summary
Introduced
01/06/2026
01/06/2026
In Committee
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/13/2026
03/13/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to background screenings; amending s. 943.0438, F.S.; revising the definition of the term “athletic coach”; defining the term “team based in this state”; providing that, effective on a specified date, an independent sanctioning authority is deemed to be a qualified entity for the purpose of participating in the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse; authorizing an independent sanctioning authority to allow certain persons to act as athletic coaches and referees without passing certain background screening qualifications under certain circumstances; amending s. 943.0542, F.S.; requiring qualified entities to designate a user administrator for a specified purpose; authorizing such qualified entities to designate additional authorized users with certain delegated authority; revising requirements related to the release of specified records from the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse to a qualified entity; amending ss. 943.0585 and 943.059, F.S.; prohibiting certain persons from denying or failing to acknowledge certain criminal history records that have been expunged or sealed; requiring the Department of Law Enforcement to disclose sealed criminal history records under specified circumstances; reenacting ss. 943.053(3)(c), 943.0578(4), and 943.0582(2)(b), F.S., relating to dissemination of criminal justice information, lawful self-defense expunction, and diversion program expunction, respectively, to incorporate the amendments made to ss. 943.0585 and 943.059, F.S., in references thereto; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill modifies laws related to background screenings for individuals involved in youth athletics and other sensitive positions. It revises the definition of an "athletic coach" to include referees and managers, and defines "team based in this state" as a group primarily practicing and competing within the state. Importantly, starting July 1, 2026, independent sanctioning authorities, such as youth sports organizations, will be recognized as qualified entities to participate in the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse, a system for checking criminal histories. This allows these authorities to potentially exempt certain individuals, like those under 18 or referees, from full background checks if they pass a limited check and are supervised by a fully screened coach, provided they are not registered sex offenders or predators. The bill also requires qualified entities to designate a user administrator for managing background screening access and updates requirements for releasing records from the Clearinghouse. Furthermore, it clarifies that individuals whose criminal history records have been expunged (removed) or sealed (hidden) cannot be denied or forced to acknowledge these records, with specific exceptions for certain employment, licensing, or legal proceedings, and mandates that the Department of Law Enforcement disclose sealed records under particular circumstances, particularly for those being screened through the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (1)
Other Sponsors (2)
Fiscal Policy (Senate), Health Policy (Senate)
Last Action
Laid on Table, refer to CS/CS/HB 1069 (on 03/09/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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