Bill > H1325

Introduced Session

An act relating to neighborhood pod learning programs; providing a short title; amending s. 1002.01, F.S.; defining the term "neighborhood pod learning program"; creating s. 1002.46, F.S.; authorizing the parents of children from at least two unrelated families to establish and operate a neighborhood pod learning program; defining terms; requiring parents who establish a program to notify district school superintendents; specifying the requirements of such notice; clarifying that such programs are not school district programs; providing that a parent participating in operating a program is not required to hold a Florida teaching certificate; requiring school district superintendents to accept notices and register programs; prohibiting a district from requiring additional information or verification from a program parent unless a program student chooses to participate in a school district program or service; prohibiting a school district superintendent from assigning a grade level to a program student or include other specified information in a database unless the student chooses to participate in a school district program or service; requiring program parents to file a written notice of termination upon hb1325-00 HB 1325 completion of the program; providing construction; requiring an agency or political subdivision of the state to demonstrate clear and convincing evidence that any enforcement action would not interfere in specified manners with operating a program; providing that such programs are a permitted use in all residential zones; providing that a program does not violate the Florida Fire Prevention Code under certain circumstances; clarifying that a program is not a child care facility, family day care home, or large family child care home; prohibiting discrimination against a parent or student for participation in a program; providing that a program does not increase the regulatory authority of the state; providing for severability; amending ss. 1002.395 and 1002.421, F.S.; conforming cross-references; providing an effective date. WHEREAS, the effects of COVID-19 have made it clear that traditional educational institutions are subject to unique concerns when faced with a pandemic, and WHEREAS, evidence suggests that remote and purely virtual learning options are not the appropriate solutions for all students, and WHEREAS, in response to COVID-19, some parents have created hb1325-00 HB 1325 "learning pods" in which multiple families pool resources to hire independent educators, and WHEREAS, this phenomenon is largely decentralized, typically involving small groups of parents pooling resources to benefit their children's education, and WHEREAS, learning pods that have been formed primarily as a response to the pandemic have seen early indicators of success, and WHEREAS, regulatory barriers limit the potentially positive effects of learning pods, as existing regulations are poorly suited to allow learning pods to exist in a safe and regulated manner, and WHEREAS, in order to ensure the continuity of children's education and encourage parents and teachers to take advantage of potentially beneficial alternative education arrangements, and to ensure the uniform regulation of learning pods in this state, NOW, THEREFORE,

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Keith Truenow (R)*, 

Died in Early Learning & Elementary Education Subcommittee (on 04/30/2021)

Official Document