Florida Senate - 2025                             CS for SB 1624
       
       
        
       By the Appropriations Committee on Higher Education; and Senator
       Calatayud
       
       
       
       
       608-02787-25                                          20251624c1
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to higher education; amending s.
    3         11.51, F.S.; authorizing the Office of Program Policy
    4         Analysis and Government Accountability to develop
    5         contracts or agreements with institutions in the State
    6         University System for a specified purpose; amending s.
    7         251.001, F.S.; providing tuition assistance to active
    8         members of the Florida State Guard; amending s.
    9         288.036, F.S.; revising the duties of the Office of
   10         Ocean Economy; amending s. 381.853, F.S.; specifying
   11         that the President of the University of Florida
   12         appoints the members of the scientific advisory
   13         council within the Florida Center for Brain Tumor
   14         Research; amending s. 413.407, F.S.; revising the
   15         qualifications for members of the Assistive Technology
   16         Advisory Council; increasing the maximum term length
   17         for such members; amending s. 446.032, F.S.; revising
   18         the date by which the Department of Education is
   19         required to publish an annual report on apprenticeship
   20         and preapprenticeship programs; amending s. 446.041,
   21         F.S.; requiring the department to take into account
   22         underrepresented groups in administering the
   23         apprenticeship training program, rather than minority
   24         and gender diversity; amending s. 1000.05, F.S.;
   25         renaming the Florida Educational Equity Act as the
   26         “Florida Educational Equality Act”; changing the term
   27         “gender” to “sex”; requiring public schools and
   28         Florida College System institutions to develop and
   29         implement methods and strategies to increase
   30         participation of underrepresented students, rather
   31         than students with certain characteristics, in certain
   32         programs and courses; requiring the Commissioner of
   33         Education and the State Board of Education to utilize
   34         their authority to enforce compliance; amending s.
   35         1000.21, F.S.; renaming Hillsborough Community College
   36         as “Hillsborough College”; creating s. 1001.68, F.S.;
   37         authorizing Florida College System institutions with a
   38         certain number of full-time equivalent students to
   39         enter into cooperative agreements to form a state
   40         college regional consortium service organization;
   41         requiring such organizations to provide at least a
   42         specified number of certain services; requiring that
   43         regional consortium service organizations be governed
   44         by a board of directors consisting of specified
   45         members; amending s. 1001.706, F.S.; deleting a
   46         requirement that state universities provide student
   47         access to certain information; amending s. 1001.7065,
   48         F.S.; revising academic standards for the preeminent
   49         state research university program to include a
   50         specified average Classic Learning Test score;
   51         amending s. 1004.0971, F.S.; revising the definition
   52         of the term “emergency opioid antagonist”; amending s.
   53         1004.933, F.S.; authorizing an institution to enter
   54         into an agreement with an online provider for the
   55         adult education or career instruction portion of the
   56         Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education (GATE)
   57         Program; removing the age limit for enrollment in the
   58         program; clarifying that students are not required to
   59         enroll in adult secondary and career education
   60         coursework simultaneously; amending s. 1006.73, F.S.;
   61         revising reporting requirements relating to the
   62         Florida Postsecondary Academic Library Network;
   63         amending s. 1007.34, F.S.; expanding the scope of the
   64         college reach-out program to all low-income
   65         educationally disadvantaged and underrepresented
   66         students regardless of minority status; amending s.
   67         1007.35, F.S.; revising legislative findings; renaming
   68         the Florida Partnership for Minority and
   69         Underrepresented Student Achievement as the “Florida
   70         Partnership for Underrepresented Student Achievement”;
   71         revising the purposes and duties of the partnership to
   72         focus on all underrepresented students regardless of
   73         minority status; revising duties of the partnership;
   74         amending s. 1009.23, F.S.; authorizing the Florida
   75         College System to allocate a portion of financial aid
   76         fees to assist underrepresented students, rather than
   77         students who are members of a targeted gender or
   78         ethnic minority population; amending s. 1009.26, F.S.;
   79         revising the residency requirement for a grandparent
   80         for an out-of-state fee waiver; revising the residency
   81         criteria for a grandparent in a specified attestation;
   82         amending s. 1009.536, F.S.; clarifying the required
   83         minimum cumulative weighted grade point average for
   84         the Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars award; authorizing
   85         students to apply for a Florida Gold Seal CAPE
   86         Scholars award within a specified timeframe before or
   87         after completing the GATE Program; amending s.
   88         1009.897, F.S.; requiring institutions receiving funds
   89         through the Prepping Institutions, Programs,
   90         Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing
   91         Education Fund to allocate funding to health care
   92         related programs; amending s. 1011.804, F.S.;
   93         authorizing certain institutions to apply for and use
   94         grant funds under the GATE Startup Grant Program for
   95         specified purposes; amending s. 1013.30, F.S.;
   96         revising the timeframe for updates to state university
   97         campus master plans; amending s. 1013.46, F.S.;
   98         deleting a provision relating to set asides for
   99         construction contracts with minority business
  100         enterprises; amending s. 1007.27, F.S.; conforming a
  101         provision to changes made by the act; providing an
  102         effective date.
  103          
  104  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
  105  
  106         Section 1. Subsection (5) is added to section 11.51,
  107  Florida Statutes, to read:
  108         11.51 Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government
  109  Accountability.—
  110         (5) The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government
  111  Accountability may develop contracts or agreements with
  112  institutions in the State University System to use the expertise
  113  of state university faculty and research staff to provide
  114  assistance in analysis and evaluative research.
  115         Section 2. Subsection (9) of section 251.001, Florida
  116  Statutes, is amended to read:
  117         251.001 Florida State Guard Act.—
  118         (9) REIMBURSEMENT, BENEFIT, AND COMPENSATION.—
  119         (a) The division shall reimburse members of the Florida
  120  State Guard for per diem and travel expenses incurred to attend
  121  required training or in the course of active service as provided
  122  in s. 112.061.
  123         (b) Members of the Florida State Guard may be compensated
  124  for time spent training or in the course of active service at
  125  rates established by the director, subject to appropriation.
  126         (c) A member of the Florida State Guard may not make any
  127  purchase or enter into any contract or agreement for purchases
  128  or services as a charge against the state without the authority
  129  of the director.
  130         (d) As a benefit to the active members of the Florida State
  131  Guard, subject to approval by the director of the Division of
  132  the State Guard, each state university and Florida College
  133  System institution shall waive tuition and fees for active
  134  members of the Florida State Guard to enroll for up to 6 credit
  135  hours of courses per term on a space-available basis.
  136         Section 3. Subsections (3) and (4) of section 288.036,
  137  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  138         288.036 Ocean economy development.—
  139         (3) The Office of Ocean Economy shall:
  140         (a) Develop and undertake activities and strategies with a
  141  focus on research and development, technological innovation,
  142  emerging industries, strategic business recruitment, public and
  143  private funding opportunities, and workforce training and
  144  education to promote and stimulate the ocean economy.
  145         (b)1. Collaborate Foster relationships and coordinate with
  146  state universities, private universities, career centers, and
  147  Florida College System institutions, including the College of
  148  the Florida Keys, to periodically survey surveying the
  149  development of academic research relating to the ocean economy
  150  across all disciplines and facilitating the transfer of
  151  innovative technology into marketable goods and services. The
  152  office shall encourage collaboration between state universities
  153  and Florida College System institutions that have overlapping
  154  areas of academic research.
  155         2. Include and update on the office’s website information
  156  related to:
  157         a. An inventory of current research and current
  158  collaborations, including contact information; and
  159         b. Any available resources for research and technology
  160  development, including financial opportunities.
  161         (c) Collaborate with relevant industries to identify
  162  economic challenges that may be solved through innovation in the
  163  ocean economy, including commercializing or otherwise
  164  facilitating public access to academic research and resources,
  165  removing governmental barriers, strengthening the workforce, and
  166  maximizing access to financial or other opportunities for growth
  167  and development.
  168         (d) Develop and facilitate a pipeline for innovative ideas
  169  and strategies to be created, developed, researched,
  170  commercialized, and financed. This includes promotion and
  171  coordination of industry collaboration, academic research,
  172  accelerator programs, training and technical assistance, and
  173  startup or second-stage funding opportunities.
  174         (e) Maintain and update on the office’s website:
  175         1. Reports and data on the number, growth, and average
  176  wages of jobs included in the ocean economy; the impacts on the
  177  number, growth, and development of businesses in the ocean
  178  economy; and the collaboration, transition, or adoption of
  179  innovation and research into new, viable ideas employed in the
  180  ocean economy.
  181         2. A current inventory of programs related to the ocean
  182  economy, an evaluation of additional opportunities to earn
  183  credentials, and the institutions or training providers where
  184  such credentials may be earned.
  185         (f) Educate other state and local entities on the interests
  186  of the ocean economy and how such entities may positively
  187  address environmental issues while simultaneously considering
  188  the economic impact of their policies.
  189         (g) Communicate the state’s role as an integral component
  190  of the ocean economy by promoting the state on national and
  191  international platforms and other appropriate forums as the
  192  premier destination for convening on pertinent subject matters.
  193         (h) Collaborate with public and private educational and
  194  industry organizations to make recommendations:
  195         1.For strengthening employment opportunities in:
  196         a. Commercial fishing;
  197         b. Fisheries and aquaculture, marine and freshwater;
  198         c. Processing and preserving fish, crustaceans, and
  199  mollusks;
  200         d. Shipbuilding and repair; and
  201         e. Shipping, water transport such as sea and coastal and
  202  inland water transportation of both freight and passengers,
  203  ports, and related services and support activities.
  204         2.Regarding the expansion of existing maritime programs
  205  and the addition of new programs and strategies for a public
  206  awareness campaign.
  207         3. To increase the availability of dual enrollment,
  208  preapprenticeship and apprenticeship, and work-study programs at
  209  both public and private institutions.
  210         4.For aligning the regulatory framework for fishing and
  211  boat operations with the demand for personnel through
  212  consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
  213         (4) By August 1, 2025, and each August 1 thereafter, the
  214  office shall provide to the Board of Governors, the Governor,
  215  the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
  216  Representatives and post on its website a detailed report on
  217  demonstrating the economic benefits of the office and the
  218  development of emerging ocean economy industries. By August 1,
  219  2026, the report must include the recommendations in paragraph
  220  (3)(h).
  221         Section 4. Subsection (4) of section 381.853, Florida
  222  Statutes, is amended to read:
  223         381.853 Florida Center for Brain Tumor Research.—
  224         (4) There is established within the center a scientific
  225  advisory council that includes biomedical researchers,
  226  physicians, clinicians, and representatives from public and
  227  private universities and hospitals. The council shall meet at
  228  least annually.
  229         (a) The council shall consist of members appointed by the
  230  President of the University of Florida, in consultation with the
  231  dean of the University of Florida College of Medicine:
  232         1. Two members from the Florida Center for Brain Tumor
  233  Research within the Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain
  234  Institute of the University of Florida appointed by the
  235  Governor.
  236         2. Two members from The Scripps Research Institute, one of
  237  whom must have expertise in basic brain tumor research,
  238  appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
  239         3. Two members from other public and private universities
  240  and institutions directly involved in brain tumor research
  241  appointed by the President of the Senate.
  242         4. One member from the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville who is
  243  directly involved in the treatment of brain tumor patients or
  244  who has expertise in basic brain tumor research appointed by the
  245  State Surgeon General.
  246         5. Two members from the Cleveland Clinic in Florida who are
  247  directly involved in basic brain tumor research appointed by the
  248  Governor.
  249         6. One member from the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and
  250  Research Institute who is directly involved in the treatment of
  251  brain tumor patients or who has expertise in basic brain tumor
  252  research appointed by the Speaker of the House of
  253  Representatives.
  254         7. One member from the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando
  255  who is directly involved in the treatment of brain tumor
  256  patients or who has expertise in basic brain tumor research
  257  appointed by the President of the Senate.
  258         (b) Council members shall serve staggered 4-year terms.
  259         (c) Council members shall serve without compensation, and
  260  each organization represented shall cover all expenses of its
  261  representative.
  262         Section 5. Paragraphs (d) and (f) of subsection (1) of
  263  section 413.407, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  264         413.407 Assistive Technology Advisory Council.—There is
  265  created the Assistive Technology Advisory Council, responsible
  266  for ensuring consumer involvement in the creation, application,
  267  and distribution of technology-related assistance to and for
  268  persons who have disabilities. The council shall fulfill its
  269  responsibilities through statewide policy development, state and
  270  federal legislative initiatives, advocacy at the state and
  271  federal levels, planning of statewide resource allocations,
  272  policy-level management, and reviews of consumer responsiveness
  273  and the adequacy of program service delivery and by performing
  274  the functions listed in this section.
  275         (1)
  276         (d) Members of the council must be geographically
  277  representative of the state and reflect the diversity of the
  278  state’s population with respect to race, ethnicity, gender, age,
  279  type of disability, and type of disability-related services and
  280  devices received.
  281         (f)1. Each member of the council shall serve for a term of
  282  not more than 5 3 years, except that a member appointed to fill
  283  a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which
  284  a predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder
  285  of such term.
  286         2. A member of the council may not serve more than two
  287  consecutive terms; however, any appointment under subparagraph
  288  1., if for less than 18 months, is not considered a term for the
  289  purposes of this section.
  290         3. A member who has served two consecutive terms and has
  291  been retired from the council for at least 3 years may be
  292  reappointed to the council on the same basis as a new member.
  293         Section 6. Subsection (2) of section 446.032, Florida
  294  Statutes, is amended to read:
  295         446.032 General duties of the department for apprenticeship
  296  training.—The department shall:
  297         (2) By November 30 September 1 of each year, publish an
  298  annual report on apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs.
  299  The report must be published on the department’s website and, at
  300  a minimum, include all of the following:
  301         (a) A list of registered apprenticeship and
  302  preapprenticeship programs, sorted by local educational agency,
  303  as defined in s. 1004.02(18), and apprenticeship sponsor, under
  304  s. 446.071.
  305         (b) A detailed summary of each local educational agency’s
  306  expenditure of funds for apprenticeship and preapprenticeship
  307  programs, including:
  308         1. The total amount of funds received for apprenticeship
  309  and preapprenticeship programs.
  310         2. The total amount of funds allocated by training
  311  provider, program, and occupation.
  312         3. The total amount of funds expended for administrative
  313  costs by training provider, program, and occupation.
  314         4. The total amount of funds expended for instructional
  315  costs by training provider, program, and occupation.
  316         (c) The number of apprentices and preapprentices per trade
  317  and occupation.
  318         (d) The percentage of apprentices and preapprentices who
  319  complete their respective programs in the appropriate timeframe.
  320         (e) Information and resources related to applications for
  321  new apprenticeship programs and technical assistance and
  322  requirements for potential applicants.
  323         (f) Documentation of activities conducted by the department
  324  to promote apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs through
  325  public engagement, community-based partnerships, and other
  326  initiatives and the outcomes of such activities and their impact
  327  on establishing or expanding apprenticeship and
  328  preapprenticeship programs.
  329         (g) Retention and completion rates of participants
  330  disaggregated by training provider, program, and occupation.
  331         (h) Wage progression of participants as demonstrated by
  332  starting, exit, and postapprenticeship wages at 1 and 5 years
  333  after participants exit the program.
  334         Section 7. Subsection (12) of section 446.041, Florida
  335  Statutes, is amended to read:
  336         446.041 Duties of the department.—The department shall:
  337         (12) Ensure that underrepresented groups minority and
  338  gender diversity are considered in administering this program.
  339         Section 8. Subsection (1), paragraph (d) of subsection (2),
  340  paragraph (e) of subsection (3), subsection (5), and subsection
  341  (7) of section 1000.05, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  342         1000.05 Discrimination against students and employees in
  343  the Florida K-20 public education system prohibited; equality of
  344  access required.—
  345         (1) This section may be cited as the “Florida Educational
  346  Equality Equity Act.”
  347         (2)
  348         (d) Students may be separated by sex for a single-sex
  349  single-gender program, for any portion of a class that deals
  350  with human reproduction, or during participation in bodily
  351  contact sports. For the purpose of this section, bodily contact
  352  sports include wrestling, boxing, rugby, ice hockey, football,
  353  basketball, and other sports in which the purpose or major
  354  activity involves bodily contact.
  355         (3)
  356         (e) A public school or Florida College System institution
  357  may provide separate toilet, locker room, and shower facilities
  358  on the basis of sex gender, but such facilities shall be
  359  comparable to such facilities provided for students of the other
  360  sex.
  361         (5) Public schools and Florida College System institutions
  362  shall develop and implement methods and strategies to increase
  363  the participation of underrepresented students of a particular
  364  race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or marital status
  365  in programs and courses in which students of that particular
  366  race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or marital status
  367  have been traditionally underrepresented, including, but not
  368  limited to, mathematics, science, computer technology,
  369  electronics, communications technology, engineering, and career
  370  education.
  371         (7) The functions of the Office of Equal Educational
  372  Opportunity of the Department of Education shall include, but
  373  are not limited to:
  374         (a) Requiring all district school boards and Florida
  375  College System institution boards of trustees to develop and
  376  submit plans for the implementation of this section to the
  377  Department of Education.
  378         (b) Conducting periodic reviews of school districts and
  379  Florida College System institutions to determine compliance with
  380  this section and, after a finding that a school district or a
  381  Florida College System institution is not in compliance with
  382  this section, notifying the entity of the steps that it must
  383  take to attain compliance and performing followup monitoring.
  384         (c) Providing technical assistance, including assisting
  385  school districts or Florida College System institutions in
  386  identifying unlawful discrimination and instructing them in
  387  remedies for correction and prevention of such discrimination
  388  and performing followup monitoring.
  389         (d) Conducting studies of the effectiveness of methods and
  390  strategies designed to increase the participation of students in
  391  programs and courses in which students of a particular race,
  392  color, national origin, sex, disability, or marital status have
  393  been traditionally underrepresented and monitoring the success
  394  of students in such programs or courses, including performing
  395  followup monitoring.
  396         (e) Requiring all district school boards and Florida
  397  College System institution boards of trustees to submit data and
  398  information necessary to determine compliance with this section.
  399  The Commissioner of Education shall prescribe the format and the
  400  date for submission of such data and any other educational
  401  equity data. If any board does not submit the required
  402  compliance data or other required educational equity data by the
  403  prescribed date, the commissioner shall notify the board of this
  404  fact and, if the board does not take appropriate action to
  405  immediately submit the required report, the State Board of
  406  Education shall impose monetary sanctions.
  407         (f) Based upon rules of the State Board of Education,
  408  developing and implementing enforcement mechanisms with
  409  appropriate penalties to ensure that public K-12 schools and
  410  Florida College System institutions comply with Title IX of the
  411  Education Amendments of 1972 and subsection (3) of this section.
  412  However, the State Board of Education may not force a public
  413  school or Florida College System institution to conduct, nor
  414  penalize such entity for not conducting, a program of athletic
  415  activity or athletic scholarship for female athletes unless it
  416  is an athletic activity approved for women by a recognized
  417  association whose purpose is to promote athletics and a
  418  conference or league exists to promote interscholastic or
  419  intercollegiate competition for women in that athletic activity.
  420         (g)Reporting to The Commissioner of Education any district
  421  school board or Florida College System institution board of
  422  trustees found to be out of compliance with rules of the State
  423  Board of Education adopted as required by paragraph (f) or
  424  paragraph (3)(d). To penalize the board, the State Board of
  425  Education shall:
  426         1. Declare the school district or Florida College System
  427  institution ineligible for competitive state grants.
  428         2. Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.192, direct the
  429  Chief Financial Officer to withhold general revenue funds
  430  sufficient to obtain compliance from the school district or
  431  Florida College System institution.
  432  
  433  The school district or Florida College System institution shall
  434  remain ineligible and the funds shall not be paid until the
  435  institution comes into compliance or the State Board of
  436  Education approves a plan for compliance.
  437  
  438  The Commissioner of Education and the State Board of Education
  439  shall use their authority under s. 1008.32 to enforce compliance
  440  with this subsection.
  441         Section 9. Paragraph (j) of subsection (5) of section
  442  1000.21, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  443         1000.21 Systemwide definitions.—As used in the Florida
  444  Early Learning-20 Education Code:
  445         (5) “Florida College System institution” except as
  446  otherwise specifically provided, includes all of the following
  447  public postsecondary educational institutions in the Florida
  448  College System and any branch campuses, centers, or other
  449  affiliates of the institution:
  450         (j) Hillsborough Community College, which serves
  451  Hillsborough County.
  452         Section 10. Section 1001.68, Florida Statutes, is created
  453  to read:
  454         1001.68State college regional consortium service
  455  organizations.—In order to create effectiveness and efficiency
  456  of small institutions in the Florida College System which serve
  457  rural communities:
  458         (1) Colleges with 5,000 or fewer full-time equivalent
  459  students may enter into cooperative agreements to form a
  460  regional consortium service organization. Each regional
  461  consortium service organization shall, at a minimum, provide
  462  three of the following services: grant procurement;
  463  institutional research and reporting; risk management;
  464  professional development for faculty and staff; leadership
  465  support; information technology and cybersecurity training;
  466  faculty and staff recruitment; workforce development programs;
  467  cooperative purchasing; administrative services; or enrollment
  468  management services.
  469         (2) Each regional consortium service organization must be
  470  governed by a board of directors composed of the presidents of
  471  the respective member colleges.
  472         Section 11. Paragraph (d) of subsection (5) of section
  473  1001.706, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  474         1001.706 Powers and duties of the Board of Governors.—
  475         (5) POWERS AND DUTIES RELATING TO ACCOUNTABILITY.—
  476         (d) The Board of Governors shall annually require a state
  477  university prior to registration to provide each enrolled
  478  student electronic access to the economic security report of
  479  employment and earning outcomes prepared by the Department of
  480  Commerce pursuant to s. 445.07. In addition, the Board of
  481  Governors shall require a state university to provide each
  482  student electronic access to the following information each year
  483  prior to registration using the data described in s. 1008.39:
  484         1. The top 25 percent of degrees reported by the university
  485  in terms of highest full-time job placement and highest average
  486  annualized earnings in the year after earning the degree.
  487         2. The bottom 10 percent of degrees reported by the
  488  university in terms of lowest full-time job placement and lowest
  489  average annualized earnings in the year after earning the
  490  degree.
  491         Section 12. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
  492  1001.7065, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  493         1001.7065 Preeminent state research universities program.—
  494         (2) ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH EXCELLENCE STANDARDS.—The
  495  following academic and research excellence standards are
  496  established for the preeminent state research universities
  497  program and shall be reported annually in the Board of Governors
  498  Accountability Plan:
  499         (a) An average weighted grade point average of 4.0 or
  500  higher on a 4.0 scale and an average SAT score of 1200 or higher
  501  on a 1600-point scale or an average ACT score of 25 or higher on
  502  a 36 score scale, using the latest published national
  503  concordance table developed jointly by the College Board and
  504  ACT, Inc., or an average Classic Learning Test score of 83 or
  505  higher on a 120 score scale, for fall semester incoming
  506  freshmen, as reported annually.
  507         Section 13. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
  508  1004.0971, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  509         1004.0971 Emergency opioid antagonists in Florida College
  510  System institution and state university housing.—
  511         (1) As used in this section, the term:
  512         (b) “Emergency opioid antagonist” means a naloxone
  513  hydrochloride or any similarly acting drug that blocks the
  514  effects of opioids administered from outside the body and that
  515  is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration
  516  for the treatment of an opioid overdose.
  517         Section 14. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) and paragraph
  518  (b) of subsection (4) of section 1004.933, Florida Statutes, are
  519  amended to read:
  520         1004.933 Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education
  521  (GATE) Program.—
  522         (3) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
  523         (b) “Institution” means any a school district career center
  524  established under s. 1001.44, a charter technical career center
  525  established under s. 1002.34, or a Florida College System
  526  institution identified in s. 1000.21. Any such institution may
  527  enter into an agreement with an online provider for the adult
  528  education or career instruction portion of the program if such
  529  provider offers instructional content and services that align
  530  with the state career and adult education curriculum frameworks.
  531         (4) PAYMENT WAIVER; ELIGIBILITY.—
  532         (b) To be eligible for participation in the GATE Program, a
  533  student must:
  534         1. Not have earned a standard high school diploma pursuant
  535  to s. 1003.4282 or a high school equivalency diploma pursuant to
  536  s. 1003.435 before enrolling in the GATE Program;
  537         2. Have been withdrawn from high school;
  538         3. Be a resident of this state as defined in s. 1009.21(1);
  539         4. Be at least 16 to 21 years of age at the time of initial
  540  enrollment, provided that a student who is 16 or 17 years of age
  541  has withdrawn from school enrollment pursuant to the
  542  requirements and safeguards in s. 1003.21(1)(c);
  543         5. Select the adult secondary education program and career
  544  education program of his or her choice at the time of admission
  545  to the GATE Program, provided that the career education program
  546  is included on the Master Credentials List under s. 445.004(4).
  547  The student is not required to enroll in adult secondary and
  548  career education program coursework simultaneously. The student
  549  may not change the requested pathway after enrollment, except
  550  that, if necessary for the student, the student may enroll in an
  551  adult basic education program prior to enrolling in the adult
  552  secondary education program;
  553         6. Maintain a 2.0 GPA for career and technical education
  554  coursework; and
  555         7. Notwithstanding s. 1003.435(4), complete the programs
  556  under subparagraph 5. within 3 years after his or her initial
  557  enrollment unless the institution determines that an extension
  558  is warranted due to extenuating circumstances.
  559         Section 15. Subsections (5) and (7) of section 1006.73,
  560  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  561         1006.73 Florida Postsecondary Academic Library Network.—
  562         (5) REPORTING.—
  563         (a) By December 31 each year, the host entity shall submit
  564  a report to the Chancellors of the State University System and
  565  the Florida College System regarding the implementation and
  566  operation of all components described in this section,
  567  including, but not limited to, all of the following:
  568         (a)1. Usage information collected under paragraph (2)(c).
  569         (b)2. Information and associated costs relating to the
  570  services and functions of the program.
  571         (c)3. The implementation and operation of the automated
  572  library services.
  573         (d)4. The number and value of grants awarded under
  574  paragraph (4)(d) and the distribution of those funds.
  575         5. The number and types of courses placed in the Student
  576  Open Access Resources Repository.
  577         6. Information on the utilization of the Student Open
  578  Access Resources Repository and utilization of open educational
  579  resources in course sections, by Florida College System
  580  institution and state university.
  581         (b) The Chancellors will provide an annual report on the
  582  performance of the host entity in delivering the services and
  583  any recommendations for changes needed to this section to the
  584  Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House
  585  of Representatives, the Board of Governors, and the State Board
  586  of Education. The Board of Governors and the Department of
  587  Education shall include any necessary funding increases in their
  588  annual legislative budget requests.
  589         (7) RECOMMENDATION ON OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO BE
  590  INCLUDED WITHIN THE FLORIDA POSTSECONDARY ACADEMIC LIBRARY
  591  NETWORK.—By June 1, 2022, the Commissioner of Education and the
  592  Chancellor of the Board of Governors shall provide a joint
  593  recommendation for a process by which school district career
  594  centers operated under s. 1001.44 and charter technical career
  595  centers under s. 1002.34 would access appropriate postsecondary
  596  distance learning, student support services and library assets
  597  described in this section. The recommendation must include an
  598  analysis of the resources necessary to expand access and assets
  599  to centers and their students.
  600         Section 16. Paragraph (d) of subsection (5) and paragraph
  601  (c) of subsection (7) of section 1007.34, Florida Statutes, are
  602  amended to read:
  603         1007.34 College reach-out program.—
  604         (5) In selecting proposals for approval, the State Board of
  605  Education shall give preference to:
  606         (d) A program that includes innovative approaches, provides
  607  a great variety of activities, and includes a large percentage
  608  of low-income educationally disadvantaged and underrepresented
  609  minority students in the college reach-out program.
  610         (7) A proposal must contain the following information:
  611         (c) An identification of existing programs for enhancing
  612  the academic performance of minority and low-income
  613  educationally disadvantaged and underrepresented students for
  614  enrollment in postsecondary education.
  615         Section 17. Section 1007.35, Florida Statutes, is amended
  616  to read:
  617         1007.35 Florida Partnership for Minority and
  618  Underrepresented Student Achievement.—
  619         (1) This section may be referred to by the popular name the
  620  “Florida Partnership for Minority and Underrepresented Student
  621  Achievement Act.”
  622         (2)(a) The Legislature recognizes the importance of not
  623  only access to college but also success in college for all
  624  students. It is the intent of the Legislature that every student
  625  enrolled in a public secondary school has access to high
  626  quality, rigorous academics, with a particular focus on access
  627  to advanced courses. The Legislature also recognizes the
  628  importance of other career pathways, such as vocational and
  629  trade schools, and the importance of incentivizing the
  630  availability of high school programs to prepare students for
  631  those career paths.
  632         (b) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide
  633  assistance to all public secondary schools, with a primary focus
  634  on low-performing middle and high schools.
  635         (c) It is the intent of the Legislature that the
  636  partnership created in this section accomplish its mission
  637  primarily through strengthening the content knowledge of
  638  teachers and providing instructional resources, including
  639  materials and strategies, which enable teachers to provide
  640  instruction to students who have diverse learning styles.
  641         (3) There is created the Florida Partnership for Minority
  642  and Underrepresented Student Achievement. The Department of
  643  Education may contract for operation of the partnership.
  644         (4) The mission of the partnership is to prepare, inspire,
  645  and connect students to postsecondary success and opportunity,
  646  with a particular focus on minority students and students who
  647  are underrepresented in postsecondary education.
  648         (5) Each public high school, including, but not limited to,
  649  schools and alternative sites and centers of the Department of
  650  Juvenile Justice, shall provide for the administration of the
  651  Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
  652  (PSAT/NMSQT), or the PreACT to all enrolled 10th grade students.
  653  However, a written notice shall be provided to each parent which
  654  must include the opportunity to exempt his or her child from
  655  taking the PSAT/NMSQT or the PreACT.
  656         (a) Test results will provide each high school with a
  657  database of student assessment data which certified school
  658  counselors will use to identify students who are prepared or who
  659  need additional work to be prepared to enroll and be successful
  660  in advanced high school courses.
  661         (b) Funding for the PSAT/NMSQT or the PreACT for all 10th
  662  grade students shall be contingent upon annual funding in the
  663  General Appropriations Act.
  664         (c) Public school districts must choose either the
  665  PSAT/NMSQT or the PreACT for districtwide administration.
  666         (6) The partnership shall:
  667         (a) Provide teacher training and professional learning to
  668  enable teachers of advanced courses to have the necessary
  669  content knowledge and instructional skills to prepare students
  670  for success on assessments developed pursuant to s. 1007.27(2)
  671  and mastery of postsecondary general education core courses.
  672         (b) Provide to middle school teachers and administrators
  673  professional learning that will enable them to educate middle
  674  school students at the level necessary to prepare the students
  675  to enter high school ready to participate in advanced courses.
  676         (c) Provide teacher training and materials that are aligned
  677  with the state standards and are consistent with best theory and
  678  practice regarding multiple learning styles and research on
  679  learning, instructional strategies, instructional design, and
  680  classroom assessment. Curriculum materials must be based on
  681  current, accepted, and essential academic knowledge.
  682         (d) Provide assessment of individual strengths and
  683  weaknesses as related to potential success in advanced courses
  684  and readiness for college.
  685         (b)(e) Provide college entrance exam preparation through a
  686  variety of means that may include, but are not limited to,
  687  training teachers to provide courses at schools; training
  688  community organizations to provide courses at community centers,
  689  faith-based organizations, and businesses; and providing online
  690  courses.
  691         (f) Consider ways to incorporate Florida College System
  692  institutions in the mission of preparing all students for
  693  postsecondary success.
  694         (c)(g) Provide a plan for communication and coordination of
  695  efforts with the Florida Virtual School’s provision of online
  696  advanced courses.
  697         (d)(h) Work with school districts to identify minority and
  698  underrepresented students for participation in advanced courses.
  699         (e)(i) Work with school districts to provide information to
  700  students and parents that explains available opportunities for
  701  students to take advanced courses and that explains enrollment
  702  procedures that students must follow to enroll in such courses.
  703  Such information must also explain the value of such courses as
  704  they relate to:
  705         1. Preparing the student for postsecondary level
  706  coursework.
  707         2. Enabling the student to gain access to postsecondary
  708  education opportunities.
  709         3. Qualifying for scholarships and other financial aid
  710  opportunities.
  711         (f)(j) Provide information to students, parents, teachers,
  712  counselors, administrators, districts, Florida College System
  713  institutions, and state universities regarding PSAT/NMSQT or the
  714  PreACT administration, including, but not limited to:
  715         1. Test administration dates and times.
  716         2. That participation in the PSAT/NMSQT or the PreACT is
  717  open to all 10th grade students.
  718         3. The value of such tests in providing diagnostic feedback
  719  on student skills.
  720         4. The value of student scores in predicting the
  721  probability of success on advanced course examinations.
  722         (k) Cooperate with the department to provide information to
  723  administrators, teachers, and counselors, whenever possible,
  724  about partnership activities, opportunities, and priorities.
  725         (g)(l) Partner with the Florida College System institutions
  726  and state universities identified by the State Board of
  727  Education and Board of Governors pursuant to s. 1007.25(3) to
  728  develop advanced courses and provide teacher training.
  729         (7) By May 31 of each year, the Department of Education
  730  shall approve a plan of delivery of services for the subsequent
  731  academic year.
  732         (8)(a) By September 30 of each year, the partnership shall
  733  submit to the department a report that contains an evaluation of
  734  the effectiveness of the delivered services and activities.
  735  Activities and services must be evaluated on their effectiveness
  736  at raising student achievement and increasing the number of AP
  737  or other advanced course examinations in low-performing middle
  738  and high schools. Other indicators that must be addressed in the
  739  evaluation report include the number of middle and high school
  740  teachers trained; the effectiveness of the training; measures of
  741  postsecondary readiness of the students affected by the program;
  742  levels of participation in 10th grade PSAT/NMSQT or the PreACT
  743  testing; and measures of student, parent, and teacher awareness
  744  of and satisfaction with the services of the partnership.
  745         (b) The department shall contribute to the evaluation
  746  process by providing access, consistent with s. 119.071(5)(a),
  747  to student and teacher information necessary to match against
  748  databases containing teacher professional learning data and
  749  databases containing assessment data for the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT,
  750  ACT, PreACT, AP, and other appropriate measures. The department
  751  shall also provide student-level data on student progress from
  752  middle school through high school and into college and the
  753  workforce, if available, in order to support longitudinal
  754  studies. The partnership shall analyze and report student
  755  performance data in a manner that protects the rights of
  756  students and parents as required in 20 U.S.C. s. 1232g and s.
  757  1002.22.
  758         (9)(a) Funding for the partnership shall be contingent upon
  759  annual funding in the General Appropriations Act.
  760         (b) The participating partner, if one is chosen, is
  761  required to match at least one-third of the allocation provided
  762  to the partnership in the General Appropriations Act in
  763  materials and services to the program.
  764         (10) Nothing in this section shall prohibit any
  765  organization from partnering with the state to improve the
  766  college readiness of students.
  767         Section 18. Paragraph (c) of subsection (8) of section
  768  1009.23, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  769         1009.23 Florida College System institution student fees.—
  770         (8)(c) Up to 25 percent or $600,000, whichever is greater,
  771  of the financial aid fees collected may be used to assist
  772  students who demonstrate academic merit; who participate in
  773  athletics, public service, cultural arts, and other
  774  extracurricular programs as determined by the institution; or
  775  who are identified as members of an underrepresented a targeted
  776  gender or ethnic minority population. The financial aid fee
  777  revenues allocated for athletic scholarships and any fee
  778  exemptions provided to athletes pursuant to s. 1009.25(2) must
  779  be distributed equitably as required by s. 1000.05(3)(d). A
  780  minimum of 75 percent of the balance of these funds for new
  781  awards shall be used to provide financial aid based on absolute
  782  need, and the remainder of the funds shall be used for academic
  783  merit purposes and other purposes approved by the boards of
  784  trustees. Such other purposes shall include the payment of child
  785  care fees for students with financial need. The State Board of
  786  Education shall develop criteria for making financial aid
  787  awards. Each college shall report annually to the Department of
  788  Education on the revenue collected pursuant to this paragraph,
  789  the amount carried forward, the criteria used to make awards,
  790  the amount and number of awards for each criterion, and a
  791  delineation of the distribution of such awards. The report shall
  792  include an assessment by category of the financial need of every
  793  student who receives an award, regardless of the purpose for
  794  which the award is received. Awards that are based on financial
  795  need shall be distributed in accordance with a nationally
  796  recognized system of need analysis approved by the State Board
  797  of Education. An award for academic merit requires a minimum
  798  overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or the
  799  equivalent for both initial receipt of the award and renewal of
  800  the award.
  801         Section 19. Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (20) of
  802  section 1009.26, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  803         1009.26 Fee waivers.—
  804         (20)(a) Beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, a state
  805  university shall waive the out-of-state fee for a student who:
  806         1. Has a grandparent who has established a domicile in this
  807  state pursuant to s. 222.17 for at least 5 years preceding an
  808  application for the fee waiver is a legal resident as defined in
  809  s. 1009.21(1). For purposes of this subsection, the term
  810  “grandparent” means a person who has a legal relationship to a
  811  student’s parent as the natural or adoptive parent or legal
  812  guardian of the student’s parent.
  813         2. Earns a high school diploma comparable to a Florida
  814  standard high school diploma, or its equivalent, or completes a
  815  home education program.
  816         3.a. Achieves an SAT combined score no lower than the 89th
  817  national percentile on the SAT;
  818         b. Achieves an ACT score concordant to the required SAT
  819  score in sub-subparagraph a., using the latest published
  820  national concordance table developed jointly by the College
  821  Board and ACT, Inc.; or
  822         c. If a state university accepts the Classic Learning Test
  823  (CLT) for admission purposes, achieves a CLT score concordant to
  824  the required SAT score specified in sub-subparagraph a., using
  825  the latest published scoring comparison developed by Classic
  826  Learning Initiatives.
  827         4. Beginning with students who initially enroll in the 2022
  828  fall academic term and thereafter, enrolls as a full-time
  829  undergraduate student at a state university in the fall academic
  830  term immediately following high school graduation.
  831         (c) Before waiving the out-of-state fee, the state
  832  university shall require the student or the student’s parent, if
  833  the student is a dependent child, to provide a written
  834  declaration pursuant to s. 92.525(2) attesting to the student’s
  835  familial relationship to a grandparent who meets the residency
  836  requirement of subparagraph (a)1. is a legal resident and any
  837  other corroborating documentation required by regulation of the
  838  Board of Governors. A state university is not required to
  839  independently verify the statements contained in each
  840  declaration if the signatory declares it to be true under the
  841  penalties of perjury as required by s. 92.525(2). However, the
  842  state university may refer any signed declaration suspected of
  843  containing fraudulent representations to law enforcement.
  844         Section 20. Subsection (2) of section 1009.536, Florida
  845  Statutes, is amended, and subsection (6) is added to that
  846  section, to read:
  847         1009.536 Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars and Florida
  848  Gold Seal CAPE Scholars awards.—The Florida Gold Seal Vocational
  849  Scholars award and the Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars award are
  850  created within the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program to
  851  recognize and reward academic achievement and career preparation
  852  by high school students who wish to continue their education.
  853         (2) A student is eligible for a Florida Gold Seal CAPE
  854  Scholars award if he or she meets the general eligibility
  855  requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program,
  856  and the student:
  857         (a) Earns a minimum of 3 5 postsecondary credit hours
  858  through CAPE industry certifications approved pursuant to s.
  859  1008.44 which articulate for college credit; and
  860         (b) Earns a minimum cumulative weighted grade point average
  861  of 2.5, as calculated pursuant to s. 1009.531, on all subjects
  862  required for a standard high school diploma, excluding elective
  863  courses; and
  864         (c) Completes at least 30 hours of volunteer service or,
  865  beginning with a high school student graduating in the 2022-2023
  866  academic year and thereafter, 100 hours of paid work, approved
  867  by the district school board, the administrators of a nonpublic
  868  school, or the Department of Education for home education
  869  program students, or 100 hours of a combination of both.
  870  Eligible paid work completed on or after June 27, 2022, shall be
  871  included in a student’s total required paid work hours. The
  872  student may identify a social or civic issue or a professional
  873  area that interests him or her and develop a plan for his or her
  874  personal involvement in addressing the issue or learning about
  875  the area. The student must, through papers or other
  876  presentations, evaluate and reflect upon his or her experience.
  877  Such volunteer service or paid work may include, but is not
  878  limited to, a business or governmental internship, work for a
  879  nonprofit community service organization, or activities on
  880  behalf of a candidate for public office. The hours of volunteer
  881  service or paid work must be documented in writing, and the
  882  document must be signed by the student, the student’s parent or
  883  guardian, and a representative of the organization for which the
  884  student performed the volunteer service or paid work.
  885         (6) Before or within 3 months after completion of the GATE
  886  Program as provided in s. 1004.933, a student may apply for the
  887  Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars award.
  888         Section 21. Present subsection (4) of section 1009.897,
  889  Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (5), and a new
  890  subsection (4) is added to that section, to read:
  891         1009.897 Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and
  892  Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE)
  893  Fund.—
  894         (4)Each institution that receives funds through the
  895  PIPELINE Fund shall allocate the funds to its health care
  896  industry-related programs.
  897         Section 22. Subsections (3) and (6) of section 1011.804,
  898  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  899         1011.804 GATE Startup Grant Program.—
  900         (3) The department may solicit proposals from institutions
  901  without programs that meet the requirements of s. 1004.933(2).
  902  Such institutions must be located in or serve a rural area of
  903  opportunity as designated by the Governor. Additionally,
  904  institutions that meet program requirements and are located in
  905  or serve a rural area of opportunity may apply for grant funds
  906  specifically for marketing and outreach efforts to expand
  907  student participation in the GATE Program.
  908         (6) Grant funds may be used for planning activities and
  909  other expenses associated with the creation of the GATE Program,
  910  such as expenses related to program instruction, instructional
  911  equipment, supplies, instructional personnel, and student
  912  services, and outreach and marketing efforts to recruit and
  913  enroll eligible students. Institutions with existing programs
  914  that meet the requirements of s. 1004.933(2) and that are
  915  located in or serve a rural area of opportunity may apply for
  916  grant funds exclusively for marketing and outreach purposes to
  917  expand student participation in the GATE Program. Grant funds
  918  may not be used for indirect costs. Grant recipients must submit
  919  an annual report in a format prescribed by the department. The
  920  department shall consolidate such annual reports and include the
  921  reports in the report required by s. 1004.933(5).
  922         Section 23. Subsection (3) of section 1013.30, Florida
  923  Statutes, is amended to read:
  924         1013.30 University campus master plans and campus
  925  development agreements.—
  926         (3) Each university board of trustees shall prepare and
  927  adopt a campus master plan for the university and maintain a
  928  copy of the plan on the university’s website. The master plan
  929  must identify general land uses and address the need for and
  930  plans for provision of roads, parking, public transportation,
  931  solid waste, drainage, sewer, potable water, and recreation and
  932  open space during the coming 10 to 20 years. The plans must
  933  contain elements relating to future land use, intergovernmental
  934  coordination, capital improvements, recreation and open space,
  935  general infrastructure, housing, and conservation. Each element
  936  must address compatibility with the surrounding community. The
  937  master plan must identify specific land uses, general location
  938  of structures, densities and intensities of use, and contain
  939  standards for onsite development, site design, environmental
  940  management, and the preservation of historic and archaeological
  941  resources. The transportation element must address reasonable
  942  transportation demand management techniques to minimize offsite
  943  impacts where possible. Data and analyses on which the elements
  944  are based must include, at a minimum: the characteristics of
  945  vacant lands; projected impacts of development on onsite and
  946  offsite infrastructure, public services, and natural resources;
  947  student enrollment projections; student housing needs; and the
  948  need for academic and support facilities. Master plans must be
  949  updated at least every 10 5 years.
  950         Section 24. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section
  951  1013.46, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  952         1013.46 Advertising and awarding contracts;
  953  prequalification of contractor.—
  954         (1)
  955         (c) As an option, any county, municipality, or board may
  956  set aside up to 10 percent of the total amount of funds
  957  allocated for the purpose of entering into construction capital
  958  project contracts with minority business enterprises, as defined
  959  in s. 287.094. Such contracts shall be competitively bid only
  960  among minority business enterprises. The set-aside shall be used
  961  to redress present effects of past discriminatory practices and
  962  shall be subject to periodic reassessment to account for
  963  changing needs and circumstances.
  964         Section 25. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
  965  1007.27, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  966         1007.27 Articulated acceleration mechanisms.—
  967         (1)
  968         (b) The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors
  969  shall identify Florida College System institutions and state
  970  universities to develop courses that align with s. 1007.25 for
  971  students in secondary education and provide the training
  972  required under s. 1007.35(6).
  973         Section 26. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.