summary
Introduced
12/13/2023
12/13/2023
In Committee
01/04/2024
01/04/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/08/2024
03/08/2024
Introduced Session
2024 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to the school readiness program; amending s. 1002.81, F.S.; revising the definition of the term “economically disadvantaged”; amending s. 1002.84, F.S.; revising requirements for the sliding fee scale for families receiving school readiness program services to include a new method to calculate parent copayments at the time of eligibility determination and annually thereafter, regardless of the number of children; revising the methodology for distributing school readiness program funds to eligible providers; amending s. 1002.85, F.S.; revising requirements for the data elements that must be collected and reported by the Department of Education; revising the date by which the report must be implemented; amending s. 1002.89, F.S.; revising the method for determining the annual allocation for the school readiness program; deleting a provision relating to certain expenditures from the Gold Seal Quality Care Program allocation; deleting a provision relating to certain expenditures from the differential payment program allocation; deleting a provision relating to certain expenditures from the special needs differential allocation; amending s. 1002.90, F.S.; requiring that provider reimbursement rates be established based on certain information; deleting a requirement for the Early Learning Programs Estimating Conference to provide official cost-of-care information to the Legislature; providing an effective date. WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Legislature to preserve parent choice and ensure that young children have access to high-quality early education opportunities that promote kindergarten readiness and prepare them for later economic success, and WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Legislature to increase workforce participation, strengthen this state’s economy, and support low-income families on a path to reach economic self sufficiency, NOW, THEREFORE,
AI Summary
This bill aims to revise the school readiness program in Florida. Key provisions include:
1. Changing the definition of "economically disadvantaged" to families with incomes up to 55% of the state median income, rather than 150% of the federal poverty level.
2. Requiring early learning coalitions to implement a sliding fee scale for parent copayments that increases with income, ranging from 7% to 15% of household income.
3. Revising the methodology for distributing school readiness program funds to eligible providers based on approved provider cost of care or reimbursement rates.
4. Modifying the data elements that must be collected and reported by the Department of Education, including the percentage of children served whose family income is below 55% of the state median income.
5. Changing the annual allocation formula for the school readiness program to consider factors such as enrollment, approved cost of care, and administrative costs.
The bill's intent is to preserve parent choice, ensure access to high-quality early education, increase workforce participation, strengthen the state's economy, and support low-income families' path to economic self-sufficiency.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Died in Appropriations Committee on Education (on 03/08/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/916 |
| Analysis - Education Pre-K -12 (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/916/Analyses/2024s00916.ed.PDF |
| Analysis - Education Pre-K -12 (Pre-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/916/Analyses/2024s00916.pre.ed.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/916/BillText/Filed/HTML |
Loading...