the state master plan adopted by the State Board of Education.
History.—s. 161, ch. 2002-387; s. 83, ch. 2007-217; s. 14, ch. 2010-78; s. 40, ch. 2011-5.
1004.04 Public accountability and state approval for teacher preparation programs.—
(1) INTENT.—
(a) The Legislature recognizes that effective teachers make an important contribution to a system that allows students to obtain a high-quality education.
(b) The intent of the Legislature is to require the State Board of Education to maintain a system for development and approval of teacher preparation programs which allows postsecondary teacher preparation institutions to employ varied and innovative teacher preparation techniques while being held accountable for producing program completers with the competencies and skills necessary to achieve the state education goals; help all students in the state’s diverse student population meet high standards for academic achievement; maintain safe, secure classroom learning environments; and sustain the state system of school improvement and education accountability established pursuant to ss. 1000.03(5) and 1008.345.
(2) UNIFORM CORE CURRICULA AND CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT.—
(a) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 which establish uniform core curricula for each state-approved teacher preparation program.
(b) The rules to establish uniform core curricula for each state-approved teacher preparation program must include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Candidate instruction and assessment in the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices across content areas.
2. The use of state-adopted content standards to guide curricula and instruction.
3. Scientifically researched and evidence-based reading instructional strategies grounded in the science of reading which improve reading performance for all students, including explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and text comprehension and multisensory intervention strategies. The primary instructional strategy for teaching word reading is phonics instruction for decoding and encoding. Instructional strategies for foundational skills may not employ the three-cueing system model of reading or visual memory as a basis for teaching word reading. Instructional strategies may include visual information and strategies that improve background and experiential knowledge, add context, and increase oral language and vocabulary to support comprehension, but may not be used to teach word reading.
4. Content literacy and mathematics practices.
5. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of English language learners.
6. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of students with disabilities.
7. Strategies to differentiate instruction based on student needs.
8. Strategies and practices to support evidence-based content aligned to state standards and grading practices.
9. Strategies appropriate for the early identification of a student in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge and the referral of such student to a mental health professional for support.
10. Strategies to support the use of technology in education and distance learning.
11. Strategies and practices to support effective, research-based assessment and grading practices aligned to the state’s academic standards.
(c) Each candidate must receive instruction and be assessed on the uniform core curricula in the candidate’s area or areas of program concentration during course work and field experiences. Beginning with candidates entering a teacher preparation program in the 2022-2023 school year, a candidate for certification in a coverage area identified pursuant to s. 1012.585(3)(f) must successfully complete all competencies for a reading endorsement, including completion of the endorsement practicum through the candidate’s field experience under subsection (5), in order to graduate from the program.
(d) Before program completion, each candidate must demonstrate his or her ability to positively impact student learning growth in the candidate’s area or areas of program concentration during a prekindergarten through grade 12 field experience and must pass each portion of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination required for a professional certificate in the area or areas of program concentration.
(e) Teacher preparation program courses:
1. May not distort significant historical events or include a curriculum or instruction that teaches identity politics, violates s. 1000.05, or is based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities.
2. Must afford candidates the opportunity to think critically, achieve mastery of academic program content, learn instructional strategies, and demonstrate competence.
(3) INITIAL STATE PROGRAM APPROVAL.—
(a) A program approval process based on standards adopted pursuant to this subsection and subsection (2) must be established for postsecondary teacher preparation programs. Each program shall be approved by the department, consistent with the intent set forth in subsection (1) and based upon evidence of the institution’s and the program’s capacity to meet the requirements for continued approval as provided in subsection (4) and by the rules of the State Board of Education.
(b) Each teacher preparation program approved by the Department of Education, as provided for by this section, shall require students, at a minimum:
1. For admission into the program, to have a grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the general education component of undergraduate studies or have completed the requirements for a baccalaureate degree with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale from any college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association as defined by State Board of Education rule or any college or university otherwise approved pursuant to State Board of Education rule.
2. To demonstrate mastery of general knowledge, including the ability to read, write, and perform in mathematics, by passing the General Knowledge Test of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination by the time of graduation or, for a graduate level program, obtain a baccalaureate degree from an institution that is accredited or approved pursuant to the rules of the State Board of Education.
(c) Each teacher preparation program approved by the Department of Education, as provided for by this section, shall provide a certification ombudsman to facilitate the process and procedures required for graduates to obtain educator professional or temporary certification pursuant to s. 1012.56.
(4) CONTINUED PROGRAM APPROVAL.—Continued approval of a teacher preparation program shall be based upon evidence that the program continues to implement the requirements for initial approval and upon significant, objective, and quantifiable measures of the program and the performance of the program completers.
(a) The criteria for continued approval must include each of the following:
1. Candidate readiness based on passage rates on educator certification examinations under s. 1012.56, as applicable.
2. Evidence of performance in each of the following areas:
a. Performance of students in prekindergarten through grade 12 who are assigned to in-field program completers on statewide assessments using the results of the student learning growth formula adopted under s. 1012.34.
b. Results of program completers’ annual evaluations in accordance with the timeline as set forth in s. 1012.34.
c. Workforce contributions, including placement of program completers in instructional positions in Florida public and private schools, with additional weight given to production of program completers in statewide high-demand teacher needs areas as identified in s. 1012.07.
3. Results of the program completers’ survey measuring their satisfaction with preparation for the realities of the classroom.
4. Results of the employers’ survey measuring satisfaction with the program and the program’s responsiveness to local school districts.
(b) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules for continued approval of teacher preparation programs which include the program review process, the continued approval timelines, and the performance level targets for each of the continued approval criteria in paragraph (a). Additional criteria may be approved by the State Board of Education. The Commissioner of Education shall determine the continued approval of each program based on the data collected pursuant to this section and the rules of the State Board of Education, which may include weighted criteria and may authorize continued program approval based on a review conducted by a nationally recognized accrediting entity. The rules must establish criteria, based on program size, for determining whether a program review is necessary, whether program quality should be aggregated and measured at the provider or institution level, and whether program reviews may be validly conducted on a remote basis.
(c) Each program must prepare and submit to the Department of Education an institutional program evaluation plan. Each institutional program evaluation plan must incorporate the criteria established in paragraphs (a) and (b) and may include additional data chosen by the program. The plan must provide information on how the institution addresses continuous program improvement and must include provisions for involving primary stakeholders, such as program completers, public school personnel, classroom teachers, principals, community agencies, and business representatives in the evaluation process.
(d) Each teacher preparation program must guarantee the high quality of its program completers during the first 2 years immediately following completion of the program or following initial certification, whichever occurs first. Any program completer who is employed in a Florida public school during this 2-year period and who earns an evaluation result of developing or unsatisfactory on the school district’s evaluation system implemented under s. 1012.34 shall be provided additional training by the teacher preparation program at no expense to the educator or the employer if requested by the employing school district or charter school. Such training must consist of an individualized plan agreed upon by the school district and the postsecondary educational institution which includes specific learning outcomes. The postsecondary educational institution assumes no responsibility for the educator’s employment contract with the employer.
(e) Each Florida public and private institution that offers a state-approved teacher preparation program must annually report information regarding its approved programs to the state and the general public. The report to the state must include a list of candidates who are admitted to, who are enrolled in, or who complete a teacher preparation program; additional evidence necessary to document requirements for continued approval; and data necessary to complete applicable federal reporting requirements. The state reporting requirements must minimize a program’s reporting burden whenever possible without compromising data quality. The report to the general public must include, at a minimum, the annual progress data reported by the state under this paragraph and results of the surveys required under paragraph (a), and may include other information chosen by the institution or program.
(f) By January 1 of each year, the Department of Education shall report the results of each approved program’s annual progress on the performance measures in paragraph (a) as well as the current approval status of each program to:
1. The Governor.
2. The President of the Senate.
3. The Speaker of the House of Representatives.
4. The State Board of Education.
5. The Board of Governors.
6. The Commissioner of Education.
7. Each Florida postsecondary teacher preparation program.
8. Each district school superintendent.
9. The public.
This report may include the results of other continued approval requirements provided by State Board of Education rule and recommendations for improving teacher preparation programs in the state.
(5) PRESERVICE FIELD EXPERIENCE.—All postsecondary instructors, school district personnel and instructional personnel, and school sites preparing instructional personnel through preservice field experience courses and internships shall meet special requirements. District school boards may pay student teachers during their internships.
(a) All individuals in postsecondary teacher preparation programs who instruct or supervise preservice field experience courses or internships in which a candidate demonstrates his or her impact on student learning growth shall have the following: specialized training in clinical supervision; at least 3 years of successful, relevant prekindergarten through grade 12 teaching, student services, or school administration experience; and an annual demonstration of experience in a relevant prekindergarten through grade 12 school setting as defined by State Board of Education rule.
(b)1. All school district personnel and instructional personnel who supervise or direct teacher preparation students during field experience courses or internships taking place in this state in which candidates demonstrate an impact on student learning growth must have:
a. Evidence of “clinical educator” training;
b. A valid professional certificate issued pursuant to s. 1012.56;
c. At least 3 years of teaching experience in prekindergarten through grade 12;
d. Earned an effective or highly effective rating on the prior year’s performance evaluation under s. 1012.34 or be a peer evaluator under the district’s evaluation system approved under s. 1012.34; and
e. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, for all such personnel who supervise or direct teacher preparation students during internships in kindergarten through grade 3 or who are enrolled in a teacher preparation program for a certificate area identified pursuant to s. 1012.585(3)(f), a certificate or endorsement in reading.
The State Board of Education shall approve the training requirements.
2. All instructional personnel who supervise or direct teacher preparation students during field experience courses or internships in another state, in which a candidate demonstrates his or her impact on student learning growth, through a Florida online or distance program must have received “clinical educator” training or its equivalent in that state, hold a valid professional certificate issued by the state in which the field experience takes place, and have at least 3 years of teaching experience in prekindergarten through grade 12.
3. All instructional personnel who supervise or direct teacher preparation students during field experience courses or internships, in which a candidate demonstrates his or her impact on student learning growth, on a United States military base in another country through a Florida online or distance program must have received “clinical educator” training or its equivalent, hold a valid professional certificate issued by the United States Department of Defense or a state or territory of the United States, and have at least 3 years teaching experience in prekindergarten through grade 12.
(c) Preservice field experience must fully prepare a candidate to manage a classroom by requiring the candidate to practice and demonstrate the uniform core curricula specific to the candidate’s area or areas of program concentration with a diverse population of students in a variety of challenging environments, including, but not limited to, high-poverty schools, urban schools, and rural schools. Beginning with candidates entering a program in the 2023-2024 school year, a minimum of 60 hours of preservice field experience must be completed before the culminating field experience, which must include a minimum of 12 weeks of student teaching.
(d) Postsecondary teacher preparation programs in cooperation with district school boards and approved private school associations shall select the school sites for preservice field experience activities based upon the qualifications of the supervising personnel as described in this subsection and the needs of the candidates. These sites must represent the full spectrum of school communities, including, but not limited to, schools serving low-achieving students. In order to be selected, school sites must demonstrate commitment to the education of public school students and to the preparation of future teachers.
(6) RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt necessary rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement this section.
History.—s. 162, ch. 2002-387; s. 37, ch. 2003-391; s. 4, ch. 2004-295; s. 88, ch. 2004-357; s. 84, ch. 2007-217; s. 41, ch. 2011-5; s. 9, ch. 2011-37; s. 7, ch. 2013-89; s. 1, ch. 2013-185; s. 1, ch. 2014-32; s. 9, ch. 2017-116; s. 12, ch. 2019-23; s. 12, ch. 2021-9; s. 3, ch. 2021-228; s. 34, ch. 2022-154; s. 8, ch. 2023-39; s. 10, ch. 2023-108; s. 1, ch. 2024-141; s. 31, ch. 2025-110.
1004.051 Regulation of working students.—
(1) A public postsecondary institution may not, as a condition of admission to or enrollment in any of the institution’s schools, colleges, or programs, prohibit an applicant or currently enrolled student from being employed, either full time or part time.
(2) This section does not apply if the applicant or currently enrolled student is employed by an organization or agency that is affiliated or associated with a foreign country of concern as defined in s. 288.860(1).
History.—s. 14, ch. 2024-101.
1004.055 Security of data and information technology in state postsecondary education institutions.—
(1) All of the following data or information from technology systems owned, under contract, or maintained by a state university or a Florida College System institution is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution:
(a) Records held by the university or institution which identify detection, investigation, or response practices for suspected or confirmed information technology security incidents, including suspected or confirmed breaches, if the disclosure of such records would facilitate unauthorized access to or unauthorized modification, disclosure, or destruction of:
1. Data or information, whether physical or virtual; or
2. Information technology resources, which include:
a. Information relating to the security of the university’s or institution’s technologies, processes, and practices designed to protect networks, computers, data processing software, and data from attack, damage, or unauthorized access; or
b. Security information, whether physical or virtual, which relates to the university’s or institution’s existing or proposed information technology systems.
(b) Those portions of risk assessments, evaluations, audits, and other reports of the university’s or institution’s information technology security program for its data, information, and information technology resources which are held by the university or institution, if the disclosure of such records would facilitate unauthorized access to or the unauthorized modification, disclosure, or destruction of:
1. Data or information, whether physical or virtual; or
2. Information technology resources, which include:
a. Information relating to the security of the university’s or institution’s technologies, processes, and practices designed to protect networks, computers, data processing software, and data from attack, damage, or unauthorized access; or
b. Security information, whether physical or virtual, which relates to the university’s or institution’s existing or proposed information technology systems.
(2) Those portions of a public meeting as specified in s. 286.011 which would reveal data and information described in subsection (1) are exempt from s. 286.011 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution. No exempt portion of an exempt meeting may be off the record. All exempt portions of such a meeting must be recorded and transcribed. The recording and transcript of the meeting must remain confidential and exempt from disclosure under s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution unless a court of competent jurisdiction, following an in camera review, determines that the meeting was not restricted to the discussion of data and information made confidential and exempt by this section. In the event of such a judicial determination, only that portion of the transcript which reveals nonexempt data and information may be disclosed to a third party.
(3) The records and portions of public meeting recordings and transcripts described in subsection (1) must be available to the Auditor General; the Cybercrime Office of the Department of Law Enforcement; for a state university, the Board of Governors; and for a Florida College System institution, the State Board of Education. Such records and portions of meetings, recordings, and transcripts may be made available to a state or federal agency for security purposes or in furtherance of the agency’s official duties.
(4) The exemptions listed in this section apply to such records or portions of public meetings, recordings, and transcripts held by the university or institution before, on, or after June 14, 2017.
History.—ss. 1, 3, ch. 2017-109; s. 1, ch. 2022-9.
1004.06 Prohibited expenditures.—
(1) A Florida College System institution, state university, Florida College System institution direct-support organization, or state university direct-support organization may not expend any funds, regardless of source, to purchase membership in, or goods and services from, any organization that discriminates on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or religion.
(2) A Florida College System institution, state university, Florida College System institution direct-support organization, or state university direct-support organization may not expend any state or federal funds to promote, support, or maintain any programs or campus activities that:
(a) Violate s. 1000.05; or
(b) Advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, or promote or engage in political or social activism, as defined by rules of the State Board of Education and regulations of the Board of Governors.
Student fees to support student-led organizations are permitted notwithstanding any speech or expressive activity by such organizations which would otherwise violate this subsection, provided that the public funds must be allocated to student-led organizations pursuant to written policies or regulations of each Florida College System institution or state university, as applicable. Use of institution facilities by student-led organizations is permitted notwithstanding any speech or expressive activity by such organizations which would otherwise violate this subsection, provided that such use must be granted to student-led organizations pursuant to written policies or regulations of each Florida College System institution or state university, as applicable.
(3) Subsection (2) does not prohibit programs, campus activities, or functions required for compliance with general or federal laws or regulations; for obtaining or retaining institutional or discipline-specific accreditation with the approval of either the State Board of Education or the Board of Governors; or for access programs for military veterans, Pell Grant recipients, first generation college students, nontraditional students, “2+2” transfer students from the Florida College System, students from low-income families, or students with unique abilities.
(4) The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors shall adopt rules and regulations, respectively, to implement this section.
History.—s. 164, ch. 2002-387; s. 43, ch. 2011-5; s. 4, ch. 2023-82.
1004.07 Student withdrawal from courses due to military service; effect.—
(1) Each district school board, Florida College System institution board of trustees, and state university board of trustees shall establish policies regarding currently enrolled students who are called to, or enlist in, active military service.
(2) Such policies shall provide that any student enrolled in a postsecondary course or courses at a career center, a Florida College System institution, or a state university shall not incur academic or financial penalties by virtue of performing military service on behalf of our country. Such student shall be permitted the option of either completing the course or courses at a later date without penalty or withdrawing from the course or courses with a full refund of fees paid. If the student chooses to withdraw, the student’s record shall reflect that the withdrawal is due to active military service.
(3) Policies of district school boards and Florida College System institution boards of trustees shall be established by rule and pursuant to guidelines of the State Board of Education.
(4) Policies of state university boards of trustees shall be established by regulation and pursuant to guidelines of the Board of Governors.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-280; s. 114, ch. 2003-1; s. 89, ch. 2004-357; s. 85, ch. 2007-217; s. 15, ch. 2010-78; s. 44, ch. 2011-5.
1004.071 Collegiate Purple Star Campuses.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “military student” means a student who is:
(a) Enrolled in a Florida College System institution, state university, or career center.
(b) An active duty member or veteran of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard; a reserve component of any branch of the United States military; or the Florida National Guard; and his or her spouse and dependents.
(2)(a) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules, and the Board of Governors shall adopt regulations, to establish the Collegiate Purple Star Campuses program. At a minimum, the program must require a participating Florida College System institution, state university, or career center to:
1. Designate a staff member as a military liaison.
2. Maintain a web page on the institution’s website which includes resources for military students and their families.
3. Maintain a student-led transition program that assists military students in transitioning to the institution.
4. Offer professional learning training opportunities for staff members on issues relating to military students.
5. Provide priority course registration for military students.
(b) The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors may establish additional criteria to identify Florida College System institutions and career centers, or state universities, respectively, that demonstrate a commitment to or provide critical transition supports for military-connected families, such as hosting an annual military recognition event, partnering with a school liaison officer from a military installation, supporting projects that connect the Florida College System institution, state university, or career center with the military community, and providing outreach for military parents and their children.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2023-160; s. 21, ch. 2024-5.
1004.075 Priority course registration for veterans.—Each Florida College System institution and state university that offers priority course registration for a segment of the student population, or upon implementation of priority course registration for a segment of the student population, shall provide priority course registration for each veteran of the United States Armed Forces who is receiving GI Bill educational benefits or for the spouse or dependent children of the veteran to whom the GI Bill educational benefits have been transferred. Each eligible veteran, or his or her spouse or dependent children, shall be granted priority for course registration until the expiration of the GI Bill educational benefits.
History.—s. 21, ch. 2012-159; s. 1, ch. 2012-162.
1004.08 Patient safety instructional requirements.—Each public school, college, and university that offers degrees in medicine, nursing, or allied health shall include in the curricula applicable to such degrees material on patient safety, including patient safety improvement. Materials shall include, but need not be limited to, effective communication and teamwork; epidemiology of patient injuries and medical errors; medical injuries; vigilance, attention, and fatigue; checklists and inspections; automation, technological, and computer support; psychological factors in human error; and reporting systems.
History.—s. 33, ch. 2003-416.
1004.082 Talent retention programs.—The Chancellor of the State University System shall cooperate with the Commissioner of Education to support talent retention programs that encourage middle school and high school students who indicate an interest in or aptitude for physics or mathematics to continue their education at a state university that has excellent departments in selected fields. The chancellor and the commissioner shall work with state university department chairs to enable department chairs of outstanding state university departments to send letters to students who indicate an interest in or aptitude for those subjects. At a minimum, the letter should provide an open invitation for the student to communicate with the department, at least annually, and to schedule a tour of the department and the campus.
History.—s. 48, ch. 2013-27.
1004.084 College affordability.—
(1) The Board of Governors and the State Board of Education shall annually identify strategies to promote college affordability for all Floridians by evaluating, at a minimum, the impact of:
(a) Tuition and fees on undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at public colleges and universities and graduate assistants employed by public universities.
(b) Federal, state, and institutional financial aid policies on the actual cost of attendance for students and their families.
(c) The costs of textbooks and instructional materials.
(2) By December 31 of each year, beginning in 2016, the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education shall submit a report on their respective college affordability initiatives to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2016-236.
1004.085 Textbook and instructional materials affordability and transparency.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “instructional materials” means educational materials for use within a course which may be available in printed or digital format.
(2) An employee of a Florida College System institution or state university may not demand or receive any payment, loan, subscription, advance, deposit of money, service, or anything of value, present or promised, in exchange for requiring students to purchase a specific textbook or instructional material for coursework or instruction.
(3) An employee may receive:
(a) Sample copies, instructor copies, or instructional materials. These materials may not be sold for any type of compensation if they are specifically marked as free samples not for resale.
(b) Royalties or other compensation from sales of textbooks or instructional materials that include the instructor’s own writing or work.
(c) Honoraria for academic peer review of course materials.
(d) Fees associated with activities such as reviewing, critiquing, or preparing support materials for textbooks or instructional materials pursuant to guidelines adopted by the State Board of Education or the Board of Governors.
(e) Training in the use of course materials and learning technologies.
(4) Each Florida College System institution and state university board of trustees is authorized to adopt policies in consultation with providers, including bookstores, which allow for the use of innovative pricing techniques and payment options for textbooks and instructional materials. Such policies may include bulk pricing arrangements that enable students to purchase course materials or texts that are delivered digitally; delivered through other technologies that are, or the licenses of which are, required for use within a course; or delivered in a print format. Innovative pricing techniques and payment options must include an opt-in or opt-out provision for students and may be approved only if there is documented evidence that the options reduce the cost of textbooks and instructional materials for students taking a course.
(5)(a) Each Florida College System institution and state university shall post prominently in the course registration system and on its website a hyperlink to lists of required and recommended textbooks and instructional materials for at least 95 percent of all courses and course sections offered at the institution during the upcoming term. The lists must include the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) for each required and recommended textbook and instructional material or other identifying information, which must include, at a minimum, all of the following: the title, all authors listed, publishers, edition number, copyright date, published date, and other relevant information necessary to identify the specific textbooks or instructional materials required and recommended for each course. The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors shall include in the policies, procedures, and guidelines adopted under subsection (6) certain limited exceptions to this notification requirement for classes added after the notification deadline.
(b) The lists of required and recommended textbooks and instructional materials required in paragraph (a) must:
1. Be posted as early as is feasible but at least 45 days before the first day of class for each term.
2. Remain posted for at least 5 academic years.
3. Be searchable by the course subject, the course number, the course title, the name of the instructor of the course, the title of each assigned textbook or instructional material, and each author of an assigned textbook or instructional material.
4. Be easily downloadable by current and prospective students.
(c) If a course subject to paragraphs (a) and (b) is a general education core course option identified pursuant to s. 1007.25, course syllabi information containing sufficient detail to inform students of all of the following must be included:
1. The course curriculum.
2. The goals, objectives, and student expectations of the course.
3. How student performance will be measured.
(6) After receiving input from students, faculty, bookstores, and publishers, the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors each shall adopt textbook and instructional materials affordability policies, procedures, and guidelines for implementation by Florida College System institutions and state universities, respectively, that further efforts to minimize the cost of textbooks and instructional materials for students attending such institutions while maintaining the quality of education and academic freedom. The policies, procedures, and guidelines shall address:
(a) The establishment of deadlines for an instructor or department to notify the bookstore of required and recommended textbooks and instructional materials so that the bookstore may verify availability, source lower cost options when practicable, explore alternatives with faculty when academically appropriate, and maximize the availability of used textbooks and instructional materials.
(b) Confirmation by the course instructor or academic department offering the course, before the textbook or instructional materials adoption is finalized, of the intent to use all items ordered, particularly each individual item sold as part of a bundled package.
(c) Determination by a course instructor or the academic department offering the course, before a textbook or instructional material is adopted, of the extent to which a new edition differs significantly and substantively from earlier versions and the value to the student of changing to a new edition or the extent to which an open-access textbook or instructional material is available.
(d) The availability of required and recommended textbooks and instructional materials to students otherwise unable to afford the cost, including consideration of the extent to which an open-access textbook or instructional material may be used.
(e) Participation by course instructors and academic departments in the development, adaptation, and review of open-access textbooks and instructional materials and, in particular, open-access textbooks and instructional materials for high-demand general education courses.
(f) Consultation with school districts to identify practices that impact the cost of dual enrollment textbooks and instructional materials to school districts, including, but not limited to, the length of time that textbooks and instructional materials remain in use.
(g) Selection of textbooks and instructional materials through cost-benefit analyses that enable students to obtain the highest-quality product at the lowest available price, by considering:
1. Purchasing digital textbooks in bulk.
2. Expanding the use of open-access textbooks and instructional materials.
3. Providing rental options for textbooks and instructional materials.
4. Increasing the availability and use of affordable digital textbooks and learning objects.
5. Developing mechanisms to assist in buying, renting, selling, and sharing textbooks and instructional materials.
6. The length of time that textbooks and instructional materials remain in use.
7. An evaluation of cost savings for textbooks and instructional materials which a student may realize if individual students are able to exercise opt-in provisions for the purchase of the materials.
(7) The board of trustees of each Florida College System institution and state university shall report, by September 30 of each year, to the Chancellor of the Florida College System or the Chancellor of the State University System, as applicable, the textbook and instructional materials selection process for high-enrollment courses; specific initiatives of the institution designed to reduce the costs of textbooks and instructional materials; policies implemented in accordance with subsection (5); the number of courses and course sections that were not able to meet the textbook and instructional materials posting deadline for the previous academic year; and any additional information determined by the chancellors. By November 1 of each year, each chancellor shall provide a summary of the information provided by institutions to the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors, as applicable.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2008-78; s. 4, ch. 2010-155; s. 45, ch. 2011-5; s. 3, ch. 2016-236; s. 119, ch. 2019-3; s. 15, ch. 2019-4; s. 5, ch. 2020-117; s. 2, ch. 2022-70.
1004.095 Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps; military recruiters; access to Florida College System institution and state university campuses.—
(1) A Florida College System institution or state university may not ban any branch of the United States Armed Forces from establishing, maintaining, or operating a unit of the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at the college or university.
(2)(a) A Florida College System institution or state university shall grant military recruiters of the United States Armed Forces and United States Department of Homeland Security the same access to the college’s or university’s students, and to campus facilities and grounds, which the college or university grants to other employers.
(b) A Florida College System institution or state university shall, to the extent required in 10 U.S.C. s. 983(b)(2), grant military recruiters access to the names, addresses, telephone listings, dates and places of birth, levels of education, academic majors, degrees received, and most recent educational institutions enrolled in by the college’s or university’s students.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2008-73; s. 46, ch. 2011-5.
1004.096 Postsecondary credit for military training and education courses.—
(1) In consultation with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Board of Governors shall adopt regulations and the State Board of Education shall adopt rules that create a process that enables eligible servicemembers or veterans of the United States Armed Forces to earn uniform postsecondary credit across all Florida public postsecondary educational institutions for college-level training and education acquired in the military. The regulations and rules shall include procedures for credential evaluation and the uniform award of postsecondary credit or career education clock hours, including, but not limited to, equivalency and alignment of military coursework with appropriate postsecondary courses and course descriptions.
(2) The Articulation Coordinating Committee shall convene a workgroup by July 15, 2020, which is responsible for developing a process for determining postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded for courses taken and occupations held by individuals during their service in the military.
(a) The workgroup shall be composed of the following 13 members:
1. The chair of the Articulation Coordinating Committee, or his or her designee, who shall serve as chair.
2. Four members representing academic affairs administrators and faculty from state universities, appointed by the chair of the Board of Governors.
3. Four members representing academic affairs administrators and faculty from Florida College System institutions, appointed by the chair of the State Board of Education.
4. Two members representing faculty from career centers, appointed by the State Board of Education.
5. Two members representing veterans, appointed by the executive director of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
(b) The Office of K-20 Articulation shall provide administrative support for the workgroup.
(c) The workgroup shall establish a process for prioritizing and determining postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded for courses taken and occupations held by individuals during their service in the military. The workgroup shall provide recommendations to the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education by December 1, 2020, for approval at the next meeting of each board to allow for adequate public notice.
(d) Upon approval of the workgroup’s recommendations by the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education, the Articulation Coordinating Committee shall facilitate the review of courses taken and occupations held by individuals during their service in the military for postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded in accordance with the approved process.
(e) Within 1 year after approval of the workgroup’s recommendations by the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education pursuant to paragraph (c), the Articulation Coordinating Committee shall approve a prioritized list of postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded for courses taken and occupations held by individuals during their service in the military. The list must be updated annually. The Board of Governors and the State Board of Education shall timely adopt the list approved by the Articulation Coordinating Committee at the next meeting of each board to allow for adequate public notice. For the purpose of statewide application, postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded for courses taken and occupations held by individuals during their service in the military shall be delineated by the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors in the statewide articulation agreement required by s. 1007.23(1).
(f) State universities, Florida College System institutions, and career centers must award postsecondary credit or career education clock hours for courses taken and occupations held by individuals during their service in the military based on the list adopted by the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education pursuant to paragraph (e) if the credit or career education clock hours are applicable toward the student’s degree or certificate. Institutions may award additional postsecondary credit or career education clock hours if appropriate. Credit or career education clock hours awarded in accordance with minimum postsecondary credit and clock hour requirements, respectively, are guaranteed to transfer to other state universities, Florida College System institutions, and career centers.
(3)(a) For purposes of this subsection, the term “accredited program” has the same meaning as in s. 464.003.
(b) By July 15, 2023, the Articulation Coordinating Committee shall convene a workgroup that is responsible for establishing a process for determining postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded in an accredited program for military training and education required for service as an Army Combat Medic Specialist, a Navy or Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman, an Air Force or Space Force Aerospace Medical Service Technician, or a Coast Guard Health Services Technician.
1. The composition of the workgroup and the provision of administrative support to the workgroup must be as provided in paragraphs (2)(a) and (b). The workgroup shall ensure that the award of postsecondary credit or career education clock hours does not impair an accredited program’s ability to comply with the requirements identified in s. 464.019.
2. The workgroup shall provide its recommendations regarding the process for awarding postsecondary credit or career education clock hours to the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education by December 1, 2023, for approval at the next meeting of each board to allow for adequate public notice.
3.a. Upon approval of the workgroup’s recommendations by the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education, the Articulation Coordinating Committee shall facilitate the review of the military training and education received by individuals who served as an Army Combat Medic Specialist, a Navy or Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman, an Air Force or Space Force Aerospace Medical Service Technician, or a Coast Guard Health Services Technician for postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded for that training and education.
b. Within 1 year after such approval, the Articulation Coordinating Committee shall approve a prioritized list of postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded in an accredited program for such military training and education. The list must be updated annually. The Board of Governors and the State Board of Education shall adopt the list approved by the Articulation Coordinating Committee at their next respective meetings. For the purpose of statewide application, postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded in an accredited program for such military training and education must be delineated by the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors in the statewide articulation agreement required by s. 1007.23(1).
4. State universities, Florida College System institutions, and career centers shall award postsecondary credit or career education clock hours for such military training and education based on the list adopted pursuant to sub-subparagraph 3.b. if the credit or career education clock hours are applicable toward the student’s degree or certificate and may award additional postsecondary credit or career education clock hours as appropriate. Postsecondary credit or career education clock hours awarded under this subsection are transferable from one state university, Florida College System institution, or career center to another.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2012-169; s. 1, ch. 2016-142; s. 1, ch. 2020-80; s. 3, ch. 2023-158.
1004.0961 Credit for online courses.—Beginning in the 2015-2016 school year, the State Board of Education shall adopt rules and the Board of Governors shall adopt regulations that enable students to earn academic credit for online courses, including massive open online courses, before initial enrollment at a postsecondary institution. The rules of the State Board of Education and regulations of the Board of Governors must include procedures for credential evaluation and the award of credit, including, but not limited to, recommendations for credit by the American Council on Education; equivalency and alignment of coursework with appropriate courses; course descriptions; type and amount of credit that may be awarded; and transfer of credit.
History.—s. 6, ch. 2013-225; s. 50, ch. 2014-39.
1004.0962 Campus emergency response of a public postsecondary educational institution; public records exemption; public meetings exemption.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “campus emergency response” means a public postsecondary educational institution’s response to or plan for responding to an act of terrorism, as defined by s. 775.30, or other public safety crisis or emergency, and includes information relating to:
(a) Records, information, photographs, audio and visual presentations, schematic diagrams, surveys, recommendations, or consultations or portions thereof.
(b) Threat assessments conducted by any agency or private entity.
(c) Threat response plans.
(d) Emergency evacuation plans.
(e) Sheltering arrangements.
(f) Manuals for security personnel, emergency equipment, or security training.
(g) Security systems or plans.
(h) Vulnerability analyses.
(i) Postdisaster activities, including provisions for emergency power, communications, food, and water.
(j) Postdisaster transportation.
(k) Supplies, including drug caches.
(l) Identification of staff involved in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities.
(m) Emergency equipment.
(n) Individual identification of affected or at-risk students, faculty, and staff before, during, or after an emergency; the transfer of records concerning affected or at-risk students, faculty, and staff; and methods of responding to family inquiries.
(2)(a) Any portion of a campus emergency response held by a public postsecondary educational institution is exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(b) Any portion of a campus emergency response held by a state or local law enforcement agency, a county or municipal emergency management agency, the Executive Office of the Governor, the Department of Education, the Board of Governors of the State University System, or the Division of Emergency Management is exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(3) The public records exemptions provided by this section are remedial in nature, and it is the intent of the Legislature that the exemptions apply to campus emergency responses held by a custodial agency before, on, or after the effective date of this section.
(4) That portion of a public meeting which would reveal information related to a campus emergency response is exempt from s. 286.011 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2017-184; s. 1, ch. 2022-133; s. 1, ch. 2024-41.
1004.097 Free expression on campus.—
(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Campus Free Expression Act.”
(2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Commercial speech” means speech in which the individual is engaged in commerce, the intended audience is commercial or actual or potential consumers, and the content of the message is commercial.
(b) “Free-speech zone” means an area on a campus of a public institution of higher education which is designated for the purpose of engaging in expressive activities.
(c) “Material and substantial disruption” means any conduct that intentionally and significantly hinders another person’s or group’s expressive rights. The term does not include conduct that is protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Art. I of the State Constitution, including, but not limited to, lawful protests and counter-protests in the outdoor areas of campus or minor, brief, or fleeting nonviolent disruptions that are isolated or brief in duration.
(d) “Outdoor areas of campus” means generally accessible areas of a campus of a public institution of higher education in which members of the campus community are commonly allowed, including grassy areas, walkways, or other similar common areas. The term does not include outdoor areas of campus to which access is restricted.
(e) “Public institution of higher education” means any public technical center, state college, state university, law school, medical school, dental school, or other Florida College System institution as defined in s. 1000.21.
(f) “Shield” means to limit students’, faculty members’, or staff members’ access to, or observation of, ideas and opinions that they may find uncomfortable, unwelcome, disagreeable, or offensive.
(3) RIGHT TO FREE-SPEECH ACTIVITIES.—
(a) Expressive activities protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Art. I of the State Constitution include, but are not limited to, any lawful oral or written communication of ideas, including all forms of peaceful assembly, protests, and speeches; distributing literature; carrying signs; circulating petitions; faculty research, lectures, writings, and commentary, whether published or unpublished; and the recording and publication, including the Internet publication, of video or audio recorded in outdoor areas of campus. Expressive activities protected by this section do not include defamatory or commercial speech.
(b) A person who wishes to engage in an expressive activity in outdoor areas of campus may do so freely, spontaneously, and contemporaneously as long as the person’s conduct is lawful and does not materially and substantially disrupt the functioning of the public institution of higher education or infringe upon the rights of other individuals or organizations to engage in expressive activities.
(c) Outdoor areas of campus are considered traditional public forums for individuals, organizations, and guest speakers. A public institution of higher education may create and enforce restrictions that are reasonable and content-neutral on time, place, and manner of expression and that are narrowly tailored to a significant institutional interest. Restrictions must be clear and published and must provide for ample alternative means of expression.
(d) A public institution of higher education may not designate any area of campus as a free-speech zone or otherwise create policies restricting expressive activities to a particular outdoor area of campus, except as provided in paragraph (c).
(e) Students, faculty, or staff of a public institution of higher education may not materially disrupt previously scheduled or reserved activities on campus occurring at the same time.
(f) A Florida College System institution or a state university may not shield students, faculty, or staff from expressive activities.
(g) Notwithstanding s. 934.03 and subject to the protections provided in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 U.S.C. s. 1232g, and ss. 1002.22 and 1002.225, a student may record video or audio of class lectures for his or her own personal educational use, in connection with a complaint to the public institution of higher education where the recording was made, or as evidence in, or in preparation for, a criminal or civil proceeding. A recorded lecture may not be published without the consent of the lecturer.
(4) CAUSE OF ACTION.—A person injured by a violation of this section may bring an action:
(a) Against a public institution of higher education based on the violation of the individual’s expressive rights in a court of competent jurisdiction to obtain declaratory and injunctive relief and may be entitled to damages plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees, which may only be paid from nonstate funds.
(b) Against a person who has published video or audio recorded in a classroom in violation of paragraph (3)(g) in a court of competent jurisdiction to obtain declaratory and injunctive relief and may be entitled to damages plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees, with the total recovery not to exceed $200,000.
History.—s. 6, ch. 2018-4; s. 120, ch. 2019-3; s. 3, ch. 2021-159; s. 80, ch. 2022-4.
1004.0971 Emergency opioid antagonists in Florida College System institution and state university housing.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Administer” or “administration” means to introduce an emergency opioid antagonist into the body of a person.
(b) “Emergency opioid antagonist” means a drug that blocks the effects of opioids administered from outside the body and that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of an opioid overdose.
(c) “Institution” means a Florida College System institution or state university.
(2) Each institution must have a supply of emergency opioid antagonists with an autoinjection or intranasal application delivery system in each residence hall or dormitory residence owned or operated by the institution for the administration of emergency opioid antagonists to a person believed to be experiencing an opioid overdose.
(3) Each institution must place the emergency opioid antagonists in a clearly marked location within each residence hall or dormitory residence. The emergency opioid antagonist must be easily accessible to campus law enforcement officers who are trained in the administration of emergency opioid antagonists.
(4) Public and private partnerships are encouraged to cover the cost associated with the purchase and placement of such emergency opioid antagonists.
(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any campus law enforcement officer trained in the administration of emergency opioid antagonists who administers or attempts to administer an emergency opioid antagonist in compliance with ss. 381.887 and 768.13, and the institution that employs such officer, are immune from civil or criminal liability as a result of such administration or attempted administration of an emergency opioid antagonist.
(6) The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors shall adopt rules and regulations, respectively, to administer this section in cooperation with the Department of Health.
History.—s. 3, ch. 2023-184; s. 32, ch. 2025-110.
1004.098 Applicants for president of a state university or Florida College System institution; public records exemption; public meetings exemption.—
(1)(a) Any personal identifying information of an applicant for president of a state university or a Florida College System institution held by a state university or a Florida College System institution is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the age, race, and gender of all applicants who met the minimum qualifications established for the position by a state university or Florida College System institution who were considered and the personal identifying information of an applicant included in the final group of applicants for president of a state university or a Florida College System institution are no longer confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution beginning at the earlier of the date the final group of applicants to be considered for president is established or 21 days before the date of a meeting at which an interview of an applicant will be conducted or at which final action or a vote is to be taken on the offer of the employment of an applicant as president.
(2)(a) Any portion of a meeting held for the purpose of identifying or vetting applicants for president of a state university or a Florida College System institution, including any portion of a meeting which would disclose personal identifying information of such applicants which is otherwise confidential and exempt under subsection (1), is exempt from s. 286.011 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(b) A complete recording must be made of any portion of a meeting which is closed pursuant to paragraph (a), and any closed portion of such meeting may not be held off the record. The recording of the closed portion of a meeting is exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(c) The exemption provided in paragraph (a) does not apply to:
1. Any portion of a meeting held for the purpose of establishing qualifications for the position or establishing any compensation framework to be offered to an applicant for president of a state university or a Florida College System institution.
2. Any meeting that is held after a final group of applicants for president of a state university or a Florida College System institution has been established.
(3) This section is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2027, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2022-15.
1004.0981 College credit for law enforcement training.—
(1) As used in this section:
(a) “Law enforcement officer” has the same meaning as provided in s. 943.10(1).
(b) “Law enforcement training and experience” means training courses, specialized assignments or work experience, and other similar activities performed by a person during his or her service as a law enforcement officer that require education beyond the basic skills of an officer.
(2) The Board of Governors shall adopt regulations and the State Board of Education shall adopt rules that create a process that enables eligible law enforcement officers or former law enforcement officers to earn uniform postsecondary credit across all Florida public postsecondary educational institutions for college-level training and education acquired while serving as a law enforcement officer. The regulations and rules shall include procedures for credential evaluation and the uniform award of postsecondary credit or career education clock hours, including, but not limited to, equivalency and alignment of law enforcement training with appropriate postsecondary courses and course descriptions.
(3) The Articulation Coordinating Committee shall convene a workgroup by September 1, 2022, which is responsible for developing a process for determining postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded for law enforcement training and experience.
(a) The workgroup shall be composed of the following 14 members:
1. The chair of the Articulation Coordinating Committee, or his or her designee, who shall serve as chair.
2. Four members representing academic affairs administrators and faculty from state universities, appointed by the chair of the Board of Governors.
3. Four members representing academic affairs administrators and faculty from Florida College System institutions, appointed by the chair of the State Board of Education.
4. Two members representing faculty from career centers, appointed by the State Board of Education.
5. A representative from the Florida Sheriffs Association.
6. A representative from the Florida Police Chiefs Association.
7. A representative from the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
(b) The Office of K-20 Articulation shall provide administrative support for the workgroup.
(c) The workgroup shall establish a process for prioritizing and determining postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded for law enforcement training and experience. The workgroup shall provide recommendations to the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education by March 1, 2023, for approval at the next meeting of each board to allow for adequate public notice. The workgroup shall terminate upon submission of its recommendations.
(d) Upon approval of the workgroup’s recommendations by the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education, the Articulation Coordinating Committee shall facilitate the review of law enforcement training and experience for postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded in accordance with the approved process.
(e) Within 1 year after approval of the workgroup’s recommendations by the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education pursuant to paragraph (c), the Articulation Coordinating Committee shall approve a prioritized list of postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded for law enforcement training and experience. The list must be updated annually. The Board of Governors and the State Board of Education shall timely adopt the list approved by the Articulation Coordinating Committee at the next meeting of each board to allow for adequate public notice. For the purpose of statewide application, postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded for law enforcement training and experience shall be delineated by the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors in the statewide articulation agreement required by s. 1007.23(1).
(f) State universities, Florida College System institutions, and career centers must award postsecondary credit or career education clock hours for law enforcement training and experience based on the list adopted by the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education pursuant to paragraph (e) if the credit or career education clock hours are applicable toward the student’s degree or certificate. Institutions may award additional postsecondary credit or career education clock hours if appropriate. Credit or career education clock hours awarded in accordance with minimum postsecondary credit and clock hour requirements, respectively, are guaranteed to transfer to other state universities, Florida College System institutions, and career centers.
History.—s. 11, ch. 2022-23.
1004.0982 Flexible education pathway for school counselors.—To better enable students enrolled in postsecondary school counseling programs to enter the workforce as certified school counselors, the Department of Education shall:
(1) Reduce the 600-hour internship requirement to a 300-hour internship requirement if a candidate:
(a) Is a current full-time teacher who has been employed as a teacher for at least 5 years; and
(b) Has earned an effective or highly effective rating on his or her performance evaluation for the past 3 years under s. 1012.34.
(2) Establish, and the State Board of Education shall adopt rules and the Board of Governors shall adopt regulations, guidelines and programs to provide flexibility in meeting the internship requirements for students enrolled in a postsecondary school counseling program.
(a) The guidelines may include any of the following:
1. Establishing acceptable internship settings and supervision requirements.
2. Establishing criteria for adjustments to internship requirements based on the student’s personal circumstances.
3. Establishing credit equivalencies that count toward internship hours for such students.
4. Flexibility in meeting the internship hours for such students.
(b) The programs may include, subject to legislative funding, any of the following:
1. Scholarship programs.
2. Tuition reimbursement programs.
3. Other incentive programs.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2025-107.
PART II
STATE UNIVERSITIESA. General Provisions
B. Branch Campuses, Centers,
Institutes, and Special Programs
Institutes, and Special Programs
A. General Provisions
1004.22 Divisions of sponsored research at state universities.
1004.23 Universities; powers; patents, copyrights, and trademarks.
1004.24 Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, authorized to secure liability insurance.
1004.25 State universities; payment of costs of civil action.
1004.26 University student governments; the Florida Student Association.
1004.28 Direct-support organizations; use of property; board of directors; activities; audit; facilities.
1004.29 University health services support organizations.
1004.30 University health services support organization; confidentiality of information.
1004.31 Assent to Hatch Act and Morrill Land-Grant Act.
1004.32 New College of Florida.
1004.22 Divisions of sponsored research at state universities.—
(1) Each university is authorized to create, in accordance with guidelines of the Board of Governors, divisions of sponsored research which will serve the function of administration and promotion of the programs of research, including sponsored training programs, of the university at which they are located.
(2) The university shall set such policies to regulate the activities of the divisions of sponsored research as it may consider necessary to administer the research programs in a manner which assures efficiency and effectiveness, producing the maximum benefit for the educational programs and maximum service to the state. To this end, materials that relate to methods of manufacture or production, potential trade secrets, potentially patentable material, actual trade secrets, business transactions, or proprietary information received, generated, ascertained, or discovered during the course of research conducted within the state universities shall be confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1), except that a division of sponsored research shall make available upon request the title and description of a research project, the name of the researcher, and the amount and source of funding provided for such project.
(3) The president of the university where a division of sponsored research is created, or his or her designee, is authorized to negotiate, enter into, and execute research contracts; to solicit and accept research grants and donations; and to fix and collect fees, other payments, and donations that may accrue by reason thereof. The president or his or her designee may negotiate, enter into, and execute contracts on a cost-reimbursement basis and may provide temporary financing of such costs prior to reimbursement from moneys on deposit in a sponsored research development fund, except as may be prohibited elsewhere by law.
(4) A division of sponsored research shall be financed from the moneys of a university which are on deposit or received for use in the research or related programs of that particular university. Such moneys shall be deposited by the university in a permanent sponsored research development fund.
(5) Moneys deposited in the permanent sponsored research development fund of a university shall be disbursed in accordance with the terms of the contract, grant, or donation under which they are received. Moneys received for overhead or indirect costs and other moneys not required for the payment of direct costs shall be applied to the cost of operating the division of sponsored research. Any surplus moneys shall be used to support other research or sponsored training programs in any area of the university. Transportation and per diem expense allowances shall be the same as those provided by law in s. 112.061, except that personnel performing travel under a sponsored research subcontract may be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with the provisions of the applicable prime contract or grant and the travel allowances established by the subcontractor, subject to the requirements of subsection (7), or except as provided in subsection (11).
(6)(a) Each university shall submit to the Board of Governors a report of the activities of each division of sponsored research together with an estimated budget for the next fiscal year.
(b) Not less than 90 days prior to the convening of each regular session of the Legislature in which an appropriation shall be made, the Board of Governors shall submit to the chair of the appropriations committee of each house of the Legislature a compiled report, together with a compiled estimated budget for the next fiscal year. A copy of such report and estimated budget shall be furnished to the Governor, as the chief budget officer of the state.
(7) All purchases of a division of sponsored research shall be made in accordance with the policies and procedures of the university pursuant to guidelines of the Board of Governors; however, upon certification addressed to the university president that it is necessary for the efficient or expeditious prosecution of a research project, the president may exempt the purchase of material, supplies, equipment, or services for research purposes from the general purchasing requirement of the Florida Statutes.
(8) The university may authorize the construction, alteration, or remodeling of buildings when the funds used are derived entirely from the sponsored research development fund of a university or from that fund in combination with other nonstate sources, provided that such construction, alteration, or remodeling is for use exclusively in the area of research; it also may authorize the acquisition of real property when the cost is entirely from said funds. Title to all real property purchased prior to January 7, 2003, or with funds appropriated by the Legislature shall vest in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and shall only be transferred or conveyed by it.
(9) The sponsored research programs of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the University of Florida Health Science Center, and the engineering and industrial experiment station shall continue to be centered at the University of Florida as heretofore provided by law. Indirect cost reimbursements of all grants deposited in the Division of Sponsored Research shall be distributed directly to the above units in direct proportion to the amounts earned by each unit.
(10) The operation of the divisions of sponsored research and the conduct of the sponsored research program are expressly exempted from the provisions of any other laws or portions of laws in conflict herewith and are, subject to the requirements of subsection (7), exempted from the provisions of chapters 215, 216, and 283.
(11) The divisions of sponsored research may pay, by advancement or reimbursement, or a combination thereof, the costs of per diem of university employees and of other authorized persons, as defined in s. 112.061(2)(c), for foreign travel up to the current rates as stated in the grant and contract terms and may also pay incidental expenses as authorized by s. 112.061(8). This subsection applies to any university employee traveling in foreign countries for sponsored programs of the university, if such travel expenses are approved in the terms of the contract or grant. The provisions of s. 112.061, other than those relating to per diem, apply to the travel described in this subsection. As used in this subsection, “foreign travel” means any travel outside the United States and its territories and possessions and Canada. Persons traveling in foreign countries pursuant to this section shall not be entitled to reimbursements or advancements pursuant to s. 112.061(6)(a)2. for such travel.
(12) Each division of sponsored research is authorized to advance funds to any principal investigator who, under the contract or grant terms, will be performing a portion of his or her research at a site that is remote from the university. Funds shall be advanced only to employees who have executed a proper power of attorney with the university to ensure the proper collection of such advanced funds if it becomes necessary. As used in this subsection, the term “remote” means so far removed from the university as to render normal purchasing and payroll functions ineffective.
History.—s. 168, ch. 2002-387; s. 115, ch. 2003-1; s. 87, ch. 2007-217; s. 35, ch. 2010-78; s. 157, ch. 2023-8.
1004.23 Universities; powers; patents, copyrights, and trademarks.—Any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, each state university is authorized, in its own name, to:
(1) Perform all things necessary to secure letters of patent, copyrights, and trademarks on any work products and to enforce its rights therein. The university shall consider contributions by university personnel in the development of trademarks, copyrights, and patents and shall enter into written contracts with such personnel establishing the interests of the university and such personnel in each trademark, copyright, or patent.
(2) License, lease, assign, or otherwise give written consent to any person, firm, or corporation for the manufacture or use thereof, on a royalty basis or for such other consideration as the university shall deem proper.
(3) Take any action necessary, including legal action, to protect the same against improper or unlawful use or infringement.
(4) Enforce the collection of any sums due the university for the manufacture or use thereof by any other party.
(5) Sell any of the same and execute all instruments necessary to consummate any such sale.
(6) Do all other acts necessary and proper for the execution of powers and duties herein conferred upon the university, including adopting regulations, as necessary, in order to administer this section. Any proceeds therefrom shall be deposited and expended in accordance with s. 1004.22. Any action taken by the university in securing or exploiting such trademarks, copyrights, or patents shall, within 30 days, be reported in writing by the president to the Department of State.
History.—s. 169, ch. 2002-387; s. 19, ch. 2011-177.
1004.24 Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, authorized to secure liability insurance.—
(1) The Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, is authorized to secure, or otherwise provide as a self-insurer, or by a combination thereof, comprehensive general liability insurance, including professional liability for health care and veterinary sciences, for:
(a) The Board of Governors and its officers and members.
(b) A university board of trustees and its officers and members.
(c) The faculty and other employees and agents of a university board of trustees.
(d) The students of a state university.
(e) A state university or any college, school, institute, center, or program thereof.
(f) Any not-for-profit corporation organized pursuant to chapter 617, and the directors, officers, employees, and agents thereof, which is affiliated with a state university, if the corporation is operated for the benefit of the state university in a manner consistent with the best interests of the state, and if such participation is approved by a self-insurance program council, the university president, and the board of trustees.
(2) In the event the Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, adopts a self-insurance program, a governing council chaired by the vice president for health affairs or his or her academic equivalent shall be established to administer the program and its duties and responsibilities, including the administration of self-insurance program assets and expenditure policies, which shall be defined in rules as authorized by this section. The council shall have an annual actuary review performed to establish funding requirements to maintain the fiscal integrity of the self-insurance program. The assets of a self-insurance program shall be deposited outside the State Treasury and shall be administered in accordance with rules as authorized by this section.
(3) Any self-insurance program created under this section shall be funded by the entities and individuals protected by such program. There shall be no funds appropriated to any self-insurance program. The assets of the self-insurance program shall be the property of the board that adopts the self-insurance program and shall be used only to pay the administrative expenses of the self-insurance program and to pay any claim, judgment, or claims bill arising out of activities for which the self-insurance program was created. Investment income that is in excess of that income necessary to ensure the solvency of a self-insurance program as established by a casualty actuary may be used to defray the annual contribution paid into the program by the entities and individuals protected by the program.
(4) No self-insurance program adopted by the Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, may sue or be sued. The claims files of any such program are privileged and confidential, exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1), and are only for the use of the program in fulfilling its duties. Any self-insurance trust fund and revenues generated by that fund shall only be used to pay claims and administration expenses.
(5) Each self-insurance program council shall make provision for an annual financial audit pursuant to s. 11.45 of its accounts to be conducted by an independent certified public accountant. The annual audit report must include a management letter and shall be submitted to the Board of Governors and the university board of trustees for review. The Board of Governors shall have the authority to require and receive from the self-insurance program council or from its independent auditor any detail or supplemental data relative to the operation of the self-insurance program.
History.—s. 170, ch. 2002-387; s. 42, ch. 2004-41; s. 88, ch. 2007-217.
1004.25 State universities; payment of costs of civil action.—A university may defray all costs of defending any civil action brought against any officer or employee of the university for any act or omission arising out of and in the course of the performance of his or her duties and responsibilities, which costs may include reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses together with costs of appeal, and may save harmless and protect such person from any financial loss resulting from the lawful performance of his or her duties and responsibilities. Claims based on such actions or omissions may be settled prior to or after the filing of suit thereon. The university may arrange for and pay the premium for appropriate insurance to cover all such losses and expenses. The university may use funds available, not subject to the obligation of contract, covenant, or trust, to carry out the purposes of this section in the amount necessary. Failure by the university to perform any act authorized by this section shall not constitute a cause of action against the university or its members, officers, or employees.
History.—s. 171, ch. 2002-387.
1004.26 University student governments; the Florida Student Association.—
(1) A student government is created on the main campus of each state university. In addition, each university board of trustees may establish a student government on any branch campus or center. Each student government is a part of the university at which it is established.
(2) Each student government shall be organized and maintained by students and shall be composed of at least a student body president, a student legislative body, and a student judiciary. The student body president and the student legislative body shall be elected by the student body; however, interim vacancies and the student judiciary may be filled in a manner other than election as prescribed by the internal procedures of the student government.
(3) Each student government shall adopt internal procedures governing:
(a) The operation and administration of the student government.
(b) The execution of all other duties as prescribed to the student government by law.
(4)(a) The qualifications, elections, and returns, the appointments, and the suspension, removal, and discipline of officers of the student government shall be determined by the student government as prescribed by its internal procedures.
(b) Any elected or appointed officer of the student government may be removed from office by the majority vote of students participating in a referendum held under this paragraph. Each student government shall adopt internal procedures by which students may petition for a referendum to remove from office an elected or appointed officer of the student government. The grounds for removal of a student government officer by petition must be expressly contained in the petition and are limited to the following: malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, or conviction of a felony. The referendum must be held no later than 60 days after the filing of the petition.
(c) Each student government shall adopt internal procedures providing for the suspension and removal of an elected or appointed student government officer following the conviction of that officer of a felony.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, each student government shall adopt internal procedures providing an elected or appointed officer of the student government who has been disciplined, suspended, or removed from office, the right to directly appeal such decision to the vice president of student affairs or other senior university administrator designated to hear such appeals. The internal procedures shall not condition the exercise of such right on the consideration or decision of any student panel, including, but not limited to, any student judiciary, or place any condition precedent on the exercise of such right granted by this paragraph.
(5)(a) The Florida Student Association is designated as the nonprofit advocacy organization serving the needs of the students of the State University System. If the Florida Student Association fails to meet the requirements of this section, the Chancellor of the Board of Governors shall designate an equivalent nonprofit advocacy organization to serve the needs of the students of the State University System with the approval of the Board of Governors.
(b) The Florida Student Association shall be governed by a board of directors. The membership of the board of directors shall be comprised of the 12 student body presidents of the state universities. The board of directors shall annually elect a chair from among the board’s members. The chair shall also serve as president of the association.
(c) The Florida Student Association shall adopt bylaws to establish:
1. A due process for the removal or impeachment of the president of the association. Such due process must provide that the president of the association may be removed by the majority vote of members of the board of directors. The grounds for removal of the president of the association are limited to malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, or conviction of a felony.
2. Procedures for the suspension and removal of the president of the association following the conviction of a felony.
3. Procedures for a president of the association who has been disciplined, suspended, or removed from his or her position to directly appeal such decision to the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs for the Board of Governors. The bylaws may not place any condition precedent on the exercise of such right granted by this paragraph, and the association may not elect a new president until the exhaustion of the appeals process or any other due process rights afforded by this section.
(6) There shall be no cause of action against a state university for the actions or decisions of the student government of that state university unless the action or decision is made final by the state university and constitutes a violation of state or federal law.
History.—s. 3, ch. 2002-188; s. 43, ch. 2004-41; s. 2, ch. 2010-219; s. 4, ch. 2021-159; s. 5, ch. 2023-83.
1004.28 Direct-support organizations; use of property; board of directors; activities; audit; facilities.—
(1) DEFINITIONS.—For the purposes of this section:
(a) “University direct-support organization” means an organization which is:
1. A Florida corporation not for profit incorporated under the provisions of chapter 617 and approved by the Department of State.
2. Organized and operated exclusively to receive, hold, invest, and administer property and to make expenditures to or for the benefit of a state university in Florida or for the benefit of a research and development park or research and development authority affiliated with a state university and organized under part V of chapter 159.
3. An organization that a state university board of trustees, after review, has certified to be operating in a manner consistent with the goals of the university and in the best interest of the state. Any organization that is denied certification by the board of trustees shall not use the name of the university that it serves.
(b) “Personal services” includes full-time or part-time personnel as well as payroll processing.
(c) “Property” does not include student fee revenues collected pursuant to s. 1009.24.
(2) USE OF PROPERTY.—
(a) Each state university board of trustees is authorized to permit the use of property, facilities, and personal services at any state university by any university direct-support organization, and, subject to the provisions of this section, direct-support organizations may establish accounts with the State Board of Administration for investment of funds pursuant to part IV of chapter 218.
(b) The board of trustees, in accordance with regulations and guidelines of the Board of Governors, shall prescribe by regulation conditions with which a university direct-support organization must comply in order to use property, facilities, or personal services at any state university, including that personal services must comply with s. 1012.976. Such regulations shall provide for budget and audit review and oversight by the board of trustees, including thresholds for approval of purchases, acquisitions, projects, and issuance of debt. No later than July 1, 2019, the transfer of a state appropriation by the board of trustees to any direct-support organization may only include funds pledged for capital projects. Beginning July 1, 2019, and annually thereafter, each university board of trustees shall report to the Legislature the amount of state appropriations transferred to any direct-support organization during the previous fiscal year, the purpose for which the funds were transferred, and the remaining balance of any funds transferred.
(c) The board of trustees may not transfer any funds to and shall not permit the use of property, facilities, or personal services at any state university by any university direct-support organization that does not provide equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age, or national origin.
(d) The board of trustees may not permit the use of state funds for travel expenses by any university direct-support organization.
(3) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—The chair of the university board of trustees shall appoint at least one representative to the board of directors and the executive committee of any direct-support organization established under this section. The president of the university for which the direct-support organization is established, or his or her designee, shall also serve on the board of directors and the executive committee of any direct-support organization established to benefit that university. The university board of trustees shall approve all appointments to any direct-support organization not authorized by this subsection.
(4) ACTIVITIES; RESTRICTION.—A university direct-support organization is prohibited from giving, either directly or indirectly, any gift to a political committee as defined in s. 106.011 for any purpose.
(5) ANNUAL AUDIT; PUBLIC RECORDS EXEMPTION; PUBLIC MEETINGS EXEMPTION.—
(a) Each direct-support organization shall provide for an annual financial audit of its accounts and records to be conducted by an independent certified public accountant in accordance with rules adopted by the Auditor General pursuant to s. 11.45(8) and by the university board of trustees. The annual audit report shall be submitted, within 9 months after the end of the fiscal year, to the Auditor General and the Board of Governors for review. The Board of Governors, the university board of trustees, the Auditor General, and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall have the authority to require and receive from the organization or from its independent auditor any records relative to the operation of the organization. The identity of donors who desire to remain anonymous shall be protected, and that anonymity shall be maintained in the auditor’s report.
(b) Other than the auditor’s report, management letter, any records related to the expenditure of state funds, and any financial records related to the expenditure of private funds for travel, all records of the organization and any supplemental data requested by the Board of Governors, the university board of trustees, the Auditor General, and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall be confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1).
(c) Any portion of a meeting of the board of directors of the organization, or of the executive committee or other committees of such board, at which any proposal seeking research funding from the organization or a plan or program for either initiating or supporting research is discussed is exempt from s. 286.011 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(6) FACILITIES.—Each direct-support organization is authorized to enter into agreements to finance, design and construct, lease, lease-purchase, purchase, or operate facilities necessary and desirable to serve the needs and purposes of the university, as determined by the systemwide strategic plan adopted by the Board of Governors. Such agreements are subject to the provisions of ss. 1010.62 and 1013.171.
(7) ANNUAL BUDGETS AND REPORTS.—Each direct-support organization shall submit to the university president and the Board of Governors its federal Internal Revenue Service Application for Recognition of Exemption form (Form 1023) and its federal Internal Revenue Service Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax form (Form 990).
History.—s. 172, ch. 2002-387; s. 173, ch. 2007-5; s. 89, ch. 2007-217; s. 31, ch. 2013-37; s. 1, ch. 2014-27; s. 7, ch. 2018-4; s. 1, ch. 2019-26.
1004.29 University health services support organizations.—
(1) Each state university is authorized to establish university health services support organizations which shall have the ability to enter into, for the benefit of the university academic health sciences center, arrangements with other entities as providers in other integrated health care systems or similar entities. To the extent required by law or rule, university health services support organizations shall become licensed as insurance companies, pursuant to chapter 624, or be certified as health maintenance organizations, pursuant to chapter 641. University health services support organizations shall have sole responsibility for the acts, debts, liabilities, and obligations of the organization. In no case shall the state or university have any responsibility for such acts, debts, liabilities, and obligations incurred or assumed by university health services support organizations.
(2) Each university health services support organization shall be a Florida corporation not for profit, incorporated under the provisions of chapter 617 and approved by the Department of State.
(3) A state university board of trustees, in accordance with rules and guidelines of the Board of Governors, may prescribe, by rule, conditions with which a university health services support organization must comply in order to be certified and to use property, facilities, or personal services at any state university. The rules must provide for budget, audit review, and oversight by the board of trustees. Such rules shall provide that the university health services support organization may provide salary supplements and other compensation or benefits for university faculty and staff employees only as set forth in the organization’s budget, which shall be subject to approval by the university president.
(4) The chair of the university board of trustees may appoint a representative to the board of directors and the executive committee of any university health services support organization established under this section. The president of the university for which the university health services support organization is established, or the president’s designee, shall also serve on the board of directors and the executive committee of any university health services support organization established to benefit that university.
(5) Each university health services support organization shall provide for an annual financial audit in accordance with s. 1004.28(5). The auditor’s report, management letter, and any supplemental data requested by the Board of Governors, the university board of trustees, and the Auditor General shall be considered public records, pursuant to s. 119.07.
History.—s. 173, ch. 2002-387; s. 90, ch. 2007-217.
1004.30 University health services support organization; confidentiality of information.—
(1) All meetings of a governing board of a university health services support organization and all university health services support organization records shall be open and available to the public in accordance with s. 286.011 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution and chapter 119 and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution, respectively, unless made confidential or exempt by law. Records required by the Department of Financial Services or the Office of Insurance Regulation of the Financial Services Commission to discharge their duties shall be made available to the department upon request.
(2) The following university health services support organization’s records and information are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution:
(a) Contracts for managed care arrangements under which the university health services support organization provides health care services, preferred provider organization contracts, health maintenance organization contracts, alliance network arrangements, and exclusive provider organization contracts, and any documents directly relating to the negotiation, performance, and implementation of any such contracts for managed care arrangements or alliance network arrangements. As used in this paragraph, the term “managed care” means systems or techniques generally used by third-party payors or their agents to affect access to and control payment for health care services. Managed-care techniques most often include one or more of the following: prior, concurrent, and retrospective review of the medical necessity and appropriateness of services or site of services; contracts with selected health care providers; financial incentives or disincentives related to the use of specific providers, services, or service sites; controlled access to and coordination of services by a case manager; and payor efforts to identify treatment alternatives and modify benefit restrictions for high-cost patient care.
(b) Each university health services support organization’s marketing plan the disclosure of which may reasonably be expected by the organization’s governing board to be used by a competitor or an affiliated provider of the organization to frustrate, circumvent, or exploit the purposes of the plan before it is implemented and which is not otherwise known or cannot be legally obtained by a competitor or an affiliated provider. However, documents that are submitted to the organization’s governing board as part of the board’s approval of the organization’s budget, and the budget itself, are not confidential and exempt.
(c) Trade secrets, as defined in s. 688.002, including reimbursement methodologies and rates.
(d) The records of the peer review panels, committees, governing board, and agents of the university health services support organization which relate solely to the evaluation of health care services and professional credentials of health care providers and physicians employed by or providing services under contract to the university health services support organization. The exemptions created by this paragraph shall not be construed to impair any otherwise established rights of an individual health care provider to inspect documents concerning the determination of such provider’s professional credentials.
(3) Any portion of a governing board or peer review panel or committee meeting during which a confidential and exempt contract, document, record, marketing plan, or trade secret, as provided for in subsection (2), is discussed is exempt from the provisions of s. 286.011 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(4) Those portions of any public record, such as a tape recording, minutes, and notes, generated during that portion of a governing board or peer review panel or committee meeting which is closed to the public pursuant to this section, which contain information relating to contracts, documents, records, marketing plans, or trade secrets which are made confidential and exempt by this section, are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(5) The exemptions from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution and s. 286.011 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution provided in this section do not apply if the governing board of a university health services support organization votes to lease, sell, or transfer all or any substantial part of the facilities or property of the university health services support organization to a nonpublic entity.
(6) Any person may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for an order for the public release of those portions of any public record, such as a tape recording, minutes, or notes, generated during that portion of a governing board meeting which is closed to the public pursuant to subsection (3), which record is made confidential and exempt by subsection (4). Any action pursuant to this subsection must be brought in the county where the principal office of the university health services support organization is located, as reflected in the records of the Secretary of State. In any order for the public release of a record pursuant to this subsection, the court shall make a finding that a compelling public interest is served by the release of the record or portions thereof which exceeds the public necessity for maintaining the confidentiality of such record as described in s. 2, chapter 96-171, Laws of Florida, and that the release of the record will not cause damage to or adversely affect the interests of private persons, business entities, the university health services support organization, or the affiliated university.
(7) Those portions of any public record, such as a tape recording, minutes, or notes, generated during that portion of a governing board meeting at which negotiations for contracts for managed-care arrangements occur, are reported on, or are acted on by the governing board, which record is made confidential and exempt by subsection (4), shall become public records 2 years after the termination or completion of the term of the contract to which such negotiations relate or, if no contract was executed, 2 years after the termination of the negotiations. Notwithstanding paragraph (2)(a) and subsection (4), a university health services support organization must make available, upon request, the title and general description of a contract for managed-care arrangements, the names of the contracting parties, and the duration of the contract term. All contracts for managed-care arrangements which are made confidential and exempt by paragraph (2)(a), except those portions of any contract containing trade secrets which are made confidential and exempt by paragraph (2)(c), shall become public 2 years after the termination or completion of the term of the contract.
(8) A university health services support organization may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to continue the confidentiality of any public record made nonconfidential by this section, upon a showing of good cause. In determining good cause, the court shall balance the property, privacy, and economic interests of any affected person or business entity with those of the university health services support organization and with the public interest and must make a finding that a substantial public interest is served by the continued confidentiality of the public record for an additional time period. The length of time for this continued exemption may be no longer than is necessary to protect that substantial public interest.
(9) This act does not preclude discovery of records and information that are otherwise discoverable under the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure or any statutory provision allowing discovery or presuit disclosure of such records and information for the purpose of civil actions.
History.—s. 174, ch. 2002-387; s. 1948, ch. 2003-261.
1004.31 Assent to Hatch Act and Morrill Land-Grant Act.—The assent of the Legislature is given to the provisions and requirements of the Acts of Congress commonly known as the “Hatch Act of 1887,” the “First Morrill Act of 1862,” the “Second Morrill Act of 1890,” and all acts supplemental thereto. The University of Florida Board of Trustees may receive grants of money appropriated for the benefit of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in the case of the First Morrill Act, the Hatch Act, and all acts supplemental thereto. The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Board of Trustees may receive grants of money appropriated for the benefit of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in the case of the Second Morrill Act and all acts supplemental thereto. The provisions of chapter 3564, 1885, Laws of Florida, and s. 7, chapter 1776, 1870, Laws of Florida, are made applicable to said universities insofar as the same are or can be made effective; and all estate, right, property claim, and emoluments, and the rents and issues thereof, or any substitutions thereof, and all claims and demands arising or that may or can arise thereunder, or any Act of Congress in that regard, are hereby preserved, maintained, and transferred to the University of Florida Board of Trustees and the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Board of Trustees for the use and benefit of said universities under the terms of said acts.
History.—s. 175, ch. 2002-387.
1004.32 New College of Florida.—
(1) MISSION AND GOALS.—New College of Florida with a campus in Sarasota County serves a distinctive mission as the residential liberal arts honors college of the State of Florida. To maintain this mission, New College of Florida has the following goals:
(a) To provide a quality education to students of high ability who, because of their ability, deserve a program of study that is both demanding and stimulating.
(b) To engage in educational reform by combining educational innovation with educational excellence.
(c) To provide programs of study that allow students to design their educational experience as much as possible in accordance with their individual interests, values, and abilities.
(d) To challenge students not only to master existing bodies of knowledge but also to extend the frontiers of knowledge through original research.
(2) ACCREDITATION.—As soon as possible, New College of Florida shall apply to the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for separate accreditation.
(3) BOARD OF TRUSTEES.—The Governor shall appoint 12 members to the Board of Trustees, to serve 4-year staggered terms, as follows:
(a) Three residents of Sarasota County.
(b) Two residents of Manatee County.
(c) Until the expiration date of the terms of office of the members who are on the board June 30, 2001, seven members selected from the Board of Trustees of the New College Foundation.
In addition, the student body president of New College of Florida elected pursuant to s. 1004.26 shall serve ex officio as a voting member of the board of trustees.
(4) MASTER IN DATA SCIENCE AND ANALYTICS.—New College of Florida shall establish a 2-year master’s degree program in data science and analytics upon approval from the Board of Governors.
History.—s. 4, ch. 2002-188; s. 176, ch. 2002-387; s. 116, ch. 2003-1; s. 9, ch. 2014-56.
B. Branch Campuses, Centers,
Institutes, and Special Programs
Institutes, and Special Programs
1004.341 University of South Florida branch campuses.
1004.343 Statewide Data Repository for Anonymous Human Trafficking Data.
1004.344 The Florida Center for the Partnerships for Arts Integrated Teaching.
1004.345 The Florida Polytechnic University.
1004.3451 Direct-support organization for Florida Polytechnic University.
1004.346 Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute.
1004.35 Broward County campuses of Florida Atlantic University; coordination with other institutions.
1004.36 Florida Atlantic University campuses.
1004.37 County or area extension programs; cooperation between counties and University of Florida and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
1004.384 University of Central Florida College of Medicine.
1004.3841 The Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Education.
1004.385 Florida International University College of Medicine.
1004.39 College of law at Florida International University.
1004.40 College of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
1004.41 University of Florida; J. Hillis Miller Health Center.
1004.42 Florida State University College of Medicine.
1004.421 Election Law Center at the Florida State University.
1004.4211 The Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases; the Sunshine Genetics Pilot Program; the Sunshine Genetics Consortium.
1004.43 H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.
1004.435 Cancer control and research.
1004.4351 Medical marijuana research.
1004.4352 Parkinson’s disease research.
1004.4353 Florida Institute for Parkinson’s Disease.
1004.44 Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute.
1004.441 Refractory and intractable epilepsy treatment and research.
1004.444 Florida Center for Cybersecurity.
1004.445 Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr., Alzheimer’s Center and Research Institute.
1004.447 Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, Inc.
1004.4471 Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition; affiliation with other universities.
1004.4472 Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, Inc.; public records exemption; public meetings exemption.
1004.4473 Industrial hemp pilot projects.
1004.45 Ringling Center for Cultural Arts.
1004.46 Multidisciplinary Center for Affordable Housing.
1004.47 Research activities relating to solid and hazardous waste management.
1004.48 Research protocols to determine most appropriate pollutant dispersal agents.
1004.49 Florida LAKEWATCH Program.
1004.53 Interdisciplinary Center for Brownfield Rehabilitation Assistance.
1004.55 Regional autism centers; public record exemptions.
1004.551 University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment.
1004.56 Florida Museum of Natural History; functions.
1004.561 University of Florida Lastinger Center For Learning.
1004.57 Vertebrate paleontological sites and remains; legislative intent and state policy.
1004.575 Program of vertebrate paleontology within Florida Museum of Natural History.
1004.576 Destruction, purchase, and sale of vertebrate fossils prohibited, exceptions; field investigation permits required; penalty for violation.
1004.577 Certain rights of mine or quarry operators and dragline or heavy equipment operators preserved.
1004.59 Florida Conflict Resolution Consortium.
1004.60 Research of Rosewood incident.
1004.615 Florida Institute for Child Welfare.
1004.635 State University System Research and Economic Development Investment Program.
1004.645 Florida Center for Reading Research.
1004.647 Florida Catastrophic Storm Risk Management Center.
1004.648 Florida Energy Systems Consortium.
1004.649 Northwest Regional Data Center.
1004.6495 Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program and Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities.
1004.6496 Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education.
1004.6497 World Class Faculty and Scholar Program.
1004.6498 State University Professional and Graduate Degree Excellence Program.
1004.6499 Florida Institute for Governance and Civics.
1004.64991 The Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom.
1004.341 University of South Florida branch campuses.—
(1) The St. Petersburg and Sarasota/Manatee campuses of the University of South Florida are hereby established.
(a) The St. Petersburg campus of the University of South Florida shall be known as the “University of South Florida St. Petersburg” and shall include any college of the University of South Florida which is headquartered or primarily located in Pinellas County.
(b) The Sarasota/Manatee campus of the University of South Florida shall be known as the “University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee” and shall include any college of the University of South Florida which is headquartered or primarily located in Sarasota County or Manatee County.
(2) The University of South Florida St. Petersburg and the University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee shall each have a campus board and a regional chancellor. The Chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida, based upon recommendations of the President of the University of South Florida, shall appoint:
(a) Seven residents of Pinellas County to serve 4-year staggered terms on the Campus Board of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. A member of the Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida who resides in Pinellas County shall jointly serve as a member of the Board of Trustees and as chair of the campus board. The chair of the faculty senate or the equivalent and the president of the student body of the campus shall serve as ex officio members.
(b) Four residents of Manatee County and three residents of Sarasota County to serve 4-year staggered terms on the Campus Board of the University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee. A member of the Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida who resides in Manatee County or Sarasota County shall be selected by the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida to serve jointly as a member of the Board of Trustees and as chair of the campus board. The chair of the faculty senate or the equivalent and the president of the student body of the campus shall serve as ex officio members.
The Board of Trustees may reappoint a member to the campus board, other than the chair, for one additional term.
(3) Each campus board has the powers and duties provided by law, which include the authority to approve and submit an annual operating plan, budget, and legislative budget request to the Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida.
(4) The Board of Trustees shall publish and approve an annual operating budget for each campus and a report on the distribution of funds, including student tuition and fees, preeminence funding, and performance-based funding, provided to each campus.
(5) The Board of Trustees must publish on its website a biennial regional impact report, beginning July 1, 2021, which details the specific increased investments in university programs located in Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties. The report shall include, at a minimum, trend information related to access to new degree programs for students in those counties, any changes in student enrollment and outcomes at each campus located in those counties, increased research conducted and research infrastructure added in those counties, and any fixed capital outlay projects or property acquisitions planned or completed in those counties.
(6) The faculty and students at each campus shall be represented in the academic and student governance structures of the University of South Florida as determined by the Board of Trustees.
History.—s. 10, ch. 2018-4.
1004.343 Statewide Data Repository for Anonymous Human Trafficking Data.—
(1) The University of South Florida Trafficking in Persons - Risk to Resilience Lab shall house and operate the state’s unified Statewide Data Repository for Anonymous Human Trafficking Data.
(a) The purposes of the data repository are to:
1. Collect and analyze anonymous human trafficking data to better understand the magnitude and trends in human trafficking in the state over time.
2. Help evaluate the effectiveness of various state-funded initiatives to combat human trafficking to determine the impact of such initiatives and to use evidence-based decisionmaking in the determination of state investments in such initiatives.
3. Inform statewide efforts among law enforcement agencies, state agencies, and other entities to combat human trafficking and apprehend and prosecute those persons responsible for human trafficking; and
4. Better serve victims of human trafficking through evidence-based interventions that have proven effective.
(b) University of South Florida faculty and staff assigned to the lab shall:
1. Design, operate, maintain, and protect the integrity of the statewide human trafficking data repository.
2. Design, in consultation with the Department of Law Enforcement and other law enforcement partners, and launch a user-friendly system for uploading anonymous human trafficking data to the repository in a manner that can be accomplished quickly and at no additional cost to the required reporting entities.
3. Analyze such data to identify initiatives and interventions that worked best in combating human trafficking, prosecuting individuals conducting human trafficking, and assisting victims of human trafficking.
4. Work with law enforcement agencies and state agencies to report data on human trafficking investigations and prosecutions which can aid those agencies in combating human trafficking and prosecuting those individuals responsible for human trafficking.
(2)(a) The following agencies and organizations are considered required reporting entities under this section:
1. Law enforcement agencies operating with state or local government tax proceeds, including, but not limited to, municipal police departments, county sheriff’s departments, county attorney’s offices, and state attorney’s offices.
2. The Department of Law Enforcement and any other state agencies that hold any data related to human trafficking.
3. Service providers and other nongovernmental organizations that serve victims of human trafficking through state or federal funding for such purpose.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), any required reporting entity that submits the data required under subsection (3) from its local jurisdiction to the Department of Law Enforcement’s Uniform Crime Report (UCR) system or Florida Incident-Based Reporting System (FIBRS) may, but is not required to, submit any additional data to the statewide human trafficking data repository. However, the Department of Law Enforcement shall upload or otherwise share with the statewide human trafficking data repository, at least quarterly, the relevant data required by this section which has been reported by local jurisdictions to the UCR system and the FIBRS.
(3) All of the following human trafficking data shall be submitted by required reporting entities to the statewide human trafficking data repository, unless such entity is exempt from the reporting under paragraph (2)(b):
(a) The alleged offense that was being investigated or prosecuted and a description of the alleged prohibited conduct.
(b) The age, gender, and race or ethnicity of each suspect and victim and the case number associated with that suspect and victim.
(c) The date, time, and location of the alleged offense.
(d) The type of human trafficking involved.
(e) Any other related prosecution charges.
(f) Information regarding any victim services organization or program to which the victim was referred, if available.
(g) The disposition of the investigation or prosecution, regardless of its manner of disposition.
(4)(a) A required reporting entity located in a county with a population of more than 500,000 must begin reporting its jurisdiction’s human trafficking data required by this section to the statewide human trafficking data repository, or to the UCR system or the FIBRS, on or before July 1, 2024, and at least quarterly each year thereafter.
(b) A required reporting entity located in a county with a population of 500,000 or less must begin reporting its jurisdiction’s human trafficking data required by this section to the statewide human trafficking data repository, or to the UCR system or the FIBRS, on or before July 1, 2024, and at least biannually each year thereafter.
(5) Beginning July 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the University of South Florida Trafficking in Persons - Risk to Resilience Lab shall submit an annual report and analysis on its findings to the Governor, the Attorney General, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(6) This section is repealed July 1, 2026, unless reviewed and reenacted by the Legislature before that date.
History.—s. 7, ch. 2023-86.
1004.344 The Florida Center for the Partnerships for Arts Integrated Teaching.—
(1) The Florida Center for the Partnerships for Arts Integrated Teaching is created within the University of South Florida and shall be physically headquartered at the University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee.
(2) The goals of the center are to:
(a) Conduct basic and applied research on policies and practices related to arts integrated teaching.
(b) Partner with interested Florida College System institutions and private educational institutions to conduct arts integrated educational research.
(c) Seek out agreements to provide technical assistance and support, upon request, to the Florida Department of Education, Florida school districts, private schools, charter schools, and educator preparation programs in the implementation of evidence-based arts integrated instruction, assessments, programs, and professional learning.
(d) Collaborate with interested arts organizations and Florida school districts in the development of frameworks for arts integrated courses for use in schools.
(e) Collaborate with interested arts organizations and Florida school districts in the development of frameworks for professional learning activities, using multiple delivery methods for arts integrated teaching in different content areas.
(f) Disseminate information about outcome-based practices related to arts integrated instruction, assessment, curricula, and programs.
(g) Position Florida as a national leader in arts integrated teaching and research.
(h) Examine arts integrated teaching Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) educational courses.
History.—s. 31, ch. 2016-62; s. 1, ch. 2017-90; s. 11, ch. 2018-4; s. 22, ch. 2024-5.
1004.345 The Florida Polytechnic University.—
(1) By December 31, 2017, the Florida Polytechnic University shall meet the following criteria as established by the Board of Governors:
(a) Achieve accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;
(b) Initiate the development of the new programs in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;
(c) Seek discipline-specific accreditation for programs;
(d) Attain a minimum FTE of 1,244, with a minimum 50 percent of that FTE in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and 20 percent in programs related to those fields;
(e) Complete facilities and infrastructure, including the Science and Technology Building, Phase I of the Wellness Center, and a residence hall or halls containing no fewer than 190 beds; and
(f) Have the ability to provide, either directly or where feasible through a shared services model, administration of financial aid, admissions, student support, information technology, and finance and accounting with an internal audit function.
(2) Once the criteria in subsection (1) have been met, the Board of Trustees of the Florida Polytechnic University shall notify the Board of Governors, and the Board of Governors shall conduct a final review to confirm that the criteria have been met.
(3) Students enrolled at the University of South Florida Polytechnic shall be afforded the opportunity to complete their degrees at the University of South Florida, subject to university criteria.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2008-97; s. 1, ch. 2012-129; ss. 30, 36, ch. 2016-62; s. 6, ch. 2017-71.
1004.3451 Direct-support organization for Florida Polytechnic University.—In accordance with s. 1004.28 and the regulations of the Board of Governors, the Board of Trustees of the Florida Polytechnic University may certify a direct-support organization to serve the Florida Polytechnic University. The Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida, in conjunction with the University of South Florida Foundation, shall develop and implement a plan to transfer, after obtaining consent from the appropriate donors, assets derived from donations intended for the enhancement of the University of South Florida Polytechnic campus to the new direct-support organization serving the Florida Polytechnic University.
History.—s. 3, ch. 2012-129.
1004.346 Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute.—
(1) INSTITUTE CREATION.—The Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute is established within the Florida Polytechnic University.
(2) PHOSPHATE RESEARCH AND ACTIVITIES BOARD.—The Phosphate Research and Activities Board is created to monitor the expenditure of funds appropriated to the university from the Phosphate Research Trust Fund.
(a) The board shall approve an annual report, prepared by the institute executive director, which outlines the expenditure of the funds appropriated to the university from the Phosphate Research Trust Fund and describes the various phosphate-related projects and institute operations funded by those moneys.
(b) The board shall consist of five members. The Governor shall appoint two persons representing the phosphate mining or processing industry and one member representing a major environmental conservation group in the state. The Secretary of Environmental Protection or his or her designee and the president of the Florida Polytechnic University shall also serve as board members.
(c) Members of the board appointed by the Governor shall be appointed to 3-year terms. A board member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed. A board member is eligible for reappointment to subsequent terms.
(d) Board members shall annually elect a chair from among the membership.
(e) Board members shall serve without compensation, but are entitled to reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061.
(3) INSTITUTE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.—An executive director shall be designated by and serve at the pleasure of the president of the Florida Polytechnic University or his or her designee. The executive director shall be responsible for the daily administration of the institute, including the expenditure of funds from all sources. The executive director shall consult with the Phosphate Research and Activities Board on the projects that the institute expects to undertake using moneys appropriated from the Phosphate Research Trust Fund.
(4) INSTITUTE DUTIES AND AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—
(a) The institute shall:
1. Establish methods for better and more efficient practices for phosphate mining and processing.
2. Conduct or contract for studies on the environmental and health effects of phosphate mining and reclamation.
3. Conduct or contract for studies of reclamation alternatives and technologies in phosphate mining and processing and wetlands reclamation.
4. Conduct or contract for studies of phosphatic clay and phosphogypsum disposal and utilization as a part of phosphate mining and processing.
5. Provide the public with access to the results of its activities and maintain a public library related to the institute’s activities, which may contain special collections.
(b) The institute may:
1. Research and develop methods for better and more efficient processes and practices for commercial and industrial activities, including, but not limited to, mitigating the health and environmental effects of such activities as well as developing and evaluating alternatives and technologies.
2. Secure funding from grants and other available sources for carrying out the activities authorized or required under this section.
3. Enter into contracts with any firm, institution, or corporation, or federal, state, local, or foreign governmental agency, to carry out the activities authorized or required under this section.
4. Promote the application, patenting, and commercialization of the institute’s technologies, knowledge, and intellectual property in accordance with university policies and procedures.
5. Educate the public about the science related to topics and issues that are within the institute’s scope of expertise.
6. Hold public hearings.
7. Establish public-private partnerships.
8. Provide consulting services.
History.—s. 6, ch. 78-136; s. 1, ch. 83-41; s. 16, ch. 83-339; s. 1, ch. 85-23; s. 3, ch. 86-294; s. 12, ch. 89-117; s. 114, ch. 90-360; s. 638, ch. 95-148; s. 181, ch. 96-406; s. 62, ch. 97-100; s. 1, ch. 2010-206; s. 10, ch. 2012-129; s. 6, ch. 2020-117.
Note.—Former s. 378.101.
1004.35 Broward County campuses of Florida Atlantic University; coordination with other institutions.—The State Board of Education, the Board of Governors, and Florida Atlantic University shall consult with Broward College and Florida International University in coordinating course offerings at the postsecondary level in Broward County. Florida Atlantic University may contract with the Board of Trustees of Broward College and with Florida International University to provide instruction in courses offered at the Southeast Campus. Florida Atlantic University shall increase course offerings at the Southeast Campus as facilities become available.
History.—s. 180, ch. 2002-387; s. 91, ch. 2007-217; s. 3, ch. 2008-52.
1004.36 Florida Atlantic University campuses.—
(1) The Broward County campuses of Florida Atlantic University are hereby established as a partner of the Florida Atlantic University campus in Boca Raton. The Broward County campuses of Florida Atlantic University shall be known as “Florida Atlantic University Broward.” The Boca Raton campuses of Florida Atlantic University shall be known as “Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton.” The office of the president shall be at the campus in Boca Raton.
(2) Florida Atlantic University shall develop and administer a separate budget for Florida Atlantic University Broward. The budget shall include, at a minimum, an allocation of those operating and capital outlay funds appropriated annually by the Legislature in the General Appropriations Act for the Broward campuses; a proportional share, based on student credit hours produced at the Broward campuses, of any allocations received by the university from student tuition and fees, except for athletic fees, specifically authorized by law; all overhead charges from sponsored research conducted on the Broward campuses; and all revenues derived from vending funds, auxiliary enterprises and contracts, and grants and donations, as authorized by s. 1011.91, which result from activities on Broward campuses. Florida Atlantic University Broward and Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton may pay reasonable charges to appropriate levels of administration of Florida Atlantic University for services delivered universitywide.
(3) The Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees shall take all actions necessary to ensure that Florida Atlantic University Broward and Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton are partners in the overall policymaking and academic governance structures of the university. Annual legislative budget requests for operations and facilities shall separately identify those funds requested for Florida Atlantic University Broward and Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton. Florida Atlantic University Broward and Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton shall have local management authority over their campus faculty, staff, and programs, but there shall be universitywide standards and processes for evaluating requests for promotion and tenure; there shall be complete transferability of credits and uniform programs across campuses; and colleges operating on multiple campuses shall have only one dean for each college. Florida Atlantic University Broward shall establish a faculty senate and may establish a direct-support organization. Any such direct-support organization shall be subject to s. 1004.28(5).
(4) The Board of Governors, as a function of its comprehensive master planning process, pursuant to s. 1001.706, shall continue to evaluate the need for undergraduate programs in Broward County and shall assess the extent to which existing postsecondary programs are addressing those needs.
History.—s. 181, ch. 2002-387; s. 92, ch. 2007-217.
1004.37 County or area extension programs; cooperation between counties and University of Florida and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.—
(1) The Florida Cooperative Extension Service is administered through the University of Florida and is supported programmatically by the University of Florida and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in collaboration with individual county governments. County or area extension programs will be developed, based on local situations, needs, and problems, supported by scientific and technical information developed by the University of Florida, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the United States Department of Agriculture, and other sources of research information. This information will be made available through the local program, with the aid of research scientists and extension specialists of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
(2) In each county or other geographic subdivision the board of county commissioners or other legally constituted governing body will annually determine the extent of its financial participation in cooperative extension work. The extent of such financial participation by the counties will influence the number of county extension agents and clerical staff employed and the scope of the local extension program.
(3) Boards of county commissioners or other legally constituted governing bodies will approve or disapprove of persons recommended for extension positions in the county. If the governing body of the county notifies the extension service by resolution that it wants a list of three qualified candidates, then the extension service shall, for each position, make its recommendation by submitting a list of not fewer than three qualified persons, or all qualified persons if three or fewer. From this list, the board of county commissioners, or other legally constituted governing body, shall make its selection. If none of the persons recommended are approved, the extension service shall continue to submit lists of not fewer than three additional qualified persons until one person is selected. If the governing body of the county does not forward such a resolution to the extension service, the extension service shall recommend one qualified candidate to the governing body. If a person recommended is not approved, the extension service shall recommend another qualified candidate and shall repeat this procedure as necessary until one person is selected. Extension agents so appointed will be staff members of the University of Florida or Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, depending on the source of funds. It is the responsibility of the cooperative extension service to determine qualifications for positions.
(4) Although county extension agents are jointly employed by the state universities and federal and county governments for the purposes of administration of the cooperative extension service, the personnel policies and procedures of the University of Florida or Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, depending on appointment, will apply except in those instances when federal legislation or the basic memorandum of understanding is applicable.
(5) The University of Florida will provide county extension personnel in the county with supervision and resources for planning and programming and is responsible for the programming process. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service will make available needed program materials to the extension agents through the subject matter specialists or through other resource persons available from within the university. It will be responsible for maintaining a high level of technical competence in the county extension staff through a continuous program of inservice training.
(6) The county extension director will report periodically to the board of county commissioners or other legally constituted governing body on programs underway and results in the county. Each board of county commissioners or other legally constituted governing body will develop a plan which will enable it to be kept informed on the progress and results of the local extension program so that its own knowledge of program needs and problems may become a part of the educational work carried on by the agents. Such plan shall provide for a means of communicating the board’s satisfaction with the extension program to the county extension director and the cooperative extension service.
History.—s. 182, ch. 2002-387.
1004.384 University of Central Florida College of Medicine.—A college of medicine, as approved by the Board of Governors on March 23, 2006, is authorized at the University of Central Florida.
History.—s. 7, ch. 2006-58.
1004.3841 The Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Education.—The Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Education is established within the College of Business at the University of Central Florida. Since insurance and risk management is a major industry in this state, with a concentration of such industry in Volusia County, the institute must be located in Volusia County. Like many other industries in the state, the insurance and risk management industry is being revolutionized by, among other things, the integration of technology, predictive analytics, and data science, and is becoming more complex, given its exposure to transformative trends in the economy and environment. The purpose of the institute is to respond to the ever-evolving insurance and risk management industry and the present and emerging needs of this state and its residents. The goals of the institute are to:
(1) Pursue technological innovations that advance risk valuation models and operational efficiencies in the insurance industry.
(2) Drive the development of workforce competencies in data analytics, system-level thinking, technology integration, entrepreneurship, and actuarial science.
(3) Leverage the University of Central Florida’s world-class assets in data science, artificial intelligence, computer science, engineering, finance, economics, and sales.
(4) Take advantage of the University of Central Florida’s robust portfolio of academic program offerings and draw on faculty and industry experts in diverse fields, including actuarial science, computer science, economics, engineering, environmental science, finance, forensics, law, management, marketing, and psychology.
(5) Develop and offer risk management and insurance education, including education that recognizes risks in areas such as the environment, pandemic disease, and digital security.
(6) Offer programs, workshops, case studies, and applied research studies that integrate technology and artificial intelligence with soft skills while preparing students and professionals for the technology-enabled insurance industry of the future.
History.—s. 5, ch. 2023-82.
1004.385 Florida International University College of Medicine.—A college of medicine, as approved by the Board of Governors on March 23, 2006, is authorized at Florida International University.
History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-58.
1004.39 College of law at Florida International University.—
(1) A college of law is authorized at Florida International University.
(2) The college of law at Florida International University must be operated in compliance with the standards approved by nationally recognized associations for accredited colleges of law.
(3) The college of law at Florida International University, to the extent consistent with the standards required by the American Bar Association or any other nationally recognized association for the accreditation of colleges of law, shall develop a law library collection utilizing electronic formats and mediums.
(4) The college of law at Florida International University shall develop and institute a program that is consistent with sound legal education principles as determined by the American Bar Association or any other nationally recognized association for the accreditation of colleges of law and that, to the extent consistent with such sound legal education principles, is structured to serve the legal needs of traditionally underserved portions of the population by providing an opportunity for participation in a legal clinic program or pro bono legal service.
(5) The Florida International University Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors may accept grants, donations, gifts, and moneys available for this purpose, including moneys for planning and constructing the college. The Florida International University Board of Trustees may procure and accept any federal funds that are available for the planning, creation, and establishment of the college of law. If the American Bar Association or any other nationally recognized association for the accreditation of colleges of law issues a third disapproval of an application for provisional approval or for full approval or fails to grant, within 5 years following the graduation of the first class, a provisional approval, to the college of law at Florida International University, the Board of Governors shall make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature as to whether the college of law will cease operations at the end of the full academic year subsequent to the receipt by the college of law of any such third disapproval, or whether the college of law will continue operations and any conditions for continued operations. If the college of law ceases operations pursuant to this section, the following conditions apply:
(a) The authority for the college of law at Florida International University and the authority of the Florida International University Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors provided in this section shall terminate upon the cessation of operations of the college of law at Florida International University. The college of law at Florida International University shall receive no moneys allocated for the planning, construction, or operation of the college of law after its cessation of operations other than moneys to be expended for the cessation of operations of the college of law. Any moneys allocated to the college of law at Florida International University not expended prior to or scheduled to be expended after the date of the cessation of the college of law shall be appropriated for other use by the Legislature of the State of Florida.
(b) Any buildings of the college of law at Florida International University constructed from the expenditure of capital outlay funds appropriated by the Legislature shall be owned by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and managed by the Florida International University Board of Trustees upon the cessation of the college of law.
(6) The college of law at Florida International University shall be dedicated to providing opportunities for minorities to attain representation within the legal profession proportionate to their representation in the general population; however, the college of law shall not include preferences in the admissions process for applicants on the basis of race, national origin, or gender.
History.—s. 184, ch. 2002-387; s. 93, ch. 2007-217; s. 10, ch. 2012-134.
1004.40 College of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.—
(1) A college of law is authorized at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
(2) The college of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University must be operated in compliance with the standards approved by nationally recognized associations for accredited colleges of law.
(3) The college of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, to the extent consistent with the standards required by the American Bar Association or any other nationally recognized association for the accreditation of colleges of law, shall develop a law library collection utilizing electronic formats and mediums.
(4) The college of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University shall develop and institute a program that is consistent with sound legal education principles as determined by the American Bar Association or any other nationally recognized association for the accreditation of colleges of law and that, to the extent consistent with such sound legal education principles, is structured to serve the legal needs of traditionally underserved portions of the population by providing an opportunity for participation in a legal clinic program or pro bono legal service.
(5) The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors may accept grants, donations, gifts, and moneys available for this purpose, including moneys for planning and constructing the college. The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Board of Trustees may procure and accept any federal funds that are available for the planning, creation, and establishment of the college of law. If the American Bar Association or any other nationally recognized association for the accreditation of colleges of law issues a third disapproval of an application for provisional approval or for full approval or fails to grant, within 5 years following the graduation of the first class, a provisional approval, to the college of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the Board of Governors shall make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature as to whether the college of law will cease operations at the end of the full academic year subsequent to the receipt by the college of law of any such third disapproval, or whether the college of law will continue operations and any conditions for continued operations. If the college of law ceases operations of the college of law pursuant to this section, the following conditions apply:
(a) The authority for the college of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and the authority of the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors provided in this section shall terminate upon the cessation of operations of the college of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The college of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University shall receive no moneys allocated for the planning, construction, or operation of the college of law after its cessation of operations other than moneys to be expended for the cessation of operations of the college of law. Any moneys allocated to the college of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University not expended prior to or scheduled to be expended after the date of the cessation of the college of law shall be appropriated for other use by the Legislature of the State of Florida.
(b) Any buildings of the college of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University constructed from the expenditure of capital outlay funds appropriated by the Legislature shall be owned by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and managed by the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Board of Trustees upon the cessation of the college of law.
(6) The college of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University shall be dedicated to providing opportunities for minorities to attain representation within the legal profession proportionate to their representation in the general population; however, the college of law shall not include preferences in the admissions process for applicants on the basis of race, national origin, or gender.
History.—s. 185, ch. 2002-387; s. 94, ch. 2007-217; s. 11, ch. 2012-134.
1004.41 University of Florida; J. Hillis Miller Health Center.—
(1) There is established the J. Hillis Miller Health Center at the University of Florida, including campuses at Gainesville and Jacksonville and affiliated teaching hospitals, which shall include the following colleges:
(a) College of Dentistry.
(b) College of Public Health and Health Professions.
(c) College of Medicine.
(d) College of Nursing.
(e) College of Pharmacy.
(f) College of Veterinary Medicine and related teaching hospitals.
(2) Each college of the health center shall be so maintained and operated as to comply with the standards approved by a nationally recognized association for accreditation.
(3)(a) The University of Florida Health Center Operations and Maintenance Trust Fund shall be administered by the University of Florida Board of Trustees. Funds shall be credited to the trust fund from the sale of goods and services performed by the University of Florida Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital. The purpose of the trust fund is to support the instruction, research, and service missions of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301, and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year shall remain in the trust fund and shall be available for carrying out the purposes of the trust fund.
(4)(a) The University of Florida Board of Trustees shall lease the hospital facilities of the health center known as Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics on the Gainesville campus of the University of Florida and all furnishings, equipment, and other chattels or choses in action used in the operation of Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics to Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., a private not-for-profit corporation organized for the primary purpose of supporting the University of Florida Board of Trustees’ health affairs mission of community service and patient care, education and training of health professionals, and clinical research. In furtherance of that primary purpose, Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., shall operate the hospital and ancillary health care facilities as deemed necessary by the board of Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc. The rental for the hospital facilities shall be an amount equal to the debt service on bonds or revenue certificates issued solely for capital improvements to the hospital facilities or as otherwise provided by law.
(b) The University of Florida Board of Trustees shall provide in the lease or by separate contract or agreement with Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., for the following:
1. Approval of the articles of incorporation of Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., by the University of Florida Board of Trustees.
2. Governance of Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., by a board of directors appointed, subject to removal, and chaired by the President of the University of Florida, or his or her designee, and vice chaired by the Vice President for Health Affairs of the University of Florida or his or her designee.
3. Use of hospital facilities and personnel in support of community service and patient care, research programs, and the teaching roles of the health center.
4. Continued recognition of the collective bargaining units and collective bargaining agreements as currently composed and recognition of the certified labor organizations representing those units and agreements.
5. Use of hospital facilities and personnel in connection with research programs conducted by the health center.
6. Reimbursement to Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., for indigent patients, state-mandated programs, underfunded state programs, and costs to Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., for support of the teaching and research programs of the health center. Such reimbursement shall be appropriated to either the health center or Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., each year by the Legislature after review and approval of the request for funds.
7. Audit of the financial statements of Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as prescribed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board for a separate corporation affiliated with a government entity that holds a voting majority interest of the affiliated corporation’s governing board. The financial statements shall be provided to the University of Florida Board of Trustees for attachment to its audited financial statement which is provided to the Auditor General. The University of Florida may obtain additional financial information from Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., upon request by the Auditor General. This subparagraph applies equally to any not-for-profit subsidiary of Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., which directly delivers health care services and also qualifies as an instrumentality of the state under the governance control and the primary purpose standards specified in this section.
(c) The University of Florida Board of Trustees may, with the approval of the Legislature, increase the hospital facilities or remodel or renovate them if the rental paid by Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., for such new, remodeled, or renovated facilities is sufficient to amortize the costs thereof over a reasonable period of time or fund the debt service for any bonds or revenue certificates issued to finance such improvements.
(d) The University of Florida Board of Trustees may provide to Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., and its not-for-profit subsidiaries and affiliates, and any successor corporation that acts in support of the board of trustees, comprehensive general liability insurance, including professional liability, from a self-insurance trust program established pursuant to s. 1004.24.
(e) Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., in support of the health affairs mission of the University of Florida Board of Trustees and with the board’s prior approval, may create or have created either for-profit or not-for-profit subsidiaries and affiliates, or both. The University of Florida Board of Trustees, which may act through the president of the university or his or her designee, may control Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc. For purposes of sovereign immunity pursuant to s. 768.28(2), Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., and any not-for-profit subsidiary which directly delivers health care services and whose governing board is chaired by the president of the university or his or her designee and is controlled by the University of Florida Board of Trustees, which may act through the president of the university or his or her designee and whose primary purpose is the support of the University of Florida Board of Trustees’ health affairs mission, shall be conclusively deemed a corporation primarily acting as an instrumentality of the state.
(f) In the event that the lease of Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics to Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., is terminated for any reason, the University of Florida Board of Trustees shall resume management and operation of Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics. In such event, the University of Florida Board of Trustees may use revenues generated from the operation of Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics to pay the costs and expenses of operating the hospital facility for the remainder of the fiscal year in which such termination occurs.
(5)(a) Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Inc., and its parent, Shands Jacksonville HealthCare, Inc., are private not-for-profit corporations organized primarily to support the health affairs mission of the University of Florida Board of Trustees in community service and patient care, education and training of health affairs professionals, and clinical research. Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Inc., is a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Florida Board of Trustees and is located, in part, on the Jacksonville Campus of the University of Florida. Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Inc., and Shands Jacksonville HealthCare, Inc., in support of the health affairs mission of the University of Florida Board of Trustees and with its prior approval, may create or have created either for-profit or not-for-profit subsidiaries or affiliates, or both.
(b) The University of Florida Board of Trustees shall provide in the lease or by separate contract or agreement with Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Inc., and Shands Jacksonville HealthCare, Inc., for the following:
1. Approval of the articles of incorporation of Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Inc., and of Shands Jacksonville HealthCare, Inc., by the University of Florida Board of Trustees, which may act through the president of the university or his or her designee. In approving the articles of incorporation of Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Inc., and of Shands Jacksonville HealthCare, Inc., the president of the university, or his or her designee, may act as the chair of the board of directors, or the president of the university or his or her designee or members of the University of Florida Board of Trustees may act as the approving body of Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Inc., or Shands Jacksonville HealthCare, Inc.
2. Governance of Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Inc., and of Shands Jacksonville HealthCare, Inc., by boards of directors appointed, subject to removal, and chaired by the President of the University of Florida, or his or her designee. One director of each board may be so appointed after being nominated by the mayor of the City of Jacksonville subject to the applicable standards for directors of such board. If there is a vice chair of the board of directors of Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Inc., or Shands Jacksonville HealthCare, Inc., the Vice President for Health Affairs of the University of Florida, or his or her designee or the designee of the president of the university, shall hold that position.
3. Use of the Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Inc., hospital facilities and personnel in support of community service and patient care, research programs, and the teaching roles of the health center of the University of Florida Board of Trustees.
4. Reimbursement to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Inc., for indigent patients, state-mandated programs, underfunded state programs, and costs to the not-for-profit corporation for support of the teaching and research programs of the health center. Such reimbursement shall be appropriated to either the health center or the not-for-profit corporation each year by the Legislature after review and approval of the request for funds.
5. Audit of the financial statements of Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Inc., and Shands Jacksonville HealthCare, Inc., in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as prescribed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board for a separate corporation affiliated with a government entity that holds a voting majority interest of the affiliated corporation’s governing board. The financial statements shall be provided to the University of Florida Board of Trustees for attachment to its audited financial statement which is provided to the Auditor General. The University of Florida may obtain additional financial information from Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Inc., and Shands Jacksonville HealthCare, Inc., upon request by the Auditor General. This subparagraph applies equally to any not-for-profit subsidiary which directly delivers health care services and also qualifies as an instrumentality of the state under the governance control and primary purpose standards specified in this section.
(c) The University of Florida Board of Trustees, which may act through the president of the university or his or her designee, may control Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Inc., and Shands Jacksonville HealthCare, Inc.
(d) For purposes of sovereign immunity pursuant to s. 768.28(2), Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Inc., Shands Jacksonville HealthCare, Inc., and any not-for-profit subsidiary which directly delivers health care services and whose governing board is chaired by the President of the University of Florida or his or her designee and is controlled by the University of Florida Board of Trustees, which may act through the president of the university or his or her designee and whose primary purpose is the support of the University of Florida Board of Trustees’ health affairs mission, shall be conclusively deemed corporations primarily acting as instrumentalities of the state.
(e) The University of Florida Board of Trustees may provide to Shands Jacksonville HealthCare, Inc., and Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Inc., and any of their not-for-profit subsidiaries and affiliates and any successor corporation that acts in support of the board of trustees, comprehensive general liability coverage, including professional liability, from the self-insurance programs established pursuant to s. 1004.24.
History.—s. 186, ch. 2002-387; s. 95, ch. 2007-217; s. 1, ch. 2011-114; s. 95, ch. 2012-5.
1004.42 Florida State University College of Medicine.—
(1) CREATION.—There is hereby established a 4-year allopathic medical school within the Florida State University, to be known as the Florida State University College of Medicine, with a principal focus on recruiting and training medical professionals to meet the primary health care needs of the state, especially the needs of the state’s elderly, rural, minority, and other underserved citizens.
(2) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—It is the intent of the Legislature that the Florida State University College of Medicine represent a new model for the training of allopathic physician healers for the citizens of the state. In accordance with this intent, the governing philosophy of the College of Medicine should include the training of students, in a humane environment, in the scientific, clinical, and behavioral practices required to deliver patient-centered health care. Key components of the College of Medicine, which would build on the foundation of the 30-year-old Florida State University Program in Medical Sciences (PIMS), would include: admission of diverse types of students who possess good communication skills and are compassionate individuals, representative of the population of the state; basic and behavioral sciences training utilizing medical problem-based teaching; and clinical training at several dispersed sites throughout the state in existing community hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices. The Legislature further intends that study of the aging human be a continuing focus throughout the 4-year curriculum and that use of information technology be a key component of all parts of the educational program.
(3) PURPOSE.—The College of Medicine shall be dedicated to: preparing physicians to practice primary care, geriatric, and rural medicine, to make appropriate use of emerging technologies, and to function successfully in a rapidly changing health care environment; advancing knowledge in the applied biomedical and behavioral sciences, geriatric research, autism, cancer, and chronic diseases; training future scientists to assume leadership in health care delivery and academic medicine; and providing access to medical education for groups which are underrepresented in the medical profession.
(4) TRANSITION; ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE; ADMISSIONS PROCESS.—The General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 1999-2000 included initial funding for facilities and operations to provide a transition from the Program in Medical Sciences (PIMS) to a College of Medicine at the Florida State University. For transitional purposes, the Program in Medical Sciences (PIMS) in the College of Arts and Sciences at the Florida State University shall be reorganized and restructured, as soon as practicable, as the Institute of Human Medical Sciences. At such time as the 4-year educational program development is underway and a sufficient number of basic and behavioral sciences and clinical faculty are recruited, the Institute of Human Medical Sciences shall evolve into the Florida State University College of Medicine, with appropriate departments. The current admissions procedure utilized by the Program in Medical Sciences (PIMS) shall provide the basis for the design of an admissions process for the College of Medicine, with selection criteria that focus on identifying future primary care physicians who have demonstrated interest in serving underserved areas. Enrollment levels at the College of Medicine are planned to not exceed 120 students per class, and shall be phased in from 30 students in the Program in Medical Sciences (PIMS), to 40 students admitted to the College of Medicine as the charter class in Fall 2001, and 20 additional students admitted to the College of Medicine in each class thereafter until the maximum class size is reached.
(5) PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS FOR CLINICAL INSTRUCTION; GRADUATE PROGRAMS.—To provide broad-based clinical instruction in both rural and urban settings for students in the community-based medical education program, the College of Medicine, through creation of nonprofit corporations, shall seek affiliation agreements with health care systems and organizations, local hospitals, medical schools, and military health care facilities in the following targeted communities: Pensacola, Tallahassee, Orlando, Sarasota, Jacksonville, and the rural areas of the state. Selected hospitals in the target communities include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) Baptist Health Care in Pensacola.
(b) Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola.
(c) West Florida Regional Medical Center in Pensacola.
(d) Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare in Tallahassee.
(e) Florida Hospital Health System in Orlando.
(f) Sarasota Memorial Health Care System in Sarasota.
(g) Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.
(h) Lee Memorial Health System, Inc., in Fort Myers.
(i) Rural hospitals in the state.
The College of Medicine shall also explore all alternatives for cooperation with established graduate medical education programs in the state to develop a plan to retain its graduates in residency programs in Florida.
(6) ACCREDITATION.—The College of Medicine shall develop a program which conforms to the accreditation standards of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
(7) CURRICULA; CLINICAL ROTATION TRAINING SITES.—
(a) The preclinical curriculum shall draw on the Florida State University’s Program in Medical Sciences (PIMS) experience and national trends in basic and behavioral sciences instruction, including use of technology for distributed and distance learning. First-year instruction shall include a lecture mode and problem-based learning. In the second year, a small-group, problem-based learning approach shall provide more advanced treatment of each academic subject in a patient-centered context. Various short-term clinical exposures shall be programmed throughout the preclinical years, including rural, geriatric, and minority health, and contemporary practice patterns in these areas.
(b) During the third and fourth years, the curriculum shall follow a distributed, community-based model with a special focus on rural health. Subgroups of students shall be assigned to clinical rotation training sites in local communities in roughly equal numbers, as follows:
1. Group 1—Tallahassee.
2. Group 2—Pensacola.
3. Group 3—Orlando.
4. Group 4—Sarasota.
5. Group 5—Jacksonville.
6. Group 6—To be determined prior to 2005, based on emerging state needs.
7. Group 7—Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP).
(8) MEDICAL NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY.—The College of Medicine shall develop a comprehensive program to ensure training in the medical needs of the elderly and incorporate principles embodied in the curriculum guidelines of the American Geriatric Society. The College of Medicine shall have as one of its primary missions the improvement of medical education for physicians who will treat elder citizens. To accomplish this mission, the College of Medicine shall establish an academic leadership position in geriatrics, create an external elder care advisory committee, and implement an extensive faculty development plan. For student recruitment purposes, the current Program in Medical Sciences (PIMS) selection criteria shall be expanded to include consideration of students who have expressed an interest in elder care and who have demonstrated, through life choices, a commitment to serve older persons.
(9) MEDICAL NEEDS OF UNDERSERVED AREAS.—To address the medical needs of the state’s rural and underserved populations, the College of Medicine shall develop a Department of Family Medicine with a significant rural training track that provides students with early and frequent clinical experiences in community-based settings to train and produce highly skilled primary care physicians. The College of Medicine shall consider developing new, rural-based family practice clinical training programs and shall establish a partnership with the West Florida Area Health Education Center to assist in developing partnerships and programs to provide incentives and support for physicians to practice in primary care, geriatric, and rural medicine in underserved areas of the state.
(10) INCREASING PARTICIPATION OF UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS.—To increase the participation of underrepresented groups and socially and economically disadvantaged youth in science and medical programs, the College of Medicine shall continue the outreach efforts of the Program in Medical Sciences (PIMS) to middle and high school minority students, including the Science Students Together Reaching Instructional Diversity and Excellence (SSTRIDE), and shall build an endowment income to support recruitment programs and scholarship and financial aid packages for these students. To develop a base of qualified potential medical school candidates from underrepresented groups, the College of Medicine shall coordinate with the undergraduate premedical and science programs currently offered at the Florida State University, develop relationships with potential feeder institutions, including 4-year institutions and 1community colleges, and pursue grant funds to support programs, as well as support scholarship and financial aid packages. The College of Medicine shall develop plans for a postbaccalaureate, 1-year academic program that provides a second chance to a limited number of students per year who have been declined medical school admission, who are state residents, and who meet established criteria as socially and economically disadvantaged. The College of Medicine shall make every effort, through recruitment and retention, to employ a faculty and support staff that reflect the heterogeneous nature of the state’s general population.
(11) TECHNOLOGY.—To create technology-rich learning environments, the College of Medicine shall build on the considerable infrastructure that already supports the many technology resources of the Florida State University and shall expand the infrastructure to conduct an effective medical education program, including connectivity between the main campus, community-based training locations, and rural clinic locations. Additional technology programs shall include extensive professional learning opportunities for faculty; an online library of academic and medical resources for students, faculty, and community preceptors; and technology-sharing agreements with other medical schools to allow for the exchange of technology applications among medical school faculty for the purpose of enhancing medical education. The College of Medicine shall explore the opportunities afforded by Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville through clerkships, visiting professors or lectures through the existing telecommunications systems, and collaboration in research activities at the Mayo Clinic’s Jacksonville campus.
(12) ADMINISTRATION; FACULTY.—Each of the major community-based clinical rotation training sites described in subsection (7) shall have a community dean and a student affairs/administrative officer. Teaching faculty for the community-based clinical training component shall be community physicians serving part-time appointments. Sixty faculty members shall be recruited to serve in the basic and behavioral sciences department. The College of Medicine shall have a small core staff of on-campus, full-time faculty and administrators at the Florida State University, including a dean, a senior associate dean for educational programs, an associate dean for clinical education, a chief financial/administrative officer, an admissions/student affairs officer, an instructional resources coordinator, a coordinator for graduate and continuing medical education, and several mission focus coordinators.
(13) COLLABORATION WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS.—To provide students with the skills, knowledge, and values needed to practice medicine in the evolving national system of health care delivery, the College of Medicine shall fully integrate modern health care delivery concepts into its curriculum. For this purpose, the College of Medicine shall develop a partnership with one or more health care organizations in the state and shall recruit faculty with strong health care delivery competencies. Faculty from other disciplines at the Florida State University shall be utilized to develop team-based approaches to core competencies in the delivery of health care.
(14) INDEMNIFICATION FROM LIABILITY.—This section shall be construed to authorize the Florida State University Board of Trustees to negotiate and purchase policies of insurance to indemnify from any liability those individuals or entities providing sponsorship or training to the students of the medical school, professionals employed by the medical school, and students of the medical school.
History.—s. 187, ch. 2002-387; s. 23, ch. 2024-5.
1Note.—Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code. The Division of Statutory Revision included s. 1004.42(10) in ch. 2011-5, the reviser’s bill prepared in accordance with the directive; the bill section amending s. 1004.42(10) to revise the reference to “community colleges” was omitted from the bill in committee.
11004.421 Election Law Center at the Florida State University.—The Florida State University Election Law Center is hereby created at the Florida State University College of Law.
(1)(a) For purposes of this section, the term “election law” shall be construed broadly to include, but not be limited to, issues related to:
1. Voting rights.
2. Election administration.
3. Election emergencies.
4. Election integrity.
5. Voter registration and voter registration databases.
6. Cyber or other technical issues relating to elections.
7. Federal, state, and local legal provisions governing the electoral process.
8. Election contests for any federal, state, or local office.
9. Matters relating to the Electoral College or the casting, counting, or validity of electoral votes.
10. Federal and state campaign finance law.
11. Election audits.
12. Apportionment and redistricting.
13. Doctrines relating to justiciability, civil procedure, and remedies which may arise in election-related cases.
(b) Election law includes the historical, empirical, and comparative aspects of the topics specified in paragraph (a), as well as philosophical and theoretical issues relating to democracy, democratic theory, and republicanism more broadly.
(2) The goals of the center are to:
(a) Conduct and promote rigorous, objective, nonpartisan, evidence-based research concerning important constitutional, statutory, and regulatory issues relating to election law.
(b) Plan and host events to allow students, scholars, legislators, judges, election administrators, attorneys, and members of the public to learn about the electoral process and election law.
(c) Develop and sponsor publicly accessible materials and resources concerning elections and election law.
(d) Assist students in learning about, gaining practical experience with, and pursuing career opportunities relating to election law.
(e) Enhance the Florida State University College of Law’s reputation as a nationally respected source for cutting-edge legal scholarship and technical legal expertise.
(f) Serve as a credible, objective, nonpartisan resource to address election law inquiries from federal, state, and local election officials and the Legislature and legislative staff; bolster understanding of the electoral process; and promote public confidence in Florida’s electoral system.
(g) Develop objective, evidence-based analysis, best practices, and potential reforms to statutes, regulations, and other policies governing elections to:
1. Enable electoral systems to deal more effectively with natural disasters and other emergencies that can impede or undermine an election;
2. Bolster public confidence in the electoral process;
3. Ensure that United States citizens who meet this state’s voter qualification requirements have a reasonable, adequate, and safe opportunity to exercise their right to vote; and
4. Minimize the possibility of mistake, fraud, violations, accidents, or other irregularities impacting elections.
(3) The center may do all of the following:
(a) Hire necessary faculty and staff and develop and teach courses relating to election law.
(b) Hold events, including workshops, symposiums, roundtables, interviews, public discussions, lectures, and conferences.
(c) Conduct, aid, and sponsor research relating to election law, to publish or otherwise make publicly available articles, reports, analyses, databases, or websites relating to election law issues.
(d) Provide training and continuing education for the federal and state judiciaries and judicial organizations, attorneys, Department of State personnel, supervisors of elections and their employees, and other election administrators.
(e) Provide formal or informal assistance to the Legislature, as well as to governmental entities or officials at the federal, state, or county levels, concerning elections or election law, including, but not limited to, research, reports, public comments, testimony, or briefs.
(f) Provide scholarships and research assistantships to outstanding students interested in election law and sponsor fellowships to pay for qualified students to work with the center or at any local, state, or federal office or nonpartisan entity that deals with election law.
(g) Partner with other centers, programs, institutes, and associations, as appropriate, to promote the center’s goals.
(4) The Department of State, supervisors of elections, the State Library, and the State Archives may cooperate and share with the center electronic copies of information or data in their possession, custody, or control upon request of the center’s faculty director to further the goals of the center, provided that the center and its employees are subject to, and store such information or data consistent with, confidentiality and security requirements comparable to those that apply to the department, supervisors of elections, and their employees.
(5) The center shall be funded through appropriations as provided in the General Appropriations Act, charitable donations and grants, and other university funds.
(6) The dean of the Florida State University College of Law shall appoint a faculty director to lead the center. The faculty director must be a tenured member of the faculty of the law school. The faculty director shall hire an executive director to conduct the center’s day-to-day operations. The faculty director, in consultation with the executive director, shall do all of the following:
(a) Establish programs that promote the center’s goals.
(b) Develop the budget and disburse the funds appropriated, donated, or provided to the center.
(c) Hire employees for the center.
(d) Oversee the center’s research, education, and training programs, events, and work product.
(7) The center’s research, work, activities, filings, speakers, events, and operations shall be subject to academic freedom protections. The center or any of its full-time faculty or staff may not be compelled to conduct, consult on, or otherwise assist any research or initiatives by any outside federal, state, or local official or agency or private person or entity. The center shall seek to promote intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity as defined in s. 1001.706(13)(a)1.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2025-210.
1Note.—Created by s. 1, ch. 2025-210, effective July 1, 2025, per s. 2, ch. 2025-210. Chapter 2025-210 was not approved by the Governor until July 2, 2025, triggering the constitutional effective date in s. 9, Art. III of the State Constitution, of 60 days after sine die of the 2025 Regular Session of the Legislature, pursuant to the opinion in In Re Advisory Opinion to the Governor Request of June 29, 1979, 374 So. 2d 959 (Fla. 1979). The constitutional effective date is August 15, 2025, for ch. 2025-210.
1004.4211 The Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases; the Sunshine Genetics Pilot Program; the Sunshine Genetics Consortium.—
(1) The Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases is established within the Florida State University College of Medicine as a statewide resource for pediatric rare disease research and clinical care. The purpose of the institute is to improve the quality of life and health outcomes for children and families affected by rare diseases by advancing knowledge, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric rare diseases through research, clinical care, education, and advocacy.
(2) The goals of the institute are to:
(a) Conduct research to better understand the causes, mechanisms, and potential treatments for pediatric rare diseases, including leveraging emerging research methods.
(b) Develop advanced diagnostic and genetic screening tools and techniques to enable health care providers to identify rare diseases in newborns and children more rapidly, accurately, and economically.
(c) Provide comprehensive multidisciplinary clinical services and care for children with rare diseases. Such care may include, but is not limited to, patient, family, and caregiver support and resources to help navigate the challenges associated with these conditions, support groups, and patient advocacy.
(d) Educate and train health care professionals, including, but not limited to, genetic counselors, pediatricians, scientists, and other specialists in the field of pediatric rare diseases.
(e) Establish collaborations with other research institutions, medical centers, patient and family advocacy organizations, and government agencies whenever deemed appropriate by the institute director to share expertise, raise awareness, and promote a collective effort to tackle pediatric rare diseases.
(3)(a) The institute shall establish and administer the Sunshine Genetics Pilot Program to be administered for a period of 5 years. The pilot program shall provide newborn genetic screening, including, but not limited to, whole genome sequencing. Genetic screening shall be performed by the institute and institutional members of the oversight board upon approval of the oversight board.
(b) The institute may establish partnerships with Florida universities and colleges and health care service providers to promote and assist in the implementation of the pilot program.
(c) The pilot program shall be an opt-in program, and a parent of a newborn must provide consent to participate in the pilot program.
(d) The institute and institutional members of the oversight board shall release clinical findings of a newborn’s screening to the newborn’s health care practitioner and the newborn’s parent. As used in this paragraph, the term “health care practitioner” means a physician or physician assistant licensed under chapter 458; an osteopathic physician or physician assistant licensed under chapter 459; an advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse licensed under part I of chapter 464; a midwife licensed under chapter 467; a speech-language pathologist or audiologist licensed under part I of chapter 468; a dietitian or nutritionist licensed under part X of chapter 468; or a genetic counselor licensed under part III of chapter 483.
(e) The institute shall:
1. Maintain a secure database to collect and store all pilot program data, including, but not limited to, newborn genomics sequence data and deidentified newborn data.
2. Provide deidentified newborn data to members of the consortium pursuant to a data sharing agreement to support ongoing and future research.
(f) By December 1, 2030, the institute shall provide a report on the Sunshine Genetics Pilot Program to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The report must include, at a minimum:
1. Study population and enrollment metrics.
2. Whole genome sequencing metrics.
3. Clinical and public health impact.
4. Cost effectiveness and economic benefits.
(4)(a) The Sunshine Genetics Consortium is established to create a network of clinical and academic research professionals, geneticists, and physicians from state universities and the state’s children’s hospitals to collaborate with leaders in the genetic industry and build and support a culture of collaborative research and the development of cutting edge genetic and precision medicine in the state. The consortium shall:
1. Integrate state-of-the-art genomic sequencing technologies.
2. Advance research and the development of cutting edge genetic and precision medicine.
3. Leverage advancements in artificial intelligence utilization in genomics.
4. Develop educational opportunities for clinicians on genomic tools.
5. Support the growth and education of geneticists to meet demand.
6. Solicit and leverage funds from nonprofits, private industry, and others for the purpose of expanding the Sunshine Genetics Pilot Program and to support genetic screenings by institutional members of the oversight board.
7. Promote patient care that supports families with children diagnosed with genetic disorders.
8. Report on the use of deidentified newborn data by members of the consortium.
(b)1. The consortium shall be administered at the institute by an oversight board. The board shall convene at least once every 6 months.
2. The oversight board for the consortium shall consist of the director of the institute who shall serve as chair and the following voting members who shall serve 2-year terms:
a. One member nominated by the dean of the University of Florida’s College of Medicine and approved by the university’s president.
b. One member nominated by the dean of the University of South Florida’s College of Medicine and approved by the university’s president.
c. One member nominated by the dean of the University of Miami’s School of Medicine and approved by the university’s president.
d. One member nominated by the dean of Florida International University’s College of Medicine and approved by the university’s president.
e. One member nominated by Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and approved by the hospital’s president and chief executive officer.
f. One member appointed by the Governor.
g. One member appointed by the President of the Senate.
h. One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
3. The board shall be responsible for the promotion and oversight of the consortium, including, but not limited to, the nomination and appointment of members of the consortium.
(c) Beginning October 15, 2026, and annually thereafter, the consortium shall provide a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on research projects, research findings, community outreach initiatives, and future plans for the consortium.
(5) The provisions of this section shall be implemented to the extent of available appropriations contained in the annual General Appropriations Act for such purpose.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2025-187.
1004.43 H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.—There is established the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, a statewide resource for basic and clinical research and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care.
(1) The Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida shall enter into a lease agreement for the utilization of the lands and facilities on the campus of the University of South Florida to be known as the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, including all furnishings, equipment, and other chattels used in the operation of such facilities, with a Florida not-for-profit corporation organized solely for the purpose of governing and operating the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. The lease agreement with the not-for-profit corporation shall be rent free as long as the not-for-profit corporation and its subsidiaries utilize the lands and facilities primarily for research, education, treatment, prevention, and early detection of cancer or for teaching and research programs conducted by state universities or other accredited medical schools or research institutes. The lease agreement shall provide for review of construction plans and specifications by the University of South Florida for consistency with the university’s campus master plan, impact on the university’s utilities infrastructure, compliance with applicable building codes and general design characteristics, and compatibility with university architecture, as appropriate. The not-for-profit corporation may, with the prior approval of the Board of Governors, create either for-profit or not-for-profit corporate subsidiaries, or both, to fulfill its mission. The not-for-profit corporation and any approved not-for-profit subsidiary shall be conclusively deemed corporations primarily acting as instrumentalities of the state, pursuant to s. 768.28(2), for purposes of sovereign immunity. For-profit subsidiaries of the not-for-profit corporation may not compete with for-profit health care providers in the delivery of radiation therapy services to patients. The not-for-profit corporation and its subsidiaries are authorized to receive, hold, invest, and administer property and any moneys received from private, local, state, and federal sources, as well as technical and professional income generated or derived from practice activities of the institute, for the benefit of the institute and the fulfillment of its mission. The affairs of the corporation shall be managed by a board of directors who shall serve without compensation. The President of the University of South Florida and the chair of the Board of Governors, or his or her designee, shall be directors of the not-for-profit corporation. Each director shall have only one vote, shall serve a term of 3 years, and may be reelected to the board. Other than the President of the University of South Florida and the chair of the Board of Governors, directors shall be elected by a majority vote of the board. The chair of the board of directors shall be selected by majority vote of the directors.
(2) The not-for-profit corporation shall cause to be prepared annual financial audits of the not-for-profit corporation’s accounts and records and the accounts and records of any subsidiaries to be conducted by an independent certified public accountant. The annual audit report shall include a management letter, as defined in s. 11.45, and shall be submitted to the Auditor General and the Board of Governors. The Board of Governors, the Auditor General, and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall have the authority to require and receive from the not-for-profit corporation and any subsidiaries or from their independent auditor any detail or supplemental data relative to the operation of the not-for-profit corporation or subsidiary. The not-for-profit corporation and its subsidiaries shall provide equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin.
(3) The Board of Governors is authorized to secure comprehensive general liability protection, including professional liability protection, for the not-for-profit corporation and its subsidiaries pursuant to s. 1004.24. The not-for-profit corporation and its subsidiaries shall be exempt from any participation in any property insurance trust fund established by law, including any property insurance trust fund established pursuant to chapter 284, so long as the not-for-profit corporation and its subsidiaries maintain property insurance protection with comparable or greater coverage limits.
(4) In the event that the agreement between the not-for-profit corporation and the Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida is terminated for any reason, the Board of Governors shall resume governance and operation of such facilities.
(5) The institute shall be administered by a chief executive officer who shall serve at the pleasure of the board of directors of the not-for-profit corporation and who shall have the following powers and duties subject to the approval of the board of directors:
(a) The chief executive officer shall establish programs which fulfill the mission of the institute in research, education, treatment, prevention, and the early detection of cancer; however, the chief executive officer shall not establish academic programs for which academic credit is awarded and which terminate in the conference of a degree without prior approval of the Board of Governors.
(b) The chief executive officer shall have control over the budget and the dollars appropriated or donated to the institute from private, local, state, and federal sources, as well as technical and professional income generated or derived from practice activities of the not-for-profit corporation and its subsidiaries. Technical and professional income generated from practice activities may be shared between the not-for-profit corporation and its subsidiaries as determined by the chief executive officer. However, professional income generated by state university employees from practice activities at the not-for-profit corporation and its subsidiaries shall be shared between the university and the not-for-profit corporation and its subsidiaries only as determined by the chief executive officer and the appropriate university dean or vice president.
(c) The chief executive officer shall appoint members to carry out the research, patient care, and educational activities of the institute and determine compensation, benefits, and terms of service. Members of the institute shall be eligible to hold concurrent appointments at affiliated academic institutions. State university faculty shall be eligible to hold concurrent appointments at the institute.
(d) The chief executive officer shall have control over the use and assignment of space and equipment within the facilities.
(e) The chief executive officer shall have the power to create the administrative structure necessary to carry out the mission of the institute.
(f) The chief executive officer shall report annually to the Board of Governors or its designee on the educational activities of the not-for-profit corporation.
(g) The chief executive officer shall provide a copy of the institute’s annual report to the Governor and Cabinet, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the chair of the Board of Governors.
(6) The board of directors of the not-for-profit corporation shall create an external advisory board of scientific advisers to the chief executive officer comprised of leading researchers, physicians, and scientists. This board shall review programs and recommend research priorities and initiatives so as to maximize the state’s investment in the institute. The board shall be appointed by the board of directors of the not-for-profit corporation. Each member of the board shall be appointed to serve a 2-year term and may be reappointed to the board.
(7) In carrying out the provisions of this section, the not-for-profit corporation and its subsidiaries are not “agencies” within the meaning of s. 20.03(1).
(8)(a) Records of the not-for-profit corporation and of its subsidiaries are public records unless made confidential or exempt by law.
(b) Proprietary confidential business information is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. However, the Auditor General, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, and the Board of Governors, pursuant to their oversight and auditing functions, must be given access to all proprietary confidential business information upon request and without subpoena and must maintain the confidentiality of information so received. As used in this paragraph, the term “proprietary confidential business information” means information, regardless of its form or characteristics, which is owned or controlled by the not-for-profit corporation or its subsidiaries; is intended to be and is treated by the not-for-profit corporation or its subsidiaries as private and the disclosure of which would harm the business operations of the not-for-profit corporation or its subsidiaries; has not been intentionally disclosed by the corporation or its subsidiaries unless pursuant to law, an order of a court or administrative body, a legislative proceeding pursuant to s. 5, Art. III of the State Constitution, or a private agreement that provides that the information may be released to the public; and which is information concerning:
1. Internal auditing controls and reports of internal auditors;
2. Matters reasonably encompassed in privileged attorney-client communications;
3. Contracts for managed-care arrangements, including preferred provider organization contracts, health maintenance organization contracts, and exclusive provider organization contracts, and any documents directly relating to the negotiation, performance, and implementation of any such contracts for managed-care arrangements;
4. Bids or other contractual data, banking records, and credit agreements the disclosure of which would impair the efforts of the not-for-profit corporation or its subsidiaries to contract for goods or services on favorable terms;
5. Information relating to private contractual data, the disclosure of which would impair the competitive interest of the provider of the information;
6. Corporate officer and employee personnel information;
7. Information relating to the proceedings and records of credentialing panels and committees and of the governing board of the not-for-profit corporation or its subsidiaries relating to credentialing;
8. Minutes of meetings of the governing board of the not-for-profit corporation and its subsidiaries, except minutes of meetings open to the public pursuant to subsection (9);
9. Information that reveals plans for marketing services that the corporation or its subsidiaries reasonably expect to be provided by competitors;
10. Trade secrets as defined in s. 688.002, including:
a. Information relating to methods of manufacture or production, potential trade secrets, potentially patentable materials, or proprietary information received, generated, ascertained, or discovered during the course of research conducted by the not-for-profit corporation or its subsidiaries; and
b. Reimbursement methodologies or rates;
11. The identity of donors or prospective donors of property who wish to remain anonymous or any information identifying such donors or prospective donors. The anonymity of these donors or prospective donors must be maintained in the auditor’s report; or
12. Any information received by the not-for-profit corporation or its subsidiaries from an agency in this or another state or nation or the Federal Government which is otherwise exempt or confidential pursuant to the laws of this or another state or nation or pursuant to federal law.
As used in this paragraph, the term “managed care” means systems or techniques generally used by third-party payors or their agents to affect access to and control payment for health care services. Managed-care techniques most often include one or more of the following: prior, concurrent, and retrospective review of the medical necessity and appropriateness of services or site of services; contracts with selected health care providers; financial incentives or disincentives related to the use of specific providers, services, or service sites; controlled access to and coordination of services by a case manager; and payor efforts to identify treatment alternatives and modify benefit restrictions for high-cost patient care.
(9) Meetings of the governing board of the not-for-profit corporation and meetings of the subsidiaries of the not-for-profit corporation at which the expenditure of dollars appropriated to the not-for-profit corporation by the state are discussed or reported must remain open to the public in accordance with s. 286.011 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution, unless made confidential or exempt by law. Other meetings of the governing board of the not-for-profit corporation and of the subsidiaries of the not-for-profit corporation are exempt from s. 286.011 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(10) In addition to the continuing appropriation to the institute provided in s. 210.20(2), any appropriation to the institute provided in a general appropriations act shall be paid directly to the board of directors of the not-for-profit corporation by warrant drawn by the Chief Financial Officer from the State Treasury.
History.—s. 188, ch. 2002-387; s. 4, ch. 2004-2; s. 1, ch. 2005-193; s. 96, ch. 2007-217; s. 181, ch. 2008-4; s. 1, ch. 2010-85; s. 1, ch. 2010-194; s. 10, ch. 2013-51; s. 158, ch. 2023-8; s. 7, ch. 2023-105.
1004.435 Cancer control and research.—
(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Cancer Control and Research Act.”
(2) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—It is the finding of the Legislature that:
(a) Advances in scientific knowledge have led to the development of preventive and therapeutic capabilities in the control of cancer. Such knowledge and therapy must be made available to all citizens of this state through educational and therapeutic programs.
(b) The present state of our knowledge concerning the prevalence, cause or associated factors, and treatment of cancer have resulted primarily from a vast federal investment into basic and clinical research, some of which is expended in this state. These research activities must continue, but programs must be established to extend this knowledge in preventive measures and patient treatment throughout the state.
(c) Research in cancer has implicated the environment as a causal factor for many types of cancer, i.e., sunshine, X rays, diet, smoking, etc., and programs are needed to further document such cause and effect relationships. Proven causes of cancer should be publicized and be the subject of educational programs for the prevention of cancer.
(d) An effective cancer control program would mobilize the scientific, educational, and medical resources that presently exist into an intense attack against this dread disease.
(3) DEFINITIONS.—The following words and phrases when used in this section have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this subsection:
(a) “Cancer” means all malignant neoplasms, regardless of the tissue of origin, including lymphoma and leukemia.
(b) “Council” means the Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council, which is an advisory body appointed to function on a continuing basis for the study of cancer and which recommends solutions and policy alternatives to the Board of Governors and the State Surgeon General and which is established by this section.
(c) “Department” means the Department of Health.
(4) FLORIDA CANCER CONTROL AND RESEARCH ADVISORY COUNCIL; CREATION; COMPOSITION.—
(a) There is created within the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc., the Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council. The council shall consist of 16 members, which includes the chairperson, all of whom must be residents of this state. The State Surgeon General or his or her designee within the Department of Health shall be one of the 16 members. Members, except those appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or the President of the Senate, must be appointed by the chief executive officer of the institution or organization represented, or his or her designee. One member must be a representative of the American Cancer Society; one member must be a representative of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Miami; one member must be a representative of the University of Florida Shands Cancer Center; one member must be a representative of the Florida Nurses Association who specializes in the field of oncology and is not from an institution or organization already represented on the council; one member must be a representative of the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association who specializes in the field of oncology; one member must be a member of the Florida Medical Association who specializes in the field of oncology and who represents a cancer center not already represented on the council; one member must be a representative of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc.; one member must be a representative of the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville; one member must be a member of the Florida Hospital Association who specializes in the field of oncology and who represents a comprehensive cancer center not already represented on the council; one member must be a representative of the Association of Community Cancer Centers; one member must specialize in pediatric oncology research or clinical care appointed by the Governor; one member must specialize in oncology clinical care or research appointed by the President of the Senate; one member must be a current or former cancer patient or a current or former caregiver to a cancer patient appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; one member must be a member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and one member must be a member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate. At least four of the members must be individuals who are minority persons as defined by s. 288.703.
(b) The terms of the members shall be 4 years from their respective dates of appointment with the option of renewal.
(c) A chairperson shall be selected by the council for a term of 2 years. The chairperson shall appoint an executive committee of no fewer than three persons to serve at the pleasure of the chairperson. This committee will prepare material for the council but make no final decisions.
(d) The council shall meet no less than semiannually at the call of the chairperson or, in his or her absence or incapacity, at the call of the State Surgeon General. Nine members constitute a quorum for the purpose of exercising all of the powers of the council. A vote of the majority of the members present is sufficient for all actions of the council.
(e) The council members shall serve without pay. Pursuant to the provisions of s. 112.061, the council members may be entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses by the institution or organization the member represents. If a member is not affiliated with an institution or organization, the member shall be reimbursed for travel expenses by the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc.
(f) The council may prescribe, amend, and repeal bylaws governing the manner in which the business of the council is conducted.
(g) The council shall advise the Board of Governors, the State Surgeon General, and the Legislature with respect to cancer control and research in this state.
(h) The council shall approve each year a program for cancer control and research to be known as the “Florida Cancer Control and Research Plan” which shall be integrated and coordinated with existing programs in this state.
(i) The council shall collaborate with the Florida Biomedical Research Advisory Council to formulate and annually review and recommend to the State Surgeon General a statewide research plan. Additionally, the council shall develop and annually review a statewide “Florida Cancer Treatment Plan” for the care and treatment of persons suffering from cancer. The council shall recommend the establishment of standard requirements for the organization, equipment, and conduct of cancer units or departments in hospitals and clinics in this state. The council may recommend to the State Surgeon General the designation of cancer units following a survey of the needs and facilities for treatment of cancer in the various localities throughout the state. The State Surgeon General shall consider the plans in developing departmental priorities and funding priorities and standards under chapter 395.
(j) The council is responsible for including in the Florida Cancer Control and Research Plan recommendations for the coordination and integration of medical, nursing, paramedical, lay, and other plans concerned with cancer control and research. Committees shall be formed by the council so that the following areas will be established as entities for actions:
1. Cancer plan evaluation: tumor registry, data retrieval systems, and epidemiology of cancer in the state and its relation to other areas.
2. Cancer prevention.
3. Cancer detection.
4. Cancer patient management: treatment, rehabilitation, terminal care, and other patient-oriented activities.
5. Cancer education: lay and professional.
6. Unproven methods of cancer therapy: quackery and unorthodox therapies.
7. Investigator-initiated project research.
(k) The council shall have the responsibility to advise the Board of Governors and the State Surgeon General on methods of enforcing and implementing laws already enacted and concerned with cancer control, research, and education.
(l) The council may recommend to the Board of Governors or the State Surgeon General rules not inconsistent with law as it may deem necessary for the performance of its duties and the proper administration of this section.
(m) The council shall formulate and put into effect a continuing educational program for the prevention of cancer and its early diagnosis and disseminate to hospitals, cancer patients, and the public information concerning the proper treatment of cancer.
(n) The council shall be physically located at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc., at the University of South Florida.
(o) The council shall select, by majority vote, seven members of the council who must combine with six members of the Biomedical Research Advisory Council to form a joint committee to develop performance measures, a rating system, a rating standard, and an application form for the Cancer Center of Excellence Award created in s. 381.925.
(p) On February 15 of each year, the council shall report to the Governor and to the Legislature.
(5) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CENTER AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.—The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc., shall provide such staff, information, and other assistance as reasonably necessary for the completion of the responsibilities of the council.
History.—s. 189, ch. 2002-387; s. 97, ch. 2007-217; s. 112, ch. 2008-6; s. 2, ch. 2011-91; s. 466, ch. 2011-142; s. 14, ch. 2013-35; s. 4, ch. 2013-50; s. 1, ch. 2014-118; s. 177, ch. 2020-2; s. 7, ch. 2024-246; s. 2, ch. 2024-247.
11004.4351 Medical marijuana research.—
(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Medical Marijuana Research Act.”
(2) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.—The Legislature finds that:
(a) The present state of knowledge concerning the use of marijuana to alleviate pain and treat illnesses is limited because permission to perform clinical studies on marijuana is difficult to obtain, with access to research-grade marijuana so restricted that little or no unbiased studies have been performed.
(b) Under the State Constitution, marijuana is available for the treatment of certain debilitating medical conditions.
(c) Additional clinical studies are needed to ensure that the residents of this state obtain the correct dosing, formulation, route, modality, frequency, quantity, and quality of marijuana for specific illnesses.
(d) An effective medical marijuana research program would mobilize the scientific and medical resources that presently exist in this state to determine the appropriate and best use of marijuana to treat illness.
(3) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Board” means the Medical Marijuana Research Board.
(b) “Consortium” means the Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research.
(c) “Marijuana” has the same meaning as provided in s. 29, Art. X of the State Constitution.
(4) CONSORTIUM FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA CLINICAL OUTCOMES RESEARCH.—
(a) There is established within a state university designated by the Board of Governors the Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research which shall consist of public and private universities. The purpose of the consortium is to conduct rigorous scientific research and disseminate such research.
(b) The Medical Marijuana Research Board is established to direct the operations of the consortium. The board shall be composed of members representing each participating university appointed by the president of each participating university. Board members must have experience in a variety of scientific and medical fields, including, but not limited to, oncology, neurology, psychology, pediatrics, nutrition, and addiction. Members shall be appointed to 4-year terms and may be reappointed to serve additional terms. The chair shall be elected by the board from among its members to serve a 2-year term. The board shall meet at least semiannually at the call of the chair or, in his or her absence or incapacity, the vice chair. Four members constitute a quorum. A majority vote of the members present is required for all actions of the board. The board may prescribe, amend, and repeal a charter governing the manner in which it conducts its business. A board member shall serve without compensation but is entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses by the consortium or the organization he or she represents in accordance with s. 112.061.
(c) The consortium shall be administered by a director, who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the board. The director shall, subject to the approval of the board:
1. Propose a budget for the consortium.
2. Foster the collaboration of scientists, researchers, and other appropriate personnel in accordance with the consortium’s charter.
3. Engage individuals in public and private university programs relevant to the consortium’s work to participate in the consortium.
4. Identify and prioritize the research to be conducted by the consortium.
5. Prepare a plan for medical marijuana research for submission to the board.
6. Apply for grants to obtain funding for research conducted by the consortium.
7. Perform other duties as determined by the board.
(d) The board shall annually adopt a plan for medical marijuana research. The plan must organize a program of research that contributes to the body of scientific knowledge on the effects of the medical use of marijuana and informs both policy and medical practice related to the treatment of debilitating medical conditions with marijuana. Research must include tracking clinical outcomes, certification standards, dosing standards, routes of administration, efficacy, and side effects. Research must also include the study of the effects of smoking marijuana to treat debilitating medical conditions. The board must award funds to members of the consortium and to perform research consistent with the plan. The board shall collaborate with and may award funds to teaching nursing homes, as defined in s. 430.08, for research on medical use of marijuana to alleviate conditions related to chronic disease and aging.
(e) By February 15 of each year, the board shall issue a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on research projects, research findings, community outreach initiatives, and future plans for the consortium.
(f) Beginning August 1, 2019, and quarterly thereafter, the Department of Health shall submit to the board a data set that includes, for each patient registered in the medical marijuana use registry, the patient’s qualifying medical condition and the daily dose amount, routes of administration, and forms of marijuana certified for the patient. The department shall also provide the board with such data for all patients registered in the medical marijuana use registry before August 1, 2019.
History.—ss. 1, 11, ch. 2017-232; s. 2, ch. 2019-1.
1Note.—Section 1, ch. 2017-232, provides that “[i]t is the intent of the Legislature to implement s. 29, Article X of the State Constitution by creating a unified regulatory structure. If s. 29, Article X of the State Constitution is amended or a constitutional amendment related to cannabis or marijuana is adopted, this act shall expire 6 months after the effective date of such amendment.” If such amendment or adoption takes place, s. 1004.4351, as created by s. 11, ch. 2017-232, is repealed.
1004.4352 Parkinson’s disease research.—
(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Parkinson’s Disease Research Act.”
(2) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.—The Legislature finds that:
(a) Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder affecting approximately 1 million Americans, with an estimated 90,000 new diagnoses each year.
(b) Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease and innovative research is essential to advance therapies, improve patient outcomes, and alleviate the burden of the disease.
(3) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Board” means the Parkinson’s Disease Research Board.
(b) “Consortium” means the Consortium for Parkinson’s Disease Research.
(4) CONSORTIUM FOR PARKINSON’S DISEASE RESEARCH.—
(a) There is established within the University of South Florida the Consortium for Parkinson’s Disease Research, which shall consist of public and private universities and academic medical centers. The purpose of the consortium is to conduct rigorous scientific research and disseminate such research.
(b) The Parkinson’s Disease Research Board is established to direct the operations of the consortium. The board shall be composed of members representing each participating university or academic medical center, appointed by the president or chief executive officer of each participating university or academic medical center. Board members must have experience in a variety of scientific fields, including, but not limited to, neurology, psychology, nutrition, and genetics. Members shall be appointed to 4-year terms and may be reappointed to serve additional terms. The chair shall be elected by the board from among its members to serve a 2-year term. The board shall meet at least semiannually at the call of the chair or, in his or her absence or incapacity, the vice chair. Four members constitute a quorum. A majority vote of the members present is required for all actions of the board. The board may prescribe, amend, and repeal a charter governing the manner in which it conducts its business. Board members shall serve without compensation, but are entitled to receive reimbursement for travel expenses by the consortium or the organization he or she represents in accordance with s. 112.061.
(c) The consortium shall be administered by a director, who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the board. The director shall, subject to the approval of the board:
1. Propose a budget for the consortium.
2. Foster the collaboration of scientists, researchers, and other appropriate personnel in accordance with the consortium’s charter.
3. Engage individuals in public and private university and academic medical center programs relevant to the consortium’s work to participate in the consortium.
4. Identify and prioritize the research to be conducted by the consortium.
5. Prepare a plan for Parkinson’s disease research for submission to the board.
6. Apply for grants to obtain funding for research conducted by the consortium.
7. Perform other duties as determined by the board.
(d) The board shall annually adopt a plan for Parkinson’s disease research. The plan must organize a program of research that contributes to the body of scientific knowledge on the causes, mechanisms, and potential treatments for Parkinson’s disease and the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease in first responders. The board must award funds to members of the consortium to perform research consistent with the plan.
(e) By October 15 of each year, the board shall issue a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on research projects, research findings, community outreach initiatives, and future plans for the consortium.
(f) The provisions of this section shall be implemented to the extent of available appropriations contained in the annual General Appropriations Act for such purpose.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2025-188.
1004.4353 Florida Institute for Parkinson’s Disease.—The Florida Institute for Parkinson’s Disease is established within the University of South Florida as a statewide resource for Parkinson’s disease research and clinical care. The purpose of the institute is to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease and to improve the quality of life and health outcomes for those affected by Parkinson’s disease by advancing knowledge, diagnosis, and treatment of Parkinson’s disease through research, clinical care, education, and advocacy.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2025-188.
1004.44 Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute.—There is established the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute within the University of South Florida.
(1) The purpose of the institute is to strengthen mental health services throughout the state by providing technical assistance and support services to mental health agencies and mental health professionals. Such assistance and services shall include:
(a) Technical training and specialized education.
(b) Development, implementation, and evaluation of mental health service programs.
(c) Evaluation of availability and effectiveness of existing mental health services.
(d) Analysis of factors that influence the incidence and prevalence of mental and emotional disorders.
(e) Dissemination of information about innovations in mental health services.
(f) Consultation on all aspects of program development and implementation.
(g) Provisions for direct client services, provided for a limited period of time either in the institute facility or in other facilities within the state, and limited to purposes of research or training.
(h) Submission of a report analyzing substance abuse and mental health services provided in the state through publicly funded programs, including Medicare. The review shall, at a minimum, identify services covered by such programs, assess quality of care and cost management, and identify services for which additional providers are needed in the state. The institute shall submit the report to the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives by June 30, 2026.
(2) The Department of Children and Families is authorized to designate the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute a treatment facility for the purpose of accepting voluntary and involuntary clients in accordance with institute programs. Clients to be admitted are exempted from prior screening by a community mental health center.
(3) The institute may provide direct services in coordination with other agencies. The institute may also provide support services to state agencies through joint programs, collaborative agreements, contracts, and grants.
(4) By August 1, 2020, the institute shall develop a model response protocol for schools to use mobile response teams established under s. 394.495. In developing the protocol, the institute shall, at a minimum, consult with school districts that effectively use such teams, school districts that use such teams less often, local law enforcement agencies, the Department of Children and Families, managing entities as defined in s. 394.9082(2), and mobile response team providers.
(5) The institute shall operate under the authority of the President of the University of South Florida and shall employ a mental health professional as director. The director shall hold a faculty appointment in a university’s college or department related to mental health within the university. The director has primary responsibility for establishing active liaisons with the community of mental health professionals and other related constituencies in the state and may, with approval of the university president, establish appropriate statewide advisory groups to assist in developing these communication links.
(6)(a) There is established within the institute the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce. The purpose of the center is to support an adequate, highly skilled, resilient, and innovative workforce that meets the current and future human resources needs of the state’s behavioral health system in order to provide high-quality care, services, and supports to Floridians with, or at risk of developing, behavioral health conditions through original research, policy analysis, evaluation, and development and dissemination of best practices. The goals of the center are, at a minimum, to research the state’s current behavioral health workforce and future needs; expand the number of clinicians, professionals, and other workers involved in the behavioral health workforce; and enhance the skill level and innovativeness of the workforce. The center shall, at a minimum, do all of the following:
1. Describe and analyze the current workforce and project possible future workforce demand, especially in critical roles, and develop strategies for addressing any gaps. The center’s efforts may include, but need not be limited to, producing a statistically valid biennial analysis of the supply and demand of the behavioral health workforce.
2. Expand pathways to behavioral health professions through enhanced educational opportunities and improved faculty development and retention. The center’s efforts may include, but need not be limited to:
a. Identifying best practices in the academic preparation and continuing education of behavioral health professionals.
b. Facilitating and coordinating the development of academic-practice partnerships that support behavioral health faculty employment and advancement.
c. Developing and implementing innovative projects to support the recruitment, development, and retention of behavioral health educators, faculty, and clinical preceptors.
d. Developing distance learning infrastructure for behavioral health education and the evidence-based use of technology, simulation, and distance learning techniques.
3. Promote behavioral health professions. The center’s efforts may include, but need not be limited to:
a. Conducting original research on the factors affecting recruitment, retention, and advancement of the behavioral health workforce, such as designing and implementing a longitudinal study of the state’s behavioral health workforce.
b. Developing and implementing innovative projects to support the recruitment, development, and retention of behavioral health workers, including, but not limited to, projects to provide additional stipends, compensation, and financial support for clinical supervisors, workers, interns, and students currently working in the behavioral health field.
4. Request from the Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling, and the board must provide to the center upon its request, any information held by the board regarding the clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counselors licensed in this state or information reported to the board by employers of such counselors, other than personal identifying information.
(b) The center may:
1. Convene groups, including, but not limited to, behavioral health clinicians, professionals, and workers, and employers of such individuals; other health care providers; individuals with behavioral health conditions and their families; and business and industry leaders, policymakers, and educators, to assist the center in its work; and
2. Request from any board as defined in s. 456.001 any information held by the board regarding a behavioral health professional licensed in this state or holding a multistate license pursuant to a professional multistate licensure compact or information reported to the board by employers of such behavioral health professionals, other than personal identifying information. The boards must provide such information to the center upon request.
(c) By January 10 of each year, the center shall submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives providing details of its activities during the preceding calendar year in pursuit of its goals and in the execution of its duties under paragraph (a). The report submitted in 2025 must include an initial statewide strategic plan for meeting the goals in this subsection, which must be updated in each subsequent report.
(7) The Board of Governors and the State Board of Education, in consultation with the center, shall expeditiously adopt any necessary regulations and rules, as applicable, to allow the center to perform its responsibilities under subsection (6) as soon as practicable.
History.—s. 190, ch. 2002-387; s. 371, ch. 2014-19; s. 10, ch. 2020-107; s. 6, ch. 2024-12; s. 101, ch. 2025-6; s. 8, ch. 2025-184.
1004.441 Refractory and intractable epilepsy treatment and research.—
1(1) As used in this section, the term “low-THC cannabis” means “low-THC cannabis” as defined in s. 381.986 that is dispensed only from a dispensing organization as defined in former s. 381.986, Florida Statutes 2016, or a medical marijuana treatment center as defined in s. 381.986.
(2) Notwithstanding chapter 893, state universities with both medical and agricultural research programs, including those that have satellite campuses or research agreements with other similar institutions, may conduct research on cannabidiol and low-THC cannabis. This research may include, but is not limited to, the agricultural development, production, clinical research, and use of liquid medical derivatives of cannabidiol and low-THC cannabis for the treatment for refractory or intractable epilepsy. The authority for state universities to conduct this research is derived from 21 C.F.R. parts 312 and 316. Current state or privately obtained research funds may be used to support the activities authorized by this section.
History.—s. 6, ch. 2014-157; ss. 1, 12, ch. 2017-232.
1Note.—Section 1, ch. 2017-232, provides that “[i]t is the intent of the Legislature to implement s. 29, Article X of the State Constitution by creating a unified regulatory structure. If s. 29, Article X of the State Constitution is amended or a constitutional amendment related to cannabis or marijuana is adopted, this act shall expire 6 months after the effective date of such amendment.” If such amendment or adoption takes place, subsection (1), as amended by s. 1, ch. 2017-232, will read:
(1) As used in this section, the term “low-THC cannabis” means “low-THC cannabis” as defined in s. 381.986 that is dispensed only from a dispensing organization as defined in s. 381.986.
1004.444 Florida Center for Cybersecurity.—
(1) The Florida Center for Cybersecurity, which may also be referred to as “Cyber Florida,” is established within the University of South Florida, under the direction of the president of the university or the president’s designee.
(2) The mission and goals of the center are to:
(a) Position Florida as the national leader in cybersecurity and its related workforce primarily through advancing and funding education and research and development initiatives in cybersecurity and related fields, with a secondary emphasis on community engagement and cybersecurity awareness.
(b) Assist in the creation of jobs in the state’s cybersecurity industry and enhance the existing cybersecurity workforce through education, research, applied science, and engagements and partnerships with the private and military sectors.
(c) Act as a cooperative facilitator for state business and higher education communities to share cybersecurity knowledge, resources, and training.
(d) Seek out research and development agreements and other partnerships with major military installations and affiliated contractors to assist, when possible, in homeland cybersecurity defense initiatives.
(e) Attract cybersecurity companies and jobs to this state, with an emphasis on the defense, finance, health care, transportation, and utility sectors.
(f) Conduct, fund, and facilitate research and applied science that leads to the creation of new technologies and software packages that have military and civilian applications and that can be transferred for military and homeland defense purposes or for sale or use in the private sector.
(3) Upon receiving a request for assistance from the Department of Management Services, the Florida Digital Service, or another state agency, the center is authorized, but may not be compelled by the agency, to conduct, consult on, or otherwise assist any state-funded initiatives related to:
(a) Cybersecurity training, professional development, and education for state and local government employees, including school districts and the judicial branch; and
(b) Increasing the cybersecurity effectiveness of the state’s and local governments’ technology platforms and infrastructure, including school districts and the judicial branch.
History.—s. 10, ch. 2014-56; s. 1, ch. 2024-99.
1004.445 Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr., Alzheimer’s Center and Research Institute.—
(1) CREATION AND MISSION.—The Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr., Alzheimer’s Center and Research Institute is established within the University of South Florida. The institute has a statewide mission to advance research, education, treatment, prevention, and the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and is responsible for distributing peer-reviewed competitive grant funds for Alzheimer’s disease research.
(2) CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.—The institute shall be administered by a chief executive officer who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the president of the University of South Florida or the president’s designee. The chief executive officer shall prepare an annual report for the institute which describes the expenditure of all of the institute’s funds and provides information regarding research that has been conducted or funded by the institute, including the expected and actual results of the research.
(3) BUDGET.—The institute’s budget shall include the moneys appropriated in the General Appropriations Act, donated, or otherwise provided to the institute from private, local, state, and federal sources, as well as technical and professional income generated or derived from practice activities at the institute. Any appropriation to the institute shall be expended for the purposes specified in this section, including conducting and supporting research and related clinical services, awarding institutional grants and investigator-initiated research grants to other persons within the state through a peer-reviewed competitive process, developing and operating integrated data projects, providing assistance to the memory disorder clinics established in s. 430.502, and providing for the operation of the institute.
History.—s. 191, ch. 2002-387; s. 2, ch. 2002-389; s. 1, ch. 2002-396; s. 5, ch. 2004-2; s. 44, ch. 2004-41; s. 12, ch. 2006-182; s. 1, ch. 2006-288; s. 98, ch. 2007-217; s. 1, ch. 2007-332; s. 1, ch. 2008-113; s. 5, ch. 2009-60; s. 53, ch. 2014-39.
1004.447 Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, Inc.—
(1)(a) There is created a not-for-profit corporation, to be known as the “Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, Inc.,” which shall be registered, incorporated, organized, and operated in compliance with chapter 617. The Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, Inc., is established at the University of West Florida.
(b) The corporation is authorized to create not-for-profit corporate subsidiaries that are organized under the provisions of chapter 617 upon the prior approval of its board of directors, as necessary, to fulfill its mission.
(2) The corporation and any authorized and approved subsidiary:
(a) Shall be a corporation primarily acting as an instrumentality of the state, pursuant to s. 768.28(2), for purposes of sovereign immunity.
(b) Is not an agency within the meaning of s. 20.03(1).
(c) Is subject to the open records and meeting requirements of s. 24, Art. I of the State Constitution, chapter 119, and s. 286.011.
(d) May receive, hold, invest, and administer property and any moneys acquired from private, local, state, and federal sources, as well as technical and professional income generated or derived from practice activities of the institute, for the benefit of the institute and the fulfillment of its mission.
(e) May perform all things necessary to secure letters of patent, copyrights, and trademarks on any work products and to enforce its rights therein. The corporation must consider contributions by a state university and university personnel in the development of trademarks, copyrights, and patents and shall enter into written contracts establishing the interests of the university and such personnel in each trademark, copyright, or patent.
(f) May secure comprehensive general liability protection, including professional liability protection, for the not-for-profit corporation and its subsidiaries.
(g) May enter into affiliation agreements with other universities or research institutes.
(h) Is not subject to the provisions of chapter 287.
(3) The officers, directors, and employees of the corporation or any authorized and approved subsidiary shall be governed by the code of ethics for public officers and employees as set forth in part III of chapter 112.
(4) The articles of incorporation of the corporation must be approved in a written agreement by the Board of Governors. The agreement and the articles of incorporation must:
(a) Provide that the corporation and any authorized and approved subsidiary shall provide equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status.
(b) Provide that the corporation and any authorized and approved subsidiary are subject to the public records and meeting requirements of s. 24, Art. I of the State Constitution.
(c) Provide that all officers, directors, and employees of the corporation and any authorized and approved subsidiary shall be governed by the code of ethics for public officers and employees as set forth in part III of chapter 112.
(d) Provide that members of the board of directors of the corporation are responsible for the prudent use of all public and private funds and that they will ensure that the use of funds is in accordance with all applicable laws, bylaws, and contractual requirements.
(e) Provide that the fiscal year of the corporation and any authorized and approved subsidiary is from July 1 to June 30.
(5) The affairs of the corporation shall be managed by a board of directors who shall serve without compensation. Each director shall have only one vote.
(a) The board of directors shall consist of:
1. The chair of the Board of Governors or the chair’s designee.
2. The President of the University of West Florida or the president’s designee.
3. Three state university representatives.
4. Ten public representatives who are neither state university employees nor state employees.
(b) The Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each make one initial appointment of a state university representative to the board of directors. Each director who is a representative of a state university shall be appointed for an initial term of 3 years. The Governor shall make three initial appointments of public representatives to the board of directors. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each make two initial appointments of public representatives to the board of directors. The chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of West Florida shall make two initial appointments of public representatives to the board of directors. The Board of Trustees of the University of West Florida shall make one appointment of a public representative to the board of directors. Each director who is a representative of the public shall be appointed to serve an initial term of 2 years.
(c) Upon the completion of the initial terms, a director appointed under paragraph (b) shall be appointed by a majority vote of the directors to an additional 3-year term.
(d) Any vacancy in office of a director appointed under paragraph (b) shall be filled for the remainder of the term by majority vote of the directors.
(e) Any director may be reappointed by a majority vote of the board of directors.
(f) The chair of the board of directors shall be selected by a majority vote of the directors, a quorum being present.
(6) No later than 30 days following approval of the corporation’s articles of incorporation by the Board of Governors, the corporation shall enter into an affiliation agreement with the Board of Trustees of the University of West Florida for:
(a) The use or mutual provision of or participation in university programs or services, including use of the university’s moneys, facilities, furnishings, equipment, other chattels, personnel, or services.
(b) The use of facilities and personnel for mutually approved teaching and research programs conducted by universities or research institutes.
(c) The preparation of an annual postaudit of the corporation’s financial accounts and the financial accounts of any authorized and approved subsidiary to be conducted by an independent certified public accountant. The annual audit report shall include management letters and be submitted to the Auditor General and the Board of Governors for review.
(d) Use of the facilities of the University of West Florida, including all furnishings, equipment, and other chattels used in the operation of those facilities.
If the agreement between the corporation and the Board of Trustees of the University of West Florida is terminated, all property, including buildings, land, furnishings, equipment, and other chattels originally leased to the corporation, as well as any subsequently constructed or otherwise acquired facilities in connection with the operation of the institute, automatically reverts to full ownership by the University of West Florida. Such a reversionary interest of the state in all after-acquired facilities of the corporation is in furtherance of the goals of this section, and such a present ownership interest by the university is a continuing and insurable public interest.
(7) The corporation shall employ a chief executive officer to administer the affairs of the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, Inc. The chief executive officer shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the board of directors. The chief executive officer shall exercise the following powers and duties, subject to the approval of the board of directors:
(a) Establish programs that fulfill the mission of the institute, as one of the nation’s premier information-technology-related research organizations, in research, education, scientific advancement, and economic development. However, the chief executive officer may not establish academic programs for which academic credit is awarded, or programs that culminate in the conferring of a degree, without prior approval of the University of West Florida.
(b) Control the budget and the moneys appropriated or donated to the institute from private, local, state, and federal sources, as well as technical and professional income generated or derived from research activities of the institute. However, income generated by university faculty from research activities at the institute shall be shared between the institute and the university, as determined by the chief executive officer and the appropriate university president or the president’s designee.
(c) Appoint representatives of the institute to carry out the research and educational activities of the institute and establish the compensation, benefits, and terms of service of such representatives. Representatives may hold concurrent appointments at affiliated academic institutions. University faculty may hold concurrent appointments at the institute.
(d) Control the use and assignment of space and equipment within the facilities.
(e) Create the administrative structure necessary to carry out the mission of the institute.
(f) Annually report in writing to the Board of Governors on the activities of the institute and state budget allocation expenditures.
(g) Provide a copy of the institute’s annual report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the chair of the Board of Governors, and the University of West Florida.
(h) Appoint a council of scientific advisers to the chief executive officer comprised of leading researchers and scientists who shall review programs and recommend research priorities and initiatives to maximize the state’s investment in the institute.
1. The board of directors shall ratify the appointments of scientific advisers to the council.
2. Each member of the council shall be appointed to serve a 2-year term and may be reappointed.
(8) The Board of Governors, the Board of Trustees of the University of West Florida, the Auditor General, and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability may require and receive from the corporation and any subsidiary, or from their independent auditor, any detail or supplemental data relative to the operation of the corporation or subsidiary.
(9) The corporation shall annually certify to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Board of Governors that the corporation and its authorized subsidiaries are complying with the requirements of this section and are acting in the best interests of the state.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2003-294; s. 99, ch. 2007-217; s. 159, ch. 2023-8; s. 1, ch. 2025-161.
1004.4471 Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition; affiliation with other universities.—The corporation created pursuant to s. 1004.447(1) and any authorized and approved subsidiary of the corporation may enter into affiliation agreements similar to the agreement described in s. 1004.447(6) with the boards of trustees of other public or private universities.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2003-294; s. 2, ch. 2025-161.
1004.4472 Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, Inc.; public records exemption; public meetings exemption.—
(1) For purposes of this section, the term:
(a) “Corporation” means the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, Inc.
(b) “Subsidiary” means a subsidiary authorized and approved by the corporation.
(2) The following information held by the corporation or its subsidiary is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution:
(a) Material relating to methods of manufacture or production, potential trade secrets, patentable material, actual trade secrets as defined in s. 688.002 or proprietary information received, generated, ascertained, or discovered during the course of research conducted by or through the corporation or a subsidiary, and business transactions resulting from such research.
(b) Any information received by the corporation or a subsidiary from a person from another state or nation or the Federal Government which is otherwise exempt or confidential pursuant to the laws of that state or nation or pursuant to federal law.
(c) Any information received by the corporation or a subsidiary in the performance of its duties and responsibilities which is otherwise confidential and exempt by law.
(d) All identifying information of a donor or prospective donor to the corporation or a subsidiary who wishes to remain anonymous.
(3) The corporation or its subsidiary shall permit any governmental entity to inspect or copy confidential and exempt information held by the corporation or its subsidiary which is necessary for that governmental entity to perform its duties and responsibilities.
(4) That portion of a meeting of the corporation or a subsidiary at which information is presented or discussed which is confidential and exempt pursuant to subsection (2) is exempt from s. 286.011 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2004-358; s. 182, ch. 2008-4; s. 1, ch. 2009-212.
1004.4473 Industrial hemp pilot projects.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Department” means the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
(b) “Hemp material” means a substance containing hemp stems, leaves, fibers, seeds, extracts, oil, or any other substance derived or harvested from a species of the cannabis plant.
(c) “Industrial hemp” means all parts and varieties of the cannabis sativa plant, cultivated or possessed by an approved grower under the pilot project, whether growing or not, which contain a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration that does not exceed 0.3 percent on a dry-weight basis.
(d) “Industrial hemp pilot project” or “pilot project” means a project that includes research of industrial hemp and any aspect of cultivation, harvesting, processing, market research, and sales of approved industrial hemp agricultural, industrial, and commercial products.
(e) “Qualified program personnel” means a person who, or an employee of a company that, partners with a university on a pilot project, is certified by the university, and is 18 years of age or older.
(f) “Qualified project partner” means a public, nonprofit, or private entity that:
1. Has a principal place of business in this state.
2. Has access to a grow site and research facility located in this state which is acceptable for the cultivation, processing, and manufacturing of industrial hemp and hemp products, as determined by the department.
3. Submits a comprehensive business or research plan acceptable to the partnering university.
4. Provides proof of prior experience in or knowledge of, or demonstrates an interest in and commitment to, the cultivation, processing, manufacturing, or research of industrial hemp, as determined by the department.
(2)(a) The department shall authorize and oversee the development of industrial hemp pilot projects for the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, any land grant university in the state that has a college of agriculture, and any Florida College System institution or state university that has an established agriculture, engineering, or pharmacy program. The department shall adopt rules as required under the Agricultural Act of 2014, 7 U.S.C. s. 5940, to implement this section, including rules for the certification and registration of sites used for growth or cultivation. The purpose of the pilot projects is to cultivate, process, test, research, create, and market safe and effective commercial applications for industrial hemp in the agricultural sector in this state.
(b) The department shall adopt rules that address safety, compliance, and accountability and, at a minimum, require the universities to provide detailed information on:
1. The scope, design, and objectives of the pilot project.
2. Personnel and participants involved in the pilot project.
3. Facility locations and security.
4. The chain of control of hemp material.
5. The economic impact of the pilot project on the state’s agricultural sector.
6. Genetic research, ensuring that psychotropic compounds will not be synthesized.
7. Compliance with state and federal law.
(c) The department shall initiate rulemaking pursuant to this subsection within 4 months after the effective date of this act.
(3) An institution or a university must obtain the authorization of its board of trustees before implementing an industrial hemp pilot project. A pilot project authorized by an institution or a university must be registered with the department and must comply with rules adopted by the department.
(4) An institution or a university that implements an industrial hemp pilot project shall develop partnerships with qualified project partners to attract experts and investors experienced with agriculture and may develop the pilot project in partnership with public, nonprofit, and private entities in accordance with this section and all applicable state and federal laws.
(5) The research office of an institution or a university that implements an industrial hemp pilot project shall oversee the pilot project and ensure compliance with rules adopted by the department. The office must identify a contact person who is responsible for oversight of the pilot project and shall adopt procedures and guidelines to ensure the proper operation of the pilot project, the proper handling of hemp material and products, compliance with state and federal law, and the safety and security of the pilot project facility. At a minimum, the guidelines must:
(a) Designate the physical location, global positioning system position, and map of the pilot project facility. Areas within the facility must be designated as general access or limited access. An area where hemp material is cultivated, processed, stored, or packaged or where industrial hemp research is conducted must be designated as limited access. Limited-access areas must be restricted to entry by qualified program personnel and authorized visitors accompanied at all times by qualified program personnel. All other areas of the facility may be designated as general access and are open to authorized visitors, regardless of whether accompanied by qualified program personnel.
(b) Identify the qualified program personnel involved in the pilot project who meet the requirements of 21 C.F.R. s. 1301.18 pursuant to the Agricultural Act of 2014, 7 U.S.C. s. 5940.
(c) Authorize the qualified program personnel to handle, grow, cultivate, process, and manufacture hemp materials.
(d) Establish a testing program and protocols to ensure the proper labeling of hemp material.
(6) An institution or a university that implements an industrial hemp pilot project shall submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the status of its pilot project and any research related to the cultivation, harvesting, processing, and uses of industrial hemp. The report must be prepared and submitted within 2 years after the pilot project is implemented.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2017-124; s. 105, ch. 2018-110; s. 3, ch. 2019-132.
1004.45 Ringling Center for Cultural Arts.—
(1) The Florida State University Ringling Center for Cultural Arts is created. The center consists of the following properties located in Sarasota County:
(a) The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art composed of:
1. The art museum.
2. The Ca’ d’Zan (the Ringling residence).
3. The Ringling Museum of the Circus.
(b) The Florida State University Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, including the Asolo Theater and the Florida State University Center for the Performing Arts, both of which shall provide for academic programs in theater, dance, art, art history, and museum management.
The center shall be operated by the Florida State University, which shall be charged with encouraging participation by K-12 schools and by other postsecondary educational institutions, public and private, in the educational and cultural enrichment programs of the center.
(2)(a) The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is designated as the official Art Museum of the State of Florida. The purpose and function of the museum is to maintain and preserve all objects of art and artifacts donated to the state through the will of John Ringling; to acquire and preserve objects of art or artifacts of historical or cultural significance; to exhibit such objects to the public; to undertake scholarly research and publication, including that relating to the collection; to provide educational programs for students at K-12 schools and those in college and graduate school and enrichment programs for children and adults; to assist other museums in the state and nation through education programs and through loaning objects from the collection when such loans do not threaten the safety and security of the objects; to enhance knowledge and appreciation of the collection; and to engage in other activities related to visual arts which benefit the public. The museum shall also engage in programs on the national and international level to enhance further the cultural resources of the state.
(b) The Florida State University shall approve a John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art direct-support organization. Such direct-support organization shall consist of no more than 31 members appointed by the president of the university from a list of nominees provided by the Ringling direct-support organization. No fewer than one-third of the members must be residents of Sarasota and Manatee Counties, and the remaining members may reside elsewhere. The current members of the Board of Trustees of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art may be members of the direct-support organization. They shall develop a charter and bylaws to govern their operation, and these shall be subject to approval by the Florida State University.
(c) The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art direct-support organization, operating under the charter and bylaws and such contracts as are approved by the university, shall set policies to maintain and preserve the collections of the Art Museum; the Circus Museum; the furnishings and objects in the Ringling home, referred to as the Ca’ d’Zan; and other objects of art and artifacts in the custody of the museum. Title to all such collections, art objects, and artifacts of the museums and its facilities shall remain with the Florida State University, which shall assign state registration numbers to, and conduct annual inventories of, all such properties. The direct-support organization shall develop policy for the museum, subject to the provisions of the John Ringling will and the overall direction of the president of the university; and it is invested with power and authority to nominate a museum director who is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the president of the university and shall report to the provost of the university or his or her designee. The museum director, with the approval of the provost or his or her designee, shall appoint other employees in accordance with Florida Statutes and rules; remove the same in accordance with Florida Statutes and rules; provide for the proper keeping of accounts and records and budgeting of funds; enter into contracts for professional programs of the museum and for the support and maintenance of the museum; secure public liability insurance; and do and perform every other matter or thing requisite to the proper management, maintenance, support, and control of the museum at the highest efficiency economically possible, while taking into consideration the purposes of the museum.
(d) Notwithstanding the provision of s. 287.057, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art direct-support organization may enter into contracts or agreements with or without competitive bidding, in its discretion, for the restoration of objects of art in the museum collection or for the purchase of objects of art that are to be added to the collection.
(e) Notwithstanding s. 273.055, the university may sell any art object in the museum collection, which object has been acquired after 1936, if the director and the direct-support organization recommend such sale to the president of the university and if they first determine that the object is no longer appropriate for the collection. The proceeds of the sale shall be deposited in the Ringling Museum Art Acquisition, Restoration, and Conservation Trust Fund. The university also may exchange any art object in the collection, which object has been acquired after 1936, for an art object or objects that the director and the museum direct-support organization recommend to the university after judging these to be of equivalent or greater value to the museum.
(f) An employee or member of the museum direct-support organization may not receive a commission, fee, or financial benefit in connection with the sale or exchange of a work of art and may not be a business associate of any individual, firm, or organization involved in the sale or exchange.
(g) The university, in consultation with the direct-support organization, shall establish policies for the sale or exchange of works of art.
(h) The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art direct-support organization shall provide for an annual financial audit in accordance with s. 1004.28(5). Florida State University is authorized to require and receive from the direct-support organization, or from its independent auditor, any detail or supplemental data relative to the operation of such organization. Information that, if released, would identify donors who desire to remain anonymous, is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1). Information that, if released, would identify prospective donors is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) when the direct-support organization has identified the prospective donor itself and has not obtained the name of the prospective donor by copying, purchasing, or borrowing names from another organization or source. Identities of such donors and prospective donors shall not be revealed in the auditor’s report.
(i) The direct-support organization is given authority to make temporary loans of paintings and other objects of art or artifacts belonging to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art for the purpose of public exhibition in art museums, other museums, or institutions of higher learning wherever located, including such museums or institutions in other states or countries. Temporary loans may also be made to the executive mansion in Tallahassee, chapters and affiliates of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, and, for education purposes, to schools, public libraries, or other institutions in the state, if such exhibition will benefit the general public as the university deems wise and for the best interest of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and under policies established by Florida State University for the protection of the paintings and other objects of art and artifacts. In making temporary loans, the direct-support organization shall give first preference to art museums, other museums, and institutions of higher learning.
(j) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art direct-support organization is eligible to match state funds in the University Major Gifts Program established pursuant to s. 1011.94 as follows:
1. For the first $1,353,750, matching shall be on the basis of 75 cents in state matching for each dollar of private funds.
2. For additional funds, matching shall be provided on the same basis as is authorized in s. 1011.94.
History.—s. 192, ch. 2002-387; s. 117, ch. 2003-1; s. 5, ch. 2007-18; s. 15, ch. 2013-35.
1004.46 Multidisciplinary Center for Affordable Housing.—
(1) The Multidisciplinary Center for Affordable Housing is established within the School of Building Construction of the College of Architecture of the University of Florida with the collaboration of other related disciplines such as agriculture, business administration, engineering, law, and medicine. The center shall work in conjunction with other state universities. The Multidisciplinary Center for Affordable Housing shall:
(a) Conduct research relating to the problems and solutions associated with the availability of affordable housing in the state for families who are below the median income level and widely disseminate the results of such research to appropriate public and private audiences in the state. Such research shall emphasize methods to improve the planning, design, and production of affordable housing, including, but not limited to, the financial, maintenance, management, and regulatory aspects of residential development.
(b) Provide public services to local, regional, and state agencies, units of government, and authorities by helping them create regulatory climates that are amenable to the introduction of affordable housing within their jurisdictions.
(c) Conduct special research relating to firesafety.
(d) Provide a focus for the teaching of new technology and skills relating to affordable housing in the state.
(e) Develop a base of informational and financial support from the private sector for the activities of the center.
(f) Develop prototypes for both multifamily and single-family units.
(g) Establish a research agenda and general work plan in cooperation with the Department of Commerce, which is the state agency responsible for research and planning for affordable housing and for training and technical assistance for providers of affordable housing.
(h) Submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by January 1 of each year. The annual report shall include information relating to the activities of the center, including collaborative efforts with public and private entities, affordable housing models, and any other findings and recommendations related to the production of safe, decent, and affordable housing.
(2) The Director of the Multidisciplinary Center for Affordable Housing shall be appointed by the Dean of the College of Architecture of the University of Florida.
History.—s. 193, ch. 2002-387; s. 467, ch. 2011-142; s. 251, ch. 2024-6.
1004.47 Research activities relating to solid and hazardous waste management.—Research, training, and service activities related to solid and hazardous waste management conducted by state universities shall be coordinated by the Board of Governors. Proposals for research contracts and grants; public service assignments; and responses to requests for information and technical assistance by state and local government, business, and industry shall be addressed by a formal process involving an advisory board of university personnel appointed by the Chancellor of the State University System and chaired and directed by an individual appointed by the Chancellor of the State University System. The Board of Governors shall consult with the Department of Environmental Protection in developing the research programs and provide the department with a copy of the proposed research program for review and comment before the research is undertaken. Research contracts shall be awarded to independent nonprofit colleges and universities within the state which are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools on the same basis as those research contracts awarded to the state universities. Research activities shall include, but are not limited to, the following areas:
(1) Methods and processes for recycling solid and hazardous waste.
(2) Methods of treatment for detoxifying hazardous waste.
(3) Technologies for disposing of solid and hazardous waste.
History.—s. 194, ch. 2002-387; s. 100, ch. 2007-217.
1004.48 Research protocols to determine most appropriate pollutant dispersal agents.—The Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management shall coordinate the research protocols for projects to determine the most appropriate dispersal agents that can be used in an environmentally safe manner in Florida waters as part of a pollutant cleanup activity. Such research shall be used by the Department of Environmental Protection in approving the use of such agents by pollutant spill cleanup contractors and others who may be required to use such agents in containing and cleaning up pollutant spills in the waters of the state.
History.—s. 195, ch. 2002-387.
1004.49 Florida LAKEWATCH Program.—The Florida LAKEWATCH Program is hereby created within the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida. The purpose of the program is to provide public education and training with respect to the water quality of Florida’s lakes. The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture may, in implementing the LAKEWATCH program:
(1) Train, supervise, and coordinate volunteers to collect water quality data from Florida’s lakes.
(2) Compile the data collected by volunteers.
(3) Disseminate information to the public about the LAKEWATCH program.
(4) Provide or loan equipment to volunteers in the program.
(5) Perform other functions as may be necessary or beneficial in coordinating the LAKEWATCH program.
Data collected and compiled shall be used to establish trends and provide general background information and shall in no instance be used in a regulatory proceeding.
History.—s. 196, ch. 2002-387.
1004.53 Interdisciplinary Center for Brownfield Rehabilitation Assistance.—The Center for Brownfield Rehabilitation Assistance in the Environmental Sciences and Policy Program is established in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Florida with the collaboration of other related disciplines such as business administration, environmental science, and medicine. The center shall work in conjunction with other state universities. The Center for Brownfield Rehabilitation Assistance shall:
(1) Conduct research relating to problems and solutions associated with rehabilitation and restoration of brownfield areas as defined in s. 376.79. The research must include identifying innovative solutions to removing contamination from brownfield sites to reduce the threats to drinking water supplies and other potential public health threats from contaminated sites.
(2) Provide public service to local, regional, and state agencies, units of government, and authorities by helping them to create workable mechanisms, partnerships with public and private sectors, and other techniques for rehabilitating brownfield areas.
(3) Conduct special research relating to risk-based corrective actions for rehabilitation of brownfield areas.
(4) Develop a base of informational and financial support from the private sector for the activities of the center.
History.—s. 200, ch. 2002-387; s. 9, ch. 2025-116.
1004.55 Regional autism centers; public record exemptions.—
(1) Seven regional autism centers are established to provide nonresidential resource and training services for persons of all ages and of all levels of intellectual functioning who have autism, as defined in s. 393.063; who have a pervasive developmental disorder that is not otherwise specified; who have an autistic-like disability; who have a dual sensory impairment; or who have a sensory impairment with other handicapping conditions. Each center shall be operationally and fiscally independent and shall provide services within its geographical region of the state. Service delivery shall be consistent for all centers. Each center shall coordinate services within and between state and local agencies and school districts but may not duplicate services provided by those agencies or school districts. The respective locations and service areas of the centers are:
(a) The College of Medicine at Florida State University, which serves Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington Counties.
(b) The College of Medicine at the University of Florida, which serves Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee, and Union Counties.
(c) The University of Florida Health Science Center at Jacksonville, which serves Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, and St. Johns Counties.
(d) The Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida, which serves Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota Counties.
(e) The Mailman Center for Child Development and the Department of Psychology at the University of Miami, which serves Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties.
(f) The College of Health and Public Affairs at the University of Central Florida, which serves Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia Counties.
(g) The Department of Exceptional Student Education at Florida Atlantic University, which serves Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, and Indian River Counties.
(2) There is established for each center a constituency board, which shall work collaboratively with the center. Each board shall consist of no fewer than six members, each of whom is either an individual who has a disability that is described in subsection (1) or is a member of a family that includes a person who has such a disability, who are selected by each university president from a list that has been developed by the Autism Society of Florida and other relevant constituency groups that represent persons who have sensory impairments as described in subsection (1). As representatives of the center’s constituencies, these boards shall meet quarterly with the staff of each of the centers to provide advice on policies, priorities, and activities. Each board shall submit to the university president and to the Department of Education an annual report that evaluates the activities and accomplishments of its center during the year. The board for each center should raise funds equivalent to 2 percent of the total funds allocated to that center in each fiscal year.
(3) To promote statewide planning and coordination, a conference must be held annually for staff from each of the seven centers and representatives from each center’s constituency board. The purpose of the conference is to facilitate coordination, networking, cross-training, and feedback among the staffs and constituency boards of the centers.
(4) Each center shall provide:
(a) A staff that has expertise in autism and autistic-like behaviors and in sensory impairments.
(b) Individual and direct family assistance in the home, community, and school. A center’s assistance should not supplant other responsibilities of state and local agencies, and each school district is responsible for providing an appropriate education program for clients of a center who are school age.
(c) Technical assistance and consultation services, including specific intervention and assistance for a client of the center, the client’s family, and the school district, and any other services that are appropriate.
(d) Professional training programs that include developing, providing, and evaluating preservice and inservice training in state-of-the-art practices for personnel who work with the populations served by the centers and their families.
(e) Public education programs to increase awareness of the public about autism, autistic-related disabilities of communication and behavior, dual sensory impairments, and sensory impairments with other handicapping conditions.
(f) Coordination and dissemination of local and regional information regarding available resources for services for children with the developmental disabilities described in subsection (1).
(g) Support to state agencies in the development of training for early child care providers and educators with respect to the developmental disabilities described in subsection (1).
(5) The State Board of Education, in cooperation with the regional autism centers, shall adopt the necessary rules to carry out the purposes of this section.
(6)(a) Client records.—
1. All records that relate to a client of a regional autism center who receives the services of a center or participates in center activities, and all records that relate to the client’s family, are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
2. A client who receives the services of a center, if competent, or the client’s parent or legal guardian if the client is incompetent, shall be provided with a copy of the client’s individual record upon request.
3. A regional autism center may release the confidential and exempt records as follows:
a. To physicians, attorneys, or governmental entities having need of the confidential and exempt information to aid a client, as authorized by the client, if competent, or the client’s parent or legal guardian if the client is incompetent.
b. In response to a subpoena or to persons authorized by order of court.
c. To the State Board of Education or the Board of Governors of the State University System when the director of the center deems it necessary for the treatment of the client, maintenance of adequate records, compilation of treatment data, or evaluation of programs.
4. Provided that personal identifying information of a client or the client’s family has been removed, a regional autism center may release information contained in the confidential and exempt records to a person engaged in bona fide research if that person agrees to sign a confidentiality agreement with the regional autism center, agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the information received, and, to the extent permitted by law and after the research has concluded, destroy any confidential information obtained.
5. The director of the center or his or her designee may release information for statistical and research purposes, provided that any confidential and exempt information is removed in the reporting of such statistical or research data.
(b) Donor information.—Personal identifying information of a donor or prospective donor to a regional autism center who desires to remain anonymous is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
History.—s. 202, ch. 2002-387; s. 1, ch. 2005-49; s. 183, ch. 2008-4; s. 6, ch. 2008-204; s. 15, ch. 2009-59; s. 5, ch. 2010-224; s. 1, ch. 2011-221; s. 1, ch. 2016-217.
1004.551 University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment.—There is created at the University of Florida the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment.
(1) The center shall:
(a) Collaborate with state and local agencies that provide early intervention, educational, medical, employment, financial, and daily living services. The center shall also collaborate with other entities that provide autism research and services, including, but not limited to, the Florida State University Autism Institute, each Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS), the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, and the Department of Children and Families.
(b) Coordinate information and resources related to research, best practices, training, and public awareness to better support families of children with autism.
(c) Develop strategies to promote public awareness of the signs of autism, the importance of early screening, and interventions and supports available to families. The center shall assist in the assignment of a toll-free number for autism support.
(d) Catalog and distribute best practices related to screening tools, diagnosis, and interventions.
(e) Review and approve applications for specialized summer programs for children with autism pursuant to s. 1003.5712. The center shall act as the fiscal agent for grant funds and develop minimum requirements for the creation of specialized summer programs.
(f) Develop an autism micro-credential to provide specialized training in supporting students with autism.
1. The micro-credential must be stackable with the autism endorsement and be available to:
a. Instructional personnel as defined in s. 1012.01(2);
b. Prekindergarten instructors as specified in ss. 1002.55, 1002.61, and 1002.63; and
c. Child care personnel as defined in ss. 402.302(3) and 1002.88(1)(e).
2. The micro-credential must require participants to demonstrate competency in:
a. Identifying behaviors associated with autism.
b. Supporting the learning environment in both general and specialized classroom settings.
c. Promoting the use of assistive technologies.
d. Applying evidence-based instructional practices.
3. The micro-credential must:
a. Be provided at no cost to eligible participants.
b. Be competency-based, allowing participants to complete the credentialing process either in person or online.
c. Permit participants to receive the micro-credential at any time during training once competency is demonstrated.
4. Individuals eligible under subparagraph 1. who complete the micro-credential are eligible for a one-time stipend, as determined in the General Appropriations Act. The center shall administer stipends for the micro-credential.
(g) Develop strategies to increase the workforce qualified to provide autism-related services to children and adults in a public or private setting.
(h) Develop and catalog professional learning activities for health care, child welfare, and instructional personnel.
(i) Administer startup grants for autism charter schools pursuant to s. 1003.5711 and provide technical assistance to grant applicants and recipients. The center shall also review access to federal funding sources for establishing charter schools for students with autism and include in its annual report recommendations for improving practical access.
(j) Catalog best practices for screening, referral, and diagnosis; access to therapy services; and other licensed practitioner services using private and public insurance, to include access to services in schools.
(k) Beginning August 1, 2026, and each August 1 thereafter, publish on its website a report detailing activities, expenditures, and outcomes from the previous year. The report must include the grants administered by the center and recommendations for improvement.
(2) The host state university may not charge any indirect administrative fees to the center.
History.—s. 8, ch. 2025-95.
1004.56 Florida Museum of Natural History; functions.—
(1) The functions of the Florida Museum of Natural History, located at the University of Florida, are to make scientific investigations toward the sustained development of natural resources and a greater appreciation of human cultural heritage, including, but not limited to, biological surveys, ecological studies, environmental impact assessments, in-depth archaeological research, and ethnological analyses, and to collect and maintain a depository of biological, archaeological, and ethnographic specimens and materials in sufficient numbers and quantities to provide within the state and region a base for research on the variety, evolution, and conservation of wild species; the composition, distribution, importance, and functioning of natural ecosystems; and the distribution of prehistoric and historic archaeological sites and an understanding of the aboriginal and early European cultures that occupied them. State institutions, departments, and agencies may deposit type collections from archaeological sites in the museum, and it shall be the duty of each state institution, department, and agency to cooperate by depositing in the museum voucher and type biological specimens collected as part of the normal research and monitoring duties of its staff and to transfer to the museum those biological specimens and collections in its possession but not actively being curated or used in the research or teaching of that institution, department, or agency. The Florida Museum of Natural History is empowered to accept, preserve, maintain, or dispose of these specimens and materials in a manner which makes each collection and its accompanying data available for research and use by the staff of the museum and by cooperating institutions, departments, agencies, and qualified independent researchers. The biological, archaeological, and ethnographic collections shall belong to the state with the title vested in the Florida Museum of Natural History, except as provided in s. 267.12(4). In collecting or otherwise acquiring these collections, the museum shall comply with pertinent state wildlife, archaeological, and agricultural laws and rules. However, all collecting, quarantine, and accreditation permits issued by other institutions, departments, and agencies shall be granted routinely for said museum research study or collecting effort on state lands or within state jurisdiction which does not pose a significant threat to the survival of endangered wild species, habitats, or ecosystems. In addition, the museum shall develop exhibitions and conduct programs which illustrate, interpret, and explain the natural history of the state and region and shall maintain a library of publications pertaining to the work as herein provided. The exhibitions, collections, and library of the museum shall be open, free to the public, under suitable rules to be promulgated by the director of the museum and approved by the University of Florida.
(2) Any gifts, transfers, bequests, or other conveyances made to the Florida State Museum are deemed to have been made to the Florida Museum of Natural History.
History.—s. 203, ch. 2002-387; s. 3, ch. 2013-204.
1004.561 University of Florida Lastinger Center For Learning.—There is created, at the University of Florida, the Lastinger Center for Learning. The center shall:
(1) Develop and administer programs to improve student achievement outcomes in early learning, literacy, and mathematics.
(2) Provide professional learning for educators to improve the quality of instruction in early learning, literacy, and mathematics. Professional learning shall include the development of micro-credentials that require educators to demonstrate competency. Micro-credentials must be provided at low or no cost and be personalized, and may be provided online or in person.
(3) Provide technical assistance and support to school districts and schools in improving student achievement.
(4) Conduct and publish research on teaching and learning in early learning, literacy, and mathematics, as well as professional learning for educators.
(5) Administer the New Worlds Tutoring Program that supports school districts and schools in improving student achievement in reading and mathematics pursuant to s. 1008.366.
(6)(a) Collaborate with school districts on the implementation of s. 1002.321(3) and award grant funds to eligible recipients.
(b) The sum of $2 million in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is appropriated to the University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning for the grants awarded pursuant to this subsection.
History.—s. 7, ch. 2024-162.
1004.57 Vertebrate paleontological sites and remains; legislative intent and state policy.—
(1) It is the declared intention of the Legislature that vertebrate paleontological sites be protected and preserved and that, pursuant thereto, vertebrate paleontological field investigation activities, including, but not limited to, collection, excavation, salvage, restoration, and cataloging of fossils, be discouraged except when such activities are carried on in accordance with both the provisions and the spirit of this act. However, it is not the intention of the Legislature that the provisions of this act impede mining or quarrying for rock, gravel, fill, phosphate, and other minerals, or the construction of canals or similar excavations, when such activities are permitted by law. Rather, it is the intent of the Legislature that mine and heavy equipment operators be encouraged to cooperate with the state in preserving its vertebrate paleontological heritage and vertebrate fossils by notifying the Florida Museum of Natural History whenever vertebrate fossils are discovered during mining or digging operations and by allowing such fossils to be properly salvaged and that persons having knowledge of vertebrate paleontological sites be encouraged to communicate such information to the museum.
(2) It is hereby declared to be the public policy of this state to protect and preserve vertebrate paleontological sites containing vertebrate fossils, including bones, teeth, natural casts, molds, impressions, and other remains of prehistoric fauna, and to provide for the collection, acquisition, and study of the vertebrate fossils of the state which offer documentation of the diversity of life on this planet.
(3) It is further declared to be the public policy of the state that all vertebrate fossils found on state-owned lands, including submerged lands and uplands, belong to the state with title to the fossils vested in the Florida Museum of Natural History for the purpose of administration of this section and ss. 1004.575-1004.577.
History.—s. 204, ch. 2002-387.
1004.575 Program of vertebrate paleontology within Florida Museum of Natural History.—There is established within the Florida Museum of Natural History a program of vertebrate paleontology, which program has the following responsibilities:
(1) Encouraging the study of the vertebrate fossils and vertebrate paleontological heritage of the state and providing exhibits and other educational materials on the vertebrate fauna to the universities and schools of the state.
(2) Developing a statewide plan, to be submitted to the director of the Florida Museum of Natural History, for preserving the vertebrate paleontological resources of the state in a manner which is consistent with the state policies in s. 1004.57 and which will not unduly hamper development in this state, including mining and excavating operations.
(3) Locating, surveying, acquiring, collecting, salvaging, conserving, and restoring vertebrate fossils; conducting research on the history and systematics of the fossil fauna of the state; and maintaining the official state depository of vertebrate fossils.
(4) Locating, surveying, acquiring, excavating, and operating vertebrate paleontological sites and properties containing vertebrate fossils, which sites and properties have great significance to the scientific study of such vertebrate fossils or to public representation of the faunal heritage of the state.
(5) Enlisting the aid of professional vertebrate paleontologists, mine and quarry operators, heavy digging equipment operators, and qualified amateurs in carrying out the provisions of subsections (1)-(4), and authorizing their active support and cooperation by issuing permits to them as provided in s. 1004.576.
(6) Cooperating and coordinating activities with the Department of Environmental Protection under the provisions of ss. 375.021 and 375.031 and the Department of State under chapter 267 in the acquisition, preservation, and operation of significant vertebrate paleontological sites and properties of great and continuing scientific value, so that such sites and properties may be utilized to conserve the faunal heritage of this state and to promote an appreciation of that heritage.
(7) Designating areas as “state vertebrate paleontological sites” pursuant to the provisions of this section, which areas are of great and continuing significance to the scientific study and public understanding of the faunal history of the state. However, no privately owned site or grouping of sites shall be so designated without the express written consent of the private owner of the site or group of sites. Upon designation of a state vertebrate paleontological site, the owners and occupants of such site shall be given written notification of such designation by the program. Once such site has been so designated, no person may conduct paleontological field investigation activities on the site without first securing a permit for such activities as provided in s. 1004.576.
(8) Arranging for the disposition of the vertebrate fossils by accredited institutions and for the temporary or permanent loan of such fossils for the purpose of further scientific study, interpretative display, and curatorial responsibilities by such institutions.
History.—s. 205, ch. 2002-387.
1004.576 Destruction, purchase, and sale of vertebrate fossils prohibited, exceptions; field investigation permits required; penalty for violation.—
(1) The destruction, defacement, purchase, and sale of vertebrate fossils found on or under land owned or leased by the state and on land in state-designated vertebrate paleontological sites are prohibited, except that the Florida Museum of Natural History may sell vertebrate fossils and may adopt rules defining “nonessential vertebrate fossils” and prescribing the conditions under which such fossils may be sold or otherwise disposed of by a person holding a permit issued by the Florida Museum of Natural History. Field investigations of vertebrate fossils, including, but not limited to, the systematic collection, acquisition, excavation, salvage, exhumation, or restoration of such fossils, are prohibited on all lands owned or leased by the state and on lands in state-designated vertebrate paleontological sites, unless such activities are conducted under the authority of permits issued by the Florida Museum of Natural History. A permit may be granted by the Florida Museum of Natural History upon application for the permit accompanied by an application fee not to exceed $5. The privileges authorized pursuant to the grant of a permit as provided in this subsection may not be assigned or sublet to any other party.
(2) Any person who, in violation of this section, engages in any of the activities described in subsection (1) without first having obtained a permit to engage in such activity commits a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $500 or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed 6 months, or both; and, in addition, he or she shall forfeit to the state all specimens, objects, and materials collected and excavated in violation of this section, together with all photographs and records relating to such materials.
(3) The Florida Museum of Natural History may institute a civil action in the appropriate circuit court for recovery of any unlawfully taken vertebrate fossil. The fossil shall be forfeited to the state if the Florida Museum of Natural History shows by the greater weight of the evidence that the fossil has been taken from a particular site within this state and that the person found in possession of the fossil is not authorized by law to possess such fossil.
History.—s. 206, ch. 2002-387.
1004.577 Certain rights of mine or quarry operators and dragline or heavy equipment operators preserved.—Nothing in ss. 1004.57-1004.576 shall infringe upon the right of a legitimate mine or quarry operator to extract rock, gravel, fill, phosphate, or other minerals or infringe upon the right of a legitimate operator of draglines or similar heavy dredging, trenching, or digging equipment to construct drainage canals or other excavations because of the actual or potential destruction of vertebrate fossils.
History.—s. 207, ch. 2002-387.
1004.59 Florida Conflict Resolution Consortium.—It is the intent of the Legislature to reduce the public and private costs of litigation; resolve public disputes, including those related to growth management issues, more quickly and effectively; and improve intergovernmental communications, cooperation, and consensus building. The Legislature hereby formally establishes the Florida Conflict Resolution Consortium as a statewide center based at Florida State University, or at another campus as may be designated by the Commissioner of Education. The purpose of the consortium is to serve as a neutral resource to assist citizens and public and private interests in Florida to seek cost-effective solutions to public disputes and problems through the use of alternative dispute resolution and consensus building.
History.—s. 209, ch. 2002-387.
1004.60 Research of Rosewood incident.—State universities shall continue the research of the Rosewood incident and the history of race relations in Florida and develop materials for the educational instruction of these events.
History.—s. 210, ch. 2002-387.
1004.615 Florida Institute for Child Welfare.—
(1) There is established the Florida Institute for Child Welfare within the Florida State University College of Social Work. The purpose of the institute is to advance the well-being of children and families by improving the performance of child protection and child welfare services through research, policy analysis, evaluation, and leadership development. The institute shall consist of a consortium of public and private universities offering degrees in social work and shall be housed within the Florida State University College of Social Work.
(2) Using such resources as authorized in the General Appropriations Act, the Department of Children and Families shall contract with the institute for performance of the duties described in subsection (4) using state appropriations, public and private grants, and other resources obtained by the institute.
(3) The institute shall work with the department, community-based care lead agencies, community-based care provider organizations, the court system, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and other partners who contribute to and participate in providing child protection and child welfare services.
(4) The institute shall:
(a) Maintain a program of research which contributes to scientific knowledge and informs both policy and practice related to child safety, permanency, and child and family well-being.
(b) Advise the department and other organizations participating in the child protection and child welfare system regarding scientific evidence on policy and practice related to child safety, permanency, and child and family well-being.
(c) Provide advice regarding management practices and administrative processes used by the department and other organizations participating in the child protection and child welfare system and recommend improvements that reduce burdensome, ineffective requirements for frontline staff and their supervisors while enhancing their ability to effectively investigate, analyze, problem solve, and supervise.
(d) Assess the performance of child protection and child welfare services based on specific outcome measures.
(e) Evaluate the scope and effectiveness of preservice and inservice training for child protection and child welfare employees and advise and assist the department in efforts to improve such training.
(f) Assess the readiness of social work graduates to assume job responsibilities in the child protection and child welfare system and identify gaps in education which can be addressed through the modification of curricula or the establishment of industry certifications.
(g) Develop and maintain a program of professional support including training courses and consulting services that assist both individuals and organizations in implementing adaptive and resilient responses to workplace stress.
(h) Participate in the department’s critical incident response team, assist in the preparation of reports about such incidents, and support the committee review of reports and development of recommendations.
(i) Identify effective policies and promising practices, including, but not limited to, innovations in coordination between entities participating in the child protection and child welfare system, data analytics, working with the local community, and management of human service organizations, and communicate these findings to the department and other organizations participating in the child protection and child welfare system.
(j) Develop a definition of a child or family at high risk of abuse or neglect. Such a definition must consider characteristics associated with a greater probability of abuse and neglect.
(5) The President of the Florida State University shall appoint a director of the institute. The director must be a child welfare professional with a degree in social work who holds a faculty appointment in the Florida State University College of Social Work. The institute shall be administered by the director, and the director’s office shall be located at the Florida State University. The director is responsible for overall management of the institute and for developing and executing the work of the institute consistent with the responsibilities in subsection (4). The director shall engage individuals in other state universities with accredited colleges of social work to participate in the institute. Individuals from other university programs relevant to the institute’s work, including, but not limited to, economics, management, law, medicine, and education, may also be invited by the director to contribute to the institute. The universities participating in the institute shall provide facilities, staff, and other resources to the institute to establish statewide access to institute programs and services.
(6) The institute and the Florida State University College of Social Work shall design and implement a curriculum that enhances knowledge and skills for the child welfare practice. The institute and the college shall create the curriculum using interactive and interdisciplinary approaches and include opportunities for students to gain an understanding of real-world child welfare cases. The institute shall disseminate the curriculum to other interested state universities and colleges and provide implementation support. The institute shall contract with a person or entity of its choosing, by November 1, 2020, to evaluate the curriculum and make recommendations for improvement. The college shall implement the curriculum during the 2021-2022 school year. This subsection is subject to an appropriation.
(7) The institute, in collaboration with the department, community-based care lead agencies, providers of case management services, and other child welfare stakeholders, shall design and implement a career-long professional learning curriculum for child welfare professionals at all levels and from all disciplines. The professional learning curriculum must enhance the performance of the current child welfare workforce, address issues related to retention, complement the social work curriculum, and be developed using social work principles. The professional learning curriculum shall provide career-long coaching, training, certification, and mentorship. The institute must provide the professional support on a continuous basis through online and in-person services. The professional learning curriculum must be available by July 1, 2021. This subsection is subject to an appropriation.
(8) The institute shall establish a consulting program for child welfare organizations to enhance workforce culture, supervision, and related management processes to improve retention, effectiveness, and overall well-being of staff to support improved child welfare outcomes. The institute shall select child welfare organizations through a competitive application process and provide ongoing analysis, recommendations, and support from a team of experts on a long-term basis to address systemic and operational workforce challenges. This subsection is subject to an appropriation.
(9) By October 1 of each year, the institute shall provide a written report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives which outlines its activities in the preceding year, reports significant research findings, as well as results of other programs, and provides specific recommendations for improving child protection and child welfare services.
(10) The institute shall submit a report with recommendations for improving the state’s child welfare system. The report shall address topics including, but not limited to, enhancing working relationships between the entities involved in the child protection and child welfare system, identification of and replication of best practices, reducing paperwork, increasing the retention of child protective investigators and case managers, and caring for medically complex children within the child welfare system, with the goal of allowing the child to remain in the least restrictive and most nurturing environment.
(11) An incentive provided to state employees for participating in the institute’s research or evaluation as required by the institute’s statutory mission under this section may not be considered a violation of s. 112.313 or require reporting under s. 112.3148.
History.—s. 43, ch. 2014-224; s. 15, ch. 2020-6; s. 9, ch. 2020-152; s. 15, ch. 2023-77; s. 81, ch. 2024-2; s. 24, ch. 2024-5; s. 9, ch. 2025-186.
1004.635 State University System Research and Economic Development Investment Program.—
(1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—It is the intent of the Legislature to create an investment program in state universities that enhances graduate education and enables state universities to become nationally competitive in science and technology-based economic development.
(2) GENERAL PROVISIONS.—There is created the State University System Research and Economic Development Investment Program to provide matching funds to eligible institutions to construct and acquire cutting-edge, state-of-the-art science and engineering research facilities and specialized equipment to support research programs, foster economic development, and accelerate Florida’s innovation economy. The program shall be administered by the Board of Governors of the State University System.
(3) INSTITUTIONAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.—
(a) To be eligible to participate in the State University System Research and Economic Development Investment Program at Funding Level 1, a state university must meet each of the following criteria:
1. The number of nonprofessional doctoral degrees awarded each year must exceed 250. For purposes of this section, nonprofessional doctoral degrees do not include degrees awarded in law, medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine. At least 25 percent of the nonprofessional doctoral degrees must be in a mathematics, science, technology, engineering, or health-related discipline as defined by Classification of Instructional Program codes.
2. The number of postdoctoral appointees reported in the most recent NSF/NIH Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering must exceed 200.
3. The 4-year undergraduate graduation rate must equal 40 percent or higher.
4. Expenditures from externally awarded contracts and grants must be a minimum of $100 million per year.
5. The university must have a proven track record of securing patents and licenses leading to products in the marketplace over the last 5 years.
6. At least 75 percent of the entering freshmen each academic year who are classified as residents for tuition purposes pursuant to s. 1009.21 must be eligible to receive Florida Bright Futures Scholarships.
7. The Basic Classification of the university, according to the 2005 Carnegie Classifications, must be as a research university with very high research activity.
(b) To be eligible to participate in the State University System Research and Economic Development Investment Program at Funding Level 2, a state university must meet, at a minimum, the requirements of subparagraphs (a)4. and 7.
The Board of Governors shall develop uniform guidelines, definitions, and reporting formats for a university to use to demonstrate that it meets each of the criteria described in this subsection. The Board of Governors shall determine the eligibility status of a state university to participate in the program provided that a state university may not participate in both Funding Level 1 and Funding Level 2 simultaneously.
(4) USE OF FUNDS.—Funds appropriated for the State University System Research and Economic Development Investment Program shall be used by the Board of Governors to match funds raised by an eligible university from nonuniversity sources on a one-time dollar-for-dollar basis.
History.—s. 3, ch. 2006-58.
1004.645 Florida Center for Reading Research.—There is created at the Florida State University, the Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR). The center shall include two outreach centers, one at a Florida College System institution in central Florida and one at a south Florida state university. The center and the outreach centers, under the center’s leadership, shall:
(1) Provide technical assistance and support to all school districts and schools in this state in the implementation of evidence-based literacy instruction, assessments, programs, and professional learning.
(2) Conduct applied research that will have an immediate impact on policy and practices related to literacy instruction and assessment in this state with an emphasis on struggling readers and reading in the content area strategies and methods for secondary teachers.
(3) Conduct basic research on reading, reading growth, reading assessment, and reading instruction which will contribute to scientific knowledge about reading.
(4) Collaborate with the Just Read! Florida Office and school districts in the development of frameworks for comprehensive reading intervention courses for possible use in middle schools and secondary schools.
(5) Collaborate with the Just Read! Florida Office and school districts in the development of frameworks for professional learning activities, using multiple delivery methods for teaching reading in the content area.
(6) Disseminate information about research-based practices related to literacy instruction, assessment, and programs for students in preschool through grade 12.
(7) Collect, manage, and report on assessment information from screening, progress monitoring, and outcome assessments through the Florida Progress Monitoring and Reporting Network. The network is a statewide resource that is operated to provide valid and timely reading assessment data for parents, teachers, principals, and district-level and state-level staff in the management of instruction at the individual, classroom, and school levels.
History.—s. 34, ch. 2006-74; s. 48, ch. 2011-5; s. 25, ch. 2024-5.
1004.647 Florida Catastrophic Storm Risk Management Center.—The Florida Catastrophic Storm Risk Management Center is created at the Florida State University, College of Business, Department of Risk Management. The purpose of the center is to promote and disseminate research on issues related to catastrophic storm loss and to assist in identifying and developing education and research grant funding opportunities among higher education institutions in this state and the private sector. The purpose of the activities of the center is to support the state’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from catastrophic storms. The center shall:
(1) Coordinate and disseminate research efforts that are expected to have an immediate impact on policy and practices related to catastrophic storm preparedness.
(2) Coordinate and disseminate information related to catastrophic storm risk management, including, but not limited to, research and information that would benefit businesses, consumers, and public policy makers. Areas of interest may include storm forecasting, loss modeling, building construction and mitigation, and risk management strategies. Through its efforts, the center shall facilitate Florida’s preparedness for and responsiveness to catastrophic storms and collaborate with other public and private institutions.
(3) Create and promote studies that enhance the educational options available to risk management and insurance students.
(4) Publish and disseminate findings.
(5) Organize and sponsor conferences, symposiums, and workshops to educate consumers and policymakers.
History.—s. 24, ch. 2007-90; s. 102, ch. 2025-6.
1004.648 Florida Energy Systems Consortium.—
(1) There is created the Florida Energy Systems Consortium to promote collaboration among experts in the State University System for the purposes of sharing energy-related expertise and assisting in the development and implementation of a comprehensive, long-term, environmentally compatible, sustainable, and efficient energy strategic plan for the state.
(2) The consortium shall focus on the research and development of innovative energy systems that will lead to alternative energy strategies, improved energy efficiencies, and expanded economic development for the state.
(3) The consortium shall consist of the state universities as identified under s. 1000.21(9).
(4) The consortium shall be administered at the University of Florida by a director who shall be appointed by the President of the University of Florida.
(5) The director, whose office is located at the University of Florida, shall report to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
(6) The oversight board shall consist of the Vice President for Research or other appropriate representative appointed by the university president of each member of the consortium.
(7) The oversight board shall be responsible for the technical performance and financial management of the consortium.
(8) In performing its responsibilities, the consortium shall collaborate with the oversight board and may also collaborate with industry and other affected parties.
(9) Through collaborative research and development across the State University System and the industry, the goal of the consortium is to become a world leader in energy research, education, technology, and energy systems analysis. In so doing, the consortium shall:
(a) Coordinate and initiate increased collaborative interdisciplinary energy research among the universities and the energy industry.
(b) Assist in the creation and development of a Florida-based energy technology industry through efforts that would expedite commercialization of innovative energy technologies by taking advantage of the energy expertise within the State University System, high-technology incubators, industrial parks, and industry-driven research centers.
(c) Provide a state resource for objective energy systems analysis.
(d) Develop education and outreach programs to prepare a qualified energy workforce and informed public. Specifically, the faculty associated with the consortium shall coordinate a statewide workforce development initiative focusing on college-level degrees, technician training, and public and commercial sectors awareness. The consortium shall develop specific programs targeted at preparing graduates who have a background in energy, continuing education courses for technical and nontechnical professionals, and modules, laboratories, and courses to be shared among the universities. Additionally, the consortium shall work with the Florida College System using the Florida Advanced Technological Education Center for the coordination and design of industry-specific training programs for technicians.
(10) The consortium shall solicit and leverage state, federal, and private funds for the purpose of conducting education, research, and development in the area of sustainable energy.
(11) The oversight board, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, shall ensure that the consortium:
(a) Maintains accurate records of any funds received by the consortium.
(b) Meets financial and technical performance expectations, which may include external technical reviews as required.
(12) The steering committee shall consist of the university representatives included in the Centers of Excellence proposals for the Florida Energy Systems Consortium and the Center of Excellence in Ocean Energy Technology-Phase II which were reviewed during the 2007-2008 fiscal year by the Florida Technology, Research, and Scholarship Board created in s. 1004.226(4), Florida Statutes 2006; a university representative appointed by the President of Florida International University; and a representative of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The steering committee is responsible for establishing and ensuring the success of the consortium’s mission under subsection (9).
(13) By November 1 of each year, the consortium shall submit an annual report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services regarding its activities, including, but not limited to, education and research related to, and the development and deployment of, alternative energy technologies.
History.—s. 112, ch. 2008-227; s. 49, ch. 2011-5; s. 526, ch. 2011-142; s. 13, ch. 2012-6; s. 160, ch. 2023-8; s. 82, ch. 2024-2.
1004.649 Northwest Regional Data Center.—
(1) For the purpose of providing data center services to its state agency customers, the Northwest Regional Data Center is designated as a state data center for all state agencies and shall:
(a) Operate under a governance structure that represents its customers proportionally.
(b) Maintain an appropriate cost-allocation methodology that accurately bills state agency customers based solely on the actual direct and indirect costs of the services provided to state agency customers and ensures that, for any fiscal year, state agency customers are not subsidizing other customers of the data center. Such cost-allocation methodology must comply with applicable state and federal regulations concerning the distribution and use of state and federal funds.
(c) Enter into a service-level agreement with each state agency customer to provide services as defined and approved by the governing board of the center. At a minimum, such service-level agreements must:
1. Identify the parties and their roles, duties, and responsibilities under the agreement;
2. State the duration of the agreement term, which may not exceed 3 years, and specify the conditions for up to two optional 1-year renewals of the agreement before execution of a new agreement;
3. Identify the scope of work;
4. Establish the services to be provided, the business standards that must be met for each service, the cost of each service, and the process by which the business standards for each service are to be objectively measured and reported;
5. Provide a timely billing methodology for recovering the cost of services provided pursuant to s. 215.422;
6. Provide a procedure for modifying the service-level agreement to address any changes in projected costs of service;
7. Include a right-to-audit clause to ensure that the parties to the agreement have access to records for audit purposes during the term of the service-level agreement;
8. Identify the products or services to be delivered with sufficient specificity to permit an external financial or performance audit;
9. Provide that the service-level agreement may be terminated by either party for cause only after giving the other party notice in writing of the cause for termination and an opportunity for the other party to resolve the identified cause within a reasonable period; and
10. Provide state agency customer entities with access to applications, servers, network components, and other devices necessary for entities to perform business activities and functions and as defined and documented in a service-level agreement.
(d) In its procurement process, show preference for cloud-computing solutions that minimize or do not require the purchasing or financing of state data center infrastructure, that meet the needs of state agency customer entities, that reduce costs, and that meet or exceed the applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and standards for cybersecurity.
(e) Assist state agency customer entities in transitioning from state data center services to other third-party cloud-computing services procured by a customer entity or by the Northwest Regional Data Center on behalf of the customer entity.
(f) Provide to the Board of Governors the total annual budget by major expenditure category, including, but not limited to, salaries, expenses, operating capital outlay, contracted services, or other personnel services by July 30 each fiscal year.
(g) Provide to each state agency customer its projected annual cost for providing the agreed-upon data center services by September 1 each fiscal year.
(h) Provide a plan for consideration by the Legislative Budget Commission if the governing body of the center approves the use of a billing rate schedule after the start of the fiscal year that increases any state agency customer’s costs for that fiscal year.
(i) Provide data center services that comply with applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and policies, including all applicable security, privacy, and auditing requirements.
(j) Maintain performance of the data center facilities by ensuring proper data backup; data backup recovery; disaster recovery; and appropriate security, power, cooling, fire suppression, and capacity.
(k) Prepare and submit state agency customer invoices to the Department of Management Services for approval. Upon approval or by default pursuant to s. 282.201(5), submit invoices to state agency customers.
(l) As funded in the General Appropriations Act, provide data center services to state agencies from multiple facilities.
(2) Unless exempt from the requirement to use the state data center pursuant to s. 282.201(2) or as authorized by the Legislature, a state agency may not do any of the following:
(a) Terminate services with the Northwest Regional Data Center without giving written notice of intent to terminate services 180 days before such termination.
(b) Procure third-party cloud-computing services without evaluating the cloud-computing services provided by the Northwest Regional Data Center.
(c) Exceed 30 days from receipt of approved invoices to remit payment for state data center services provided by the Northwest Regional Data Center.
(3) The Northwest Regional Data Center’s authority to provide data center services to its state agency customers may be terminated if:
(a) The center requests such termination to the Board of Governors, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives; or
(b) The center fails to comply with the provisions of this section.
(4) The Northwest Regional Data Center is the lead entity responsible for creating, operating, and managing, including the research conducted by, the Florida Behavioral Health Care Data Repository as established by this subsection.
(a) The purpose of the data repository is to create a centralized system for:
1. Collecting and analyzing existing statewide behavioral health care data to:
a. Better understand the scope of and trends in behavioral health services, spending, and outcomes to improve patient care and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of behavioral health services;
b. Better understand the scope of, trends in, and relationship between behavioral health, criminal justice, incarceration, and the use of behavioral health services as a diversion from incarceration for individuals with mental illness; and
c. Enhance the collection and coordination of treatment and outcome information as an ongoing evidence base for research and education related to behavioral health.
2. Developing useful data analytics, economic metrics, and visual representations of such analytics and metrics to inform relevant state agencies and the Legislature of data and trends in behavioral health.
(b) The Northwest Regional Data Center shall develop, in collaboration with the Data Analysis Committee of the Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder created under s. 394.9086 and with relevant stakeholders, a plan that includes all of the following:
1. A project plan that describes the technology, methodology, timeline, cost, and resources necessary to create a centralized, integrated, and coordinated data system.
2. A proposed governance structure to oversee the implementation and operations of the repository.
3. An integration strategy to incorporate existing data from relevant state agencies, including, but not limited to, the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Office of the State Courts Administrator, and the Department of Corrections.
4. Identification of relevant data and metrics to support actionable information and ensure the efficient and responsible use of taxpayer dollars within behavioral health systems of care.
5. Data security requirements for the repository.
6. The structure and process that will be used to create an annual analysis and report that gives state agencies and the Legislature a better general understanding of trends and issues in the state’s behavioral health systems of care and the trends and issues in behavioral health systems related to criminal justice treatment, diversion, and incarceration.
(c) By December 1, 2025, the Northwest Regional Data Center, in collaboration with the Data Analysis Committee of the Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder, shall submit the developed plan for implementation and ongoing operation with a proposed budget to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives for review.
(d) Beginning December 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the Northwest Regional Data Center shall submit the developed trends and issues report under subparagraph (b)6. to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(5) If such authority is terminated, the center has 1 year to provide for the transition of its state agency customers to a qualified alternative cloud-based data center that meets the enterprise architecture standards established by the Florida Digital Service.
History.—s. 6, ch. 2011-63; s. 3, ch. 2012-142; s. 21, ch. 2014-221; s. 5, ch. 2022-153; s. 9, ch. 2025-180.
1004.6495 Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program and Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities.—
(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program Act.”
(2) PURPOSE AND LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—The purpose of this section is to increase independent living, inclusive and experiential postsecondary education, and employment opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities through degree, certificate, or nondegree programs and to establish statewide coordination of the dissemination of information regarding programs and services for students with disabilities. It is the intent of the Legislature that students with intellectual disabilities and students with disabilities have access to meaningful postsecondary education credentials and be afforded the opportunity to have a meaningful campus experience.
(3) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Center” means the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities established under subsection (5).
(b) “Director” means the director of the center.
(c) “Eligible institution” means a state university; a Florida College System institution; a career center; a charter technical career center; or an independent college or university that is located and chartered in this state, is not for profit, is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and is eligible to participate in the William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education Grant Program.
(d) “Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program Scholarship” or “scholarship” means the scholarship established under this section to provide state financial assistance awards to students who meet the student eligibility requirements specified in subsection (4) and are enrolled in an FPCTP.
(e) “FPCTP” means a Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program that is approved pursuant to paragraph (5)(c) and offered by an eligible institution.
(f) “Transitional student” means a student who is 18 to 26 years of age and meets the student eligibility requirements specified in subsection (4).
(4) STUDENT ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to enroll in an FPCTP at an eligible institution, a student must, as determined by the institution, based on guidelines established by the center:
(a) Be a “student with an intellectual disability” as that term is defined in 20 U.S.C. s. 1140(2), including, but not limited to, a transitional student.
(b) Physically attend the eligible institution.
(c) Submit to the eligible institution documentation regarding his or her intellectual disability. Such documentation may include, but need not be limited to, a current individualized plan for employment associated with a review completed pursuant to s. 413.20(3) or a diagnosis from a physician who is licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459 or a psychologist licensed under chapter 490.
(5) CENTER RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities is established within the University of Central Florida. At a minimum, the center shall:
(a) Disseminate information to students with disabilities and their parents, including, but not limited to:
1. Education programs, services, and resources that are available at eligible institutions.
2. Supports, accommodations, technical assistance, or training provided by eligible institutions, the advisory council established pursuant to s. 383.141, and regional autism centers established pursuant to s. 1004.55.
3. Mentoring, networking, and employment opportunities.
(b) Coordinate, facilitate, and oversee the statewide implementation of this section. At a minimum, the director shall:
1. Consult and collaborate with the National Center and the Coordinating Center, as identified in 20 U.S.C. s. 1140q, regarding guidelines established by the center for the effective implementation of the programs for students with disabilities and for students with intellectual disabilities which align with the federal requirements and with standards, quality indicators, and benchmarks identified by the National Center and the Coordinating Center.
2. Identify meaningful credentials for FPCTPs and engage businesses and stakeholders to promote experiential training and employment opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities.
3. Establish requirements and timelines for the:
a. Submission and review of an application.
b. Approval or disapproval of an initial or renewal application.
c. Implementation of an FPCTP, which must begin no later than the academic year immediately following the academic year during which the approval is granted.
4. Administer scholarship funds.
5. Administer FPCTP grants. From funds appropriated in the 2016-2017 fiscal year for the FPCTP, $3 million shall be used for such grants. Thereafter, funds appropriated for the FPCTP may only be used for such grants as specifically authorized in the General Appropriations Act.
6. Report on the implementation and administration of this section by planning, advising, and evaluating approved degree, certificate, and nondegree programs and the performance of students and programs pursuant to subsection (8).
(c) Create the application for the initial approval and renewal of approval as an FPCTP for use by an eligible institution which, at a minimum, must align with the federal comprehensive transition and postsecondary program application requirements. Notwithstanding the program approval requirements of s. 1004.03, the director shall review applications for the initial approval of an application for, or renewal of approval of, an FPCTP.
1. Within 30 days after receipt of an application, the director shall issue his or her recommendation regarding approval to the Chancellor of the State University System or the Commissioner of Education, as applicable, or shall give written notice to the applicant of any deficiencies in the application, which the eligible institution must be given an opportunity to correct. Within 15 days after receipt of a notice of deficiencies, an eligible institution that chooses to continue to seek program approval shall correct the application deficiencies and return the application to the center. Within 30 days after receipt of a revised application, the director shall recommend approval or disapproval of the revised application to the chancellor or the commissioner, as applicable. Within 15 days after receipt of the director’s recommendation, the chancellor or the commissioner shall approve or disapprove the recommendation. If the chancellor or the commissioner does not act on the director’s recommendation within 15 days after receipt of such recommendation, the comprehensive transition program proposed by the institution shall be considered approved.
2. Initial approval of an application for an FPCTP that meets the requirements of this section is valid for the 3 academic years immediately following the academic year during which the approval is granted. An eligible institution may submit an application to the center requesting that the initial approval be renewed. If the approval is granted and the FPCTP continues to meet the requirements of this section, including, but not limited to, program and student performance outcomes, and federal requirements, a renewal is valid for the 5 academic years immediately following the academic year during which the renewal is granted.
3. An application must, at a minimum:
a. Identify a credential associated with the proposed program which will be awarded to eligible students upon completion of the FPCTP.
b. Outline the program length and design, including, at a minimum, inclusive and successful experiential education practices relating to curricular, assessment, and advising structure and internship and employment opportunities, which must support students with intellectual disabilities who are seeking to continue academic, career and technical, and independent living instruction at an eligible institution, including, but not limited to, opportunities to earn industry certifications, to prepare students for gainful employment. If an eligible institution offers a credit-bearing degree program, the institution is responsible for maintaining the rigor and effectiveness of a comprehensive transition degree program at the same level as other comparable degree programs offered by the institution pursuant to applicable accreditation standards.
c. Outline a plan for students with intellectual disabilities to be integrated socially and academically with nondisabled students, to the maximum extent possible, and to participate on not less than a half-time basis, as determined by the eligible institution, with such participation focusing on academic components and occurring through one or more of the following activities with nondisabled students:
(I) Regular enrollment in credit-bearing courses offered by the institution.
(II) Auditing or participating in courses offered by the institution for which the student does not receive academic credit.
(III) Enrollment in noncredit-bearing, nondegree courses.
(IV) Participation in internships or work-based training.
d. Outline a plan for partnerships with businesses to promote experiential training and employment opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities.
e. Identify performance indicators pursuant to subsection (8) and other requirements identified by the center.
f. Outline a 5-year plan incorporating enrollment and operational expectations for the program.
(d) Provide technical assistance regarding programs and services for students with intellectual disabilities to administrators, instructors, staff, and others, as applicable, at eligible institutions by:
1. Holding meetings and annual workshops to share successful practices and to address issues or concerns.
2. Facilitating collaboration between eligible institutions and school districts, private schools operating pursuant to s. 1002.42, and parents of students enrolled in home education programs operating pursuant to s. 1002.41 in assisting students with intellectual disabilities and their parents to plan for the transition of such students into an FPCTP or another program at an eligible institution.
3. Assisting eligible institutions with FPCTP and federal comprehensive transition and postsecondary program applications.
4. Assisting eligible institutions with the identification of funding sources for an FPCTP and for student financial assistance for students enrolled in an FPCTP.
5. Monitoring federal and state law relating to the comprehensive transition program and notifying the Legislature, the Governor, the Board of Governors, and the State Board of Education of any change in law which may impact the implementation of this section.
(e) By July 1, 2024, develop the purchasing guidelines for authorized uses of scholarship funds for the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program under s. 1002.394(4)(b) and by each July 1 thereafter, revise such guidelines. The center must consult with parents of a student with a disability participating in the scholarship program in the development and revision of the guidelines and must provide the guidelines to each eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization that awards scholarships to a student eligible for the scholarship program under s. 1002.394(3)(b) for publishing on each organization’s website.
(6) INSTITUTION ELIGIBILITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES.—
(a) To offer an FPCTP, the president or executive director of an eligible institution, as applicable, must submit to the center, by a date established by the center, the following:
1. An application for approval of a comprehensive transition program proposed by the eligible institution, which must be approved by the institution’s governing board and must address the requirements of the federal comprehensive transition and postsecondary program under 20 U.S.C. s. 1140 and the requirements of this section.
2. Documented evidence that the institution currently offers a federally approved comprehensive transition and postsecondary program that is eligible for federal student aid programs, documented evidence of the submission of an application for such federal approval of a program proposed by the institution, or documentation demonstrating the commitment of the institution’s governing board to submit an application within the subsequent academic year for federal approval of a program pursuant to 20 U.S.C. s. 1140.
(b) An eligible institution may submit an application to the center for approval pursuant to the requirements of this section for implementation of the FPCTP no later than the academic year immediately following the academic year during which the approval is granted. An eligible institution must submit a renewal application to the center no later than 3 years following the year during which the approval is initially granted.
(c) By August 1 of each year, an eligible institution that has an FPCTP shall submit an annual report to the center which, at a minimum, for the prior academic year, addresses the following performance indicators:
1. Efforts to recruit students in the FPCTP and the number of students enrolled in the program.
2. Efforts to retain students in the FPCTP and the retention rate of students in the program.
3. The completion rate of students enrolled in the FPCTP and related courses, as applicable.
4. Transition success of students who complete the FPCTP, as measured by employment rates and salary levels at 1 year and 5 years after completion.
5. Other performance indicators identified by the center pursuant to subsection (8).
(d) An eligible institution shall notify students with intellectual disabilities and their parents of the student eligibility requirements specified in subsection (4) and the scholarship requirements and eligibility requirements specified in subsection (7).
(7) FLORIDA POSTSECONDARY COMPREHENSIVE TRANSITION PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP.—
(a) Beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year, the Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program Scholarship is established for students who meet the student eligibility requirements specified in subsection (4), are enrolled in an FPCTP, and are not receiving services that are funded through the Florida Education Finance Program or a scholarship under part III of chapter 1002.
(b) To maintain eligibility to receive a scholarship, a student must continue to meet the requirements of paragraph (a) and must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress in the FPCTP, as determined by the eligible institution that the student attends, based on the indicators identified by the center pursuant to subsection (8).
(c) Payment of scholarship funds shall be transmitted to the director of the center or his or her designee in advance of the registration period. The director or his or her designee shall disburse the scholarship funds to the eligible institutions that are responsible for awarding the scholarship to students who meet the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b).
(d) During each academic term, by a date established by the center, an eligible institution shall report to the center the number and value of all scholarships awarded under this subsection. Each eligible institution shall also report to the center necessary demographic and eligibility data and other data requested by the center for students who received the scholarship awards.
(e) By a date annually established by the center, each eligible institution shall certify to the center the amount of funds disbursed to each student and shall remit to the center any undisbursed advances by June 1 of each year.
(f) For the 2016-2017 academic year, the amount of the annual scholarship shall be $7,000 for each student who meets the eligibility requirements of subsection (4). Beginning in the 2017-2018 fiscal year, the funding for the program and the annual amount of the scholarship to be provided to a student who meets the eligibility requirements of subsection (4) shall be the amounts specified in the General Appropriations Act. If appropriated funds in any fiscal year are not adequate to provide the maximum allowable award to each eligible student, the awards may be prorated.
(8) ACCOUNTABILITY.—
(a) The center, in collaboration with the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education, shall identify indicators for the satisfactory progress of a student in an FPCTP and for the performance of such programs. Each eligible institution must address the indicators identified by the center in its application for the approval of a proposed program and for the renewal of an FPCTP and in the annual report that the institution submits to the center.
(b) By October 1 of each year, the center shall provide to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chancellor of the State University System, and the Commissioner of Education a report summarizing information including, but not limited to:
1. The status of the statewide coordination of FPCTPs and the implementation of FPCTPs at eligible institutions including, but not limited to:
a. The number of applications approved and disapproved and the reasons for each disapproval and no action taken by the chancellor or the commissioner.
b. The number and value of all scholarships awarded to students and undisbursed advances remitted to the center pursuant to subsection (7).
2. Indicators identified by the center pursuant to paragraph (a) and the performance of each eligible institution based on the indicators identified in paragraph (6)(c).
3. The projected number of students with intellectual disabilities who may be eligible to enroll in the FPCTPs within the next academic year.
4. Education programs and services for students with intellectual disabilities which are available at eligible institutions.
(c) The center, in collaboration with the Board of Governors, State Board of Education, and other stakeholders, by December 1 of each year, shall submit to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives statutory and budget recommendations for improving the implementation and delivery of FPCTPs and other education programs and services for students with disabilities.
(9) RULES.—The Board of Governors and the State Board of Education, in consultation with the center, shall expeditiously adopt any necessary regulations and rules, as applicable, to allow the center to perform its responsibilities pursuant to this section beginning in the 2016-2017 fiscal year.
(10) PROGRAM CLASSIFICATION.—No later than August 31, 2024, the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education, in consultation with the center, shall establish a state Classification of Instructional Program code for FPCTPs established pursuant to this section. This subsection expires July 1, 2025.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2016-2; s. 25, ch. 2018-4; s. 121, ch. 2019-3; s. 20, ch. 2019-119; s. 2, ch. 2021-46; s. 1, ch. 2021-160; s. 13, ch. 2024-125; s. 11, ch. 2024-163; s. 4, ch. 2024-228.
1004.6496 Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education.—
(1) The Board of Trustees of the University of Florida may use funds as provided in the General Appropriations Act and charitable donations to establish and fund the Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education as an academic unit within the University of Florida. The purpose of the center is to support teaching and research concerning the ideas, traditions, and texts that form the foundations of Western and American civilization.
(2) Beginning January 1, 2025, and by each January 1 thereafter, the University of Florida must report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the progress toward establishing the center as a permanent college at the university. The report must include a timeline for establishing the college, enrollment and educational outcomes and future goals for enrollment and educational outcomes, current financial progress and future financial needs, and any recommendation for changes in general law.
(3) The goals of the center are to:
(a) Educate university students in core texts and great debates of Western civilization and the Great Books.
1. The center is responsible for developing curriculum and courses to satisfy the requirement for the competency in civil discourse.
2. Courses developed under this paragraph may be used to satisfy the requirements of s. 1007.25(5).
(b) Educate university students in the principles, ideals, and institutions of the American political order.
(c) Educate university students in the foundations of responsible leadership and informed citizenship.
(d) Provide programming and training related to civic education and the values of open inquiry and civil discourse to support the Early Learning-20 education system.
(e) Coordinate with the Florida Institute for Governance and Civics created pursuant to s. 1004.6499 and the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom created pursuant to s. 1004.64991 and assist in the curation and implementation of Portraits in Patriotism created pursuant to s. 1003.44.
(f) Develop educational programming and a plan for the implementation of such programming to ensure that all university students demonstrate competency in civil discourse.
(4) In order to carry out the goals set forth in subsection (3), the president of the University of Florida must:
(a) Annually update the board of trustees on the center’s progress toward developing educational programming to ensure that all students at the university demonstrate competency in civil discourse. The president’s report must identify a timeline and support necessary for the university to achieve this goal.
(b) Guide the university’s leadership and the center to ensure that the center is able to enroll students, hire faculty, ensure a pathway to tenure for faculty, develop curricula and courses, establish certificate and degree programs, establish major and minor programs, and fulfill other actions approved by the president of the university.
(5) Funds appropriated specifically to the center may not be used for any other purpose; however, the university may provide additional funding as available to the center.
History.—s. 35, ch. 2022-154; s. 161, ch. 2023-8; s. 6, ch. 2023-82; s. 3, ch. 2024-102.
1004.6497 World Class Faculty and Scholar Program.—
(1) PURPOSE AND LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—The World Class Faculty and Scholar Program is established to fund and support the efforts of state universities to recruit and retain exemplary faculty and research scholars. It is the intent of the Legislature to elevate the national competitiveness of Florida’s state universities through faculty and scholar recruitment and retention.
(2) INVESTMENTS.—Retention, recruitment, and recognition efforts, activities, and investments may include, but are not limited to, investments in research-centric cluster hires, faculty research and research commercialization efforts, instructional and research infrastructure, undergraduate student participation in research, professional learning, awards for outstanding performance, and postdoctoral fellowships.
(3) FUNDING AND USE.—Funding for the program shall be as provided by the Legislature. Each state university shall use the funds only for the purpose and investments authorized under this section. These funds may not be used to construct buildings.
(4) ACCOUNTABILITY.—By March 15 of each year, the Board of Governors shall provide to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a report summarizing information from the universities in the State University System, including, but not limited to:
(a) Specific expenditure information as it relates to the investments identified in subsection (2).
(b) The impact of those investments in elevating the national competitiveness of the universities, specifically relating to:
1. The success in recruiting research faculty and the resulting research funding;
2. The 4-year graduation rate for undergraduate students;
3. The number of undergraduate courses offered with fewer than 50 students; and
4. The increase in national academic standing of targeted programs, specifically advancement in ranking of the targeted programs among top 50 universities in well-known and highly respected national public university rankings, including, but not limited to, the U.S. News and World Report rankings, which reflect national preeminence, using the most recent rankings.
History.—s. 12, ch. 2018-4; s. 26, ch. 2024-5.
1004.6498 State University Professional and Graduate Degree Excellence Program.—
(1) PURPOSE.—The State University Professional and Graduate Degree Excellence Program is established to fund and support the efforts of state universities to enhance the quality and excellence of professional and graduate schools and degree programs in medicine, law, and business and expand the economic impact of state universities.
(2) INVESTMENTS.—Quality improvement efforts may include, but are not limited to, targeted investments in faculty, students, research, infrastructure, and other strategic endeavors to elevate the national and global prominence of state university medicine, law, and graduate-level business programs.
(3) FUNDING AND USE.—Funding for the program shall be as provided by the Legislature. Each state university shall use the funds only for the purpose and investments authorized under this section. These funds may not be used to construct buildings.
(4) ACCOUNTABILITY.—By March 15 of each year, the Board of Governors shall provide to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a report summarizing information from the universities in the State University System, including, but not limited to:
(a) Specific expenditure information as it relates to the investments identified in subsection (2).
(b) The impact of those investments in elevating the national and global prominence of the state university medicine, law, and graduate-level business programs, specifically relating to:
1. The first-time pass rate on the United States Medical Licensing Examination;
2. The first-time pass rate on The Florida Bar Examination;
3. The percentage of graduates enrolled or employed at a wage threshold that reflects the added value of a graduate-level business degree;
4. The advancement in the rankings of the state university medicine, law, and graduate-level programs in well-known and highly respected national graduate-level university rankings, including, but not limited to, the U.S. News and World Report rankings, which reflect national preeminence, using the most recent rankings; and
5. The added economic benefit of the universities to the state.
History.—s. 13, ch. 2018-4.
1004.6499 Florida Institute for Governance and Civics.—
(1) The Florida Institute for Governance and Civics is established at the Florida State University.
(2) The goals of the institute are to:
(a) Provide students with access to an interdisciplinary hub that will develop academically rigorous scholarship and coursework on the origins of the American system of government, its foundational documents, its subsequent political traditions and evolutions, and its impact on comparative political systems.
(b) Encourage civic literacy in this state through the development of educational tools and resources for K-12 and postsecondary students which foster an understanding of how individual rights, constitutionalism, separation of powers, and federalism function within the American system.
(c) Model civic discourse that recognizes the importance of viewpoint diversity, intellectual rigor, and an evidence-based approach to history.
(d) Plan and host forums to allow students and guests to hear from exceptional individuals who have excelled in a wide range of sectors of American life, to highlight the possibilities created by individual achievement and entrepreneurial vision.
(e) Become a national and state resource on using polling instruments and other assessments to measure civic literacy and make recommendations for improving civic education.
(f) Provide fellowships and internship opportunities to students in government.
(g) Create through scholarship, original research, publications, symposiums, testimonials, and other means a body of resources that can be accessed by students, scholars, and government officials to understand the innovations in public policy in this state over a rolling 30-year time period.
History.—ss. 9, 110, ch. 2020-114; s. 7, ch. 2020-117; s. 56, ch. 2021-51; s. 7, ch. 2023-82; s. 103, ch. 2025-6.
1004.64991 The Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom.—
(1) The Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom at Florida International University is hereby created.
(2) The goals of the center are to:
(a) Study the effect of government and free market economies on individual freedom, educational freedom, and human prosperity.
(b) Conduct and promote research on the effect of political and economic systems on human prosperity.
(c) Plan and host workshops, symposiums, and conferences to allow students, scholars, and guests to engage in civil discussion of democracy and capitalism.
(d) Provide fellowship and mentoring opportunities to students engaged in scholarly studies of the effect of political and economic systems on human prosperity.
(e) Partner with the Institute for Freedom in the Americas to support its mission, which includes promoting economic and individual freedoms as a means for advancing human progress with an emphasis on Latin America and the Caribbean.
(3) In order to carry out the purpose set forth in this section, the center is authorized to:
(a) Hire necessary faculty and staff pursuant to s. 1001.741;
(b) Enroll students;
(c) Develop curriculum and offer new courses, including honors courses, certificates, degrees, and major and minor programs;
(d) Hold events, including fundraisers;
(e) Fulfill other actions approved by the president of the university; and
(f) Generate resources based on student credit hour enrollment, in the same manner as any college within the institution.
History.—s. 8, ch. 2020-117; s. 8, ch. 2023-82; s. 4, ch. 2024-102; s. 104, ch. 2025-6.
PART III
FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM INSTITUTIONSA. General Provisions
B. Special Programs; Centers
A. General Provisions
1004.65 Florida College System institutions; governance, mission, and responsibilities.
1004.66 “Florida College System institution,” “community college,” and “junior college” used interchangeably.
1004.67 Florida College System institutions; legislative intent.
1004.68 Florida College System institution; degrees and certificates.
1004.70 Florida College System institution direct-support organizations.
1004.71 Statewide Florida College System institution direct-support organizations.
1004.725 Expenditures for self-insurance services; special account.
1004.726 Trademarks, copyrights, or patents.
1004.65 Florida College System institutions; governance, mission, and responsibilities.—
(1) Each Florida College System institution shall be governed by a district board of trustees under statutory authority and rules of the State Board of Education.
(2) Each Florida College System institution district shall:
(a) Consist of the county or counties served by the Florida College System institution pursuant to s. 1000.21(5).
(b) Be an independent, separate, legal entity created for the operation of a Florida College System institution.
(3) Florida College System institutions are locally based and governed entities with statutory and funding ties to state government. As such, the mission for Florida College System institutions reflects a commitment to be responsive to local educational needs and challenges. In achieving this mission, Florida College System institutions strive to maintain sufficient local authority and flexibility while preserving appropriate legal accountability to the state.
(4) As comprehensive institutions, Florida College System institutions shall provide high-quality, affordable education and training opportunities, shall foster a climate of excellence, and shall provide opportunities to all while combining high standards with an open-door admission policy for lower-division programs. Florida College System institutions shall, as open-access institutions, serve all who can benefit, without regard to age, race, gender, creed, or ethnic or economic background, while emphasizing the achievement of social and educational equity so that all can be prepared for full participation in society.
(5) The primary mission and responsibility of Florida College System institutions is responding to community needs for postsecondary academic education and career degree education. This mission and responsibility includes being responsible for:
(a) Providing lower level undergraduate instruction and awarding associate degrees.
(b) Preparing students directly for careers requiring less than baccalaureate degrees. This may include preparing for job entry, supplementing of skills and knowledge, and responding to needs in new areas of technology. Career education in a Florida College System institution shall consist of career certificates, credit courses leading to associate in science degrees and associate in applied science degrees, and other programs in fields requiring substantial academic work, background, or qualifications. A Florida College System institution may offer career education programs in fields having lesser academic or technical requirements.
(c) Providing student development services, including assessment, student tracking, support for disabled students, advisement, counseling, financial aid, career development, and remedial and tutorial services, to ensure student success.
(d) Promoting economic development for the state within each Florida College System institution district through the provision of special programs, including, but not limited to, the:
1. Technology transfer centers.
2. Economic development centers.
3. Workforce literacy programs.
(e) Providing dual enrollment instruction.
(f) Providing upper level instruction and awarding baccalaureate degrees as specifically authorized by law.
(6) A separate and secondary role for Florida College System institutions includes the offering of programs in:
(a) Community services that are not directly related to academic or occupational advancement.
(b) Adult education services, including adult basic education, adult general education, adult secondary education, and high school equivalency examination instruction.
(c) Recreational and leisure services.
(7) Funding for Florida College System institutions shall reflect their mission as follows:
(a) Postsecondary academic and career education programs and adult general education programs shall have first priority in Florida College System institution funding.
(b) Community service programs shall be presented to the Legislature with rationale for state funding. The Legislature may identify priority areas for use of these funds.
(c) The resources of a Florida College System institution, including staff, faculty, land, and facilities, shall not be used to support the establishment of a new independent nonpublic educational institution. If any institution uses resources for such purpose, the Division of Florida Colleges shall notify the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(8) Florida College System institutions are authorized to:
(a) Offer such programs and courses as are necessary to fulfill their mission.
(b) Grant associate in arts degrees, associate in science degrees, associate in applied science degrees, certificates, awards, and diplomas.
(c) Make provisions for the high school equivalency examination.
(d) Provide access to and award baccalaureate degrees in accordance with law.
Authority to offer one or more baccalaureate degree programs does not alter the governance relationship of the Florida College System institution with its district board of trustees or the State Board of Education.
History.—s. 215, ch. 2002-387; s. 91, ch. 2004-357; s. 4, ch. 2009-228; s. 7, ch. 2010-155; s. 50, ch. 2011-5; s. 20, ch. 2014-20; s. 162, ch. 2023-8; s. 144, ch. 2023-173.
1004.66 “Florida College System institution,” “community college,” and “junior college” used interchangeably.—Whenever the terms “Florida College System institution,” “community college,” and “junior college” appear in the Florida Statutes in reference to a tax-supported institution, they shall be construed identically.
History.—s. 216, ch. 2002-387; s. 51, ch. 2011-5.
1004.67 Florida College System institutions; legislative intent.—It is the legislative intent that Florida College System institutions, constituted as political subdivisions of the state, continue to be operated by Florida College System institution boards of trustees as provided in s. 1001.63 and that no department, bureau, division, agency, or subdivision of the state exercise any responsibility and authority to operate any Florida College System institution of the state except as specifically provided by law or rules of the State Board of Education.
History.—s. 217, ch. 2002-387; s. 52, ch. 2011-5.
1004.68 Florida College System institution; degrees and certificates.—Each Florida College System institution board of trustees shall adopt rules establishing student performance standards for the award of degrees and certificates.
History.—s. 218, ch. 2002-387; s. 30, ch. 2010-70; s. 53, ch. 2011-5; s. 6, ch. 2011-177.
1004.70 Florida College System institution direct-support organizations.—
(1) DEFINITIONS.—For the purposes of this section:
(a) “Florida College System institution direct-support organization” means an organization that is:
1. A Florida corporation not for profit, incorporated under the provisions of chapter 617 and approved by the Department of State.
2. Organized and operated exclusively to receive, hold, invest, and administer property and to make expenditures to, or for the benefit of, a Florida College System institution in this state.
3. An organization that the Florida College System institution board of trustees, after review, has certified to be operating in a manner consistent with the goals of the Florida College System institution and in the best interest of the state. Any organization that is denied certification by the board of trustees may not use the name of the Florida College System institution that it serves.
(b) “Personal services” includes full-time or part-time personnel as well as payroll processing.
(2) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—The chair of the board of trustees shall appoint a representative to the board of directors and the executive committee of each direct-support organization established under this section, including those established before July 1, 1998. The president of the Florida College System institution for which the direct-support organization is established, or the president’s designee, shall also serve on the board of directors and the executive committee of the direct-support organization, including any direct-support organization established before July 1, 1998.
(3) USE OF PROPERTY.—
(a) The board of trustees is authorized to permit the use of property, facilities, and personal services at any Florida College System institution by any Florida College System institution direct-support organization, subject to the provisions of this section.
(b) The board of trustees is authorized to prescribe by rule any condition with which a Florida College System institution direct-support organization must comply in order to use property, facilities, or personal services at any Florida College System institution.
(c) The board of trustees may not permit the use of property, facilities, or personal services at any Florida College System institution by any Florida College System institution direct-support organization that does not provide equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or religion.
(4) ACTIVITIES; RESTRICTIONS.—
(a) A direct-support organization may, at the request of the board of trustees, provide residency opportunities on or near campus for students.
(b) A direct-support organization that constructs facilities for use by a Florida College System institution or its students must comply with all requirements of law relating to the construction of facilities by a Florida College System institution, including requirements for competitive bidding.
(c) Any transaction or agreement between one direct-support organization and another direct-support organization must be approved by the board of trustees.
(d) A Florida College System institution direct-support organization is prohibited from giving, either directly or indirectly, any gift to a political committee as defined in s. 106.011 for any purpose.
(e) A Florida College System institution board of trustees must authorize all debt, including lease-purchase agreements, incurred by a direct-support organization. Authorization for approval of short-term loans and lease-purchase agreements for a term of not more than 5 years, including renewals, extensions, and refundings, for goods, materials, equipment, and services may be delegated by the board of trustees to the board of directors of the direct-support organization. Trustees shall evaluate proposals for debt according to guidelines issued by the Division of Florida Colleges. Revenues of the Florida College System institution may not be pledged to debt issued by direct-support organizations.
(5) ANNUAL BUDGETS AND REPORTS.—Each direct-support organization shall submit to the board of trustees its federal Internal Revenue Service Application for Recognition of Exemption form (Form 1023) and its federal Internal Revenue Service Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax form (Form 990).
(6) ANNUAL AUDIT.—Each direct-support organization shall provide for an annual financial audit in accordance with rules adopted by the Auditor General pursuant to s. 11.45(8). The annual audit report must be submitted, within 9 months after the end of the fiscal year, to the Auditor General, the State Board of Education, and the board of trustees for review. The board of trustees, the Auditor General, and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability may require and receive from the organization or from its independent auditor any detail or supplemental data relative to the operation of the organization. The identity of donors who desire to remain anonymous shall be protected, and that anonymity shall be maintained in the auditor’s report. All records of the organization, other than the auditor’s report, any information necessary for the auditor’s report, any information related to the expenditure of funds, and any supplemental data requested by the board of trustees, the Auditor General, and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, shall be confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).
History.—s. 219, ch. 2002-387; s. 2, ch. 2008-163; s. 11, ch. 2009-228; s. 54, ch. 2011-5; s. 49, ch. 2013-35; s. 32, ch. 2013-37; s. 5, ch. 2019-103.
1004.71 Statewide Florida College System institution direct-support organizations.—
(1) DEFINITIONS.—For the purposes of this section:
(a) “Statewide Florida College System institution direct-support organization” means an organization that is:
1. A Florida corporation not for profit, incorporated under the provisions of chapter 617 and approved by the Department of State.
2. Organized and operated exclusively to receive, hold, invest, and administer property and to make expenditures to, or for the benefit of, the Florida College System institutions in this state.
3. An organization that the State Board of Education, after review, has certified to be operating in a manner consistent with the goals of the Florida College System institutions and in the best interest of the state.
(b) “Personal services” includes full-time or part-time personnel as well as payroll processing.
(2) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—The chair of the State Board of Education may appoint a representative to the board of directors and the executive committee of any statewide, direct-support organization established under this section or s. 1004.70. The chair of the State Board of Education, or the chair’s designee, shall also serve on the board of directors and the executive committee of any direct-support organization established to benefit Florida College System institutions.
(3) USE OF PROPERTY.—
(a) The State Board of Education may permit the use of property, facilities, and personal services of the Department of Education by any statewide Florida College System institution direct-support organization, subject to the provisions of this section.
(b) The State Board of Education may prescribe by rule any condition with which a statewide Florida College System institution direct-support organization must comply in order to use property, facilities, or personal services of the Department of Education.
(c) The State Board of Education may not permit the use of property, facilities, or personal services of the Department of Education by any statewide Florida College System institution direct-support organization that does not provide equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or religion.
(4) RESTRICTIONS.—
(a) A statewide, direct-support organization may not use public funds to acquire, construct, maintain, or operate any facilities.
(b) Any transaction or agreement between a statewide, direct-support organization and any other direct-support organization must be approved by the State Board of Education.
(c) A statewide Florida College System institution direct-support organization is prohibited from giving, either directly or indirectly, any gift to a political committee as defined in s. 106.011 for any purpose other than those certified by a majority roll call vote of the governing board of the direct-support organization at a regularly scheduled meeting as being directly related to the educational mission of the State Board of Education.
(5) ANNUAL BUDGETS AND REPORTS.—Each direct-support organization shall submit to the State Board of Education its federal Internal Revenue Service Application for Recognition of Exemption form (Form 1023) and its federal Internal Revenue Service Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax form (Form 990).
(6) ANNUAL AUDIT.—A statewide Florida College System institution direct-support organization shall provide for an annual financial audit in accordance with s. 1004.70. The identity of a donor or prospective donor who desires to remain anonymous and all information identifying such donor or prospective donor are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. Such anonymity shall be maintained in the auditor’s report.
History.—s. 220, ch. 2002-387; s. 55, ch. 2011-5; s. 50, ch. 2013-35; s. 33, ch. 2013-37.
1004.725 Expenditures for self-insurance services; special account.—
(1) The Florida College System institution boards of trustees, singly or collectively, are authorized to contract with an administrator or service company approved pursuant to chapter 626 to provide self-insurance services, including, but not limited to, the evaluation, settlement, and payment of self-insurance claims on behalf of the board of trustees or a consortium of boards of trustees.
(2) Pursuant to such a contract, a board of trustees may advance moneys to the administrator or service company to be deposited in a special account for paying claims against the board of trustees under its self-insurance program. The special account shall be maintained in a designated depository as provided by s. 136.01. The board of trustees may replenish such account as often as necessary upon the presentation by the administrator or service company of documentation for claims paid in an amount equal to the amount of the requested reimbursement. Any contract for disbursement of funds from the special account shall ensure that the payments are subject to proper disbursement controls and accounting procedures.
History.—s. 221, ch. 2002-387; s. 1949, ch. 2003-261; s. 56, ch. 2011-5.
1004.726 Trademarks, copyrights, or patents.—Each Florida College System institution board of trustees may develop and produce work products relating to educational endeavors that are subject to trademark, copyright, or patent statutes. To this end, the board of trustees shall consider the relative contribution by the personnel employed in the development of such work products and shall enter into binding agreements with such personnel, organizations, corporations, or government entities, which agreements shall establish the percentage of ownership of such trademarks, copyrights, or patents. Any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, the board of trustees may in its own name:
(1) Perform all things necessary to secure letters of patent, copyrights, and trademarks on any such work products and enforce its rights therein.
(2) License, lease, assign, or otherwise give written consent to any person, firm, or corporation for the manufacture or use of its work products on a royalty basis or for such other consideration as the board of trustees deems proper.
(3) Take any action necessary, including legal action, to protect its work products against improper or unlawful use of infringement.
(4) Enforce the collection of any sums due the board of trustees for the manufacture or use of its work products by any other party.
(5) Sell any of its work products and execute all instruments necessary to consummate any such sale.
(6) Do all other acts necessary and proper for the execution of powers and duties provided by this section.
History.—s. 222, ch. 2002-387; s. 57, ch. 2011-5.
B. Special Programs; Centers
1004.74 Florida School of the Arts.
1004.76 Florida Martin Luther King, Jr., Institute for Nonviolence.
1004.78 Technology transfer centers at Florida College System institutions.
1004.79 Incubator facilities for small business concerns.
1004.80 Economic development centers.
1004.81 Establishment of child development training centers at Florida College System institutions.
1004.85 Postsecondary educator preparation institutes.
1004.86 Florida Center for Mathematics and Science Education Research.
1004.88 Florida Institute for Charter School Innovation.
1004.89 Institute for Freedom in the Americas.
1004.74 Florida School of the Arts.—
(1) As the state strives to achieve excellence in all aspects of public education, it is the intent of the Legislature that specific attention be given to the needs of artistically talented high school and college students. It is further intended that such students who are occupationally oriented to the arts be provided with the means for achieving both an academic education and artistic training appropriate to their gifts.
(2) There is created the Florida School of the Arts. The school shall offer a program of academic and artistic studies in the visual and performing arts, which program shall be available to talented high school and college students in the state.
(3) The Florida School of the Arts is assigned to the District Board of Trustees of the St. Johns River State College for purposes of administration and governance; but the Florida School of the Arts, within appropriations and limitations established annually by the Legislature, shall serve as a professional school on a statewide basis for all qualified students.
(4) The Council for the Florida School of the Arts shall be established to advise the Florida College System institution district board of trustees on matters pertaining to the operation of the school. The council shall consist of nine members, appointed by the Commissioner of Education for 4-year terms. A member may serve three terms and may serve until replaced.
History.—s. 225, ch. 2002-387; s. 58, ch. 2011-5; s. 3, ch. 2011-102.
1004.76 Florida Martin Luther King, Jr., Institute for Nonviolence.—
(1) As used in this section:
(a) “Board” means the advisory board of the institute.
(b) “Institute” means the Florida Martin Luther King, Jr., Institute for Nonviolence.
(2) There is hereby created the Florida Martin Luther King, Jr., Institute for Nonviolence to be established at Miami Dade College. The institute shall have an advisory board consisting of 13 members as follows: the Attorney General, the Commissioner of Education, and 11 members to be appointed by the Governor, such members to represent the population of the state based on its ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic diversity. Of the members appointed by the Governor, one shall be a member of the Senate appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the President of the Senate; one shall be a member of the Senate appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the minority leader; one shall be a member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives; one shall be a member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the minority leader; and seven shall be members appointed by the Governor, no more than three of whom shall be members of the same political party. The following groups shall be represented by the seven members: the Florida Sheriffs Association; the Florida Association of Counties; the Florida League of Cities; state universities human services agencies; community relations or human relations councils; and youth. A chairperson shall be elected by the members and shall serve for a term of 3 years. Members of the board shall serve the following terms of office which shall be staggered:
(a) A member of the Legislature appointed to the board shall serve for a single term not to exceed 5 years and shall serve as a member only while he or she is a member of the Legislature.
(b) Of the seven members who are not members of the Legislature, three shall serve for terms of 4 years, two shall serve for terms of 3 years, and one shall serve for a term of 1 year. Thereafter, each member, except for a member appointed to fill an unexpired term, shall serve for a 5-year term. No member shall serve on the board for more than 10 years.
In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of a member of the board by death, resignation, or otherwise, the Governor shall appoint a successor to serve for the balance of the unexpired term.
(3)(a) The board shall provide for the holding of regular and special meetings. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business, and the acts of a majority of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be deemed to be the acts of the board.
(b) An executive director shall be appointed by the board and shall be the chief administrative and operational officer of the board. The executive director shall direct and supervise administrative affairs and the general management of the board. The executive director may contract with or employ legal and technical experts and such other employees, permanent and temporary, as shall be authorized by the board.
(c) Members of the board shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses in accordance with s. 112.061.
(4) The institute shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) To conduct training, provide symposiums, and develop continuing education and programs to promote skills in nonviolent conflict resolution for persons in government, private enterprise, community groups, and voluntary associations.
(b) To enter into formal and informal relationships with other public or private institutions for purposes of fulfilling the goals of the institute and to ensure geographic dispersion of services to all regions of the state.
(c) To establish a clearinghouse to provide materials, including publications, handbooks, training manuals, and audiovisual materials, on the programs, studies, research, training, and educational opportunities of the institute.
(d) To adopt, amend, and alter bylaws not inconsistent with the laws of the state.
(e) To charge and collect subscription and other participation costs and fees for its services, including publications and courses of study.
(f) To receive and accept from any federal, state, or local agency grants, or advances for, or in aid of, the purposes of this act and to receive and accept contributions from any source of either money, property, labor, or other things of value, to be held, used, and applied for said purposes.
(g) To do any and all lawful acts and things necessary or desirable to carry out the objectives and purposes of this act.
(5) The institute may establish fellowships through the awarding of financial assistance to individuals and organizations to enable them to pursue scholarly inquiry and study other appropriate forms of strategies for peace and nonviolent conflict resolution.
History.—s. 227, ch. 2002-387; s. 184, ch. 2008-4; s. 105, ch. 2025-6.
1004.78 Technology transfer centers at Florida College System institutions.—
(1) Each Florida College System institution may establish a technology transfer center for the purpose of providing institutional support to local business and industry and governmental agencies in the application of new research in technology. The primary responsibilities of such centers may include: identifying technology research developed by universities, research institutions, businesses, industries, the United States Armed Forces, and other state or federal governmental agencies; determining and demonstrating the application of technologies; training workers to integrate advanced equipment and production processes; and determining for business and industry the feasibility and efficiency of accommodating advanced technologies.
(2) The Florida College System institution board of trustees shall set such policies to regulate the activities of the technology transfer center as it may consider necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section and to administer the programs of the center in a manner which assures efficiency and effectiveness, producing the maximum benefit for the educational programs and maximum service to the state. To this end, materials that relate to methods of manufacture or production, potential trade secrets, potentially patentable material, actual trade secrets, business transactions, or proprietary information received, generated, ascertained, or discovered during the course of activities conducted within the Florida College System institutions shall be confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1), except that a Florida College System institution shall make available upon request the title and description of a project, the name of the investigator, and the amount and source of funding provided for such project.
(3) A technology transfer center created under the provisions of this section shall be under the supervision of the board of trustees of that Florida College System institution, which is authorized to appoint a director; to employ full-time and part-time staff, research personnel, and professional services; to employ on a part-time basis personnel of the Florida College System institution; and to employ temporary employees whose salaries are paid entirely from the permanent technology transfer fund or from that fund in combination with other nonstate sources, with such positions being exempt from the requirements of the Florida Statutes relating to salaries, except that no such appointment shall be made for a total period of longer than 1 year.
(4) The board of trustees of the Florida College System institution in which a technology transfer center is created, or its designee, may negotiate, enter into, and execute contracts; solicit and accept grants and donations; and fix and collect fees, other payments, and donations that may accrue by reason thereof for technology transfer activities. The board of trustees or its designee may negotiate, enter into, and execute contracts on a cost-reimbursement basis and may provide temporary financing of such costs prior to reimbursement from moneys on deposit in the technology transfer fund, except as may be prohibited elsewhere by law.
(5) A technology transfer center shall be financed from the Academic Improvement Program or from moneys of a Florida College System institution which are on deposit or received for use in the activities conducted in the center. Such moneys shall be deposited by the Florida College System institution in a permanent technology transfer fund in a depository or depositories approved for the deposit of state funds and shall be accounted for and disbursed subject to audit by the Auditor General.
(6) The fund balance in any existing research trust fund of a Florida College System institution at the time a technology transfer center is created shall be transferred to a permanent technology transfer fund established for the Florida College System institution, and thereafter the fund balance of the technology transfer fund at the end of any fiscal period may be used during any succeeding period pursuant to this section.
(7) Moneys deposited in the permanent technology transfer fund of a Florida College System institution shall be disbursed in accordance with the terms of the contract, grant, or donation under which they are received. Moneys received for overhead or indirect costs and other moneys not required for the payment of direct costs shall be applied to the cost of operating the technology transfer center.
(8) All purchases of a technology transfer center shall be made in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Florida College System institution.
(9) The Florida College System institution board of trustees may authorize the construction, alteration, or remodeling of buildings when the funds used are derived entirely from the technology transfer fund of a Florida College System institution or from that fund in combination with other nonstate sources, provided that such construction, alteration, or remodeling is for use exclusively by the center. It also may authorize the acquisition of real property when the cost is entirely from said funds. Title to all real property shall vest in the board of trustees.
(10) The State Board of Education may award grants to Florida College System institutions, or consortia of public and private colleges and universities and other public and private entities, for the purpose of supporting the objectives of this section. Grants awarded pursuant to this subsection shall be in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education. Such rules shall include the following provisions:
(a) The number of centers established with state funds provided expressly for the purpose of technology transfer shall be limited, but shall be geographically located to maximize public access to center resources and services.
(b) Grants to centers funded with state revenues appropriated specifically for technology transfer activities shall be reviewed and approved by the State Board of Education using proposal solicitation, evaluation, and selection procedures established by the state board in consultation with the Department of Commerce. Such procedures may include designation of specific areas or applications of technology as priorities for the receipt of funding.
(c) Priority for the receipt of state funds appropriated specifically for the purpose of technology transfer shall be given to grant proposals developed jointly by Florida College System institutions and public and private colleges and universities.
(11) Each technology transfer center established under the provisions of this section shall establish a technology transfer center advisory committee. Each committee shall include representatives of a university or universities conducting research in the area of specialty of the center. Other members shall be determined by the Florida College System institution board of trustees.
History.—s. 229, ch. 2002-387; s. 61, ch. 2011-5; s. 145, ch. 2023-173.
1004.79 Incubator facilities for small business concerns.—
(1) Each Florida College System institution established pursuant to s. 1000.21(5) may provide incubator facilities to eligible small business concerns. As used in this section, “small business concern” shall be defined as an independently owned and operated business concern incorporated in Florida which is not an affiliate or a subsidiary of a business dominant in its field of operation, and which employs 25 or fewer full-time employees. “Incubator facility” shall be defined as a facility in which small business concerns share common space, equipment, and support personnel and through which such concerns have access to professional consultants for advice related to the technical and business aspects of conducting a commercial enterprise. The Florida College System institution board of trustees shall authorize concerns for inclusion in the incubator facility.
(2) Each Florida College System institution that provides an incubator facility shall provide the following:
(a) Management and maintenance of the incubator facility.
(b) Secretarial and other support personnel, equipment, and utilities.
(c) Mechanisms to assist with the acquisition of technical, management, and entrepreneurial expertise to resident and other local small business concerns.
(3) The incubator facility and any improvements to the facility shall be owned or leased by the Florida College System institution. The Florida College System institution may charge residents of the facility all or part of the cost for facilities, utilities, and support personnel and equipment. No small business concern shall reside in the incubator facility for more than 5 calendar years. The state shall not be liable for any act or failure to act of any small business concern residing in an incubator facility pursuant to this section or of any such concern benefiting from the incubator facilities program.
(4) Florida College System institutions are encouraged to establish incubator facilities through which emerging small businesses supportive of spaceport endeavors and other high-technology enterprises may be served.
(5) Florida College System institutions are encouraged to establish incubator facilities through which emerging small businesses supportive of development of content and technology for digital broadband media and digital broadcasting may be served.
History.—s. 230, ch. 2002-387; s. 62, ch. 2011-5; s. 178, ch. 2020-2; s. 163, ch. 2023-8.
1004.80 Economic development centers.—
(1) Florida College System institutions may establish economic development centers for the purpose of serving as liaisons between Florida College System institutions and the business sector. The responsibilities of each center shall include:
(a) Promoting the economic well-being of businesses and industries.
(b) Coordinating, with chambers of commerce, government agencies, district school boards, and other organizations, efforts to provide educational programs which promote economic development, including, but not limited to, business incubators, industrial development and research parks, industry recruitment efforts, publication of business research and resource guides, and sponsorship of workshops, conferences, seminars, and consultation services.
(2) The board of trustees of a Florida College System institution in which an economic development center is created, or its designee, may negotiate, enter into, and execute contracts; solicit and accept grants and donations; and fix and collect fees, other payments, and donations that may accrue by reason of activities of the center and its staff.
(3) Economic development centers shall operate under policies and procedures established by the Florida College System institution board of trustees.
(4) The State Board of Education may award grants to economic development centers for the purposes of this section. Grants awarded pursuant to this subsection shall be in accordance with rules established by the State Board of Education.
History.—s. 231, ch. 2002-387; s. 63, ch. 2011-5.
1004.81 Establishment of child development training centers at Florida College System institutions.—
(1) The Legislature recognizes the importance of preschool developmental education and the need for adult students with limited economic resources to have access to high-quality, affordable child care at variable hours for their children. It is therefore the intent of the Legislature that Florida College System institutions provide high-quality, affordable child care to the children of adult students enrolled in Florida College System institutions. The primary purpose of these child development training centers is to provide affordable child care for children of adult students, particularly those who demonstrate financial need, as well as for employees and staff of the institution. Further, the child development training centers are intended to provide both preschool instruction to the children and clinical experiences for prospective child care and early childhood instructional and administrative personnel. A secondary mission of the centers shall be to provide instruction in parenting skills for the clients of the center as well as for the community.
(2) In consultation with the student government association or a recognized student group representing the student body, a Florida College System institution board of trustees may establish a child development training center in accordance with this section. Each child development training center shall be a child care center established to provide child care during the day and at variable hours, including evenings and weekends, for the children of students. Emphasis should be placed on serving students who demonstrate financial need as defined by the board of trustees. At least 50 percent of the child care slots must be made available to students, and financially needy students, as defined by the board of trustees, shall receive child care slots first. The center may serve the children of staff, employees, and faculty; however, a designated number of child care slots shall not be allocated for employees. Whenever possible, the center shall be located on the campus of the Florida College System institution. However, the board may elect to provide child care services for students through alternative mechanisms, which may include contracting with private providers.
(3) There shall be a board of directors of each child development training center, consisting of the president or his or her designee, the student government president or his or her designee, the chair of the department participating in the center or his or her designee, and one parent for each 25 children enrolled in the center, elected by the parents of the children enrolled in the center. There shall be a director of each center, selected by the board of directors of the center. The director shall be an ex officio, nonvoting member of the board. The board of trustees shall establish local policies and perform local oversight and operational guidance for the center.
(4) Each center may charge fees for the care and services it provides. Each board of trustees shall establish mechanisms to facilitate access to center services for students with financial need, which shall include a sliding fee scale and other methods adopted by the board of trustees to reduce or defray payment of fees for students. The board of trustees is authorized to seek and receive grants and other resources to support the operation of the child development center.
(5) In addition to revenues derived from child care fees charged to parents and other external resources, each child development training center may be funded by a portion of funds from the student activity and service fee authorized by s. 1009.23(7) and the capital improvement fee authorized by s. 1009.23(11). Florida College System institutions are authorized to transfer funds as necessary from the Florida College System institution’s general fund to support the operation of the child development training center.
(6) This section does not preclude the continuation of or in any way affect child care centers operated by Florida College System institutions that were established by the district board of trustees prior to July 1, 1994.
History.—s. 232, ch. 2002-387; s. 64, ch. 2011-5.
1004.85 Postsecondary educator preparation institutes.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “educator preparation institute” means an institute created by a postsecondary institution or a qualified private provider and approved by the Department of Education.
(2)(a) Postsecondary institutions that are accredited or approved as described in State Board of Education rule may seek approval from the Department of Education to create educator preparation institutes for the purpose of providing any or all of the following:
1. Professional learning instruction to assist teachers in improving classroom instruction and in meeting certification or recertification requirements.
2. Instruction to assist potential and existing substitute teachers in performing their duties.
3. Instruction to assist paraprofessionals in meeting education and training requirements.
4. Instruction for baccalaureate degree holders to become certified teachers as provided in this section in order to increase routes to the classroom for professionals who hold a baccalaureate degree and college graduates who were not education majors.
5. Instruction and professional learning for part-time and full-time nondegreed teachers of career programs under s. 1012.39(1)(c).
6. Instruction that does not distort significant historical events or include a curriculum or instruction that teaches identity politics, violates s. 1000.05, or is based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities. Courses and instruction within the educator preparation institute must afford candidates the opportunity to think critically, achieve mastery of academic program content, learn instructional strategies, and demonstrate competence.
(b) A private provider that has a proven history of delivering high-quality teacher preparation, which is based on evidence provided from other state recipients of its services and data showing the successful performance of its completers based on student achievement, may seek approval to offer a competency-based certification program under subsection (3).
(3) Educator preparation institutes approved pursuant to this section may offer competency-based certification programs specifically designed for noneducation major baccalaureate degree holders to enable program participants to meet the educator certification requirements of s. 1012.56. An educator preparation institute choosing to offer a competency-based certification program pursuant to the provisions of this section must implement a program developed by the institute and approved by the department for this purpose. Approved programs shall be available for use by other approved educator preparation institutes.
(a) Within 90 days after receipt of a request for approval, the Department of Education shall approve a preparation program pursuant to the requirements of this subsection or issue a statement of the deficiencies in the request for approval. The department shall approve a certification program if the institute provides evidence of the institute’s capacity to implement a competency-based program that instructs and assesses each candidate in the following:
1.a. The Florida Educator Accomplished Practices approved by the state board.
b. The state academic standards provided under s. 1003.41, including scientifically based reading instruction, content literacy, and mathematical practices, for each subject identified on the statement of status of eligibility or the temporary certificate.
c. Scientifically researched and evidence-based reading instructional strategies grounded in the science of reading which improve reading performance for all students, including explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and text comprehension and multisensory intervention strategies. The primary instructional strategy for teaching word reading is phonics instruction for decoding and encoding. Instructional strategies for foundational skills may not employ the three-cueing system model of reading or visual memory as a basis for teaching word reading. Instructional strategies may include visual information and strategies which improve background and experiential knowledge, add context, and increase oral language and vocabulary to support comprehension, but may not be used to teach word reading.
2. An educational plan for each participant to meet certification requirements and demonstrate his or her ability to teach the subject area for which the participant is seeking certification, which is based on an assessment of his or her competency in the areas listed in subparagraph 1.
3. Field experiences appropriate to the certification subject area specified in the educational plan under the supervision of qualified educators. The state board shall determine in rule the amount of field experience necessary to serve as the teacher of record, beginning with candidates entering a program in the 2023-2024 school year.
4. A certification ombudsman to facilitate the process and procedures required for participants who complete the program to meet any requirements related to the background screening pursuant to s. 1012.32 and educator professional or temporary certification pursuant to s. 1012.56.
(b) Each program participant must:
1. Meet certification requirements pursuant to s. 1012.56(1) by obtaining a statement of status of eligibility in the certification subject area of the educational plan and meet the requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f) before participating in field experiences.
2. Demonstrate competency and participate in field experiences that are appropriate to his or her educational plan prepared under paragraph (a). Beginning with candidates entering an educator preparation institute in the 2022-2023 school year, a candidate for certification in a coverage area identified pursuant to s. 1012.585(3)(f) must successfully complete all competencies for a reading endorsement, including completion of the endorsement practicum through the candidate’s field experience, in order to graduate from the program.
3. Before completion of the program, fully demonstrate his or her ability to teach the subject area for which he or she is seeking certification by documenting a positive impact on student learning growth in a prekindergarten through grade 12 setting and, except as provided in s. 1012.56(7)(a)3., achieving a passing score on the professional education competency examination, the basic skills examination, and the subject area examination for the subject area certification which is required by state board rule.
(c) Upon completion of all requirements for a certification program approved pursuant to this subsection, a participant shall receive a credential from the sponsoring institution signifying that the participant has completed a state-approved competency-based certification program in the certification subject area specified in the educational plan. A participant is eligible for educator certification through the Department of Education upon satisfaction of all requirements for certification set forth in s. 1012.56(2).
(4) The state board shall adopt rules for the continued approval of each program approved pursuant to this section.
(5) Each institute approved pursuant to this section shall submit to the Department of Education annual performance evaluations that measure the effectiveness of the programs.
(6) Instructors and supervisors of field experiences in which participants demonstrate an impact on student learning growth for a certification program approved pursuant to this section must meet the same qualifications as those required in s. 1004.04(5).
(7) Educator preparation institutes approved pursuant to this section and providing approved instructional programs for any of the purposes in subsection (2) are eligible for funding from federal and state funds, as appropriated by the Legislature.
(8) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement this section, which may include weighted criteria and may authorize continued program approval based on a review conducted by a nationally recognized accrediting entity. The rules must establish criteria, based on program size, for determining whether a program review is necessary, whether program quality should be aggregated and measured at the provider or institution level, and whether program reviews may be validly conducted on a remote basis.
History.—s. 5, ch. 2004-295; s. 13, ch. 2008-235; s. 2, ch. 2013-185; s. 10, ch. 2017-116; s. 13, ch. 2019-23; s. 13, ch. 2021-9; s. 4, ch. 2021-228; s. 36, ch. 2022-154; s. 9, ch. 2023-39; s. 11, ch. 2023-108; s. 2, ch. 2024-141; s. 9, ch. 2024-159.
1004.86 Florida Center for Mathematics and Science Education Research.—
(1) The Department of Education shall contract with a competitively selected public or private university to create and operate the Florida Center for Mathematics and Science Education Research. The purpose of the center is increasing student achievement in mathematics and science, with an emphasis on K-12 education. The center shall:
(a) Provide technical assistance and support to school districts and schools in the development and implementation of mathematics and science instruction.
(b) Conduct applied research on policy and practices related to mathematics and science instruction and assessment in the state.
(c) Conduct or compile basic research regarding student acquisition of mathematics and science knowledge and skills.
(d) Develop comprehensive course frameworks for mathematics and science courses that emphasize rigor and relevance at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Student achievement data should be used to aid in the development of course frameworks for low-performing schools, special needs students, females, and minorities.
(e) Disseminate information regarding research-based teaching practices in mathematics and science to teachers and teacher educators in the state.
(f) Collect, manage, and report on assessment information regarding student achievement in mathematics and science. The report shall include student achievement by ethnic group.
(g) Establish partnerships with public and private universities, Florida College System institutions, school districts, and other appropriate entities to further increase student achievement in mathematics and science.
(h) Develop a comprehensive plan, with input from school districts, to increase the number and percentage of females and minority students enrolling in and successfully completing mathematics and science courses.
(i) By December 1, 2023, in collaboration with the department, provide recommendations to the Legislature for preparing teacher candidates and identifying mathematics training and professional learning opportunities for teachers in kindergarten through grade 4 and administrators who support teachers in the classroom.
(2) The department shall monitor the center through the Division of K-12 Public Schools.
History.—s. 59, ch. 2006-60; s. 65, ch. 2011-5; s. 12, ch. 2023-108.
1004.88 Florida Institute for Charter School Innovation.—
(1) The Florida Institute for Charter School Innovation is established at Miami Dade College, subject to appropriation, for the purpose of improving charter school authorizing practices in this state.
(2) The institute shall do all of the following:
(a) Analyze charter school applications, identify best practices, and create a state resource for developing and reviewing charter school applications.
(b) Provide charter school sponsors with training, technical assistance, and support in reviewing initial and renewal charter applications.
(c) Conduct applied research on policy and practices related to charter schools.
(d) Conduct or compile basic research on the status of educational choice, charter authorizing, and charter school performance in this state, and other topics related to charter schools.
(e) Collaborate with the Department of Education in developing the sponsor evaluation framework under s. 1002.33(5)(c).
(f) Disseminate information regarding research-based charter school teaching practices to teacher educators in this state.
(g) Host research workshops and conferences that allow charter school sponsors, charter school operators, students, and parents to engage in topics related to charter schools.
(3) The institute may develop a professional learning system pursuant to s. 1012.98(7).
(4) The institute may apply for and receive federal, state, or local agency grants for the purposes of this section.
(5) The District Board of Trustees of Miami Dade College shall establish policies for the supervision, administration, and governance of the institute.
History.—s. 4, ch. 2022-144; s. 10, ch. 2024-159.
11004.89 Institute for Freedom in the Americas.—The Institute for Freedom in the Americas is hereby created at Miami Dade College to preserve the ideals of a free society and promote democracy in the Americas. The institute shall be located at the Freedom Tower and shall:
(1) Hold workshops, symposiums, and conferences that provide networking opportunities for leaders throughout the region to gain new insights and ideas for promoting democracy, including knowledge of and insight into the intellectual, political, and economic freedoms that are foundational to a democratic society.
(2) Enter into an agreement with the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom to provide participants with academic coursework and programs that advance democratic practices and economic and legal reforms.
(3) Provide educational and experiential opportunities for regional leaders committed to careers in democracy and governance.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2024-102; ss. 8, 9, ch. 2025-199.
1Note.—
A. Section 8, ch. 2025-199, amended s. 1004.89 “[i]n order to implement Specific Appropriation 130 of the 2025-2026 General Appropriations Act.”
B. Section 9, ch. 2025-199, provides that “[t]he amendments to s. 1004.89, Florida Statutes, made by this act expire July 1, 2026, and the text of that section shall revert to that in existence on June 30, 2025, except that any amendments to such text enacted other than by this act shall be preserved and continue to operate to the extent that such amendments are not dependent upon the portions of text which expire pursuant to this section.” Effective July 1, 2026, s. 1004.89, as amended by s. 9, ch. 2025-199, will read:
1004.89 Institute for Freedom in the Americas.—
(1) The Institute for Freedom in the Americas is hereby created at Miami Dade College to preserve the ideals of a free society and promote democracy in the Americas. The institute shall be located at the Freedom Tower and shall:
(a) Partner with the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom to hold workshops, symposiums, and conferences that provide networking opportunities for leaders throughout the region to gain new insights and ideas for promoting democracy, including knowledge of and insight into the intellectual, political, and economic freedoms that are foundational to a democratic society.
(b) Enter into an agreement with the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom to provide participants with academic coursework and programs that advance democratic practices and economic and legal reforms.
(c) Provide educational and experiential opportunities for regional leaders committed to careers in democracy and governance.
(2) Miami Dade College, in accordance with s. 1004.70, shall approve a direct-support organization to support the institute in its mission to develop partnerships throughout the Americas. Notwithstanding s. 1004.70(2), the board of the direct-support organization shall be composed of five members, as follows: one member appointed by the President of the Senate; one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and three members appointed by the Governor, including a representative from Miami Dade College and a representative from the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom.
PART IV
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION1004.91 Requirements for career education program basic skills.
1004.92 Purpose and responsibilities for career education.
1004.93 Adult general education.
1004.933 Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education (GATE) Program.
1004.935 Adults with Disabilities Workforce Education Program.
1004.94 Adult literacy.
1004.96 Community education.
1004.98 Workforce literacy programs.
1004.91 Requirements for career education program basic skills.—
(1) The State Board of Education shall adopt, by rule, standards of basic skill mastery for completion of certificate career education programs. Each school district and Florida College System institution that conducts programs that confer career and technical certificates shall provide applied academics instruction through which students receive the basic skills instruction required pursuant to this section.
(2) Students who enroll in a program offered for career credit of 450 hours or more shall complete an entry-level examination within the first 6 weeks after admission into the program. The State Board of Education shall designate examinations that are currently in existence, the results of which are comparable across institutions, to assess student mastery of basic skills. Any student found to lack the required level of basic skills for such program shall be referred to applied academics instruction or another adult general education program for a structured program of basic skills instruction. Such instruction may include English for speakers of other languages. A student may not receive a career or technical certificate of completion without first demonstrating the basic skills required in the state curriculum frameworks for the career education program.
(3)(a) The following students may be exempted from this section:
1. An adult student with a disability.
2. A student who possesses a high school diploma from a private school that is in compliance with s. 1002.42, or, for a student in a home education program or a personalized education program, a signed affidavit submitted by the student’s parent or legal guardian attesting that the student has completed a home education program pursuant to the requirements of s. 1002.41 or a personalized education program pursuant to the requirements of s. 1002.395.
(b) The following students are exempt from this section:
1. A student who possesses a college degree at the associate in applied science level or higher.
2. A student who demonstrates readiness for public postsecondary education pursuant to s. 1008.30 and applicable rules adopted by the State Board of Education.
3. A student who passes a state or national industry certification or licensure examination that is identified in State Board of Education rules and aligned to the career education program in which the student is enrolled.
4. An adult student who is enrolled in an apprenticeship program that is registered with the Department of Education in accordance with chapter 446.
History.—s. 234, ch. 2002-387; s. 93, ch. 2004-357; s. 14, ch. 2008-235; s. 66, ch. 2011-5; s. 49, ch. 2013-27; s. 10, ch. 2024-125.
1004.92 Purpose and responsibilities for career education.—
(1) The purpose of career education is to enable students who complete career programs to attain and sustain employment and realize economic self-sufficiency. The purpose of this section is to identify issues related to career education for which school boards and Florida College System institution boards of trustees are accountable. It is the intent of the Legislature that the standards articulated in subsection (2) be considered in the development of accountability standards for public schools pursuant to ss. 1000.03, 1001.42(18), and 1008.345 and for Florida College System institutions pursuant to s. 1008.45.
(2)(a) School board, superintendent, and career center, and Florida College System institution board of trustees and president, accountability for career education programs includes, but is not limited to:
1. Student demonstration of the academic skills necessary to enter an occupation.
2. Student preparation to enter an occupation in an entry-level position or continue postsecondary study.
3. Career program articulation with other corresponding postsecondary programs and job training experiences.
4. Employer satisfaction with the performance of students who complete career education or reach occupational completion points.
5. Student completion, placement, and retention rates pursuant to s. 1008.43.
(b) Department of Education accountability for career education includes, but is not limited to:
1. The provision of timely, accurate technical assistance to school districts and Florida College System institutions.
2. The provision of timely, accurate information to the State Board of Education, the Legislature, and the public.
3. The development of policies, rules, and procedures that facilitate institutional attainment of the accountability standards and coordinate the efforts of all divisions within the department.
4. The development of program standards and industry-driven benchmarks for career, adult, and community education programs, which must be updated every 3 years. The standards must include career, academic, and workplace skills; viability of distance learning for instruction; and work/learn cycles that are responsive to business and industry.
5. Overseeing school district and Florida College System institution compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
6. Ensuring that the educational outcomes for the technical component of career programs are uniform and designed to provide a graduate who is capable of entering the workforce on an equally competitive basis regardless of the institution of choice.
(3) Each career center operated by a district school board shall establish a center advisory council pursuant to s. 1001.452. The center advisory council shall assist in the preparation and evaluation of center improvement plans required pursuant to s. 1001.42(18) and may provide assistance, upon the request of the center director, in the preparation of the center’s annual budget and plan as required by s. 1008.385(1).
History.—s. 235, ch. 2002-387; s. 118, ch. 2003-1; s. 94, ch. 2004-357; s. 19, ch. 2008-108; s. 67, ch. 2011-5.
1004.93 Adult general education.—
(1)(a) The intent of this section is to encourage the provision of educational services that will enable adults to acquire:
1. The basic skills necessary to attain basic and functional literacy.
2. A high school diploma or successfully complete the high school equivalency examination.
3. An educational foundation that will enable them to become more employable, productive, and self-sufficient citizens.
(b) It is further intended that educational opportunities be available for adults who have earned a diploma or high school equivalency diploma but who lack the basic skills necessary to function effectively in everyday situations, to enter the job market, or to enter career certificate instruction.
(2) The adult education program must provide academic services to students in the following priority:
(a) Students who demonstrate skills at less than a fifth grade level, as measured by tests approved for this purpose by the State Board of Education, and who are studying to achieve basic literacy.
(b) Students who demonstrate skills at the fifth grade level or higher, but below the ninth grade level, as measured by tests approved for this purpose by the State Board of Education, and who are studying to achieve functional literacy.
(c) Students who are earning credit required for a high school diploma or who are preparing for the high school equivalency examination.
(d) Students who have earned high school diplomas and require specific improvement in order to:
1. Obtain or maintain employment or benefit from certificate career education programs;
2. Pursue a postsecondary degree; or
3. Develop competence in the English language to qualify for employment.
(e) Students who enroll in lifelong learning courses or activities that seek to address community social and economic issues that consist of health and human relations, government, parenting, consumer economics, and senior citizens.
(f) Students who enroll in courses that relate to the recreational or leisure pursuits of the students. The cost of courses conducted pursuant to this paragraph shall be borne by the enrollees.
(3)(a) Each district school board or Florida College System institution board of trustees shall negotiate with the local workforce development board for basic and functional literacy skills assessments for participants in the welfare transition employment and training programs. Such assessments shall be conducted at a site mutually acceptable to the district school board or Florida College System institution board of trustees and the local workforce development board.
(b) State employees who are employed in local or regional offices of state agencies shall inform clients of the availability of adult basic and secondary programs in the region. The identities of clients who do not possess high school diplomas or who demonstrate skills below the level of functional literacy shall be conveyed, with their consent, to the local school district or Florida College System institution, or both.
(c) To the extent funds are available, the Department of Children and Families shall provide for day care and transportation services to clients who enroll in adult basic education programs.
(4)(a) Adult general education shall be evaluated and funded as provided in s. 1011.80.
(b) Fees for adult basic instruction are to be charged in accordance with chapter 1009.
(c) The State Board of Education shall define, by rule, the levels and courses of instruction to be funded through the developmental education program. The state board shall coordinate the establishment of costs for developmental education courses, the establishment of statewide standards that define required levels of competence, acceptable rates of student progress, and the maximum amount of time to be allowed for completion of developmental education. Developmental education is part of an associate in arts degree program and may not be funded as an adult career education program.
(d) Expenditures for developmental education and lifelong learning students shall be reported separately. Allocations for developmental education shall be based on proportional full-time equivalent enrollment. Program review results shall be included in the determination of subsequent allocations. A student shall be funded to enroll in the same developmental education class within a skill area only twice, after which time the student shall pay 100 percent of the full cost of instruction to support the continuous enrollment of that student in the same class; however, students who withdraw or fail a class due to extenuating circumstances may be granted an exception only once for each class, provided approval is granted according to policy established by the board of trustees. Each Florida College System institution shall have the authority to review and reduce payment for increased fees due to continued enrollment in a developmental education class on an individual basis contingent upon the student’s financial hardship, pursuant to definitions and fee levels established by the State Board of Education. Developmental education and lifelong learning courses do not generate credit toward an associate or baccalaureate degree.
(e) A district school board or a Florida College System institution board of trustees may negotiate a contract with the local workforce development board for specialized services for participants in the welfare transition program, beyond what is routinely provided for the general public, to be funded by the local workforce development board.
(5) If students who have been determined to be adults with disabilities are enrolled in workforce development programs, the funding formula must provide additional incentives for their achievement of performance outputs and outcomes.
(6) The commissioner shall recommend the level of funding for public school and Florida College System institution adult education within the legislative budget request and make other recommendations and reports considered necessary or required by rules of the State Board of Education.
(7) Buildings, land, equipment, and other property owned by a district school board or Florida College System institution board of trustees may be used for the conduct of the adult education program. Buildings, land, equipment, and other property owned or leased by cooperating public or private agencies, organizations, or institutions may also be used for the purposes of this section.
(8) In order to accelerate the employment of adult education students, students entering adult general education programs after July 1, 2013, must complete the following action-steps-to-employment activities before the completion of the first term:
(a) Identify employment opportunities using market-driven tools.
(b) Create a personalized employment goal.
(c) Conduct a personalized skill and knowledge inventory.
(d) Compare the results of the personalized skill and knowledge inventory with the knowledge and skills needed to attain the personalized employment goal.
(e) Upgrade skills and knowledge needed through adult general education programs and additional educational pursuits based on the personalized employment goal.
The action-steps-to-employment activities may be developed through a blended approach with assistance provided to adult general education students by teachers, employment specialists, guidance counselors, business and industry representatives, and online resources. Students may be directed to online resources and provided information on financial literacy, student financial aid, industry certifications, and occupational services and a listing of job openings.
(9) The State Board of Education may adopt rules necessary for the implementation of this section.
History.—s. 236, ch. 2002-387; s. 95, ch. 2004-357; s. 68, ch. 2011-5; s. 50, ch. 2013-27; s. 12, ch. 2013-51; s. 373, ch. 2014-19; s. 21, ch. 2014-20; s. 52, ch. 2016-216.
1004.933 Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education (GATE) Program.—
(1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to create an alternative pathway to education and workforce opportunities for students who have withdrawn from high school prior to graduation.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to affirm the unequivocal value of a standard high school diploma as the primary education credential by which students access higher education and workforce opportunities. Further, the Legislature affirms that parental consent is required for a student under 18 years of age to withdraw from high school prior to graduation.
(c) The Legislature intends to expand opportunities for students to complete high school courses and earn a standard high school diploma.
(d) The Legislature recognizes that when a student withdraws from high school prior to graduation, the student has not received the full value of a taxpayer-funded pre-K-12 education, and therefore lacks the education credential essential to gainful employment and future educational opportunities. Therefore, the Legislature intends to provide an alternative pathway program, waiving tuition and fees for the program for participating students who have not earned a standard high school diploma.
(2) PROGRAM CREATION.—The Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education (GATE) Program is created within the Department of Education.
(3) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Career education program” means an applied technology diploma program as defined in s. 1004.02(7) or a career certificate program as defined in s. 1004.02(20).
(b) “Institution” means a school district career center established under s. 1001.44, a charter technical career center established under s. 1002.34, or a Florida College System institution identified in s. 1000.21.
(4) PAYMENT WAIVER; ELIGIBILITY.—
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law, an institution shall waive 100 percent of the registration, tuition, laboratory, and examination fees for a student participating in the GATE Program. A waiver provided under this section after a student’s first term shall be provided after state aid pursuant to s. 1009.895 is applied. Instructional materials assigned for use under the GATE Program must be made available to GATE Program students free of charge. An institution may not require payment by students of instructional materials costs eligible for reimbursement under s. 1009.711.
(b) To be eligible for participation in the GATE Program, a student must:
1. Not have earned a standard high school diploma pursuant to s. 1003.4282 or a high school equivalency diploma pursuant to s. 1003.435 before enrolling in the GATE Program;
2. Have been withdrawn from high school;
3. Be a resident of this state as defined in s. 1009.21(1);
4. Be 16 to 21 years of age at the time of initial enrollment, provided that a student who is 16 or 17 years of age has withdrawn from school enrollment pursuant to the requirements and safeguards in s. 1003.21(1)(c);
5. Select the adult secondary education program and career education program of his or her choice at the time of admission to the GATE Program, provided that the career education program is included on the Master Credentials List under s. 445.004(4). The student may not change the requested pathway after enrollment, except that, if necessary for the student, the student may enroll in an adult basic education program prior to enrolling in the adult secondary education program;
6. Maintain a 2.0 GPA for career and technical education coursework; and
7. Notwithstanding s. 1003.435(4), complete the programs under subparagraph 5. within 3 years after his or her initial enrollment unless the institution determines that an extension is warranted due to extenuating circumstances.
(c) Subject to the availability of funds, a student who meets the requirements of paragraph (b) and is enrolled in the GATE Program is eligible to receive the stipend specified in s. 1009.895(3).
(d) An institution may not impose additional criteria to determine a student’s eligibility to receive a waiver under this section.
(5) DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES.—In addition to administering the GATE Program, the Department of Education shall perform the following duties:
(a) Disseminate information about the GATE Program to eligible institutions, local workforce development boards, and other local, regional, or state initiatives that interact with the GATE Program’s target population.
(b) Connect prospective students directly to eligible institutions.
(c) Provide access to online career planning tools.
(6) REPORTING.—Beginning October 1, 2025, and each October 1 thereafter, the Department of Education shall submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the number and value of registration, tuition, laboratory, and examination fees and instructional materials costs waived and reimbursed, by institution; the number of students who have obtained a standard high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma while participating in the GATE Program; the number of students completing an applied technology diploma or career certificate while participating in the GATE Program; the number of students participating in the GATE Program who receive a stipend under s. 1009.895(3); the number of students who have earned an industry certification on the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List while participating in the GATE Program; and the number of students who completed the GATE Program. The reporting period shall cover the previous academic year.
(7) RULES.—The State Board of Education may adopt rules to implement this section.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2024-161.
1004.935 Adults with Disabilities Workforce Education Program.—
(1) The Adults with Disabilities Workforce Education Program is established in the Department of Education in Hardee, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties to provide the option of receiving a scholarship for instruction at private schools for up to 30 students who:
(a) Have a disability;
(b) Are 22 years of age;
(c) Are receiving instruction from an instructor in a private school to meet the high school graduation requirements in s. 1002.3105(5) or s. 1003.4282;
(d) Do not have a standard high school diploma or a special high school diploma; and
(e) Receive “supported employment services,” which means employment that is located or provided in an integrated work setting with earnings paid on a commensurate wage basis and for which continued support is needed for job maintenance.
As used in this section, the term “student with a disability” includes a student who is documented as having an intellectual disability; a speech impairment; a language impairment; a hearing impairment, including deafness; a visual impairment, including blindness; a dual sensory impairment; an orthopedic impairment; another health impairment; an emotional or behavioral disability; a specific learning disability, including, but not limited to, dyslexia, dyscalculia, or developmental aphasia; a traumatic brain injury; a developmental delay; or autism spectrum disorder.
(2) A student participating in the program may continue to participate in the program until the student graduates from high school or reaches the age of 40 years, whichever occurs first.
(3) Supported employment services may be provided at more than one site.
(4) The provider of supported employment services must be a nonprofit corporation under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code which serves Hardee County, DeSoto County, Manatee County, or Sarasota County and must contract with a private school in this state which meets the requirements in subsection (5).
(5) A private school that participates in the program may be sectarian or nonsectarian and must:
(a) Be academically accountable for meeting the educational needs of the student by annually providing to the provider of supported employment services a written explanation of the student’s progress.
(b) Comply with the antidiscrimination provisions of 42 U.S.C. s. 2000d.
(c) Meet state and local health and safety laws and codes.
(d) Provide to the provider of supported employment services all documentation required for a student’s participation, including the private school’s and student’s fee schedules, at least 30 days before any quarterly scholarship payment is made for the student. A student is not eligible to receive a quarterly scholarship payment if the private school fails to meet this deadline.
The inability of a private school to meet the requirements of this subsection constitutes a basis for the ineligibility of the private school to participate in the program.
(6)(a) If the student chooses to participate in the program and is accepted by the provider of supported employment services, the student must notify the Department of Education of his or her acceptance into the program 60 days before the first scholarship payment and before participating in the program in order to be eligible for the scholarship.
(b) Upon receipt of a scholarship warrant, the student or parent to whom the warrant is made must restrictively endorse the warrant to the provider of supported employment services for deposit into the account of the provider. The student or parent may not designate any entity or individual associated with the participating provider of supported employment services as the student’s or parent’s attorney in fact to endorse a scholarship warrant. A participant who fails to comply with this paragraph forfeits the scholarship.
(7) Funds for the scholarship shall be provided from the appropriation from the school district’s Workforce Development Fund in the General Appropriations Act for students who reside in the Hardee County School District, the DeSoto County School District, the Manatee County School District, or the Sarasota County School District. The scholarship amount granted for an eligible student with a disability shall be equal to the cost per unit of a full-time equivalent adult general education student, multiplied by the adult general education funding factor, and multiplied by the comparable wage factor pursuant to the formula required by s. 1011.80(7)(a) for the district in which the student resides.
(8) Upon notification by the Department of Education that it has received the required documentation, the Chief Financial Officer shall make scholarship payments in four equal amounts no later than September 1, November 1, February 1, and April 1 of each academic year in which the scholarship is in force. The initial payment shall be made after the Department of Education verifies that the student was accepted into the program, and subsequent payments shall be made upon verification of continued participation in the program. Payment must be by individual warrant made payable to the student or parent and mailed by the Department of Education to the provider of supported employment services, and the student or parent shall restrictively endorse the warrant to the provider of supported employment services for deposit into the account of that provider.
(9) Subsequent to each scholarship payment, the Department of Education shall request from the Department of Financial Services a sample of endorsed warrants to review and confirm compliance with endorsement requirements.
History.—s. 12, ch. 2012-134; s. 31, ch. 2013-27; s. 55, ch. 2014-39; ss. 28, 29, 126, ch. 2016-62; s. 3, ch. 2016-137; s. 21, ch. 2016-237; s. 21, ch. 2019-119; s. 27, ch. 2023-245.
1004.94 Adult literacy.—
(1)(a) An adult, individualized literacy instruction program is created for adults who possess literacy skills below the ninth grade level. The purpose of the program is to provide self-paced, competency-based, individualized tutorial instruction. The commissioner shall administer this section in coordination with Florida College System institution boards of trustees, local school boards, and the Division of Library and Information Services of the Department of State.
(b) Local adult, individualized literacy instruction programs may be coordinated with local public library systems and with public or private nonprofit agencies, organizations, or institutions. A local public library system and a public or private nonprofit agency, organization, or institution may use funds appropriated for the purposes of this section to hire program coordinators. Such coordinators shall offer training activities to volunteer tutors and oversee the operation of local literacy programs. A local public library system and a public or private nonprofit agency, organization, or institution may also purchase student instructional materials and modules that instruct tutors in the teaching of basic and functional literacy and English for speakers of other languages. To the extent funds are appropriated, cooperating local library systems shall purchase, and make available for loan, reading materials of high interest and with a vocabulary appropriate for use by students who possess literacy skills below the ninth grade level and students of English for speakers of other languages.
(2)(a) The adult literacy program is intended to increase adult literacy as prescribed in the agency functional plan of the Department of Education. The commissioner shall establish guidelines for the purpose of determining achievement of this goal.
(b) Each participating local sponsor shall submit an annual report to the commissioner which must contain information to demonstrate the extent to which there has been progress toward increasing the percentage of adults within the service area who possess literacy skills.
(c) Based on the information provided from the local reports, the commissioner shall develop an annual status report on literacy and adult education.
(3) Funds appropriated for the purposes of this section shall be allocated as grants for implementing adult literacy programs. Such funds may not be used to supplant funds used for activities that would otherwise be conducted in the absence of literacy funding. A grant awarded pursuant to this section may not exceed $50,000. Priority for the use of such funds shall be given to paying expenses related to the instruction of volunteer tutors, including materials and the salary of the program coordinator. Local sponsors may also accept funds from private sources for the purposes of this section.
(4)(a) The commissioner shall submit a state adult literacy plan to the State Board of Education to serve as a reference for district school boards and Florida College System institutions boards of trustees to increase adult literacy in their service areas as prescribed in the agency functional plan of the Department of Education. The plan must include, at a minimum:
1. Policies and objectives for adult literacy programs, including evaluative criteria.
2. Strategies for coordinating adult literacy activities with programs and services provided by other state and local nonprofit agencies, as well as strategies for maximizing other funding, resources, and expertise.
3. Procedures for identifying, recruiting, and retaining adults who possess literacy skills below the ninth grade level.
4. Sources of relevant demographic information and methods of projecting the number of adults who possess literacy skills below the ninth grade level.
5. Acceptable methods of demonstrating compliance with the provisions of this section.
6. Guidelines for the development and implementation of local adult literacy plans. At a minimum, such guidelines must address:
a. The recruitment and preparation of volunteer tutors.
b. Interagency and intraagency cooperation and coordination, especially with public libraries and other sponsors of literacy programs.
c. Desirable learning environments, including class size.
d. Program evaluation standards.
e. Methods for identifying, recruiting, and retaining adults in literacy programs.
f. Adult literacy through family literacy and workforce literacy programs.
(b) Every 3 years, the district school board or Florida College System institution board of trustees shall develop and maintain a local adult literacy plan.
History.—s. 237, ch. 2002-387; s. 69, ch. 2011-5.
1004.96 Community education.—
(1) Pursuant to this section and State Board of Education rule, each school board and the Board of Trustees for the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind may apply to the Department of Education for a community education grant. An applicant shall include in the grant application a description of the community education program and process through which the program is developed.
(2) The department shall give priority to applications that include:
(a) Centers that serve the most students within available resources.
(b) Programs for which funds are matched by the Federal Government or other nonstate sources and which are appropriate within the context of community education.
(c) Programs that provide before-school and after-school activities for children.
History.—s. 239, ch. 2002-387.
1004.98 Workforce literacy programs.—
(1) The workforce literacy program is established within the Florida College System institutions and school districts to ensure the existence of sufficient numbers of employees who possess the skills necessary to perform in entry-level occupations and to adapt to technological advances in the workplace. Workforce literacy programs are intended to support economic development by increasing adult literacy and producing an educated workforce.
(2) Each Florida College System institution and school district may conduct courses and programs through which adults gain the communication and computation skills necessary to complete a career program, to gain or maintain entry-level employment, or to upgrade employment. Courses may not be conducted until the Florida College System institution or school district identifies current and prospective employees who do not possess the skills necessary to enter career programs or to obtain or maintain employment.
(3) A Florida College System institution or school district may be eligible to fund a workforce literacy program pursuant to the provisions of s. 1004.94.
History.—s. 241, ch. 2002-387; s. 96, ch. 2004-357; s. 72, ch. 2011-5.