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Florida PTA's Legislative Session WrapUp
Bills Relating to the Health, Safety, and Education of Florida’s Children

Legislation Passed During the 2012 Regular Session

SB 98/
HB 317		 Relating to Education
Authorizing a district school board to adopt a policy that allows an inspirational message to be delivered by students at a student assembly; providing policy requirements; providing purpose, etc.
HB 291/
SB 256		 Youth Athletes
Requires the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) and independent sanctioning authorities to adopt guidelines, bylaws, and policies relating to nature and risk of concussion & head injury in youth athletes; requires removal from practice or competition until written medical clearance is received.
HB 859/
SB 962		 Relating to Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program (Vouchers)
Revises student eligibility requirements for participation in program; increases tax credit cap amount applicable to program; provides that private school may choose to offer & administer statewide assessments at school; etc.
HB 1403/
SB 1704		 High School Athletics
Bill requires any high school, including a traditional public school, a charter school, aprivate school, a virtual school, and a home education cooperative, is eligible for membership in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). Requires FHSAA to adopt bylaws relating to transfers, recruiting violations, determinations of eligibility, etc.
HB 5101/
SB 1972		 Relating to School Readiness Programs
Provides requirements relating to student enrollment reporting and funding under VPK Program; revises provisions relating to calculations for reducing school district’s class size categorical allocation when class size requirements are not met; deletes restriction relating to amount of capital outlay millage that may be used to fund payments for educational facilities and sites due under certain lease‐purchase agreements.
HB 7059/
SB 1368		 Relating to Acceleration Options in Public Education
Provides for Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL) options to provide eligible public school students educational options that provide academically challenging curriculum or accelerated instruction; requires school district to adopt policy for early graduation; provides for career‐themed courses; revises provisions for dual enrollment programs; provides for calculation of additional FTE (Full Time Equivalent) membership based on completion of careerthemed courses & early graduation. In part, requires that the state withhold some funding for schools when students fail end‐of‐course exams.
HB 7063/
SB 1402		 Relating to Digital Education
Expands virtual education programs in public schools; revises definition of FTE (Full Time Equivalent) student in virtual instruction programs; revised provisions relating to eligibility requirements for virtual instruction & virtual instruction options; provides that full‐time virtual instruction programs are eligible for student membership in ESOL program for funding purposes.
HB 7127/
SB 1522		 Relating to School Improvement and Education Accountability
Revises provisions relating to implementation of public school improvement, including use of school improvement plans, corrective actions, intervention & support strategies, & school turnaround options; revises provisions relating to school grading system.