The Florida Senate

231.800  Florida educators professional liability insurance protection.--

(1)  The Legislature intends that all the teachers in this state be protected from liability for monetary damages and the cost of defense of actions resulting from claims made against them arising out of occurrences in the course of activities in their professional capacity.

(2)(a)  Beginning July 1, 2001, educator professional liability coverage for all instructional personnel, as defined by s. 228.041(9), who are full-time personnel, as defined by the district school board policy, shall be provided by specific appropriations under the General Appropriations Act.

(b)  Beginning July 1, 2001, educator professional liability coverage shall be extended at cost to all instructional personnel, as defined by s. 228.041(9), who are part-time personnel, as defined by the district school board policy, and choose to participate in the state-provided program.

(c)  Beginning July 1, 2001, educator professional liability coverage shall be extended at cost to all administrative personnel, as defined by s. 228.041(10), who choose to participate in the state-provided program.

(3)  In implementing line item 138A of the 2001-2002 General Appropriations Act, the Department of Education shall administer the educator liability program. The insurance carrier providing any portion of educator professional liability coverage under the program which is procured with state funds must be selected by a competitive process. The amount of the appropriation for purchase of liability insurance remaining after liability insurance is provided shall revert to general revenue unallocated.

History.--s. 1, ch. 2001-46.