Education

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 1 of 66
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
An act relating to education; creating s. 413.0114, 2
F.S.; requiring entities that offer fee-based services 3
to individuals who are blind or visually impaired to 4
disclose in writing whether the services may be 5
obtained elsewhere at no cost; specifying requirements 6
for the disclosure; providing penalties for 7
violations; authorizing the State Board of Education 8
to adopt rules; amending s. 413.208, F.S.; requiring 9
certain service providers to apply to, rather than 10
register with, the Division of Vocational 11
Rehabilitation; requiring the division to establish 12
minimum qualifications for service providers; 13
requiring the division to establish an annual 14
application period; authorizing the division to 15
approve or deny any service provider application; 16
providing that, as of a specified date, only certain 17
service providers may participate in the vocational 18
rehabilitation program; requiring the division to 19
develop and make publicly available a certain annual 20
report; requiring service providers to meet certain 21
standards to maintain approved status; requiring that 22
the rates for vocational rehabilitation services meet 23
certain criteria; amending s. 491.005, F.S.; revising 24
the date for a requirement to obtain a license as a 25

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 2 of 66
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

marriage and family therapist; amending s. 1001.42, 26
F.S.; revising public information requirements 27
relating to virtual instruction options; removing 28
certain schools from specified contract restrictions; 29
revising the conditions considered an educational 30
emergency; revising virtual instruction requirements; 31
amending s. 1001.92, F.S.; revising certain 32
performance-based metrics; amending s. 1002.20, F.S.; 33
authorizing a student to carry a United States Food 34
and Drug Administration-approved epinephrine delivery 35
device; making conforming changes; amending s. 36
1002.42, F.S.; authorizing private schools to purchase 37
a supply of Food and Drug Administration-approved 38
epinephrine delivery devices, rather than epinephrine 39
auto-injectors; making conforming changes; amending s. 40
1002.421, F.S.; revising circumstances under which 41
regular and direct contact with teachers is satisfied 42
for certain scholarship students; amending s. 1002.68, 43
F.S.; deleting obsolete provisions relating to 44
calculation of kindergarten readiness rates; revising 45
cross-references and program accountability provisions 46
for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program; 47
amending s. 1002.945, F.S.; requiring the Department 48
of Children and Families to determine whether a child 49
care provider is the primary cause of certain class I 50

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 3 of 66
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

violations; deleting an exception; amending s. 51
1003.4203, F.S.; requiring that the Department of 52
Education make CAPE Digital Tool certificates 53
available to middle grades students; limiting the 54
number of such certificates a middle grades student 55
may earn each school year; amending s. 1003.4282, 56
F.S.; providing that completion of 2 years of marching 57
band satisfies specified credit requirements; 58
authorizing a dance techniques course to satisfy 59
specified graduation credit requirements; revising 60
requirements for mathematics pathways established by a 61
Department of Education workgroup; requiring the 62
department to develop identified mathematics pathways 63
and applied algebra courses by specified dates; 64
requiring the department to collaborate with the Board 65
of Governors of the State University System to ensure 66
the courses are accepted as mathematics credits for 67
state university admissions; amending s. 1003.437, 68
F.S.; requiring the State Board of Education to 69
establish a uniform weighted grading system for 70
specified courses and articulated acceleration 71
mechanisms; requiring district school boards to use 72
the system for a specified purpose; amending s. 73
1003.5716, F.S.; requiring school districts to provide 74
notice and a make-up plan when a related service in a 75

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 4 of 66
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

student's individual education program is not provided 76
as scheduled; authorizing parents or guardians to 77
access certain service logs and progress notes within 78
a specified timeframe; amending s. 1004.343, F.S.; 79
revising the date the University of South Florida 80
Trafficking in Persons - Risk to Resilience Lab must 81
begin submitting a specified report relating to human 82
trafficking; requiring consultation with the 83
Department of Law Enforcement in the submission of 84
such report; extending the date of the scheduled 85
repeal of the Statewide Data Repository for Anonymous 86
Human Trafficking Data; amending s. 1004.39, F.S.; 87
revising provisions relating to the College of Law at 88
Florida International University; deleting a specified 89
association from certain provisions; amending s. 90
1004.40, F.S.; revising provisions relating to the 91
College of Law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical 92
University; deleting a specified association from 93
certain provisions; amending s. 1005.06, F.S.; 94
revising the list of institutions that are not under 95
the jurisdiction of the Commission for Independent 96
Education; amending s. 1006.12, F.S.; revising 97
requirements for safe-school officers; authorizing 98
charter schools to implement safe-school officer 99
options notwithstanding certain local ordinances or 100

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 5 of 66
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

development orders; amending s. 1007.25, F.S.; 101
revising the timeframe for Florida College System 102
institutions and state universities to submit comments 103
in response to a specified notice of intent; amending 104
s. 1007.271, F.S.; revising the list of postsecondary 105
institutions that are eligible to participate in a 106
dual enrollment program; amending s. 1008.2125, F.S.; 107
conforming a cross-reference; amending s. 1008.25, 108
F.S.; requiring specified parent resources to include 109
information about eligibility for the New Worlds 110
Reading Initiative; revising the score threshold for 111
Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program summer 112
bridge eligibility; requiring certain monthly written 113
communications to include specified eligibility 114
information; conforming a cross-reference; amending s. 115
1008.47, F.S.; revising the timeframe for a public 116
postsecondary institution to seek and obtain 117
accreditation; amending s. 1009.21, F.S.; providing 118
that a person may not lose his or her resident status 119
for tuition purposes due to his or her parent serving 120
outside this state in certain capacities; amending s. 121
1009.25, F.S.; revising the requirements for a student 122
to meet the definition of "homeless children and 123
youths"; providing that certain distance learning 124
students are ineligible for specified fee exemptions; 125

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 6 of 66
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

amending s. 1009.893, F.S.; authorizing a student to 126
defer an award under the Benacquisto Scholarship 127
Program; amending s. 1009.983, F.S.; authorizing a 128
specified designee with certain credentials to serve 129
as director of the direct-support organization for the 130
Florida Prepaid College Foundation, Inc.; amending s. 131
1009.986, F.S.; revising the membership of the board 132
of directors of Florida ABLE, Inc.; amending s. 133
1011.62, F.S.; revising the academic acceleration 134
options supplement in the Florida Education Finance 135
Program to include a method for calculating additional 136
full-time equivalent membership based on a specified 137
course and test score; requiring school districts to 138
allocate at least a specified percentage of certain 139
funds for a certain purpose; providing specified 140
bonuses; amending s. 1011.69, F.S.; revising a 141
category of Title I funds that a school district may 142
withhold; authorizing a school district to reserve 143
funds for certain STEM-related educational services; 144
providing an effective date. 145
146
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 147
148
Section 1. Section 413.0114, Florida Statutes, is created 149
to read: 150

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 7 of 66
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

413.0114 Consumer disclosure for blind-related services.— 151
(1) An individual, a business, a nonprofit, or other 152
entity offering fee-based services to individuals who are blind 153
or visually impaired shall, before entering into a contract or 154
accepting payment, disclose in writing whether equivalent or 155
substantially similar services may be available at no cost 156
through the Division of Blind Services or another public agency. 157
(2) The written disclosure must: 158
(a) Be provided in plain language and, upon request, in an 159
accessible format, such as braille, large print, or audio. 160
(b) Include contact information for the Division of Blind 161
Services. 162
(c) Be signed or electronically acknowledged by the 163
consumer or his or her representative. 164
(3) A violation of this section constitutes an unfair or 165
deceptive trade practice under part II of chapter 501 and is 166
subject to penalties and enforcement as provided therein. 167
(4) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to 168
implement this section. 169
Section 2. Subsection (1) of section 413.208, Florida 170
Statutes, is amended to read: 171
413.208 Service providers; quality assurance; fitness for 172
responsibilities; background screening.— 173
(1) Service providers must apply to register with the 174
division. To qualify for approval, a registration, the division 175

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 8 of 66
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

must ensure that the service provider must maintain maintains an 176
internal system of quality assurance, have has proven functional 177
systems, meet the minimum qualifications, and be is subject to a 178
due-diligence inquiry as to its fitness to undertake service 179
responsibilities. 180
(a) The division shall establish minimum qualifications 181
for service providers. The division shall establish an annual 182
application period for service providers to submit applications. 183
The division may approve or deny any service provider 184
application. Beginning January 1, 2027, only service providers 185
that meet the minimum qualifications established by the division 186
and that have been approved to provide employment-related 187
services to individuals with disabilities may participate in the 188
vocational rehabilitation program. 189
(b) The division shall develop and make publicly available 190
an annual report of service provider effectiveness, which 191
includes an evaluation system measuring the effectiveness of all 192
service providers that are approved by the division to provide 193
employment-related services to individuals with disabilities. 194
(c) In order to maintain approved status with the 195
division, service providers must meet minimum standards of 196
effectiveness in the provision of vocational rehabilitation 197
services, including placement of individuals in competitive and 198
integrated employment. 199
(d) Rates for vocational rehabilitation services must be 200

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 9 of 66
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

allocable, reasonable, and necessary, as determined by the 201
division. 202
Section 3. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section 203
491.005, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 204
491.005 Licensure by examination.— 205
(3) MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY.—Upon verification of 206
documentation and payment of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by 207
board rule, the department shall issue a license as a marriage 208
and family therapist to an applicant whom the board certifies 209
has met all of the following criteria: 210
(c)1. Attained one of the following: 211
a. A minimum of a master's degree in marriage and family 212
therapy from a program accredited by the Commission on 213
Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. 214
b. A minimum of a master's degree with a major emphasis in 215
marriage and family therapy or a closely related field from a 216
university program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of 217
Counseling and Related Educational Programs and graduate courses 218
approved by the board. 219
c. A minimum of a master's degree with an emphasis in 220
marriage and family therapy or a closely related field, with a 221
degree conferred before September 1, 2032 2027, from an 222
institutionally accredited college or university and graduate 223
courses approved by the board. 224
2. If the course title that appears on the applicant's 225

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 10 of 66
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

transcript does not clearly identify the content of the 226
coursework, the applicant provided additional documentation, 227
including, but not limited to, a syllabus or catalog description 228
published for the course. The required master's degree must have 229
been received in an institution of higher education that, at the 230
time the applicant graduated, was fully accredited by an 231
institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for 232
Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or 233
was a member in good standing with Universities Canada, or an 234
institution of higher education located outside the United 235
States and Canada which, at the time the applicant was enrolled 236
and at the time the applicant graduated, maintained a standard 237
of training substantially equivalent to the standards of 238
training of those institutions in the United States which are 239
accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by 240
the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor 241
organization. Such foreign education and training must have been 242
received in an institution or program of higher education 243
officially recognized by the government of the country in which 244
it is located as an institution or program to train students to 245
practice as professional marriage and family therapists or 246
psychotherapists. The applicant has the burden of establishing 247
that the requirements of this provision have been met, and the 248
board shall require documentation, such as an evaluation by a 249
foreign equivalency determination service, as evidence that the 250

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 11 of 66
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

applicant's graduate degree program and education were 251
equivalent to an accredited program in this country. An 252
applicant with a master's degree from a program that did not 253
emphasize marriage and family therapy may complete the 254
coursework requirement in a training institution fully 255
accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and 256
Family Therapy Education recognized by the United States 257
Department of Education. 258
259
For the purposes of dual licensure, the department shall license 260
as a marriage and family therapist any person who meets the 261
requirements of s. 491.0057. Fees for dual licensure may not 262
exceed those stated in this subsection. 263
Section 4. Paragraph (a) of subsection (17) and 264
subsections (21) and (23) of section 1001.42, Florida Statutes, 265
are amended to read: 266
1001.42 Powers and duties of district school board.—The 267
district school board, acting as a board, shall exercise all 268
powers and perform all duties listed below: 269
(17) PUBLIC INFORMATION AND PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM.— 270
(a) Adopt procedures whereby the general public can be 271
adequately informed of the educational programs, needs, and 272
objectives of public education within the district, including 273
educational opportunities available through approved virtual 274
instruction program providers under s. 1002.45 or the school 275

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 12 of 66
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

district's virtual instruction program the Florida Virtual 276
School. 277
(21) EDUCATIONAL EMERGENCY.—To free schools that have with 278
a school grade of "D" or "F" or are persistently low-performing 279
schools as described in s. 1002.333 from contract restrictions 280
that limit the school district's school's ability to implement 281
programs and strategies needed to improve student performance, a 282
district school board may adopt salary incentives or other 283
strategies that address the selection, placement, compensation, 284
and expectations of instructional personnel and provide 285
principals with the autonomy described in s. 1012.28(8). For 286
purposes of this subsection, an educational emergency exists in 287
a school district if one or more schools in the district have a 288
school grade of "D" or "F" or are persistently low-performing 289
schools as described in s. 1002.333. "F." Notwithstanding 290
chapter 447, relating to collective bargaining, a district 291
school board may: 292
(a) Provide salary incentives that differentiate based on 293
a teacher's certification, subject area taught, or grade level 294
taught. Such incentives are not subject to collective bargaining 295
requirements. 296
(b) Notwithstanding s. 1012.2315, relating to assignment 297
of teachers, adopt strategies to assign high-quality teachers 298
more equitably across schools in the district to low-performing 299
schools as a management right. Such strategies are not subject 300

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 13 of 66
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

to collective bargaining requirements. 301
(23) VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION.—Provide students with access to 302
courses, based on the students' choice, available through the 303
school district's a virtual instruction program option or an 304
approved virtual instruction program provider under s. 1002.45, 305
including the Florida Virtual School and other approved 306
providers, and award credit for successful completion of such 307
courses. 308
Section 5. Subsection (1) of section 1001.92, Florida 309
Statutes, is amended to read: 310
1001.92 State University System Performance-Based 311
Incentive.— 312
(1) A State University System Performance-Based Incentive 313
shall be awarded to state universities using performance-based 314
metrics adopted by the Board of Governors of the State 315
University System. Beginning with the Board of Governors' 316
determination of each university's performance improvement and 317
achievement ratings, and the related distribution of annual 318
fiscal year appropriation, the performance-based metrics must 319
include: 320
(a) The 4-year graduation rate and adjusted cohort 321
graduation rate for engineering programs for first-time-in-322
college students; 323
(b) Beginning in fiscal year 2022-2023, the 3-year 324
graduation rate for associate in arts transfer students; 325

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 14 of 66
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

(c) Retention rates; 326
(d) Postgraduation education rates; 327
(e) Degree production; 328
(f) Affordability; 329
(g) Postgraduation employment and salaries, including wage 330
thresholds that reflect the added value of a baccalaureate 331
degree; 332
(h) Access rate, based on the percentage of first-year 333
undergraduate students enrolled during the fall term who 334
received a Pell Grant during the fall term; and 335
(i) Beginning in fiscal year 2021-2022, the 6-year 336
graduation rate for students who are awarded a Pell Grant in 337
their first year. 338
339
The Board of Governors may approve other metrics in a publicly 340
noticed meeting. The board shall adopt benchmarks to evaluate 341
each state university's performance on the metrics to measure 342
the state university's achievement of institutional excellence 343
or need for improvement and minimum requirements for eligibility 344
to receive performance funding. Benchmarks and metrics may not 345
be adjusted after university performance data has been received 346
by the Board of Governors. 347
Section 6. Paragraph (i) of subsection (3) of section 348
1002.20, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 349
1002.20 K-12 student and parent rights.—Parents of public 350

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 15 of 66
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

school students must receive accurate and timely information 351
regarding their child's academic progress and must be informed 352
of ways they can help their child to succeed in school. K-12 353
students and their parents are afforded numerous statutory 354
rights including, but not limited to, the following: 355
(3) HEALTH ISSUES.— 356
(i) Epinephrine use and supply.— 357
1. A student who has experienced or is at risk for life-358
threatening allergic reactions may carry a United States Food 359
and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved an epinephrine delivery 360
device auto-injector and self-administer epinephrine by such 361
FDA-approved delivery device auto-injector while in school, 362
participating in school-sponsored activities, or in transit to 363
or from school or school-sponsored activities if the school has 364
been provided with parental and physician authorization. The 365
State Board of Education, in cooperation with the Department of 366
Health, shall adopt rules for such use of FDA-approved 367
epinephrine delivery devices which must auto-injectors that 368
shall include provisions to protect the safety of all students 369
from the misuse or abuse of such delivery devices auto-370
injectors. A school district, county health department, public-371
private partner, and their employees and volunteers shall be 372
indemnified by the parent of a student authorized to carry an 373
FDA-approved epinephrine delivery device auto-injector for any 374
and all liability with respect to the student's use of an FDA-375

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 16 of 66
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

approved epinephrine delivery device auto-injector pursuant to 376
this paragraph. 377
2. A public school may purchase a supply of FDA-approved 378
epinephrine delivery devices auto-injectors from a wholesale 379
distributor as defined in s. 499.003 or may enter into an 380
arrangement with a wholesale distributor or manufacturer as 381
defined in s. 499.003 for the FDA-approved epinephrine delivery 382
devices auto-injectors at fair-market, free, or reduced prices 383
for use in the event a student has an anaphylactic reaction. The 384
FDA-approved epinephrine delivery devices auto-injectors must be 385
maintained in a secure location on the public school's premises. 386
The participating school district shall adopt a protocol 387
developed by a licensed physician for the administration by 388
school personnel who are trained to recognize an anaphylactic 389
reaction and to administer an epinephrine by an FDA-approved 390
delivery device auto-injection. The supply of FDA-approved 391
epinephrine delivery devices auto-injectors may be provided to 392
and used by a student authorized to self-administer epinephrine 393
by FDA-approved delivery device auto-injector under subparagraph 394
1. or trained school personnel. 395
3. The school district and its employees, agents, and the 396
physician who provides the standing protocol for school FDA-397
approved epinephrine delivery devices auto-injectors are not 398
liable for any injury arising from the use of such an 399
epinephrine delivery device auto-injector administered by 400

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 17 of 66
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

trained school personnel who follow the adopted protocol and 401
whose professional opinion is that the student is having an 402
anaphylactic reaction: 403
a. Unless the trained school personnel's action is willful 404
and wanton; 405
b. Notwithstanding that the parents or guardians of the 406
student to whom the epinephrine is administered have not been 407
provided notice or have not signed a statement acknowledging 408
that the school district is not liable; and 409
c. Regardless of whether authorization has been given by 410
the student's parents or guardians or by the student's 411
physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered 412
nurse. 413
Section 7. Subsection (17) of section 1002.42, Florida 414
Statutes, is amended to read: 415
1002.42 Private schools.— 416
(17) EPINEPHRINE SUPPLY.— 417
(a) A private school may purchase a supply of United 418
States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved epinephrine 419
delivery devices auto-injectors from a wholesale distributor as 420
defined in s. 499.003 or may enter into an arrangement with a 421
wholesale distributor or manufacturer as defined in s. 499.003 422
for the FDA-approved epinephrine delivery devices auto-injectors 423
at fair-market, free, or reduced prices for use in the event a 424
student has an anaphylactic reaction. The FDA-approved 425

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 18 of 66
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

epinephrine delivery devices auto-injectors must be maintained 426
in a secure location on the private school's premises. The 427
participating private school shall adopt a protocol developed by 428
a licensed physician for the administration by private school 429
personnel who are trained to recognize an anaphylactic reaction 430
and to administer epinephrine by an FDA-approved epinephrine 431
delivery device auto-injection. The supply of FDA-approved 432
epinephrine delivery devices auto-injectors may be provided to 433
and used by a student authorized to self-administer epinephrine 434
by an FDA-approved delivery device auto-injector under s. 435
1002.20(3)(i) or trained school personnel. 436
(b) The private school and its employees, agents, and the 437
physician who provides the standing protocol for school FDA-438
approved epinephrine delivery devices auto-injectors are not 439
liable for any injury arising from the use of an FDA-approved 440
epinephrine delivery device auto-injector administered by 441
trained school personnel who follow the adopted protocol and 442
whose professional opinion is that the student is having an 443
anaphylactic reaction: 444
1. Unless the trained school personnel's action is willful 445
and wanton; 446
2. Notwithstanding that the parents or guardians of the 447
student to whom the epinephrine is administered have not been 448
provided notice or have not signed a statement acknowledging 449
that the school district is not liable; and 450

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 19 of 66
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

3. Regardless of whether authorization has been given by 451
the student's parents or guardians or by the student's 452
physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered 453
nurse. 454
Section 8. Paragraph (i) of subsection (1) of section 455
1002.421, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 456
1002.421 State school choice scholarship program 457
accountability and oversight.— 458
(1) PRIVATE SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY AND OBLIGATIONS.—A private 459
school participating in an educational scholarship program 460
established pursuant to this chapter must be a private school as 461
defined in s. 1002.01 in this state, be registered, and be in 462
compliance with all requirements of this section in addition to 463
private school requirements outlined in s. 1002.42, specific 464
requirements identified within respective scholarship program 465
laws, and other provisions of Florida law that apply to private 466
schools, and must: 467
(i) Maintain a physical location in the state at which 468
each student has regular and direct contact with teachers. 469
Regular and direct contact with teachers may be satisfied for 470
students enrolled in a personalized education program or for 471
students eligible for a scholarship under s. 1002.394(3)(b) if 472
students have regular and direct contact with teachers at the 473
physical location at least 2 school days per week and the 474
student learning plan addresses the remaining instructional 475

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 20 of 66
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

time. 476
477
The department shall suspend the payment of funds to a private 478
school that knowingly fails to comply with this subsection, and 479
shall prohibit the school from enrolling new scholarship 480
students, for 1 fiscal year and until the school complies. If a 481
private school fails to meet the requirements of this subsection 482
or has consecutive years of material exceptions listed in the 483
report required under paragraph (q), the commissioner may 484
determine that the private school is ineligible to participate 485
in a scholarship program. 486
Section 9. Subsection (3), paragraph (e) of subsection 487
(4), paragraph (a) of subsection (5), and paragraph (e) of 488
subsection (6) of section 1002.68, Florida Statutes, are amended 489
to read: 490
1002.68 Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program 491
accountability.— 492
(3)(a) For the 2020-2021 program year, the department 493
shall calculate a kindergarten readiness rate for each private 494
prekindergarten provider and public school participating in the 495
Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program based upon learning 496
gains and the percentage of students assessed as ready for 497
kindergarten. The department shall require that each school 498
district administer the statewide kindergarten screening in use 499
before the 2021-2022 school year to each kindergarten student in 500

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 21 of 66
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

the school district within the first 30 school days of the 2021-501
2022 school year. Private schools may administer the statewide 502
kindergarten screening to each kindergarten student in a private 503
school who was enrolled in the Voluntary Prekindergarten 504
Education Program. Learning gains shall be determined using a 505
value-added measure based on growth demonstrated by the results 506
of the preassessment and postassessment in use before the 2021-507
2022 program year. However, a provider may not be newly placed 508
on probationary status under this paragraph. A provider 509
currently on probationary status may only be removed from such 510
status if the provider earns the minimum rate, determined 511
pursuant to subsection (5). The methodology for calculating a 512
provider's readiness rate may not include students who are not 513
administered the statewide kindergarten screening. 514
(b) For the 2021-2022 program year, kindergarten screening 515
results may not be used in the calculation of readiness rates. 516
Any private prekindergarten provider or public school 517
participating in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program 518
which fails to meet the minimum kindergarten readiness rate for 519
the 2021-2022 program year is subject to the probation 520
requirements of subsection (5). 521
(3)(4) 522
(e) Subject to an appropriation, the department shall 523
provide for a differential payment to a private prekindergarten 524
provider and public school based on the provider's designation. 525

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 22 of 66
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

The maximum differential payment may not exceed a total of 15 526
percent of the base student allocation per full-time equivalent 527
student under s. 1002.71 attending in the consecutive program 528
year for that program. A private prekindergarten provider or 529
public school may not receive a differential payment if it 530
receives a designation of "proficient" or lower. Before the 531
adoption of the methodology, the department shall confer with 532
the Council for Early Grade Success under s. 1008.2125 before 533
receiving approval from the State Board of Education for the 534
final recommendations on the designation system and differential 535
payments. 536
(4)(a)(5)(a) If a public school's or private 537
prekindergarten provider's program assessment composite score 538
for its prekindergarten classrooms fails to meet the minimum 539
program assessment composite score for contracting adopted in 540
rule by the department, the private prekindergarten provider or 541
public school may not participate in the Voluntary 542
Prekindergarten Education Program beginning in the consecutive 543
program year and thereafter until the public school or private 544
prekindergarten provider meets the minimum composite score for 545
contracting. A public school or private prekindergarten provider 546
may request one program assessment per program year in order to 547
requalify for participation in the Voluntary Prekindergarten 548
Education Program, provided that the public school or private 549
prekindergarten provider is not excluded from participation 550

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 23 of 66
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

under ss. 1002.55(6), 1002.61(10)(b), 1002.63(9)(b), or 551
paragraph (b) (5)(b) of this section. If a public school or 552
private prekindergarten provider would like an additional 553
program assessment completed within the same program year, the 554
public school or private prekindergarten provider shall be 555
responsible for the cost of the program assessment. 556
(5)(6) 557
(e) A private prekindergarten provider or public school 558
granted a good cause exemption shall continue to implement its 559
improvement plan and continue the corrective actions required 560
under paragraph (4)(b) (5)(b) until the provider or school meets 561
the minimum performance metric. 562
Section 10. Paragraphs (a) and (d) of subsection (4) of 563
section 1002.945, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 564
1002.945 Gold Seal Quality Care Program.— 565
(4) In order to obtain and maintain a designation as a 566
Gold Seal Quality Care provider, a child care facility, large 567
family child care home, or family day care home must meet the 568
following additional criteria: 569
(a) The child care provider must not have had any class I 570
violations, as defined by rule of the Department of Children and 571
Families, for which the Department of Children and Families 572
determines that the child care provider is the primary cause of 573
the violation within the 2 years preceding its application for 574
designation as a Gold Seal Quality Care provider. Commission of 575

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 24 of 66
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 class I violation for which the Department of Children and 576
Families determines that the child care provider is the primary 577
cause of the violation shall be grounds for termination of the 578
designation as a Gold Seal Quality Care provider until the 579
provider has no class I violations for a period of 2 years. 580
(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if the Department of 581
Education determines through a formal process that a provider 582
has been in business for at least 5 years and has no other class 583
I violations recorded, the department may recommend to the state 584
board that the provider maintain its Gold Seal Quality Care 585
status. The state board's determination regarding such 586
provider's status is final. 587
Section 11. Subsection (2) of section 1003.4203, Florida 588
Statutes, is amended to read: 589
1003.4203 Digital materials, CAPE Digital Tool 590
certificates, CAPE industry certifications, and technical 591
assistance.— 592
(2) CAPE DIGITAL TOOL CERTIFICATES.—The department shall 593
identify, in the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List under 594
ss. 1003.492 and 1008.44, CAPE Digital Tool certificates that 595
indicate a student's digital skills. The department shall notify 596
each school district when the certificates are available. The 597
certificates shall be made available to all public elementary 598
and middle grades students. Targeted skills to be mastered for 599
the certificate include digital skills that are necessary to the 600

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 25 of 66
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

student's academic work and skills the student may need in 601
future employment. CAPE Digital Tool certificates earned by 602
students are eligible for additional funding pursuant to s. 603
1011.62(17). Middle grade students may not earn more than two 604
CAPE Digital Tools certificates per school year. 605
Section 12. Paragraph (f) of subsection (3) and subsection 606
(10) of section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes, are amended to 607
read: 608
1003.4282 Requirements for a standard high school 609
diploma.— 610
(3) STANDARD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA; COURSE AND ASSESSMENT 611
REQUIREMENTS.— 612
(f) One credit in physical education.—Physical education 613
must include the integration of health. Participation in an 614
interscholastic sport at the junior varsity or varsity level for 615
two full seasons shall satisfy the one-credit requirement in 616
physical education. A district school board may not require that 617
the one credit in physical education be taken during the 9th 618
grade year. Completion of 2 years of marching band shall satisfy 619
the one-credit requirement in physical education and or the one-620
credit requirement in performing arts. This credit may not be 621
used to satisfy the personal fitness requirement or the 622
requirement for adaptive physical education under an individual 623
education plan (IEP) or 504 plan. Completion of 1.0 credit with 624
a grade of "C" or better in a dance techniques course, a 625

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 26 of 66
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

significant component of which is activities designed to 626
maintain or improve health-related fitness and lifelong fitness, 627
shall satisfy the one-credit requirement in physical education 628
or the one-credit requirement in performing arts. This credit 629
may not be used to satisfy the personal fitness requirement or 630
the requirement for adaptive physical education under an IEP or 631
504 plan. Completion of one semester with a grade of "C" or 632
better in a marching band class, in a physical activity class 633
that requires participation in marching band activities as an 634
extracurricular activity, or in a dance class shall satisfy one-635
half credit in physical education or one-half credit in 636
performing arts. This credit may not be used to satisfy the 637
personal fitness requirement or the requirement for adaptive 638
physical education under an IEP or 504 plan. Completion of 2 639
years in a Reserve Officer Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) class, a 640
significant component of which is drills, shall satisfy the one-641
credit requirement in physical education and the one-credit 642
requirement in performing arts. This credit may not be used to 643
satisfy the personal fitness requirement or the requirement for 644
adaptive physical education under an IEP or 504 plan. 645
(10) CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CREDIT.—The Department 646
of Education shall convene a workgroup, no later than December 647
1, 2024, to: 648
(a) Identify best practices in career and technical 649
education pathways from middle school to high school to aid 650

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 27 of 66
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

middle school students in career planning and facilitate their 651
transition to high school programs. The career pathway must be 652
linked to postsecondary programs. 653
(b) Establish three mathematics pathways for students 654
enrolled in secondary grades by aligning mathematics courses to 655
programs, postsecondary education, and careers. The workgroup 656
shall collaborate to identify the three mathematics pathways and 657
the mathematics course sequence within each pathway that which 658
align to the mathematics skills needed for success in the 659
corresponding academic programs, postsecondary education, and 660
careers. 661
1. The mathematics pathways must be identified no later 662
than September 1, 2026. The Department of Education shall submit 663
identified mathematics pathways to the Governor, the President 664
of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 665
2. The mathematics pathways must incorporate an applied 666
algebra course that aligns with established career and technical 667
education career clusters. 668
3. The Department of Education shall develop applied 669
algebra courses aligned with the identified mathematics pathways 670
and the established career and technical education career 671
clusters by January 1, 2027, with availability for district 672
implementation in the 2029-2030 school year. 673
a. The applied algebra for engineering and technology 674
course must incorporate content and contexts that apply to the 675

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 28 of 66
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

following career clusters: energy, engineering and technology 676
education, and information technology. 677
b. The applied algebra for health science course must 678
incorporate content and contexts that apply to the health 679
science career cluster. 680
c. The applied algebra for business and finance course 681
must incorporate content and contexts that apply to the 682
following career clusters: business management and 683
administration; finance; government and public administration; 684
and marketing, sales, and service. 685
d. The applied algebra for industrial pathways course must 686
incorporate content and contexts that apply to the following 687
career clusters: architecture and construction; manufacturing; 688
and transportation, distribution, and logistics. 689
e. The applied algebra for agriculture and natural 690
resources course must incorporate content and contexts that 691
apply to the agriculture, food, and natural resources career 692
cluster. 693
4. Each mathematics pathway must offer flexibility and the 694
ability to move between pathways if necessary. 695
5. Mathematics pathways must create clear links between 696
secondary mathematics and postsecondary mathematics pathways, as 697
established in State Board of Education rule, and support 698
student progression into postsecondary academic programs, state 699
college career and technical education programs, career center 700

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 29 of 66
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

programs, industry certification programs, and high-skill, high-701
wage occupations. 702
6. Each applied algebra course must prepare students to 703
take the statewide, standardized Algebra I end-of-course 704
assessment required under s. 1008.22. 705
7. Each applied algebra course must meet all requirements 706
for a mathematics credit required for high school graduation 707
under s. 1003.4282(3)(b) or for middle grades promotion pursuant 708
to s. 1003.4156(1)(b). 709
8. The Department of Education shall collaborate with the 710
Board of Governors of the State University System to ensure that 711
each applied algebra course is accepted as a mathematics credit 712
for state university admissions. 713
9. The Department of Education shall provide professional 714
learning, instructional resources, and technical assistance to 715
support district implementation for the 2029-2030 school year. 716
Section 13. Section 1003.437, Florida Statutes, is amended 717
to read: 718
1003.437 Middle and high school grading system.—The 719
grading system and interpretation of letter grades used to 720
measure student success in grade 6 through grade 12 courses for 721
students in public schools shall be as follows: 722
(1) Grade "A" equals 90 percent through 100 percent, has a 723
grade point average value of 4, and is defined as "outstanding 724
progress." 725

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 30 of 66
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

(2) Grade "B" equals 80 percent through 89 percent, has a 726
grade point average value of 3, and is defined as "above average 727
progress." 728
(3) Grade "C" equals 70 percent through 79 percent, has a 729
grade point average value of 2, and is defined as "average 730
progress." 731
(4) Grade "D" equals 60 percent through 69 percent, has a 732
grade point average value of 1, and is defined as "lowest 733
acceptable progress." 734
(5) Grade "F" equals zero percent through 59 percent, has 735
a grade point average value of zero, and is defined as 736
"failure." 737
(6) Grade "I" equals zero percent, has a grade point 738
average value of zero, and is defined as "incomplete." 739
740
The State Board of Education shall establish a statewide uniform 741
weighted grading system for honors courses and articulated 742
acceleration mechanisms identified in s. 1007.27. For the 743
purposes of class ranking, District school boards shall use the 744
may exercise a weighted grading system to calculate weighted 745
high school grade point averages pursuant to s. 1007.271. 746
Section 14. Subsection (5) is added to section 1003.5716, 747
Florida Statutes, to read: 748
1003.5716 Transition to postsecondary education and career 749
opportunities.—All students with disabilities who are 3 years of 750

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 31 of 66
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

age to 21 years of age have the right to a free, appropriate 751
public education. As used in this section, the term "IEP" means 752
individual education plan. 753
(5) 754
(a) If a related service identified in a student's IEP is 755
not provided as scheduled, the school district must notify the 756
parent or guardian in writing or by electronic means within 10 757
school days, explain the reason the service was not provided, 758
and discuss a plan for make-up services. 759
(b) A parent or guardian has the right to access, upon 760
request, all service provider logs or progress notes within 15 761
school days after such service is provided. The school district 762
shall inform parents of this right at each IEP meeting. 763
764
Section 15. Subsections (5) and (6) of section 1004.343, 765
Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 766
1004.343 Statewide Data Repository for Anonymous Human 767
Trafficking Data.— 768
(5) Beginning January 31, 2027 July 1, 2025, and annually 769
thereafter, the University of South Florida Trafficking in 770
Persons - Risk to Resilience Lab, in consultation with the 771
Department of Law Enforcement, shall submit an annual report and 772
analysis on its findings to the Governor, the Attorney General, 773
the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of 774
Representatives. 775

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 32 of 66
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

(6) This section is repealed July 1, 2027 2026, unless 776
reviewed and reenacted by the Legislature before that date. 777
Section 16. Subsections (3), (4), and (5) of section 778
1004.39, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 779
1004.39 College of Law at Florida International 780
University.— 781
(3) The College of Law at Florida International 782
University, to the extent consistent with the standards required 783
by a the American Bar Association or any other nationally 784
recognized association for the accreditation of colleges of law, 785
shall develop a law library collection utilizing electronic 786
formats and mediums. 787
(4) The College of Law at Florida International University 788
shall develop and institute a program that is consistent with 789
sound legal education principles as determined by a the American 790
Bar Association or any other nationally recognized association 791
for the accreditation of colleges of law and that, to the extent 792
consistent with such sound legal education principles, is 793
structured to serve the legal needs of traditionally underserved 794
portions of the population by providing an opportunity for 795
participation in a legal clinic program or pro bono legal 796
service. 797
(5) The Florida International University Board of Trustees 798
and the Board of Governors may accept grants, donations, gifts, 799
and moneys available for this purpose, including moneys for 800

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 33 of 66
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

planning and constructing the college. The Florida International 801
University Board of Trustees may procure and accept any federal 802
funds that are available for the planning, creation, and 803
establishment of the college of law. If a the American Bar 804
Association or any other nationally recognized association for 805
the accreditation of colleges of law issues a third disapproval 806
of an application for provisional approval or for full approval 807
or fails to grant, within 5 years following the graduation of 808
the first class, a provisional approval, to the College of Law 809
at Florida International University, the Board of Governors 810
shall make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature 811
as to whether the college of law will cease operations at the 812
end of the full academic year subsequent to the receipt by the 813
college of law of any such third disapproval, or whether the 814
college of law will continue operations and any conditions for 815
continued operations. If the college of law ceases operations 816
pursuant to this section, the following conditions apply: 817
(a) The authority for the College of Law at Florida 818
International University and the authority of the Florida 819
International University Board of Trustees and the Board of 820
Governors provided in this section shall terminate upon the 821
cessation of operations of the College of Law at Florida 822
International University. The College of Law at Florida 823
International University shall receive no moneys allocated for 824
the planning, construction, or operation of the college of law 825

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 34 of 66
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

after its cessation of operations other than moneys to be 826
expended for the cessation of operations of the college of law. 827
Any moneys allocated to the College of Law at Florida 828
International University not expended prior to or scheduled to 829
be expended after the date of the cessation of the college of 830
law shall be appropriated for other use by the Legislature of 831
the State of Florida. 832
(b) Any buildings of the College of Law at Florida 833
International University constructed from the expenditure of 834
capital outlay funds appropriated by the Legislature shall be 835
owned by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust 836
Fund and managed by the Florida International University Board 837
of Trustees upon the cessation of the college of law. 838
Section 17. Subsections (3), (4), and (5) of section 839
1004.40, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 840
1004.40 College of Law at Florida Agricultural and 841
Mechanical University.— 842
(3) The College of Law at Florida Agricultural and 843
Mechanical University, to the extent consistent with the 844
standards required by a the American Bar Association or any 845
other nationally recognized association for the accreditation of 846
colleges of law, shall develop a law library collection 847
utilizing electronic formats and mediums. 848
(4) The College of Law at Florida Agricultural and 849
Mechanical University shall develop and institute a program that 850

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 35 of 66
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

is consistent with sound legal education principles as 851
determined by a the American Bar Association or any other 852
nationally recognized association for the accreditation of 853
colleges of law and that, to the extent consistent with such 854
sound legal education principles, is structured to serve the 855
legal needs of traditionally underserved portions of the 856
population by providing an opportunity for participation in a 857
legal clinic program or pro bono legal service. 858
(5) The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 859
Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors may accept grants, 860
donations, gifts, and moneys available for this purpose, 861
including moneys for planning and constructing the college. The 862
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Board of Trustees 863
may procure and accept any federal funds that are available for 864
the planning, creation, and establishment of the college of law. 865
If a the American Bar Association or any other nationally 866
recognized association for the accreditation of colleges of law 867
issues a third disapproval of an application for provisional 868
approval or for full approval or fails to grant, within 5 years 869
following the graduation of the first class, a provisional 870
approval, to the College of Law at Florida Agricultural and 871
Mechanical University, the Board of Governors shall make 872
recommendations to the Governor and Legislature as to whether 873
the college of law will cease operations at the end of the full 874
academic year subsequent to the receipt by the college of law of 875

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 36 of 66
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

any such third disapproval, or whether the college of law will 876
continue operations and any conditions for continued operations. 877
If the college of law ceases operations of the college of law 878
pursuant to this section, the following conditions apply: 879
(a) The authority for the College of Law at Florida 880
Agricultural and Mechanical University and the authority of the 881
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Board of Trustees 882
and the Board of Governors provided in this section shall 883
terminate upon the cessation of operations of the College of Law 884
at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The College 885
of Law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University shall 886
receive no moneys allocated for the planning, construction, or 887
operation of the college of law after its cessation of 888
operations other than moneys to be expended for the cessation of 889
operations of the college of law. Any moneys allocated to the 890
College of Law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 891
not expended prior to or scheduled to be expended after the date 892
of the cessation of the college of law shall be appropriated for 893
other use by the Legislature of the State of Florida. 894
(b) Any buildings of the College of Law at Florida 895
Agricultural and Mechanical University constructed from the 896
expenditure of capital outlay funds appropriated by the 897
Legislature shall be owned by the Board of Trustees of the 898
Internal Improvement Trust Fund and managed by the Florida 899
Agricultural and Mechanical University Board of Trustees upon 900

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 37 of 66
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

the cessation of the college of law. 901
Section 18. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 902
1005.06, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 903
1005.06 Institutions not under the jurisdiction or purview 904
of the commission.— 905
(1) Except as otherwise provided in law, the following 906
institutions are not under the jurisdiction or purview of the 907
commission and are not required to obtain licensure: 908
(b) Any college or, school, or course licensed or approved 909
as an institution for establishment and operation by another 910
state agency. A college or school, or any of its programs or 911
courses, does not qualify for exemption from the commission's 912
jurisdiction under this paragraph solely because another state 913
agency licenses or approves one or more of its programs or 914
courses. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit 915
or affect the exemptions for contract training, continuing 916
education, or professional development programs or courses under 917
paragraph (d), even if such programs or courses are approved 918
under chapter 466 for establishment and operation under part I 919
of chapter 464, chapter 466, or chapter 475, or any other 920
chapter of the Florida Statutes requiring licensing or approval 921
as defined in this chapter. 922
Section 19. Section 1006.12, Florida Statutes, is amended 923
to read: 924
1006.12 Safe-school officers at each public school.—For 925

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 38 of 66
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

the protection and safety of school personnel, property, 926
students, and visitors, each district school board and school 927
district superintendent shall partner with law enforcement 928
agencies or security agencies to establish or assign one or more 929
safe-school officers at each school facility within the 930
district, including charter schools. A district school board 931
must collaborate with charter school governing boards to 932
facilitate charter school access to all safe-school officer 933
options available under this section. Notwithstanding any local 934
ordinance or development order, the school district or charter 935
school may implement any combination of the options in 936
subsections (1)-(4) to best meet the needs of the school 937
district and charter schools. 938
(1) SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER.—A school district may 939
establish school resource officer programs through a cooperative 940
agreement with law enforcement agencies. 941
(a) School resource officers shall undergo criminal 942
background checks, drug testing, and a psychological evaluation 943
and be certified law enforcement officers, as defined in s. 944
943.10(1), who are employed by a law enforcement agency as 945
defined in s. 943.10(4). The powers and duties of a law 946
enforcement officer shall continue throughout the employee's 947
tenure as a school resource officer. 948
(b) School resource officers shall abide by district 949
school board policies and shall consult with and coordinate 950

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 39 of 66
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

activities through the school principal, but shall be 951
responsible to the law enforcement agency in all matters 952
relating to employment, subject to agreements between a district 953
school board and a law enforcement agency. The agreements shall 954
identify the entity responsible for maintaining records relating 955
to training. Activities conducted by the school resource officer 956
which are part of the regular instructional program of the 957
school shall be under the direction of the school principal. 958
(2) SCHOOL SAFETY OFFICER.—A school district may 959
commission one or more school safety officers for the protection 960
and safety of school personnel, property, and students within 961
the school district. The district school superintendent may 962
recommend, and the district school board may appoint, one or 963
more school safety officers. 964
(a) School safety officers shall undergo criminal 965
background checks, drug testing, and a psychological evaluation 966
and be law enforcement officers, as defined in s. 943.10(1), 967
certified under chapter 943 and employed by either a law 968
enforcement agency or by the district school board. If the 969
officer is employed by the district school board, the district 970
school board is the employing agency for purposes of chapter 971
943, and must comply with that chapter. 972
(b) A school safety officer has and shall exercise the 973
power to make arrests for violations of law on district school 974
board property or on property owned or leased by a charter 975

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 40 of 66
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

school under a charter contract, as applicable, and to arrest 976
persons, whether on or off such property, who violate any law on 977
such property under the same conditions that deputy sheriffs are 978
authorized to make arrests. A school safety officer has the 979
authority to carry weapons when performing his or her official 980
duties. 981
(c) School safety officers must complete mental health 982
crisis intervention training using a curriculum developed by a 983
national organization with expertise in mental health crisis 984
intervention. The training shall improve officers' knowledge and 985
skills as first responders to incidents involving students with 986
emotional disturbance or mental illness, including de-escalation 987
skills to ensure student and officer safety. 988
(d) A district school board may enter into mutual aid 989
agreements with one or more law enforcement agencies as provided 990
in chapter 23. A school safety officer's salary may be paid 991
jointly by the district school board and the law enforcement 992
agency, as mutually agreed to. 993
(3) SCHOOL GUARDIAN.— 994
(a) At the school district's or the charter school 995
governing board's discretion, as applicable, pursuant to s. 996
30.15, a school district or charter school governing board may 997
participate in the Chris Hixon, Coach Aaron Feis, and Coach 998
Scott Beigel Guardian Program to meet the requirement of 999
establishing a safe-school officer. The following individuals 1000

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 41 of 66
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

may serve as a school guardian, in support of school-sanctioned 1001
activities for purposes of s. 790.115, upon satisfactory 1002
completion of the requirements under s. 30.15(1)(k) and 1003
certification by a sheriff: 1004
1. A school district employee or personnel, as defined 1005
under s. 1012.01, or a charter school employee, as provided 1006
under s. 1002.33(12)(a), who volunteers to serve as a school 1007
guardian in addition to his or her official job duties; or 1008
2. An employee of a school district or a charter school 1009
who is hired for the specific purpose of serving as a school 1010
guardian. 1011
(b) Before appointing an individual as a school guardian, 1012
the school district or charter school shall contact the 1013
Department of Law Enforcement and review all information 1014
maintained under s. 30.15(1)(k)3.c. related to the individual. 1015
(c) The department shall provide to the Department of Law 1016
Enforcement any information relating to a school guardian 1017
received pursuant to subsection (5). 1018
(4) SCHOOL SECURITY GUARD.—A school district or charter 1019
school governing board may contract with a security agency as 1020
defined in s. 493.6101(18) to employ as a school security guard 1021
an individual who holds a Class "D" and Class "G" license 1022
pursuant to chapter 493, provided the following training and 1023
contractual conditions are met: 1024
(a) An individual who serves as a school security guard, 1025

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 42 of 66
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

for purposes of satisfying the requirements of this section, 1026
must: 1027
1. Demonstrate completion of 144 hours of required 1028
training conducted by a sheriff pursuant to s. 30.15(1)(k)2. 1029
2. Pass a psychological evaluation administered by a 1030
psychologist licensed under chapter 490 and designated by the 1031
Department of Law Enforcement and submit the results of the 1032
evaluation to the sheriff's office and school district, charter 1033
school governing board, or employing security agency, as 1034
applicable. The Department of Law Enforcement is authorized to 1035
provide the sheriff's office, school district, charter school 1036
governing board, or employing security agency with mental health 1037
and substance abuse data for compliance with this paragraph. 1038
3. Submit to and pass an initial drug test and subsequent 1039
random drug tests in accordance with the requirements of s. 1040
112.0455 and the sheriff's office, school district, charter 1041
school governing board, or employing security agency, as 1042
applicable. 1043
4. Be approved to work as a school security guard by the 1044
sheriff of each county in which the school security guard will 1045
be assigned to a school before commencing work at any school in 1046
that county. The sheriff's approval authorizes the security 1047
agency to assign the school security guard to any school in the 1048
county, and the sheriff's approval is not limited to any 1049
particular school. 1050

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 43 of 66
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

5. Successfully complete ongoing training, weapon 1051
inspection, and firearm qualification conducted by a sheriff 1052
pursuant to s. 30.15(1)(k)2.e. on at least an annual basis and 1053
provide documentation to the sheriff's office, school district, 1054
charter school governing board, or employing security agency, as 1055
applicable. 1056
(b) The contract between a security agency and a school 1057
district or a charter school governing board regarding 1058
requirements applicable to school security guards serving in the 1059
capacity of a safe-school officer for purposes of satisfying the 1060
requirements of this section shall define the entity or entities 1061
responsible for maintaining records relating to training, 1062
inspection, and firearm qualification. 1063
(c) School security guards serving in the capacity of a 1064
safe-school officer pursuant to this subsection are in support 1065
of school-sanctioned activities for purposes of s. 790.115, and 1066
must aid in the prevention or abatement of active assailant 1067
incidents on school premises. 1068
(d) The Office of Safe Schools shall provide the 1069
Department of Law Enforcement any information related to a 1070
school security guard that the office receives pursuant to 1071
subsection (5). 1072
(5) NOTIFICATION.—The district school superintendent or 1073
charter school administrator, or a respective designee shall 1074
notify the county sheriff and the Office of Safe Schools 1075

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 44 of 66
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

immediately after, but no later than 72 hours after: 1076
(a) A safe-school officer is dismissed for misconduct or 1077
is otherwise disciplined. 1078
(b) A safe-school officer discharges his or her firearm in 1079
the exercise of the safe-school officer's duties, other than for 1080
training purposes. 1081
(6) CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING.—Each safe-school officer 1082
who is also a sworn law enforcement officer shall complete 1083
mental health crisis intervention training using a curriculum 1084
developed by a national organization with expertise in mental 1085
health crisis intervention. The training must improve the 1086
officer's knowledge and skills as a first responder to incidents 1087
involving students with emotional disturbance or mental illness, 1088
including de-escalation skills to ensure student and officer 1089
safety. 1090
(7) LIMITATIONS.—An individual must satisfy the background 1091
screening, psychological evaluation, and drug test requirements 1092
and be approved by the sheriff before participating in any 1093
training required by s. 30.15(1)(k), which may be conducted only 1094
by a sheriff. 1095
(8) EXEMPTION.—Any information that would identify whether 1096
a particular individual has been appointed as a safe-school 1097
officer pursuant to this section held by a law enforcement 1098
agency, school district, or charter school is exempt from s. 1099
119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. 1100

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 45 of 66
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

1101
If a district school board, through its adopted policies, 1102
procedures, or actions, denies a charter school access to any 1103
safe-school officer options pursuant to this section, the school 1104
district must assign a school resource officer or school safety 1105
officer to the charter school. Under such circumstances, the 1106
charter school's share of the costs of the school resource 1107
officer or school safety officer may not exceed the safe school 1108
allocation funds provided to the charter school pursuant to s. 1109
1011.62(12) and shall be retained by the school district. 1110
Section 20. Paragraph (b) of subsection (9) of section 1111
1007.25, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1112
1007.25 General education courses; common prerequisites; 1113
other degree requirements.— 1114
(9) 1115
(b) An associate in arts specialized transfer degree must 1116
include 36 semester hours of general education coursework and 1117
require 60 semester hours or more of college credit. Specialized 1118
transfer degrees are designed for Florida College System 1119
institution students who need supplemental lower-level 1120
coursework in preparation for transfer to another institution. 1121
The State Board of Education shall establish criteria for the 1122
review and approval of new specialized transfer degrees. The 1123
approval process must require: 1124
1. A Florida College System institution to submit a notice 1125

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 46 of 66
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

of its intent to propose a new associate in arts specialized 1126
degree program to the Division of Florida Colleges. The notice 1127
must include the recommended credit hours, the rationale for the 1128
specialization, the demand for students entering the field, and 1129
the coursework being proposed to be included beyond the 60 1130
semester hours required for the general transfer degree, if 1131
applicable. Notices of intent may be submitted by a Florida 1132
College System institution at any time. 1133
2. The Division of Florida Colleges to forward the notice 1134
of intent within 10 business days after receipt to all Florida 1135
College System institutions and to the Chancellor of the State 1136
University System, who shall forward the notice to all state 1137
universities. State universities and Florida College System 1138
institutions shall have 30 60 days after receipt of the notice 1139
to submit comments to the proposed associate in arts specialized 1140
transfer degree. 1141
3. After the submission of comments pursuant to 1142
subparagraph 2., the requesting Florida College System 1143
institution to submit a proposal that, at a minimum, includes: 1144
a. Evidence that the coursework for the associate in arts 1145
specialized transfer degree includes demonstration of competency 1146
in a foreign language pursuant to s. 1007.262 and demonstration 1147
of civic literacy competency as provided in subsection (5). 1148
b. Demonstration that all required coursework will count 1149
toward the associate in arts degree or the baccalaureate degree. 1150

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 47 of 66
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

c. An analysis of demand and unmet need for students 1151
entering the specialized field of study at the baccalaureate 1152
level. 1153
d. Justification for the program length if it exceeds 60 1154
credit hours, including references to the common prerequisite 1155
manual or other requirements for the baccalaureate degree. This 1156
includes documentation of alignment between the exit 1157
requirements of a Florida College System institution and the 1158
admissions requirements of a baccalaureate program at a state 1159
university to which students would typically transfer. 1160
e. Articulation agreements for graduates of the associate 1161
in arts specialized transfer degree. 1162
f. Responses to the comments received under subparagraph 1163
2. 1164
Section 21. Subsections (1) and (16) of section 1007.271, 1165
Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1166
1007.271 Dual enrollment programs.— 1167
(1) The dual enrollment program is the enrollment of an 1168
eligible secondary student in this state or home education 1169
student in this state in a postsecondary course creditable 1170
toward high school completion and a career certificate or an 1171
associate or baccalaureate degree. Postsecondary institutions 1172
that are eligible to participate in the dual enrollment program 1173
are Florida public postsecondary institutions and eligible not-1174
for-profit independent colleges and universities pursuant to s. 1175

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 48 of 66
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

1011.62(1)(i). A student who is enrolled in postsecondary 1176
instruction that is not creditable toward a high school diploma 1177
may not be classified as a dual enrollment student. 1178
(16) Students who meet the eligibility requirements of 1179
this section and who choose to participate in dual enrollment 1180
programs are exempt from the payment of registration, tuition, 1181
and laboratory fees. 1182
Section 22. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 1183
1008.2125, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1184
1008.2125 The Council for Early Grade Success.— 1185
(1) The Council for Early Grade Success, a council as 1186
defined in s. 20.03(7), is created within the Department of 1187
Education to oversee the coordinated screening and progress 1188
monitoring program under s. 1008.25(9) for students in the 1189
Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program through grade 3 and, 1190
except as otherwise provided in this section, shall operate 1191
consistent with s. 20.052. 1192
(a) The council shall be responsible for reviewing the 1193
implementation of, training for, and outcomes from the 1194
coordinated screening and progress monitoring program to provide 1195
recommendations to the department that support grade 3 students 1196
reading at or above grade level. The council, at a minimum, 1197
shall: 1198
1. Provide recommendations on the implementation of the 1199
coordinated screening and progress monitoring program, including 1200

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 49 of 66
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

reviewing any procurement solicitation documents and criteria 1201
before being published. 1202
2. Develop training plans and timelines for such training. 1203
3. Identify appropriate personnel, processes, and 1204
procedures required for the administration of the coordinated 1205
screening and progress monitoring program. 1206
4. Provide input on the methodology for calculating a 1207
provider's or school's performance metric and designations under 1208
s. 1002.68(3) s. 1002.68(4). 1209
5. Work with the department to review the methodology for 1210
determining a child's kindergarten readiness. 1211
6. Review data on age-appropriate learning gains by grade 1212
level that a student would need to attain in order to 1213
demonstrate proficiency in reading by grade 3. 1214
7. Continually review anonymized data from the results of 1215
the coordinated screening and progress monitoring program for 1216
students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program 1217
through grade 3 to help inform recommendations to the department 1218
that support practices that will enable grade 3 students to read 1219
at or above grade level. 1220
Section 23. Paragraph (c) of subsection (4), paragraphs 1221
(b) and (d) of subsection (5), and paragraph (a) of subsection 1222
(9) of section 1008.25, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1223
1008.25 Public school student progression; student 1224
support; coordinated screening and progress monitoring; 1225

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 50 of 66
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

reporting requirements.— 1226
(4) ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT.— 1227
(c) A student who has a substantial reading deficiency as 1228
determined in paragraph (5)(a) or a substantial mathematics 1229
deficiency as determined in paragraph (6)(a) must be covered by 1230
a federally required student plan, such as an individual 1231
education plan or an individualized progress monitoring plan, or 1232
both, as necessary. The individualized progress monitoring plan 1233
must be developed within 45 days after the results of the 1234
coordinated screening and progress monitoring system become 1235
available. The plan must, at a minimum, include: 1236
1. The student's specific, identified reading or 1237
mathematics skill deficiency. 1238
2. Goals and benchmarks for student growth in reading or 1239
mathematics. 1240
3. A description of the specific measures that will be 1241
used to evaluate and monitor the student's reading or 1242
mathematics progress. 1243
4. For a substantial reading deficiency, the specific 1244
evidence-based literacy instruction grounded in the science of 1245
reading which the student will receive. 1246
5. Strategies, resources, and materials that will be 1247
provided to the student's parent to support the student to make 1248
reading or mathematics progress. For a student with a 1249
substantial reading deficiency, resources must include 1250

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 51 of 66
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

information about the student's eligibility for the New Worlds 1251
Reading Initiative under s. 1003.485. 1252
6. Any additional services the student's teacher deems 1253
available and appropriate to accelerate the student's reading or 1254
mathematics skill development. 1255
(5) READING DEFICIENCY AND PARENTAL NOTIFICATION.— 1256
(b) A Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program student 1257
who exhibits a substantial deficiency in early literacy skills 1258
based upon the results of the administration of the midyear or 1259
final coordinated screening and progress monitoring under 1260
subsection (9) shall be referred to the local school district 1261
and may be eligible to receive instruction in early literacy 1262
skills before participating in kindergarten. A Voluntary 1263
Prekindergarten Education Program student who scores below the 1264
25th 10th percentile on the final administration of the 1265
coordinated screening and progress monitoring under subsection 1266
(9) shall be referred to the local school district and is 1267
eligible to receive early literacy skill instructional support 1268
through a summer bridge program the summer before participating 1269
in kindergarten. The summer bridge program must meet 1270
requirements adopted by the department and shall consist of 4 1271
hours of instruction per day for a minimum of 100 total hours. A 1272
student with an individual education plan who has been retained 1273
pursuant to paragraph (2)(g) and has demonstrated a substantial 1274
deficiency in early literacy skills must receive instruction in 1275

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 52 of 66
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

early literacy skills. 1276
(d) The parent of any student who exhibits a substantial 1277
deficiency in reading, as described in paragraph (a), must be 1278
immediately notified in writing of the following: 1279
1. That his or her child has been identified as having a 1280
substantial deficiency in reading, including a description and 1281
explanation, in terms understandable to the parent, of the exact 1282
nature of the student's difficulty in learning and lack of 1283
achievement in reading. 1284
2. A description of the current services that are provided 1285
to the child. 1286
3. A description of the proposed intensive interventions 1287
and supports that will be provided to the child that are 1288
designed to remediate the identified area of reading deficiency. 1289
4. The student progression requirements under paragraph 1290
(2)(h) and that if the child's reading deficiency is not 1291
remediated by the end of grade 3, the child must be retained 1292
unless he or she is exempt from mandatory retention for good 1293
cause. 1294
5. Strategies, including multisensory strategies and 1295
programming, through a read-at-home plan the parent can use in 1296
helping his or her child succeed in reading. The read-at-home 1297
plan must provide access to the resources identified in 1298
paragraph (e). 1299
6. That the statewide, standardized English Language Arts 1300

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 53 of 66
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

assessment is not the sole determiner of promotion and that 1301
additional evaluations, portfolio reviews, and assessments are 1302
available to the child to assist parents and the school district 1303
in knowing when a child is reading at or above grade level and 1304
ready for grade promotion. 1305
7. The district's specific criteria and policies for a 1306
portfolio as provided in subparagraph (7)(b)4. and the evidence 1307
required for a student to demonstrate mastery of Florida's 1308
academic standards for English Language Arts. A school must 1309
immediately begin collecting evidence for a portfolio when a 1310
student in grade 3 is identified as being at risk of retention 1311
or upon the request of the parent, whichever occurs first. 1312
8. The district's specific criteria and policies for 1313
midyear promotion. Midyear promotion means promotion of a 1314
retained student at any time during the year of retention once 1315
the student has demonstrated ability to read at grade level. 1316
9. Information about the student's eligibility for the New 1317
Worlds Reading Initiative under s. 1003.485 and the New Worlds 1318
Scholarship Accounts under s. 1002.411 and information on parent 1319
training modules and other reading engagement resources 1320
available through the initiative. 1321
1322
After initial notification, the school shall apprise the parent 1323
at least monthly of the student's progress in response to the 1324
intensive interventions and supports and the student's 1325

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 54 of 66
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

eligibility for the New Worlds Reading Initiative under s. 1326
1003.485. Such communications must be in writing and must 1327
explain any additional interventions or supports that will be 1328
implemented to accelerate the student's progress if the 1329
interventions and supports already being implemented have not 1330
resulted in improvement. Upon the request of the parent, the 1331
teacher or school administrator shall meet to discuss the 1332
student's progress. The parent may request more frequent 1333
notification of the student's progress, more frequent 1334
interventions or supports, and earlier implementation of the 1335
additional interventions or supports described in the initial 1336
notification. 1337
(9) COORDINATED SCREENING AND PROGRESS MONITORING SYSTEM.— 1338
(a) The Department of Education, in collaboration with the 1339
Office of Early Learning, shall procure and require the use of a 1340
statewide, standardized coordinated screening and progress 1341
monitoring system for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education 1342
Program and public schools. The system must: 1343
1. Measure student progress in meeting the appropriate 1344
expectations in early literacy and mathematics skills and in 1345
English Language Arts and mathematics standards as required by 1346
ss. 1002.67(1)(a) and 1003.41 and identify the educational 1347
strengths and needs of students. 1348
2. For students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education 1349
Program through grade 3, measure student performance in oral 1350

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 55 of 66
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

language development, phonological and phonemic awareness, 1351
knowledge of print and letters, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, 1352
and comprehension, as applicable by grade level, and, at a 1353
minimum, provide interval level and norm-referenced data that 1354
measures equivalent levels of growth. 1355
3. Be a valid, reliable, and developmentally appropriate 1356
computer-based direct instrument that provides screening and 1357
diagnostic capabilities for monitoring student progress; 1358
identifies students who have a substantial deficiency in reading 1359
or mathematics, including identifying students with 1360
characteristics of dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other learning 1361
disorders; and informs instruction. Any student identified by 1362
the system as having characteristics of dyslexia or dyscalculia 1363
shall undergo further screening. Beginning with the 2023-2024 1364
school year, the coordinated screening and progress monitoring 1365
system must be computer-adaptive. 1366
4. Provide data for Voluntary Prekindergarten Education 1367
Program accountability as required under s. 1002.68. 1368
5. Provide Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program 1369
providers, school districts, schools, teachers, and parents with 1370
data and resources that enhance differentiated instruction and 1371
parent communication. 1372
6. Provide baseline data to the department of each 1373
student's readiness for kindergarten. The determination of 1374
kindergarten readiness must be based on the results of each 1375

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 56 of 66
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

student's initial progress monitoring assessment in 1376
kindergarten. The methodology for determining a student's 1377
readiness for kindergarten must be developed by the department 1378
and aligned to the methodology adopted pursuant to s. 1002.68(3) 1379
s. 1002.68(4). 1380
7. Assess how well educational goals and curricular 1381
standards are met at the provider, school, district, and state 1382
levels and provide information to the department to aid in the 1383
development of educational programs, policies, and supports for 1384
providers, districts, and schools. 1385
Section 24. Subsection (2) of section 1008.47, Florida 1386
Statutes, is amended to read: 1387
1008.47 Postsecondary education institution 1388
accreditation.— 1389
(2) ACCREDITATION.— 1390
(a) By September 1, 2022, The Board of Governors or the 1391
State Board of Education, as applicable, shall identify and 1392
determine the accrediting agencies or associations best suited 1393
to serve as an accreditor for public postsecondary institutions. 1394
Such accrediting agencies or associations must be recognized by 1395
the database created and maintained by the United States 1396
Department of Education. Within 3 years In the year following 1397
reaffirmation or fifth-year review by its accrediting agencies 1398
or associations, each public postsecondary institution must seek 1399
and obtain accreditation from an accrediting agency or 1400

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 57 of 66
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

association identified by the Board of Governors or State Board 1401
of Education, respectively, before its next reaffirmation or 1402
fifth-year review date. The requirements in this section are 1403
limited to a one-time change in accreditation. The requirements 1404
of this subsection are not applicable to those professional, 1405
graduate, departmental, or certificate programs at public 1406
postsecondary institutions that have specific accreditation 1407
requirements or best practices, including, but not limited to, 1408
law, pharmacy, engineering, or other similarly situated 1409
educational programs. 1410
(b) Once a public postsecondary institution is required to 1411
seek and obtain accreditation from an agency or association 1412
identified pursuant to paragraph (a), the institution shall seek 1413
accreditation from an a regional accrediting agency or 1414
association and provide quarterly reports of its progress to the 1415
Board of Governors or State Board of Education, as applicable. 1416
If each regional accreditation agency or association identified 1417
pursuant to paragraph (a) has refused to grant candidacy status 1418
to an institution, the institution must seek and obtain 1419
accreditation from any accrediting agency or association that is 1420
different from its current accrediting agency or association and 1421
is recognized by the database created and maintained by the 1422
United States Department of Education. If a public postsecondary 1423
institution is not granted candidacy status before its next 1424
reaffirmation or fifth-year review date, the institution may 1425

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 58 of 66
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

remain with its current accrediting agency or association. 1426
(c) This subsection expires December 31, 2032. 1427
Section 25. Subsection (7) of section 1009.21, Florida 1428
Statutes, is amended to read: 1429
1009.21 Determination of resident status for tuition 1430
purposes.—Students shall be classified as residents or 1431
nonresidents for the purpose of assessing tuition in 1432
postsecondary educational programs offered by charter technical 1433
career centers or career centers operated by school districts, 1434
in Florida College System institutions, and in state 1435
universities. 1436
(7) A person may shall not lose his or her resident status 1437
for tuition purposes solely by reason of his or her serving, or, 1438
if such person is a dependent child, by reason of his or her 1439
parent's or parents' serving outside this state as active duty 1440
or civilian personnel:, 1441
(a) In the Armed Forces outside this state. 1442
(b) On assignment for the United States Department of 1443
State or Department of Defense. 1444
(c) Teaching at a Department of Defense Dependent School. 1445
Section 26. Paragraph (e) of subsection (1) of section 1446
1009.25, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1447
1009.25 Fee exemptions.— 1448
(1) The following students are exempt from the payment of 1449
tuition and fees, including lab fees, at a school district that 1450

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 59 of 66
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

provides workforce education programs, Florida College System 1451
institution, or state university: 1452
(e) A student who meets the definition of homeless 1453
children and youths in s. 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless 1454
Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. s. 11434a(2), as previously determined 1455
by a public school in this state. This includes a student who 1456
would otherwise meet the requirements of this paragraph, as 1457
determined by a college or university, but for his or her 1458
residence in college or university dormitory housing. The State 1459
Board of Education may adopt rules and the Board of Governors 1460
may adopt regulations regarding documentation and procedures to 1461
implement this paragraph. Such rules and regulations must 1462
consider documentation of a student's circumstance to be 1463
adequate if such documentation meets the standards under 20 1464
U.S.C. s. 1087uu-2(a). Any student who is determined to be a 1465
homeless child or youth for a preceding award year is presumed 1466
to be a homeless child or youth for each subsequent year unless 1467
the student informs the institution that the student's 1468
circumstances have changed or the institution has specific 1469
conflicting information about the student's independence, and 1470
has informed the student of this information. A distance 1471
learning student residing out-of-state is ineligible for the 1472
exemption in this paragraph. 1473
Section 27. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section 1474
1009.893, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1475

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 60 of 66
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

1009.893 Benacquisto Scholarship Program.— 1476
(4) In order to be eligible for an initial award under the 1477
scholarship program, a student must meet the requirements of 1478
paragraph (a) or paragraph (b). 1479
(a) A student who is a resident of this state, as 1480
determined in s. 1009.40 and rules of the State Board of 1481
Education, must: 1482
1. Earn a standard Florida high school diploma or its 1483
equivalent pursuant to s. 1002.3105, s. 1003.4281, s. 1003.4282, 1484
or s. 1003.435 unless: 1485
a. The student completes a home education program 1486
according to s. 1002.41; or 1487
b. The student earns a high school diploma from a non-1488
Florida school while living with a parent who is on military or 1489
public service assignment out of this state; 1490
2. Be accepted by and enroll in a Florida public or 1491
independent postsecondary educational institution that is 1492
regionally accredited; and 1493
3. Be enrolled full-time in a baccalaureate degree program 1494
at an eligible regionally accredited Florida public or 1495
independent postsecondary educational institution during the 1496
fall academic term following high school graduation. A student 1497
may defer the initial scholarship award for up to 1 year. 1498
Section 28. Subsection (5) of section 1009.983, Florida 1499
Statutes, is amended to read: 1500

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 61 of 66
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

1009.983 Direct-support organization; authority.— 1501
(5) The chair of the board or a designee who possesses 1502
knowledge, skill, and experience in the areas of accounting, 1503
risk management, or investment management shall serve as a 1504
director of the direct-support organization. The chair and the 1505
executive director of the board shall jointly name, at a 1506
minimum, four other individuals to serve as directors of the 1507
organization. 1508
Section 29. Paragraph (d) of subsection (3) of section 1509
1009.986, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1510
1009.986 Florida ABLE program.— 1511
(3) DIRECT-SUPPORT ORGANIZATION; FLORIDA ABLE, INC.— 1512
(d)1. The board of directors of Florida ABLE, Inc., shall 1513
consist of: 1514
a. The chair of the Florida Prepaid College Board, or a 1515
his or her designee who possesses knowledge, skill, and 1516
experience in the areas of accounting, risk management, or 1517
investment management. 1518
b. Up to three individuals who possess knowledge, skill, 1519
and experience in the areas of accounting, risk management, or 1520
investment management, one of whom may be a current member of 1521
the Florida Prepaid College Board, who shall be appointed by the 1522
Florida Prepaid College Board. 1523
c. One individual who possesses knowledge, skill, and 1524
experience in the areas of accounting, risk management, or 1525

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 62 of 66
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

investment management, who shall be appointed by the Governor. 1526
d. Two individuals who are advocates of persons with 1527
disabilities, one of whom shall be appointed by the President of 1528
the Senate and one of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of 1529
the House of Representatives. At least one of the individuals 1530
appointed under this sub-subparagraph must be an advocate of 1531
persons with developmental disabilities, as that term is defined 1532
in s. 393.063. 1533
2.a. The term of the appointees under sub-subparagraph 1534
1.b. shall be up to 3 years as determined by the Florida Prepaid 1535
College Board. Such appointees may be reappointed. 1536
b. The term of the appointees under sub-subparagraphs 1.c. 1537
and d. shall be 3 years. Such appointees may be reappointed. 1538
3. Unless authorized by the board of directors of Florida 1539
ABLE, Inc., an individual director has no authority to control 1540
or direct the operations of Florida ABLE, Inc., or the actions 1541
of its officers and employees. 1542
4. The board of directors of Florida ABLE, Inc.: 1543
a. Shall meet at least quarterly and at other times upon 1544
the call of the chair. 1545
b. May use any method of telecommunications to conduct, or 1546
establish a quorum at, its meetings or the meetings of a 1547
subcommittee or other subdivision if the public is given proper 1548
notice of the telecommunications meeting and provided reasonable 1549
access to observe and, if appropriate, to participate. 1550

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 63 of 66
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

c. Shall annually elect a board member to serve as chair. 1551
5. A majority of the total current membership of the board 1552
of directors of Florida ABLE, Inc., constitutes a quorum of the 1553
board. 1554
6. Members of the board of directors of Florida ABLE, 1555
Inc., and the board's subcommittees or other subdivisions shall 1556
serve without compensation; however, the members may be 1557
reimbursed for reasonable, necessary, and actual travel expenses 1558
pursuant to s. 112.061. 1559
Section 30. Present paragraphs (h) and (i) of subsection 1560
(17) of section 1011.62, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as 1561
paragraphs (i) and (j), respectively, and a new paragraph (h) is 1562
added to that subsection, to read: 1563
1011.62 Funds for operation of schools.—If the annual 1564
allocation from the Florida Education Finance Program to each 1565
district for operation of schools is not determined in the 1566
annual appropriations act or the substantive bill implementing 1567
the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as 1568
follows: 1569
(17) ACADEMIC ACCELERATION OPTIONS SUPPLEMENT.—The 1570
academic acceleration options supplement is created to assist 1571
school districts in providing academic acceleration options, 1572
career-themed courses, and courses that lead to digital tool 1573
certificates and industry certifications for prekindergarten 1574
through grade 12 students and shall be allocated annually in the 1575

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 64 of 66
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

General Appropriations Act. 1576
(h) Calculation of additional full-time equivalent 1577
membership based on Florida advanced courses and tests scores of 1578
students.—A value of 0.16 full-time equivalent student 1579
membership shall be calculated for each student in a Florida 1580
advanced course who achieves a minimum score on an assessment 1581
identified by the Department of Education pursuant to s. 1582
1007.27(2) and added to the total full-time equivalent student 1583
membership in basic programs for grades 9 through 12 in the 1584
subsequent fiscal year. Each district shall allocate at least 80 1585
percent of the funds provided to the district for advanced 1586
course instruction, in accordance with this paragraph, to the 1587
high school that generates the funds. The school district shall 1588
distribute to each classroom teacher who provided the advanced 1589
course instruction: 1590
1. A bonus in the amount of $50 for each student taught by 1591
the Florida advanced course teacher in each Florida advanced 1592
course who achieves a minimum score on an assessment identified 1593
by the Department of Education pursuant to s. 1007.27(2). 1594
2. An additional bonus of $500 to each Florida advanced 1595
course teacher in a school designated with a grade of "D" or "F" 1596
who has at least one student who achieves a minimum score on an 1597
assessment identified by the Department of Education pursuant to 1598
s. 1007.27(2), regardless of the number of classes taught or of 1599
the number of students who achieve a minimum score on an 1600

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 65 of 66
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

assessment identified by the Department of Education pursuant to 1601
s. 1007.27(2). 1602
Section 31. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section 1603
1011.69, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1604
1011.69 Equity in School-Level Funding Act.— 1605
(4) After providing Title I, Part A, Basic funds to 1606
schools above the 75 percent poverty threshold, which may 1607
include high schools above the 50 percent threshold as permitted 1608
by federal law, school districts shall provide any remaining 1609
Title I, Part A, Basic funds directly to all eligible schools as 1610
provided in this subsection. For purposes of this subsection, an 1611
eligible school is a school that is eligible to receive Title I 1612
funds, including a charter school. The threshold for identifying 1613
eligible schools may not exceed the threshold established by a 1614
school district for the 2016-2017 school year or the statewide 1615
percentage of economically disadvantaged students, as determined 1616
annually. 1617
(a) Prior to the allocation of Title I funds to eligible 1618
schools, a school district may withhold funds only as follows: 1619
1. One percent for parent involvement, in addition to the 1620
one percent the district must reserve under federal law for 1621
allocations to eligible schools for parent involvement; 1622
2. A necessary and reasonable amount for administration 1623
which includes the district's indirect cost rate, not to exceed 1624
a total of 10 percent; 1625

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 1279, Engrossed 1 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1279 -03-er
Page 66 of 66
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

3. A reasonable and necessary amount to provide: 1626
a. Homeless programs; 1627
b. Delinquent and neglected programs; 1628
c. Prekindergarten programs and activities; 1629
d. Private school equitable services; and 1630
e. Transportation for foster care children to their school 1631
of origin or choice programs; and 1632
4. A necessary and reasonable amount, not to exceed 1 1633
percent, for eligible schools to provide educational services in 1634
accordance with the approved Title I plan. Such educational 1635
services may include the provision of STEM curricula, 1636
instructional materials, and related learning technologies that 1637
support academic achievement in science, technology, 1638
engineering, and mathematics in Title I schools, including, but 1639
not limited to, technologies related to drones, coding, 1640
animation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, 1641
the engineering design process, mobile development, and 1642
robotics. Funds may be reserved under this subparagraph only to 1643
the extent that all required reservations under federal law have 1644
been met and that such reservation does not reduce school-level 1645
allocations below the levels required under federal law. 1646
Section 32. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 1647