HB0085 • 2026

Swimming Lesson Voucher Program

Children

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Kendall ; Eskamani ; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Daley ; Gossett-Seidman ; Harris ; Hunschofsky ; López, J. ; Maggard ; Partington
Last action: 2026-03-09
Official status: House - Laid on Table, refer to SB 428
Effective date: 2026-07-01

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is July 1, 2026, but it is unclear how this affects children who are currently eligible under the old rules.

Swimming Lesson Voucher Program Age Change

This bill changes the age limit for children who can get swimming lesson vouchers from up to 7 years old to no more than 4 years old.

What This Bill Does

Changes the maximum age requirement for eligible children in the Swimming Lesson Voucher Program.
Sets the new upper age limit at 4 years of age instead of 7 years of age.
Keeps the income rule that families must earn no more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

Who It Names or Affects

Families with children between ages 1 and 4 who want swimming lesson vouchers
Children aged 5, 6, or 7 years old who previously qualified for the program

Terms To Know

Swimming Lesson Voucher Program: A state plan that offers swimming lesson vouchers at no cost to families with low incomes.
Federal poverty level: An income number set by the U.S. government used to decide if a family qualifies for help programs.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not say how many vouchers will be available.
The text does not explain what happens to children who turn 5 before July 1, 2026.

Bill History

2026-03-09 House
• Laid on Table, refer to SB 428
2026-01-21 House
• Favorable by Health & Human Services Committee • Reported out of Health & Human Services Committee • Bill released to House Calendar • Added to Second Reading Calendar
2026-01-16 House
• Added to Health & Human Services Committee agenda
2026-01-14 House
• Favorable by Health Care Budget Subcommittee • Reported out of Health Care Budget Subcommittee • Now in Health & Human Services Committee
2026-01-13 House
• 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
2026-01-12 House
• Added to Health Care Budget Subcommittee agenda
2025-12-09 House
• Favorable by Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee • Reported out of Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee • Now in Health Care Budget Subcommittee
2025-12-02 House
• Added to Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee agenda
2025-10-14 House
• Referred to Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee • Referred to Health Care Budget Subcommittee • Referred to Health & Human Services Committee • Now in Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
2025-10-06 House
• Filed

Official Summary Text

Swimming Lesson Voucher Program; Revises age requirements for children receiving voucher through Swimming Lesson Voucher Program.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB 85 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb85-00
Page 1 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to the Swimming Lesson Voucher 2
Program; amending s. 514.073, F.S.; revising the age 3
requirements for children receiving a voucher through 4
the Swimming Lesson Voucher Program; providing an 5
effective date. 6
7
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 8
9
Section 1. Subsection (1) and paragraph (b) of subsection 10
(2) of section 514.073, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 11
514.073 Swimming Lesson Voucher Program.— 12
(1) There is created within the department the Swimming 13
Lesson Voucher Program. The purpose of the program is to 14
increase water safety in this state by offering vouchers for 15
swimming lessons at no cost to families with an income of no 16
more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level who have one 17
or more children between 1 and 7 4 years of age or younger. 18
(2) The department shall do all of the following to 19
implement the program: 20
(b) Establish a method for members of the public to apply 21
for swimming lesson vouchers and for determining an applicant's 22
eligibility. The department shall establish eligibility criteria 23
necessary for a family to receive one or more vouchers from the 24
program, including, but not limited to, the following: 25

HB 85 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb85-00
Page 2 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

1. The age of each child for whom a voucher is being 26
sought, who must be between 1 and 7 may be no more than 4 years 27
of age. 28
2. The family income level, which may be up to 200 percent 29
of the federal poverty level. 30
3. The family's address of residency in this state. 31
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 32