Bill > H1565

This bill modifies Florida's educational scholarship programs to expand the ways families can use scholarship funds for their children's education. Specifically, the bill introduces two new types of educational programs: "customized instructional programs" and "home education instructional programs". A customized instructional program is defined as an instructor-directed education program where students attend more than three days per week, parents can collaborate with instructors, and program details are publicly available. A home education instructional program is a program that supplements parent-provided instruction and has transparent program descriptions. The bill amends two existing scholarship programs - the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program and the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program - to allow families to use scholarship funds for tuition and fees associated with these new types of instructional programs, in addition to existing educational options like private schools, tutoring, and online courses. The bill also makes some technical changes to background check requirements for scholarship-funding organizations and updates various references in the existing law. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, providing families with more flexible educational choices and financial support for alternative learning approaches.

Budget and Finance, Education

Student Academic Success Subcommittee (H)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1565