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 official source material does not provide specific details on the number of vouchers available or which swimming lesson providers can participate in the program.

Swimming Lesson Voucher Program

This bill revises the age requirements for children to receive swimming lesson vouchers through a state program.

What This Bill Does

Changes the age requirement for children who can get free swimming lessons from between 1 and 7 years old to between 1 and 4 years old.
Requires families applying for vouchers to have an income of no more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
Establishes a process for families to apply for swimming lesson vouchers.

Who It Names or Affects

Families with children between 1 and 4 years old who earn up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level can get free swimming lessons through this program.

Terms To Know

voucher: A voucher is a certificate or token that allows someone to receive services, like swimming lessons, for free or at a reduced cost.
federal poverty level: The federal poverty level is the income threshold used by the U.S. government to determine eligibility for certain programs and benefits.

Limits and Unknowns

This bill only affects families who meet specific age and income requirements.
It does not provide details on how many vouchers will be available or which swimming lessons providers can participate in the program.

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