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 1001.68 State 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.