Florida Senate - 2025 CS for CS for SB 1624
By the Committee on Fiscal Policy; the Appropriations Committee
on Higher Education; and Senator Calatayud
594-03195-25 20251624c2
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to higher education; amending s.
3 11.51, F.S.; authorizing the Office of Program Policy
4 Analysis and Government Accountability to develop
5 contracts or agreements with institutions in the State
6 University System for a specified purpose; amending s.
7 251.001, F.S.; providing tuition assistance to active
8 members of the Florida State Guard; amending s.
9 288.036, F.S.; revising the duties of the Office of
10 Ocean Economy; amending s. 381.853, F.S.; specifying
11 that the President of the University of Florida
12 appoints the members of the scientific advisory
13 council within the Florida Center for Brain Tumor
14 Research; amending s. 413.407, F.S.; revising the
15 qualifications for members of the Assistive Technology
16 Advisory Council; increasing the maximum term length
17 for such members; amending s. 446.032, F.S.; revising
18 the date by which the Department of Education is
19 required to publish an annual report on apprenticeship
20 and preapprenticeship programs; amending s. 446.041,
21 F.S.; requiring the department to take into account
22 underrepresented groups in administering the
23 apprenticeship training program, rather than minority
24 and gender diversity; amending s. 1000.05, F.S.;
25 renaming the Florida Educational Equity Act as the
26 “Florida Educational Equality Act”; changing the term
27 “gender” to “sex”; requiring public schools and
28 Florida College System institutions to develop and
29 implement methods and strategies to increase
30 participation of underrepresented students, rather
31 than students with certain characteristics, in certain
32 programs and courses; requiring the Commissioner of
33 Education and the State Board of Education to utilize
34 their authority to enforce compliance; amending s.
35 1000.21, F.S.; renaming Hillsborough Community College
36 as “Hillsborough College”; creating s. 1001.68, F.S.;
37 authorizing Florida College System institutions with a
38 certain number of full-time equivalent students to
39 enter into cooperative agreements to form a state
40 college regional consortium service organization;
41 requiring such organizations to provide at least a
42 specified number of certain services; requiring that
43 regional consortium service organizations be governed
44 by a board of directors consisting of specified
45 members; amending s. 1001.706, F.S.; deleting a
46 requirement that state universities provide student
47 access to certain information; amending s. 1001.7065,
48 F.S.; revising academic standards for the preeminent
49 state research university program to include a
50 specified average Classic Learning Test score;
51 amending s. 1004.0971, F.S.; revising the definition
52 of the term “emergency opioid antagonist”; amending s.
53 1004.933, F.S.; authorizing an institution to enter
54 into an agreement with an online provider for the
55 adult education or career instruction portion of the
56 Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education (GATE)
57 Program; removing the age limit for enrollment in the
58 program; clarifying that students are not required to
59 enroll in adult secondary and career education
60 coursework simultaneously; amending s. 1005.06, F.S.;
61 authorizing certain institutions to operate without
62 licensure; specifying affirmations required as a part
63 of an affidavit; requiring submission of requested
64 documentation in a specified timeframe; requiring the
65 Commission for Independent Education to review such
66 affidavit in a public meeting; specifying commission
67 actions for noncompliance; authorizing the commission
68 to adopt rules; amending s. 1006.73, F.S.; revising
69 reporting requirements relating to the Florida
70 Postsecondary Academic Library Network; amending s.
71 1007.34, F.S.; expanding the scope of the college
72 reach-out program to all low-income educationally
73 disadvantaged and underrepresented students regardless
74 of minority status; amending s. 1007.35, F.S.;
75 revising legislative findings; renaming the Florida
76 Partnership for Minority and Underrepresented Student
77 Achievement as the “Florida Partnership for
78 Underrepresented Student Achievement”; revising the
79 purposes and duties of the partnership to focus on all
80 underrepresented students regardless of minority
81 status; revising duties of the partnership; amending
82 s. 1009.23, F.S.; authorizing the Florida College
83 System to allocate a portion of financial aid fees to
84 assist underrepresented students, rather than students
85 who are members of a targeted gender or ethnic
86 minority population; amending s. 1009.26, F.S.;
87 revising the residency requirement for a grandparent
88 for an out-of-state fee waiver; revising the residency
89 criteria for a grandparent in a specified attestation;
90 amending s. 1009.536, F.S.; clarifying the required
91 minimum cumulative weighted grade point average for
92 the Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars award; authorizing
93 students to apply for a Florida Gold Seal CAPE
94 Scholars award within a specified timeframe before or
95 after completing the GATE Program; amending s.
96 1009.897, F.S.; requiring institutions receiving funds
97 through the Prepping Institutions, Programs,
98 Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing
99 Education Fund to allocate funding to health care
100 related programs; amending s. 1011.804, F.S.;
101 authorizing certain institutions to apply for and use
102 grant funds under the GATE Startup Grant Program for
103 specified purposes; amending s. 1013.30, F.S.;
104 revising the timeframe for updates to state university
105 campus master plans; amending s. 1013.46, F.S.;
106 deleting a provision relating to set asides for
107 construction contracts with minority business
108 enterprises; amending s. 1007.27, F.S.; conforming a
109 provision to changes made by the act; providing an
110 effective date.
111
112 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
113
114 Section 1. Subsection (5) is added to section 11.51,
115 Florida Statutes, to read:
116 11.51 Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government
117 Accountability.—
118 (5) The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government
119 Accountability may develop contracts or agreements with
120 institutions in the State University System to use the expertise
121 of state university faculty and research staff to provide
122 assistance in analysis and evaluative research.
123 Section 2. Subsection (9) of section 251.001, Florida
124 Statutes, is amended to read:
125 251.001 Florida State Guard Act.—
126 (9) REIMBURSEMENT, BENEFIT, AND COMPENSATION.—
127 (a) The division shall reimburse members of the Florida
128 State Guard for per diem and travel expenses incurred to attend
129 required training or in the course of active service as provided
130 in s. 112.061.
131 (b) Members of the Florida State Guard may be compensated
132 for time spent training or in the course of active service at
133 rates established by the director, subject to appropriation.
134 (c) A member of the Florida State Guard may not make any
135 purchase or enter into any contract or agreement for purchases
136 or services as a charge against the state without the authority
137 of the director.
138 (d) As a benefit to the active members of the Florida State
139 Guard, subject to approval by the director of the Division of
140 the State Guard, each state university and Florida College
141 System institution shall waive tuition and fees for active
142 members of the Florida State Guard to enroll for up to 6 credit
143 hours of courses per term on a space-available basis.
144 Section 3. Subsections (3) and (4) of section 288.036,
145 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
146 288.036 Ocean economy development.—
147 (3) The Office of Ocean Economy shall:
148 (a) Develop and undertake activities and strategies with a
149 focus on research and development, technological innovation,
150 emerging industries, strategic business recruitment, public and
151 private funding opportunities, and workforce training and
152 education to promote and stimulate the ocean economy.
153 (b)1. Collaborate Foster relationships and coordinate with
154 state universities, private universities, career centers, and
155 Florida College System institutions, including the College of
156 the Florida Keys, to periodically survey surveying the
157 development of academic research relating to the ocean economy
158 across all disciplines and facilitating the transfer of
159 innovative technology into marketable goods and services. The
160 office shall encourage collaboration between state universities
161 and Florida College System institutions that have overlapping
162 areas of academic research.
163 2. Include and update on the office’s website information
164 related to:
165 a. An inventory of current research and current
166 collaborations, including contact information; and
167 b. Any available resources for research and technology
168 development, including financial opportunities.
169 (c) Collaborate with relevant industries to identify
170 economic challenges that may be solved through innovation in the
171 ocean economy, including commercializing or otherwise
172 facilitating public access to academic research and resources,
173 removing governmental barriers, strengthening the workforce, and
174 maximizing access to financial or other opportunities for growth
175 and development.
176 (d) Develop and facilitate a pipeline for innovative ideas
177 and strategies to be created, developed, researched,
178 commercialized, and financed. This includes promotion and
179 coordination of industry collaboration, academic research,
180 accelerator programs, training and technical assistance, and
181 startup or second-stage funding opportunities.
182 (e) Maintain and update on the office’s website:
183 1. Reports and data on the number, growth, and average
184 wages of jobs included in the ocean economy; the impacts on the
185 number, growth, and development of businesses in the ocean
186 economy; and the collaboration, transition, or adoption of
187 innovation and research into new, viable ideas employed in the
188 ocean economy.
189 2. A current inventory of programs related to the ocean
190 economy, an evaluation of additional opportunities to earn
191 credentials, and the institutions or training providers where
192 such credentials may be earned.
193 (f) Educate other state and local entities on the interests
194 of the ocean economy and how such entities may positively
195 address environmental issues while simultaneously considering
196 the economic impact of their policies.
197 (g) Communicate the state’s role as an integral component
198 of the ocean economy by promoting the state on national and
199 international platforms and other appropriate forums as the
200 premier destination for convening on pertinent subject matters.
201 (h) Collaborate with public and private educational and
202 industry organizations to make recommendations:
203 1. For strengthening employment opportunities in:
204 a. Commercial fishing;
205 b. Fisheries and aquaculture, marine and freshwater;
206 c. Processing and preserving fish, crustaceans, and
207 mollusks;
208 d. Shipbuilding and repair; and
209 e. Shipping, water transport such as sea and coastal and
210 inland water transportation of both freight and passengers,
211 ports, and related services and support activities.
212 2. Regarding the expansion of existing maritime programs
213 and the addition of new programs and strategies for a public
214 awareness campaign.
215 3. To increase the availability of dual enrollment,
216 preapprenticeship and apprenticeship, and work-study programs at
217 both public and private institutions.
218 4. For aligning the regulatory framework for fishing and
219 boat operations with the demand for personnel through
220 consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
221 (4) By August 1, 2025, and each August 1 thereafter, the
222 office shall provide to the Board of Governors, the Governor,
223 the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
224 Representatives and post on its website a detailed report on
225 demonstrating the economic benefits of the office and the
226 development of emerging ocean economy industries. By August 1,
227 2026, the report must include the recommendations in paragraph
228 (3)(h).
229 Section 4. Subsection (4) of section 381.853, Florida
230 Statutes, is amended to read:
231 381.853 Florida Center for Brain Tumor Research.—
232 (4) There is established within the center a scientific
233 advisory council that includes biomedical researchers,
234 physicians, clinicians, and representatives from public and
235 private universities and hospitals. The council shall meet at
236 least annually.
237 (a) The council shall consist of members appointed by the
238 President of the University of Florida, in consultation with the
239 dean of the University of Florida College of Medicine:
240 1. Two members from the Florida Center for Brain Tumor
241 Research within the Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain
242 Institute of the University of Florida appointed by the
243 Governor.
244 2. Two members from The Scripps Research Institute, one of
245 whom must have expertise in basic brain tumor research,
246 appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
247 3. Two members from other public and private universities
248 and institutions directly involved in brain tumor research
249 appointed by the President of the Senate.
250 4. One member from the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville who is
251 directly involved in the treatment of brain tumor patients or
252 who has expertise in basic brain tumor research appointed by the
253 State Surgeon General.
254 5. Two members from the Cleveland Clinic in Florida who are
255 directly involved in basic brain tumor research appointed by the
256 Governor.
257 6. One member from the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and
258 Research Institute who is directly involved in the treatment of
259 brain tumor patients or who has expertise in basic brain tumor
260 research appointed by the Speaker of the House of
261 Representatives.
262 7. One member from the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando
263 who is directly involved in the treatment of brain tumor
264 patients or who has expertise in basic brain tumor research
265 appointed by the President of the Senate.
266 (b) Council members shall serve staggered 4-year terms.
267 (c) Council members shall serve without compensation, and
268 each organization represented shall cover all expenses of its
269 representative.
270 Section 5. Paragraphs (d) and (f) of subsection (1) of
271 section 413.407, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
272 413.407 Assistive Technology Advisory Council.—There is
273 created the Assistive Technology Advisory Council, responsible
274 for ensuring consumer involvement in the creation, application,
275 and distribution of technology-related assistance to and for
276 persons who have disabilities. The council shall fulfill its
277 responsibilities through statewide policy development, state and
278 federal legislative initiatives, advocacy at the state and
279 federal levels, planning of statewide resource allocations,
280 policy-level management, and reviews of consumer responsiveness
281 and the adequacy of program service delivery and by performing
282 the functions listed in this section.
283 (1)
284 (d) Members of the council must be geographically
285 representative of the state and reflect the diversity of the
286 state’s population with respect to race, ethnicity, gender, age,
287 type of disability, and type of disability-related services and
288 devices received.
289 (f)1. Each member of the council shall serve for a term of
290 not more than 5 3 years, except that a member appointed to fill
291 a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which
292 a predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder
293 of such term.
294 2. A member of the council may not serve more than two
295 consecutive terms; however, any appointment under subparagraph
296 1., if for less than 18 months, is not considered a term for the
297 purposes of this section.
298 3. A member who has served two consecutive terms and has
299 been retired from the council for at least 3 years may be
300 reappointed to the council on the same basis as a new member.
301 Section 6. Subsection (2) of section 446.032, Florida
302 Statutes, is amended to read:
303 446.032 General duties of the department for apprenticeship
304 training.—The department shall:
305 (2) By November 30 September 1 of each year, publish an
306 annual report on apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs.
307 The report must be published on the department’s website and, at
308 a minimum, include all of the following:
309 (a) A list of registered apprenticeship and
310 preapprenticeship programs, sorted by local educational agency,
311 as defined in s. 1004.02(18), and apprenticeship sponsor, under
312 s. 446.071.
313 (b) A detailed summary of each local educational agency’s
314 expenditure of funds for apprenticeship and preapprenticeship
315 programs, including:
316 1. The total amount of funds received for apprenticeship
317 and preapprenticeship programs.
318 2. The total amount of funds allocated by training
319 provider, program, and occupation.
320 3. The total amount of funds expended for administrative
321 costs by training provider, program, and occupation.
322 4. The total amount of funds expended for instructional
323 costs by training provider, program, and occupation.
324 (c) The number of apprentices and preapprentices per trade
325 and occupation.
326 (d) The percentage of apprentices and preapprentices who
327 complete their respective programs in the appropriate timeframe.
328 (e) Information and resources related to applications for
329 new apprenticeship programs and technical assistance and
330 requirements for potential applicants.
331 (f) Documentation of activities conducted by the department
332 to promote apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs through
333 public engagement, community-based partnerships, and other
334 initiatives and the outcomes of such activities and their impact
335 on establishing or expanding apprenticeship and
336 preapprenticeship programs.
337 (g) Retention and completion rates of participants
338 disaggregated by training provider, program, and occupation.
339 (h) Wage progression of participants as demonstrated by
340 starting, exit, and postapprenticeship wages at 1 and 5 years
341 after participants exit the program.
342 Section 7. Subsection (12) of section 446.041, Florida
343 Statutes, is amended to read:
344 446.041 Duties of the department.—The department shall:
345 (12) Ensure that underrepresented groups minority and
346 gender diversity are considered in administering this program.
347 Section 8. Subsection (1), paragraph (d) of subsection (2),
348 paragraph (e) of subsection (3), subsection (5), and subsection
349 (7) of section 1000.05, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
350 1000.05 Discrimination against students and employees in
351 the Florida K-20 public education system prohibited; equality of
352 access required.—
353 (1) This section may be cited as the “Florida Educational
354 Equality Equity Act.”
355 (2)
356 (d) Students may be separated by sex for a single-sex
357 single-gender program, for any portion of a class that deals
358 with human reproduction, or during participation in bodily
359 contact sports. For the purpose of this section, bodily contact
360 sports include wrestling, boxing, rugby, ice hockey, football,
361 basketball, and other sports in which the purpose or major
362 activity involves bodily contact.
363 (3)
364 (e) A public school or Florida College System institution
365 may provide separate toilet, locker room, and shower facilities
366 on the basis of sex gender, but such facilities shall be
367 comparable to such facilities provided for students of the other
368 sex.
369 (5) Public schools and Florida College System institutions
370 shall develop and implement methods and strategies to increase
371 the participation of underrepresented students of a particular
372 race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or marital status
373 in programs and courses in which students of that particular
374 race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or marital status
375 have been traditionally underrepresented, including, but not
376 limited to, mathematics, science, computer technology,
377 electronics, communications technology, engineering, and career
378 education.
379 (7) The functions of the Office of Equal Educational
380 Opportunity of the Department of Education shall include, but
381 are not limited to:
382 (a) Requiring all district school boards and Florida
383 College System institution boards of trustees to develop and
384 submit plans for the implementation of this section to the
385 Department of Education.
386 (b) Conducting periodic reviews of school districts and
387 Florida College System institutions to determine compliance with
388 this section and, after a finding that a school district or a
389 Florida College System institution is not in compliance with
390 this section, notifying the entity of the steps that it must
391 take to attain compliance and performing followup monitoring.
392 (c) Providing technical assistance, including assisting
393 school districts or Florida College System institutions in
394 identifying unlawful discrimination and instructing them in
395 remedies for correction and prevention of such discrimination
396 and performing followup monitoring.
397 (d) Conducting studies of the effectiveness of methods and
398 strategies designed to increase the participation of students in
399 programs and courses in which students of a particular race,
400 color, national origin, sex, disability, or marital status have
401 been traditionally underrepresented and monitoring the success
402 of students in such programs or courses, including performing
403 followup monitoring.
404 (e) Requiring all district school boards and Florida
405 College System institution boards of trustees to submit data and
406 information necessary to determine compliance with this section.
407 The Commissioner of Education shall prescribe the format and the
408 date for submission of such data and any other educational
409 equity data. If any board does not submit the required
410 compliance data or other required educational equity data by the
411 prescribed date, the commissioner shall notify the board of this
412 fact and, if the board does not take appropriate action to
413 immediately submit the required report, the State Board of
414 Education shall impose monetary sanctions.
415 (f) Based upon rules of the State Board of Education,
416 developing and implementing enforcement mechanisms with
417 appropriate penalties to ensure that public K-12 schools and
418 Florida College System institutions comply with Title IX of the
419 Education Amendments of 1972 and subsection (3) of this section.
420 However, the State Board of Education may not force a public
421 school or Florida College System institution to conduct, nor
422 penalize such entity for not conducting, a program of athletic
423 activity or athletic scholarship for female athletes unless it
424 is an athletic activity approved for women by a recognized
425 association whose purpose is to promote athletics and a
426 conference or league exists to promote interscholastic or
427 intercollegiate competition for women in that athletic activity.
428 (g) Reporting to The Commissioner of Education any district
429 school board or Florida College System institution board of
430 trustees found to be out of compliance with rules of the State
431 Board of Education adopted as required by paragraph (f) or
432 paragraph (3)(d). To penalize the board, the State Board of
433 Education shall:
434 1. Declare the school district or Florida College System
435 institution ineligible for competitive state grants.
436 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.192, direct the
437 Chief Financial Officer to withhold general revenue funds
438 sufficient to obtain compliance from the school district or
439 Florida College System institution.
440
441 The school district or Florida College System institution shall
442 remain ineligible and the funds shall not be paid until the
443 institution comes into compliance or the State Board of
444 Education approves a plan for compliance.
445
446 The Commissioner of Education and the State Board of Education
447 shall use their authority under s. 1008.32 to enforce compliance
448 with this subsection.
449 Section 9. Paragraph (j) of subsection (5) of section
450 1000.21, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
451 1000.21 Systemwide definitions.—As used in the Florida
452 Early Learning-20 Education Code:
453 (5) “Florida College System institution” except as
454 otherwise specifically provided, includes all of the following
455 public postsecondary educational institutions in the Florida
456 College System and any branch campuses, centers, or other
457 affiliates of the institution:
458 (j) Hillsborough Community College, which serves
459 Hillsborough County.
460 Section 10. Section 1001.68, Florida Statutes, is created
461 to read:
462 1001.68 State college regional consortium service
463 organizations.—In order to create effectiveness and efficiency
464 of small institutions in the Florida College System which serve
465 rural communities:
466 (1) Colleges with 5,000 or fewer full-time equivalent
467 students may enter into cooperative agreements to form a
468 regional consortium service organization. Each regional
469 consortium service organization shall, at a minimum, provide
470 three of the following services: grant procurement;
471 institutional research and reporting; risk management;
472 professional development for faculty and staff; leadership
473 support; information technology and cybersecurity training;
474 faculty and staff recruitment; workforce development programs;
475 cooperative purchasing; administrative services; or enrollment
476 management services.
477 (2) Each regional consortium service organization must be
478 governed by a board of directors composed of the presidents of
479 the respective member colleges.
480 Section 11. Paragraph (d) of subsection (5) of section
481 1001.706, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
482 1001.706 Powers and duties of the Board of Governors.—
483 (5) POWERS AND DUTIES RELATING TO ACCOUNTABILITY.—
484 (d) The Board of Governors shall annually require a state
485 university prior to registration to provide each enrolled
486 student electronic access to the economic security report of
487 employment and earning outcomes prepared by the Department of
488 Commerce pursuant to s. 445.07. In addition, the Board of
489 Governors shall require a state university to provide each
490 student electronic access to the following information each year
491 prior to registration using the data described in s. 1008.39:
492 1. The top 25 percent of degrees reported by the university
493 in terms of highest full-time job placement and highest average
494 annualized earnings in the year after earning the degree.
495 2. The bottom 10 percent of degrees reported by the
496 university in terms of lowest full-time job placement and lowest
497 average annualized earnings in the year after earning the
498 degree.
499 Section 12. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
500 1001.7065, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
501 1001.7065 Preeminent state research universities program.—
502 (2) ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH EXCELLENCE STANDARDS.—The
503 following academic and research excellence standards are
504 established for the preeminent state research universities
505 program and shall be reported annually in the Board of Governors
506 Accountability Plan:
507 (a) An average weighted grade point average of 4.0 or
508 higher on a 4.0 scale and an average SAT score of 1200 or higher
509 on a 1600-point scale or an average ACT score of 25 or higher on
510 a 36 score scale, using the latest published national
511 concordance table developed jointly by the College Board and
512 ACT, Inc., or an average Classic Learning Test score of 83 or
513 higher on a 120 score scale, for fall semester incoming
514 freshmen, as reported annually.
515 Section 13. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
516 1004.0971, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
517 1004.0971 Emergency opioid antagonists in Florida College
518 System institution and state university housing.—
519 (1) As used in this section, the term:
520 (b) “Emergency opioid antagonist” means a naloxone
521 hydrochloride or any similarly acting drug that blocks the
522 effects of opioids administered from outside the body and that
523 is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration
524 for the treatment of an opioid overdose.
525 Section 14. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) and paragraph
526 (b) of subsection (4) of section 1004.933, Florida Statutes, are
527 amended to read:
528 1004.933 Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education
529 (GATE) Program.—
530 (3) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
531 (b) “Institution” means any a school district career center
532 established under s. 1001.44, a charter technical career center
533 established under s. 1002.34, or a Florida College System
534 institution identified in s. 1000.21. Any such institution may
535 enter into an agreement with an online provider for the adult
536 education or career instruction portion of the program if such
537 provider offers instructional content and services that align
538 with the state career and adult education curriculum frameworks.
539 (4) PAYMENT WAIVER; ELIGIBILITY.—
540 (b) To be eligible for participation in the GATE Program, a
541 student must:
542 1. Not have earned a standard high school diploma pursuant
543 to s. 1003.4282 or a high school equivalency diploma pursuant to
544 s. 1003.435 before enrolling in the GATE Program;
545 2. Have been withdrawn from high school;
546 3. Be a resident of this state as defined in s. 1009.21(1);
547 4. Be at least 16 to 21 years of age at the time of initial
548 enrollment, provided that a student who is 16 or 17 years of age
549 has withdrawn from school enrollment pursuant to the
550 requirements and safeguards in s. 1003.21(1)(c);
551 5. Select the adult secondary education program and career
552 education program of his or her choice at the time of admission
553 to the GATE Program, provided that the career education program
554 is included on the Master Credentials List under s. 445.004(4).
555 The student is not required to enroll in adult secondary and
556 career education program coursework simultaneously. The student
557 may not change the requested pathway after enrollment, except
558 that, if necessary for the student, the student may enroll in an
559 adult basic education program prior to enrolling in the adult
560 secondary education program;
561 6. Maintain a 2.0 GPA for career and technical education
562 coursework; and
563 7. Notwithstanding s. 1003.435(4), complete the programs
564 under subparagraph 5. within 3 years after his or her initial
565 enrollment unless the institution determines that an extension
566 is warranted due to extenuating circumstances.
567 Section 15. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of section
568 1005.06, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
569 1005.06 Institutions not under the jurisdiction or purview
570 of the commission.—
571 (1) Except as otherwise provided in law, the following
572 institutions are not under the jurisdiction or purview of the
573 commission and are not required to obtain licensure:
574 (f)1. A nonpublic religious postsecondary educational
575 institution religious college may operate without licensure
576 governmental oversight if the institution college annually
577 verifies by sworn affidavit to the commission each of the
578 following affirmations that:
579 a.1. The name of the institution includes a religious
580 modifier or the name of a religious patriarch, saint, person, or
581 symbol of the church.
582 b. An explanation of the religious modifier, religious
583 name, or religious symbol used in the institution’s name.
584 c.2. The institution offers only educational programs that
585 prepare students for religious vocations as ministers,
586 professionals, or laypersons in the categories of ministry,
587 counseling, theology, education, administration, music, fine
588 arts, media communications, or social work.
589 d.3. The titles of degrees issued by the institution cannot
590 be confused with secular degree titles. For this purpose, each
591 degree title must include a religious modifier that immediately
592 precedes, or is included within, any of the following degrees:
593 Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts,
594 Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Doctor
595 of Philosophy, and Doctor of Education. The religious modifier
596 must be placed on the title line of the degree, on the
597 transcript, and whenever the title of the degree appears in
598 official school documents or publications.
599 e. The titles and majors of every degree program offered by
600 the institution as they appear on degrees and transcripts issued
601 by the institution.
602 f.4. The duration of all degree programs offered by the
603 institution is consistent with the standards of the commission.
604 g.5. The institution’s consumer practices are consistent
605 with those required by s. 1005.04.
606 2. If requested by the commission, the institution must
607 submit documentation demonstrating compliance with the
608 requirements of this paragraph and with s. 1005.04. The
609 institution must submit such documentation within 30 days after
610 the request.
611 3. The commission shall review for approval or denial, in a
612 public meeting, affidavits submitted pursuant to this paragraph.
613 The commission shall approve an affidavit unless the affidavit
614 is facially invalid, the affidavit is contradicted by the
615 institution’s public advertisements or by other evidence, or the
616 institution has failed to comply with the requirements of
617 subparagraph 2. The commission may provide such a religious
618 institution a letter stating that the institution has met the
619 requirements of state law and is not subject to licensure by the
620 commission governmental oversight.
621 a. If a nonpublic religious postsecondary educational
622 institution that has been issued a written notice of exemption
623 from licensure by the commission subsequently fails to comply
624 with the requirements of this paragraph, the commission must
625 revoke its approval of the institution’s affidavit in a public
626 meeting.
627 b. If an affidavit is denied by the commission, the
628 commission may take any of the actions specified in s. 1005.38
629 unless the institution applies for a license pursuant to s.
630 1005.31(1)(a), ceases operating in this state, or submits
631 documentation indicating compliance with this paragraph.
632 c. The commission may adopt rules to administer this
633 paragraph.
634 Section 16. Subsections (5) and (7) of section 1006.73,
635 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
636 1006.73 Florida Postsecondary Academic Library Network.—
637 (5) REPORTING.—
638 (a) By December 31 each year, the host entity shall submit
639 a report to the Chancellors of the State University System and
640 the Florida College System regarding the implementation and
641 operation of all components described in this section,
642 including, but not limited to, all of the following:
643 (a)1. Usage information collected under paragraph (2)(c).
644 (b)2. Information and associated costs relating to the
645 services and functions of the program.
646 (c)3. The implementation and operation of the automated
647 library services.
648 (d)4. The number and value of grants awarded under
649 paragraph (4)(d) and the distribution of those funds.
650 5. The number and types of courses placed in the Student
651 Open Access Resources Repository.
652 6. Information on the utilization of the Student Open
653 Access Resources Repository and utilization of open educational
654 resources in course sections, by Florida College System
655 institution and state university.
656 (b) The Chancellors will provide an annual report on the
657 performance of the host entity in delivering the services and
658 any recommendations for changes needed to this section to the
659 Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House
660 of Representatives, the Board of Governors, and the State Board
661 of Education. The Board of Governors and the Department of
662 Education shall include any necessary funding increases in their
663 annual legislative budget requests.
664 (7) RECOMMENDATION ON OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO BE
665 INCLUDED WITHIN THE FLORIDA POSTSECONDARY ACADEMIC LIBRARY
666 NETWORK.—By June 1, 2022, the Commissioner of Education and the
667 Chancellor of the Board of Governors shall provide a joint
668 recommendation for a process by which school district career
669 centers operated under s. 1001.44 and charter technical career
670 centers under s. 1002.34 would access appropriate postsecondary
671 distance learning, student support services and library assets
672 described in this section. The recommendation must include an
673 analysis of the resources necessary to expand access and assets
674 to centers and their students.
675 Section 17. Paragraph (d) of subsection (5) and paragraph
676 (c) of subsection (7) of section 1007.34, Florida Statutes, are
677 amended to read:
678 1007.34 College reach-out program.—
679 (5) In selecting proposals for approval, the State Board of
680 Education shall give preference to:
681 (d) A program that includes innovative approaches, provides
682 a great variety of activities, and includes a large percentage
683 of low-income educationally disadvantaged and underrepresented
684 minority students in the college reach-out program.
685 (7) A proposal must contain the following information:
686 (c) An identification of existing programs for enhancing
687 the academic performance of minority and low-income
688 educationally disadvantaged and underrepresented students for
689 enrollment in postsecondary education.
690 Section 18. Section 1007.35, Florida Statutes, is amended
691 to read:
692 1007.35 Florida Partnership for Minority and
693 Underrepresented Student Achievement.—
694 (1) This section may be referred to by the popular name the
695 “Florida Partnership for Minority and Underrepresented Student
696 Achievement Act.”
697 (2)(a) The Legislature recognizes the importance of not
698 only access to college but also success in college for all
699 students. It is the intent of the Legislature that every student
700 enrolled in a public secondary school has access to high
701 quality, rigorous academics, with a particular focus on access
702 to advanced courses. The Legislature also recognizes the
703 importance of other career pathways, such as vocational and
704 trade schools, and the importance of incentivizing the
705 availability of high school programs to prepare students for
706 those career paths.
707 (b) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide
708 assistance to all public secondary schools, with a primary focus
709 on low-performing middle and high schools.
710 (c) It is the intent of the Legislature that the
711 partnership created in this section accomplish its mission
712 primarily through strengthening the content knowledge of
713 teachers and providing instructional resources, including
714 materials and strategies, which enable teachers to provide
715 instruction to students who have diverse learning styles.
716 (3) There is created the Florida Partnership for Minority
717 and Underrepresented Student Achievement. The Department of
718 Education may contract for operation of the partnership.
719 (4) The mission of the partnership is to prepare, inspire,
720 and connect students to postsecondary success and opportunity,
721 with a particular focus on minority students and students who
722 are underrepresented in postsecondary education.
723 (5) Each public high school, including, but not limited to,
724 schools and alternative sites and centers of the Department of
725 Juvenile Justice, shall provide for the administration of the
726 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
727 (PSAT/NMSQT), or the PreACT to all enrolled 10th grade students.
728 However, a written notice shall be provided to each parent which
729 must include the opportunity to exempt his or her child from
730 taking the PSAT/NMSQT or the PreACT.
731 (a) Test results will provide each high school with a
732 database of student assessment data which certified school
733 counselors will use to identify students who are prepared or who
734 need additional work to be prepared to enroll and be successful
735 in advanced high school courses.
736 (b) Funding for the PSAT/NMSQT or the PreACT for all 10th
737 grade students shall be contingent upon annual funding in the
738 General Appropriations Act.
739 (c) Public school districts must choose either the
740 PSAT/NMSQT or the PreACT for districtwide administration.
741 (6) The partnership shall:
742 (a) Provide teacher training and professional learning to
743 enable teachers of advanced courses to have the necessary
744 content knowledge and instructional skills to prepare students
745 for success on assessments developed pursuant to s. 1007.27(2)
746 and mastery of postsecondary general education core courses.
747 (b) Provide to middle school teachers and administrators
748 professional learning that will enable them to educate middle
749 school students at the level necessary to prepare the students
750 to enter high school ready to participate in advanced courses.
751 (c) Provide teacher training and materials that are aligned
752 with the state standards and are consistent with best theory and
753 practice regarding multiple learning styles and research on
754 learning, instructional strategies, instructional design, and
755 classroom assessment. Curriculum materials must be based on
756 current, accepted, and essential academic knowledge.
757 (d) Provide assessment of individual strengths and
758 weaknesses as related to potential success in advanced courses
759 and readiness for college.
760 (b)(e) Provide college entrance exam preparation through a
761 variety of means that may include, but are not limited to,
762 training teachers to provide courses at schools; training
763 community organizations to provide courses at community centers,
764 faith-based organizations, and businesses; and providing online
765 courses.
766 (f) Consider ways to incorporate Florida College System
767 institutions in the mission of preparing all students for
768 postsecondary success.
769 (c)(g) Provide a plan for communication and coordination of
770 efforts with the Florida Virtual School’s provision of online
771 advanced courses.
772 (d)(h) Work with school districts to identify minority and
773 underrepresented students for participation in advanced courses.
774 (e)(i) Work with school districts to provide information to
775 students and parents that explains available opportunities for
776 students to take advanced courses and that explains enrollment
777 procedures that students must follow to enroll in such courses.
778 Such information must also explain the value of such courses as
779 they relate to:
780 1. Preparing the student for postsecondary level
781 coursework.
782 2. Enabling the student to gain access to postsecondary
783 education opportunities.
784 3. Qualifying for scholarships and other financial aid
785 opportunities.
786 (f)(j) Provide information to students, parents, teachers,
787 counselors, administrators, districts, Florida College System
788 institutions, and state universities regarding PSAT/NMSQT or the
789 PreACT administration, including, but not limited to:
790 1. Test administration dates and times.
791 2. That participation in the PSAT/NMSQT or the PreACT is
792 open to all 10th grade students.
793 3. The value of such tests in providing diagnostic feedback
794 on student skills.
795 4. The value of student scores in predicting the
796 probability of success on advanced course examinations.
797 (k) Cooperate with the department to provide information to
798 administrators, teachers, and counselors, whenever possible,
799 about partnership activities, opportunities, and priorities.
800 (g)(l) Partner with the Florida College System institutions
801 and state universities identified by the State Board of
802 Education and Board of Governors pursuant to s. 1007.25(3) to
803 develop advanced courses and provide teacher training.
804 (7) By May 31 of each year, the Department of Education
805 shall approve a plan of delivery of services for the subsequent
806 academic year.
807 (8)(a) By September 30 of each year, the partnership shall
808 submit to the department a report that contains an evaluation of
809 the effectiveness of the delivered services and activities.
810 Activities and services must be evaluated on their effectiveness
811 at raising student achievement and increasing the number of AP
812 or other advanced course examinations in low-performing middle
813 and high schools. Other indicators that must be addressed in the
814 evaluation report include the number of middle and high school
815 teachers trained; the effectiveness of the training; measures of
816 postsecondary readiness of the students affected by the program;
817 levels of participation in 10th grade PSAT/NMSQT or the PreACT
818 testing; and measures of student, parent, and teacher awareness
819 of and satisfaction with the services of the partnership.
820 (b) The department shall contribute to the evaluation
821 process by providing access, consistent with s. 119.071(5)(a),
822 to student and teacher information necessary to match against
823 databases containing teacher professional learning data and
824 databases containing assessment data for the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT,
825 ACT, PreACT, AP, and other appropriate measures. The department
826 shall also provide student-level data on student progress from
827 middle school through high school and into college and the
828 workforce, if available, in order to support longitudinal
829 studies. The partnership shall analyze and report student
830 performance data in a manner that protects the rights of
831 students and parents as required in 20 U.S.C. s. 1232g and s.
832 1002.22.
833 (9)(a) Funding for the partnership shall be contingent upon
834 annual funding in the General Appropriations Act.
835 (b) The participating partner, if one is chosen, is
836 required to match at least one-third of the allocation provided
837 to the partnership in the General Appropriations Act in
838 materials and services to the program.
839 (10) Nothing in this section shall prohibit any
840 organization from partnering with the state to improve the
841 college readiness of students.
842 Section 19. Paragraph (c) of subsection (8) of section
843 1009.23, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
844 1009.23 Florida College System institution student fees.—
845 (8)(c) Up to 25 percent or $600,000, whichever is greater,
846 of the financial aid fees collected may be used to assist
847 students who demonstrate academic merit; who participate in
848 athletics, public service, cultural arts, and other
849 extracurricular programs as determined by the institution; or
850 who are identified as members of an underrepresented a targeted
851 gender or ethnic minority population. The financial aid fee
852 revenues allocated for athletic scholarships and any fee
853 exemptions provided to athletes pursuant to s. 1009.25(2) must
854 be distributed equitably as required by s. 1000.05(3)(d). A
855 minimum of 75 percent of the balance of these funds for new
856 awards shall be used to provide financial aid based on absolute
857 need, and the remainder of the funds shall be used for academic
858 merit purposes and other purposes approved by the boards of
859 trustees. Such other purposes shall include the payment of child
860 care fees for students with financial need. The State Board of
861 Education shall develop criteria for making financial aid
862 awards. Each college shall report annually to the Department of
863 Education on the revenue collected pursuant to this paragraph,
864 the amount carried forward, the criteria used to make awards,
865 the amount and number of awards for each criterion, and a
866 delineation of the distribution of such awards. The report shall
867 include an assessment by category of the financial need of every
868 student who receives an award, regardless of the purpose for
869 which the award is received. Awards that are based on financial
870 need shall be distributed in accordance with a nationally
871 recognized system of need analysis approved by the State Board
872 of Education. An award for academic merit requires a minimum
873 overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or the
874 equivalent for both initial receipt of the award and renewal of
875 the award.
876 Section 20. Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (20) of
877 section 1009.26, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
878 1009.26 Fee waivers.—
879 (20)(a) Beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, a state
880 university shall waive the out-of-state fee for a student who:
881 1. Has a grandparent who has established a domicile in this
882 state pursuant to s. 222.17 for at least 5 years preceding an
883 application for the fee waiver is a legal resident as defined in
884 s. 1009.21(1). For purposes of this subsection, the term
885 “grandparent” means a person who has a legal relationship to a
886 student’s parent as the natural or adoptive parent or legal
887 guardian of the student’s parent.
888 2. Earns a high school diploma comparable to a Florida
889 standard high school diploma, or its equivalent, or completes a
890 home education program.
891 3.a. Achieves an SAT combined score no lower than the 89th
892 national percentile on the SAT;
893 b. Achieves an ACT score concordant to the required SAT
894 score in sub-subparagraph a., using the latest published
895 national concordance table developed jointly by the College
896 Board and ACT, Inc.; or
897 c. If a state university accepts the Classic Learning Test
898 (CLT) for admission purposes, achieves a CLT score concordant to
899 the required SAT score specified in sub-subparagraph a., using
900 the latest published scoring comparison developed by Classic
901 Learning Initiatives.
902 4. Beginning with students who initially enroll in the 2022
903 fall academic term and thereafter, enrolls as a full-time
904 undergraduate student at a state university in the fall academic
905 term immediately following high school graduation.
906 (c) Before waiving the out-of-state fee, the state
907 university shall require the student or the student’s parent, if
908 the student is a dependent child, to provide a written
909 declaration pursuant to s. 92.525(2) attesting to the student’s
910 familial relationship to a grandparent who meets the residency
911 requirement of subparagraph (a)1. is a legal resident and any
912 other corroborating documentation required by regulation of the
913 Board of Governors. A state university is not required to
914 independently verify the statements contained in each
915 declaration if the signatory declares it to be true under the
916 penalties of perjury as required by s. 92.525(2). However, the
917 state university may refer any signed declaration suspected of
918 containing fraudulent representations to law enforcement.
919 Section 21. Subsection (2) of section 1009.536, Florida
920 Statutes, is amended, and subsection (6) is added to that
921 section, to read:
922 1009.536 Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars and Florida
923 Gold Seal CAPE Scholars awards.—The Florida Gold Seal Vocational
924 Scholars award and the Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars award are
925 created within the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program to
926 recognize and reward academic achievement and career preparation
927 by high school students who wish to continue their education.
928 (2) A student is eligible for a Florida Gold Seal CAPE
929 Scholars award if he or she meets the general eligibility
930 requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program,
931 and the student:
932 (a) Earns a minimum of 3 5 postsecondary credit hours
933 through CAPE industry certifications approved pursuant to s.
934 1008.44 which articulate for college credit; and
935 (b) Earns a minimum cumulative weighted grade point average
936 of 2.5, as calculated pursuant to s. 1009.531, on all subjects
937 required for a standard high school diploma, excluding elective
938 courses; and
939 (c) Completes at least 30 hours of volunteer service or,
940 beginning with a high school student graduating in the 2022-2023
941 academic year and thereafter, 100 hours of paid work, approved
942 by the district school board, the administrators of a nonpublic
943 school, or the Department of Education for home education
944 program students, or 100 hours of a combination of both.
945 Eligible paid work completed on or after June 27, 2022, shall be
946 included in a student’s total required paid work hours. The
947 student may identify a social or civic issue or a professional
948 area that interests him or her and develop a plan for his or her
949 personal involvement in addressing the issue or learning about
950 the area. The student must, through papers or other
951 presentations, evaluate and reflect upon his or her experience.
952 Such volunteer service or paid work may include, but is not
953 limited to, a business or governmental internship, work for a
954 nonprofit community service organization, or activities on
955 behalf of a candidate for public office. The hours of volunteer
956 service or paid work must be documented in writing, and the
957 document must be signed by the student, the student’s parent or
958 guardian, and a representative of the organization for which the
959 student performed the volunteer service or paid work.
960 (6) Before or within 3 months after completion of the GATE
961 Program as provided in s. 1004.933, a student may apply for the
962 Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars award.
963 Section 22. Present subsection (4) of section 1009.897,
964 Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (5), and a new
965 subsection (4) is added to that section, to read:
966 1009.897 Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and
967 Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE)
968 Fund.—
969 (4) Each institution that receives funds through the
970 PIPELINE Fund shall allocate the funds to its health care
971 industry-related programs.
972 Section 23. Subsections (3) and (6) of section 1011.804,
973 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
974 1011.804 GATE Startup Grant Program.—
975 (3) The department may solicit proposals from institutions
976 without programs that meet the requirements of s. 1004.933(2).
977 Such institutions must be located in or serve a rural area of
978 opportunity as designated by the Governor. Additionally,
979 institutions that meet program requirements and are located in
980 or serve a rural area of opportunity may apply for grant funds
981 specifically for marketing and outreach efforts to expand
982 student participation in the GATE Program.
983 (6) Grant funds may be used for planning activities and
984 other expenses associated with the creation of the GATE Program,
985 such as expenses related to program instruction, instructional
986 equipment, supplies, instructional personnel, and student
987 services, and outreach and marketing efforts to recruit and
988 enroll eligible students. Institutions with existing programs
989 that meet the requirements of s. 1004.933(2) and that are
990 located in or serve a rural area of opportunity may apply for
991 grant funds exclusively for marketing and outreach purposes to
992 expand student participation in the GATE Program. Grant funds
993 may not be used for indirect costs. Grant recipients must submit
994 an annual report in a format prescribed by the department. The
995 department shall consolidate such annual reports and include the
996 reports in the report required by s. 1004.933(5).
997 Section 24. Subsection (3) of section 1013.30, Florida
998 Statutes, is amended to read:
999 1013.30 University campus master plans and campus
1000 development agreements.—
1001 (3) Each university board of trustees shall prepare and
1002 adopt a campus master plan for the university and maintain a
1003 copy of the plan on the university’s website. The master plan
1004 must identify general land uses and address the need for and
1005 plans for provision of roads, parking, public transportation,
1006 solid waste, drainage, sewer, potable water, and recreation and
1007 open space during the coming 10 to 20 years. The plans must
1008 contain elements relating to future land use, intergovernmental
1009 coordination, capital improvements, recreation and open space,
1010 general infrastructure, housing, and conservation. Each element
1011 must address compatibility with the surrounding community. The
1012 master plan must identify specific land uses, general location
1013 of structures, densities and intensities of use, and contain
1014 standards for onsite development, site design, environmental
1015 management, and the preservation of historic and archaeological
1016 resources. The transportation element must address reasonable
1017 transportation demand management techniques to minimize offsite
1018 impacts where possible. Data and analyses on which the elements
1019 are based must include, at a minimum: the characteristics of
1020 vacant lands; projected impacts of development on onsite and
1021 offsite infrastructure, public services, and natural resources;
1022 student enrollment projections; student housing needs; and the
1023 need for academic and support facilities. Master plans must be
1024 updated at least every 10 5 years.
1025 Section 25. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section
1026 1013.46, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1027 1013.46 Advertising and awarding contracts;
1028 prequalification of contractor.—
1029 (1)
1030 (c) As an option, any county, municipality, or board may
1031 set aside up to 10 percent of the total amount of funds
1032 allocated for the purpose of entering into construction capital
1033 project contracts with minority business enterprises, as defined
1034 in s. 287.094. Such contracts shall be competitively bid only
1035 among minority business enterprises. The set-aside shall be used
1036 to redress present effects of past discriminatory practices and
1037 shall be subject to periodic reassessment to account for
1038 changing needs and circumstances.
1039 Section 26. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
1040 1007.27, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1041 1007.27 Articulated acceleration mechanisms.—
1042 (1)
1043 (b) The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors
1044 shall identify Florida College System institutions and state
1045 universities to develop courses that align with s. 1007.25 for
1046 students in secondary education and provide the training
1047 required under s. 1007.35(6).
1048 Section 27. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.