summary
Introduced
03/24/2021
03/24/2021
In Committee
04/21/2021
04/21/2021
Crossed Over
04/26/2021
04/26/2021
Passed
04/26/2021
04/26/2021
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/12/2021
05/12/2021
Introduced Session
2021 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to school choice; amending s. 11.45, F.S.; revising the frequency with which the Auditor General must conduct certain operational audits; repealing s. 1002.385, F.S., relating to the Gardiner Scholarship; amending s. 1002.39, F.S.; revising provisions relating to the calculation of the maximum amount of scholarship funds granted to an eligible student with a disability under the John M. McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program; providing for future repeal of the program; amending s. 1002.394, F.S.; providing definitions; revising student eligibility requirements under the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program; providing requirements for the use of funds under the program; revising provisions relating to the term of scholarships awarded under the program; providing that certain students are not eligible for a scholarship under the program under certain circumstances; providing exceptions; revising the obligations of school districts, the Department of Education, private schools, and eligible scholarship-funding organizations under the program; revising the responsibilities of parents and students relating to program participation; revising provisions relating to hb7045-00 HB 7045 the funding and payment of scholarships awarded under the program; requiring specified state agencies to work with an organization to provide access to lists of approved licensed service providers; providing that certain students with disabilities are eligible for enrollment in transition-to-work programs at certain participating private schools; providing requirements for such students, private schools, and businesses under transition-to-work programs; revising provisions relating to the State Board of Education's rulemaking authority; removing obsolete provisions; amending s. 1002.395, F.S.; revising the amount of eligible contributions that may be used for administrative expenses by an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization under the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program; amending ss. 1002.40, 1009.971, 1009.98, 1009.981, 1011.61, and 1011.62, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; providing effective dates.
AI Summary
This bill makes several changes to school choice programs in Florida:
The bill repeals the Gardiner Scholarship program and revises the calculation of the maximum scholarship amount for the John M. McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program, including providing for the future repeal of that program.
The bill also significantly expands the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, including increasing the income eligibility threshold, expanding the types of students eligible, and increasing the maximum number of scholarships available each year. The bill details the authorized uses of program funds, including for instructional materials, specialized services, and tuition and fees at eligible private schools or other educational providers.
The bill imposes various obligations on school districts, the Department of Education, private schools, and eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations related to student eligibility, scholarship payments, testing, and program compliance. It also establishes a transition-to-work program for certain students with disabilities enrolled in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.
Overall, this bill represents a major expansion of school choice options in Florida, particularly for students with disabilities.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (9)
Randy Fine (R)*,
Jason Fischer (R)*,
Erin Grall (R),
Thomas Leek (R),
Randy Maggard (R),
Stan McClain (R),
Jim Mooney (R),
Rick Roth (R),
Kaylee Tuck (R),
Other Sponsors (2)
Appropriations Committee (H), Education and Employment Committee (H)
Last Action
Chapter No. 2021-27 (on 05/12/2021)
Official Document
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