Bill > S0140

This bill modifies Florida's charter school laws to introduce several key changes. It expands who can apply for a conversion charter school, now allowing municipalities to apply, particularly for "job engine" charter schools designed to attract job-producing entities. The bill requires that charter school applications demonstrating conversion support must now have at least 50 percent of parents voting (with a majority of eligible parents participating), and mandates that district school boards, colleges, or universities provide written notice with specific reasons when denying a conversion charter school application. The legislation introduces a new type of charter school called a "job engine charter," which must provide annual reports about job attraction efforts, include career education opportunities, and offer exceptional student education services. The bill also modifies enrollment preference rules, allowing job engine charter schools to prioritize children of employees from job-producing entities. Additionally, the bill prohibits district school boards from charging rental or leasing fees for conversion schools and requires municipalities to negotiate such fees. The legislation also includes charter schools in the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program, giving priority to applications from job engine charter schools. The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Health and Social Services

Education Pre-K - 12 (Senate), Rules (Senate)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/140