Florida Senate - 2014                                     SB 124
       
       
        
       By Senator Soto
       
       
       
       
       
       14-00185-14                                            2014124__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to classroom materials; amending s.
    3         1012.71, F.S.; requiring district school boards to
    4         give classroom teachers debit cards that are funded
    5         through the Florida Teachers Classroom Supply
    6         Assistance Program to purchase materials and supplies
    7         before the start of the school year; providing an
    8         effective date.
    9          
   10  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   11  
   12         Section 1. Subsection (3) of section 1012.71, Florida
   13  Statutes, is amended to read:
   14         1012.71 The Florida Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance
   15  Program.—
   16         (3) From the funds allocated to each school district and
   17  any funds received from local contributions for the Florida
   18  Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Program, each the district
   19  school board shall issue each classroom teacher a debit card to
   20  purchase materials and supplies.
   21         (a) The debit card shall be in the following amounts:
   22         1. For a classroom teacher at an elementary school, at
   23  least $250;
   24         2. For a classroom teacher at a middle school, at least
   25  $500; or
   26         3. For a classroom teacher at a high school, at least $750
   27  calculate an identical amount for each classroom teacher, which
   28  is that teacher’s proportionate share of the total amount
   29  allocated to the district from state funds and funds received
   30  from local contributions.
   31         (b) If additional funding is available, a district school
   32  board may, at any time during the school year, provide
   33  additional funds on a debit card above the minimum amounts in
   34  paragraph (a).
   35         (c) A job-share classroom teacher may receive a debit card
   36  that has a prorated share of the amount provided to a full-time
   37  classroom teacher.
   38         (d) The district school board and each charter school board
   39  shall provide each classroom teacher with a debit card 2 weeks
   40  before the start of the school year his or her total
   41  proportionate share by September 30 of each year by any means
   42  determined appropriate by the district school board or charter
   43  school board, including, but not limited to, direct deposit,
   44  check, debit card, or purchasing card. If a debit card is used,
   45  An identifier must be placed on the front of the debit card
   46  which clearly indicates that the card has been issued for the
   47  Florida Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Program.
   48         (e) Expenditures under the program are not subject to state
   49  or local competitive bidding requirements. Funds received by a
   50  classroom teacher do not affect wages, hours, or terms and
   51  conditions of employment and, therefore, are not subject to
   52  collective bargaining. Any classroom teacher may decline receipt
   53  of or return the funds without explanation or cause.
   54         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2014.