Text of FL H 1071 (2026)

HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 1 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S A bill to be entitled 1 An act relating to education; creating s. 1001.325, 2 F.S.; prohibiting specified educational institutions 3 from expending funds for certain purposes; providing 4 exceptions; requiring the State Board of Education to 5 adopt rules amending s. 1002.20, F.S.; authorizing 6 parents to opt students out of instruction in human 7 embryologic and fetal development; revising provisions 8 relating to the use of epinephrine in K-12 public 9 schools to require the use of a United States Food and 10 Drug Administration (FDA)-approved devices; amending 11 s. 1002.42, F.S.; revising provisions relating to the 12 use of epinephrine in K-12 private schools to require 13 the use of a FDA-approved devices; amending s. 14 1002.421, F.S.; revising which private schools must 15 maintain a physical location in the state; amending s. 16 1002.55, 1002.61, and 1002.63, F.S.; revising the 17 period of time a prekindergarten provider loses 18 eligibility for participation in the Voluntary 19 Prekindergarten Program; amending s. 1002.68, F.S.; 20 removing obsolete language; removing a requirement 21 that the Department of Education confer with a certain 22 council before adopting a specified methodology; 23 revising the period of time a prekindergarten provider 24 loses eligibility for participation in the Voluntary 25 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 2 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S Prekindergarten Program; amending s. 1002.82, F.S.; 26 revising the period of time specified providers are 27 excluded from certain state contracts; amending s. 28 1002.88, F.S.; revising the period of a time school 29 readiness program provider loses eligibility for 30 participation in the school readiness program; 31 amending s. 1002.91, F.S.; revising the period of time 32 early learning coalitions must refrain from working 33 with specified program providers; amending s. 34 1002.945, F.S.; revising the period of time an 35 accrediting association loses eligibility to 36 participate in the Gold Seal Quality Program; amending 37 s. 1003.42, F.S.; requiring instruction in human 38 embryologic and fetal development; providing 39 requirements for such instruction; authorizing parents 40 to opt students out of such instruction; creating s. 41 1003.4202, F.S.; requiring school districts and 42 charter schools to implement a system of comprehensive 43 mathematics instruction and develop a mathematics 44 instruction plan; authorizing charter schools to use a 45 school district's plan; providing requirements for 46 such plan; requiring such plan to be approved by 47 school districts and charter schools; defining the 48 term "evidence-based"; amending s. 1003.46, F.S.; 49 authorizing parents to opt students out of specified 50 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 3 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S instruction related to health education; amending s. 51 1006.07, F.S.; removing a provision authorizing 52 certain school classrooms and instructional spaces to 53 use temporary door locks; amending s. 1006.38, F.S.; 54 providing Commissioner of Education and department 55 requirements for the removal of specified 56 instructional materials and the removal of publishers 57 and manufacturers from eligibility relating to state- 58 approved instructional materials; providing 59 requirements for the reinstatement of specified 60 instructional materials and the reinstatement of 61 publisher and manufacturer eligibility relating to 62 state-approved instructional materials; amending ss. 63 1008.2125 and 1008.25, F.S.; conforming cross- 64 references; amending s. 1008.33, F.S.; requiring the 65 department to identify school districts in need of 66 improvement; providing criteria for the determination 67 of a school district in need of improvement; requiring 68 such school district to submit a certain district 69 improvement plan to the department; requiring such 70 school district to submit specified documents; 71 authorizing the State Board of Education to take 72 certain actions relating to a school district in need 73 of improvement; amending s. 1012.56, F.S.; revising 74 acceptable means of demonstrating mastery of 75 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 4 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S professional preparation and education competence for 76 educator certification; revising requirements for 77 professional education competency programs; requiring 78 the State Board of Education to adopt rules to 79 determine continued approval of such programs; 80 amending s. 1014.05, F.S.; providing that parents have 81 a right to opt children out of receiving specified 82 instruction related to health education; providing an 83 effective date. 84 85 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 86 87 Section 1. Section 1001.325, Florida Statutes, is created 88 to read: 89 1001.325 K-12 prohibited expenditures.— 90 (1) A public school, including a charter school, school 91 district, charter school administrator, or direct-support 92 organization for any such school or school district may not 93 expend any funds, regardless of source, to purchase membership 94 in, or goods and services from, any organization that 95 discriminates on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, 96 disability, or religion. 97 (2) A public school, including a charter school, school 98 district, charter school administrator, or direct-support 99 organization for any such school or school district may not 100 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 5 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S expend any state or federal funds to promote, support, or 101 maintain any programs or campus activities that: 102 (a) Violate s. 1000.05; or 103 (b) Advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, or 104 promote or engage in political or social activism, as defined by 105 the State Board of Education. 106 107 Student fees to support student-led organizations are permitted 108 notwithstanding any speech or expressive activity by such 109 organization which would otherwise violate this subsection, 110 provided that the public funds must be allocated to student-led 111 organizations pursuant to written policies or regulations of the 112 public school in which the student is enrolled or the school 113 district, as applicable. Use of school or school district 114 facilities by student-led organizations is permitted 115 notwithstanding any speech or expressive activity by such 116 organizations which would otherwise violate this subsection, 117 provided that such use must be granted to student-led 118 organizations pursuant to written policies or regulations of 119 each school or school district, as applicable. 120 (3) Subsection (2) does not prohibit programs, campus 121 activities, or functions required for compliance with general or 122 federal laws or regulations; for obtaining or retaining 123 accreditation and for continuing to receive state funds with the 124 approval of either the State Board of Education or the 125 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 6 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S Department of Education. 126 (4) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to 127 implement this section. 128 Section 2. Paragraphs (d) and (i) of subsection (3) of 129 section 1002.20, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 130 1002.20 K-12 student and parent rights.—Parents of public 131 school students must receive accurate and timely information 132 regarding their child's academic progress and must be informed 133 of ways they can help their child to succeed in school. K-12 134 students and their parents are afforded numerous statutory 135 rights including, but not limited to, the following: 136 (3) HEALTH ISSUES.— 137 (d) Reproductive health and disease education.—A public 138 school student whose parent makes written request to the school 139 principal shall be exempted from the teaching of reproductive 140 health, including instruction in human embryologic and fetal 141 development under s. 1003.42(2)(o)6., or any disease, including 142 HIV/AIDS, in accordance with s. 1003.42(5). 143 1. Each school district must shall, on the district's 144 website homepage, notify parents of this right and the process 145 to request an exemption. The homepage must include a link for a 146 student's parent to access and review the instructional 147 materials, as defined in s. 1006.29(2), used to teach the 148 curriculum. 149 2. Each school district shall annually review and confirm 150 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 7 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S that the information provided on the district's website homepage 151 under subparagraph 1. is accurate and up to date and shall 152 notify parents by physical or electronic means any time 153 revisions are made to such information. 154 (i) Epinephrine use and supply.— 155 1. A student who has experienced or is at risk for life- 156 threatening allergic reactions may carry a United States Food 157 and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved an epinephrine delivery 158 device auto-injector and self-administer epinephrine by use of 159 the device auto-injector while in school, participating in 160 school-sponsored activities, or in transit to or from school or 161 school-sponsored activities if the school has been provided with 162 parental and physician authorization. The State Board of 163 Education, in cooperation with the Department of Health, shall 164 adopt rules for such use of FDA-approved epinephrine delivery 165 devices auto-injectors that shall include provisions to protect 166 the safety of all students from the misuse or abuse of FDA- 167 approved delivery devices auto-injectors. A school district, 168 county health department, public-private partner, and their 169 employees and volunteers shall be indemnified by the parent of a 170 student authorized to carry an FDA-approved epinephrine delivery 171 device auto-injector for any and all liability with respect to 172 the student's use of an FDA-approve epinephrine delivery device 173 auto-injector pursuant to this paragraph. 174 2. A public school may purchase a supply of FDA-approved 175 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 8 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S epinephrine delivery devices auto-injectors from a wholesale 176 distributor as defined in s. 499.003 or may enter into an 177 arrangement with a wholesale distributor or manufacturer as 178 defined in s. 499.003 for the FDA-approved epinephrine delivery 179 devices auto-injectors at fair-market, free, or reduced prices 180 for use in the event a student has an anaphylactic reaction. The 181 FDA-approved epinephrine delivery devices auto-injectors must be 182 maintained in a secure location on the public school's premises. 183 The participating school district shall adopt a protocol 184 developed by a licensed physician for the administration by 185 school personnel who are trained to recognize an anaphylactic 186 reaction and to administer an FDA-approved epinephrine delivery 187 device auto-injection. The supply of FDA-approved epinephrine 188 delivery devices auto-injectors may be provided to and used by a 189 student authorized to self-administer epinephrine by such device 190 auto-injector under subparagraph 1. or trained school personnel. 191 3. The school district and its employees, agents, and the 192 physician who provides the standing protocol for school FDA- 193 approved epinephrine delivery devices auto-injectors are not 194 liable for any injury arising from the use of an FDA-approved 195 epinephrine delivery device auto-injector administered by 196 trained school personnel who follow the adopted protocol and 197 whose professional opinion is that the student is having an 198 anaphylactic reaction: 199 a. Unless the trained school personnel's action is willful 200 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 9 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S and wanton; 201 b. Notwithstanding that the parents or guardians of the 202 student to whom the epinephrine is administered have not been 203 provided notice or have not signed a statement acknowledging 204 that the school district is not liable; and 205 c. Regardless of whether authorization has been given by 206 the student's parents or guardians or by the student's 207 physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered 208 nurse. 209 Section 3. Subsection (17) of section 1002.42, Florida 210 Statutes, is amended to read: 211 1002.42 Private schools.— 212 (17) EPINEPHRINE SUPPLY.— 213 (a) A private school may purchase a supply of United 214 States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved epinephrine 215 delivery devices auto-injectors from a wholesale distributor as 216 defined in s. 499.003 or may enter into an arrangement with a 217 wholesale distributor or manufacturer as defined in s. 499.003 218 for the FDA-approved epinephrine delivery devices auto-injectors 219 at fair-market, free, or reduced prices for use in the event a 220 student has an anaphylactic reaction. The FDA-approved 221 epinephrine delivery devices auto-injectors must be maintained 222 in a secure location on the private school's premises. The 223 participating private school shall adopt a protocol developed by 224 a licensed physician for the administration by private school 225 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 10 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S personnel who are trained to recognize an anaphylactic reaction 226 and to administer an FDA-approved epinephrine delivery devices 227 auto-injection. The supply of FDA-approved epinephrine delivery 228 devices auto-injectors may be provided to and used by a student 229 authorized to self-administer epinephrine by an FDA-approved 230 delivery device auto-injector under s. 1002.20(3)(i) or trained 231 school personnel. 232 (b) The private school and its employees, agents, and the 233 physician who provides the standing protocol for school FDA- 234 approved epinephrine delivery devices auto-injectors are not 235 liable for any injury arising from the use of an FDA-approved 236 epinephrine delivery device auto-injector administered by 237 trained school personnel who follow the adopted protocol and 238 whose professional opinion is that the student is having an 239 anaphylactic reaction: 240 1. Unless the trained school personnel's action is willful 241 and wanton; 242 2. Notwithstanding that the parents or guardians of the 243 student to whom the epinephrine is administered have not been 244 provided notice or have not signed a statement acknowledging 245 that the school district is not liable; and 246 3. Regardless of whether authorization has been given by 247 the student's parents or guardians or by the student's 248 physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered 249 nurse. 250 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 11 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S Section 4. Paragraph (i) of subsection (1) of section 251 1002.421, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 252 1002.421 State school choice scholarship program 253 accountability and oversight.— 254 (1) PRIVATE SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY AND OBLIGATIONS.—A private 255 school participating in an educational scholarship program 256 established pursuant to this chapter must be a private school as 257 defined in s. 1002.01 in this state, be registered, and be in 258 compliance with all requirements of this section in addition to 259 private school requirements outlined in s. 1002.42, specific 260 requirements identified within respective scholarship program 261 laws, and other provisions of Florida law that apply to private 262 schools, and must: 263 (i) Maintain a physical location in the state at which 264 each student has regular and direct contact with teachers. 265 Regular and direct contact with teachers may be satisfied for 266 students enrolled in a personalized education program or for 267 students eligible for a scholarship under s. 1002.394(3)(b) if 268 students have regular and direct contact with teachers at the 269 physical location at least 2 school days per week and the 270 student learning plan addresses the remaining instructional 271 time. 272 273 The department shall suspend the payment of funds to a private 274 school that knowingly fails to comply with this subsection, and 275 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 12 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S shall prohibit the school from enrolling new scholarship 276 students, for 1 fiscal year and until the school complies. If a 277 private school fails to meet the requirements of this subsection 278 or has consecutive years of material exceptions listed in the 279 report required under paragraph (q), the commissioner may 280 determine that the private school is ineligible to participate 281 in a scholarship program. 282 Section 5. Subsection (6) of section 1002.55, Florida 283 Statutes, is amended to read: 284 1002.55 School-year prekindergarten program delivered by 285 private prekindergarten providers.— 286 (6) Each early learning coalition must verify that each 287 private prekindergarten provider delivering the Voluntary 288 Prekindergarten Education Program within the coalition's county 289 or multicounty region complies with this part. If a private 290 prekindergarten provider fails or refuses to comply with this 291 part or engages in misconduct, the department shall require the 292 early learning coalition to remove the provider from eligibility 293 to deliver the program and receive state funds under this part 294 for a period of at least 2 program years but no more than 5 295 years. 296 Section 6. Paragraph (b) of subsection (10) of section 297 1002.61, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 298 1002.61 Summer prekindergarten program delivered by public 299 schools and private prekindergarten providers.— 300 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 13 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (10) 301 (b) If a private prekindergarten provider or public school 302 fails or refuses to comply with this part or engages in 303 misconduct, the department shall require the early learning 304 coalition to remove the provider and require the school district 305 to remove the school from eligibility to deliver the Voluntary 306 Prekindergarten Education Program and receive state funds under 307 this part for a period of at least 2 program years but no more 308 than 5 years. 309 Section 7. Paragraph (b) of subsection (9) of section 310 1002.63, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 311 1002.63 School-year prekindergarten program delivered by 312 public schools.— 313 (9) 314 (b) If a public school fails or refuses to comply with 315 this part or engages in misconduct, the department shall require 316 the school district to remove the school from eligibility to 317 deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program and 318 receive state funds under this part for a period of at least 2 319 program years but no more than 5 years. 320 Section 8. Subsections (4) through (7) of section 1002.68, 321 Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (3) through (6), 322 respectively, and present subsection (3), paragraph (e) of 323 present subsection (4), and present subsection (5) are amended, 324 to read: 325 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 14 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 1002.68 Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program 326 accountability.— 327 (3)(a) For the 2020-2021 program year, the department 328 shall calculate a kindergarten readiness rate for each private 329 prekindergarten provider and public school participating in the 330 Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program based upon learning 331 gains and the percentage of students assessed as ready for 332 kindergarten. The department shall require that each school 333 district administer the statewide kindergarten screening in use 334 before the 2021-2022 school year to each kindergarten student in 335 the school district within the first 30 school days of the 2021- 336 2022 school year. Private schools may administer the statewide 337 kindergarten screening to each kindergarten student in a private 338 school who was enrolled in the Voluntary Prekindergarten 339 Education Program. Learning gains shall be determined using a 340 value-added measure based on growth demonstrated by the results 341 of the preassessment and postassessment in use before the 2021- 342 2022 program year. However, a provider may not be newly placed 343 on probationary status under this paragraph. A provider 344 currently on probationary status may only be removed from such 345 status if the provider earns the minimum rate, determined 346 pursuant to subsection (5). The methodology for calculating a 347 provider's readiness rate may not include students who are not 348 administered the statewide kindergarten screening. 349 (b) For the 2021-2022 program year, kindergarten screening 350 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 15 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S results may not be used in the calculation of readiness rates. 351 Any private prekindergarten provider or public school 352 participating in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program 353 which fails to meet the minimum kindergarten readiness rate for 354 the 2021-2022 program year is subject to the probation 355 requirements of subsection (5). 356 (4) 357 (e) Subject to an appropriation, the department shall 358 provide for a differential payment to a private prekindergarten 359 provider and public school based on the provider's designation. 360 The maximum differential payment may not exceed a total of 15 361 percent of the base student allocation per full-time equivalent 362 student under s. 1002.71 attending in the consecutive program 363 year for that program. A private prekindergarten provider or 364 public school may not receive a differential payment if it 365 receives a designation of "proficient" or lower. Before the 366 adoption of the methodology, the department shall confer with 367 the Council for Early Grade Success under s. 1008.2125 before 368 receiving approval from the State Board of Education for the 369 final recommendations on the designation system and differential 370 payments. 371 (5)(a) If a public school's or private prekindergarten 372 provider's program assessment composite score for its 373 prekindergarten classrooms fails to meet the minimum program 374 assessment composite score for contracting adopted in rule by 375 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 16 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S the department, the private prekindergarten provider or public 376 school may not participate in the Voluntary Prekindergarten 377 Education Program beginning in the consecutive program year for 378 a period of 2 program years and thereafter until the public 379 school or private prekindergarten provider meets the minimum 380 composite score for contracting. A public school or private 381 prekindergarten provider may request one program assessment per 382 program year in order to requalify for participation in the 383 Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program, provided that the 384 public school or private prekindergarten provider is not 385 excluded from participation under ss. 1002.55(6), 386 1002.61(10)(b), 1002.63(9)(b), or paragraph (5)(b) of this 387 section. If a public school or private prekindergarten provider 388 would like an additional program assessment completed within the 389 same program year, the public school or private prekindergarten 390 provider shall be responsible for the cost of the program 391 assessment. 392 (b) If a private prekindergarten provider's or public 393 school's performance metric or designation falls below the 394 minimum performance metric or designation, the early learning 395 coalition shall: 396 1. Require the provider or school to submit for approval 397 to the early learning coalition an improvement plan and 398 implement the plan. 399 2. Place the provider or school on probation. 400 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 17 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 3. Require the provider or school to take certain 401 corrective actions, including the use of a curriculum approved 402 by the department under s. 1002.67(2)(c) and a staff development 403 plan approved by the department to strengthen instructional 404 practices in emotional support, classroom organization, 405 instructional support, language development, phonological 406 awareness, alphabet knowledge, and mathematical thinking. 407 (c) A private prekindergarten provider or public school 408 that is placed on probation must continue the corrective actions 409 required under paragraph (b) until the provider or school meets 410 the minimum performance metric or designation adopted by the 411 department. Failure to meet the requirements of subparagraphs 412 (b)1. and 3. shall result in the termination of the provider's 413 or school's contract to deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten 414 Education Program for a period of at least 2 program years but 415 no more than 5 years. 416 (d) If a private prekindergarten provider or public school 417 remains on probation for 2 consecutive years and fails to meet 418 the minimum performance metric or designation, or is not granted 419 a good cause exemption by the department, the department shall 420 require the early learning coalition to revoke the provider's 421 eligibility and the school district to revoke the school's 422 eligibility to deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education 423 Program and receive state funds for the program for a period of 424 at least 2 program years but no more than 5 years. 425 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 18 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S Section 9. Paragraph (m) of subsection (2) of section 426 1002.82, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 427 1002.82 Department of Education; powers and duties.— 428 (2) The department shall: 429 (m) Provide technical support to an early learning 430 coalition to facilitate the use of a standard statewide provider 431 contract adopted by the department to be used with each school 432 readiness program provider, with standardized attachments by 433 provider type. The department shall publish a copy of the 434 standard statewide provider contract on its website. The 435 standard statewide contract shall include, at a minimum, 436 contracted slots, if applicable, in accordance with the Child 437 Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014, 45 C.F.R. parts 98 438 and 99; quality improvement strategies, if applicable; program 439 assessment requirements; and provisions for provider probation, 440 termination for cause, and emergency termination for those 441 actions or inactions of a provider that pose an immediate and 442 serious danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the 443 children. The standard statewide provider contract shall also 444 include appropriate due process procedures. During the pendency 445 of an appeal of a termination, the provider may not continue to 446 offer its services. Any provision imposed upon a provider that 447 is inconsistent with, or prohibited by, law is void and 448 unenforceable. Provisions for termination for cause must also 449 include failure to meet the minimum quality measures established 450 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 19 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S under paragraph (n) for a period of 2 up to 5 years, unless the 451 coalition determines that the provider is essential to meeting 452 capacity needs based on the assessment under s. 1002.85(2)(i) 453 and the provider has an active improvement plan pursuant to 454 paragraph (n). 455 Section 10. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 456 1002.88, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 457 1002.88 School readiness program provider standards; 458 eligibility to deliver the school readiness program.— 459 (2)(a) If a school readiness program provider fails or 460 refuses to comply with this part or any contractual obligation 461 of the statewide provider contract under s. 1002.82(2)(m), the 462 coalition may revoke the provider's eligibility to deliver the 463 school readiness program or receive state or federal funds under 464 this chapter for a period of 2 5 years. 465 Section 11. Subsection (5) of section 1002.91, Florida 466 Statutes, is amended to read: 467 1002.91 Investigations of fraud or overpayment; 468 penalties.— 469 (5) If a school readiness program provider or a Voluntary 470 Prekindergarten Education Program provider, or an owner, 471 officer, or director thereof, is convicted of, found guilty of, 472 or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of 473 adjudication, public assistance fraud pursuant to s. 414.39, or 474 is acting as the beneficial owner for someone who has been 475 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 20 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S convicted of, found guilty of, or pleads guilty or nolo 476 contendere to, regardless of adjudication, public assistance 477 fraud pursuant to s. 414.39, the early learning coalition shall 478 refrain from contracting with, or using the services of, that 479 provider for a period of 2 fiscal 5 years. In addition, the 480 coalition shall refrain from contracting with, or using the 481 services of, any provider that shares an officer or director 482 with a provider that is convicted of, found guilty of, or pleads 483 guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, public 484 assistance fraud pursuant to s. 414.39 for a period of 2 5 485 years. 486 Section 12. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) and paragraph 487 (d) of subsection (4) of section 1002.945, Florida Statutes, are 488 amended to read: 489 1002.945 Gold Seal Quality Care Program.— 490 (3) 491 (b) The Department of Education shall establish a process 492 that verifies that the accrediting association meets the 493 provisions of paragraph (a), which must include an auditing 494 program and any other procedures that may reasonably determine 495 an accrediting association's compliance with this section. If an 496 accrediting association is not in compliance and fails to cure 497 its deficiencies within 30 days, the department shall recommend 498 to the state board termination of the accrediting association's 499 participation as an accrediting association in the program for a 500 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 21 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S period of at least 2 program years but no more than 5 years. If 501 an accrediting association is removed from being an approved 502 accrediting association, each child care provider accredited by 503 that association shall have up to 1 year to obtain a new 504 accreditation from a department-approved accreditation 505 association. 506 (4) In order to obtain and maintain a designation as a 507 Gold Seal Quality Care provider, a child care facility, large 508 family child care home, or family day care home must meet the 509 following additional criteria: 510 (d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if the Department of 511 Education determines through a formal process that a provider 512 has been in business for at least 5 years and has no other class 513 I violations recorded, the department may recommend to the state 514 board that the provider maintain its Gold Seal Quality Care 515 status. The state board's determination regarding such 516 provider's status is final. 517 Section 13. Paragraph (o) of subsection (2) and subsection 518 (5) of section 1003.42, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 519 1003.42 Required instruction.— 520 (2) Members of the instructional staff of the public 521 schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education 522 and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and 523 faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the 524 highest standards for professionalism and historical accuracy, 525 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 22 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S following the prescribed courses of study, and employing 526 approved methods of instruction, the following: 527 (o) Comprehensive age-appropriate and developmentally 528 appropriate K-12 instruction on: 529 1. Health education that addresses concepts of community 530 health, consumer health, environmental health, and family life, 531 including: 532 a. Injury prevention and safety. 533 b. Internet safety. 534 c. Nutrition. 535 d. Personal health. 536 e. Prevention and control of disease. 537 f. Substance use and abuse. 538 g. Prevention of child sexual abuse, exploitation, and 539 human trafficking. 540 h. Human embryologic and fetal development. 541 2. For students in grades 7 through 12, teen dating 542 violence and abuse. This component must include, but not be 543 limited to, the definition of dating violence and abuse, the 544 warning signs of dating violence and abusive behavior, the 545 characteristics of healthy relationships, measures to prevent 546 and stop dating violence and abuse, and community resources 547 available to victims of dating violence and abuse. 548 3. For students in grades 6 through 12, awareness of the 549 benefits of sexual abstinence as the expected standard and the 550 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 23 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S consequences of teenage pregnancy. 551 4. Life skills that build confidence, support mental and 552 emotional health, and enable students to overcome challenges, 553 including: 554 a. Self-awareness and self-management. 555 b. Responsible decisionmaking. 556 c. Resiliency. 557 d. Relationship skills and conflict resolution. 558 e. Understanding and respecting other viewpoints and 559 backgrounds. 560 f. For grades 9 through 12, developing leadership skills, 561 interpersonal skills, organization skills, and research skills; 562 creating a résumé, including a digital résumé; exploring career 563 pathways; using state career planning resources; developing and 564 practicing the skills necessary for employment interviews; 565 workplace ethics and workplace law; managing stress and 566 expectations; and self-motivation. 567 5.a. For students in grades 6 through 12, the social, 568 emotional, and physical effects of social media. This component 569 must include, but need not be limited to, the negative effects 570 of social media on mental health, including addiction; the 571 distribution of misinformation on social media; how social media 572 manipulates behavior; the permanency of sharing materials 573 online; how to maintain personal security and identify 574 cyberbullying, predatory behavior, and human trafficking on the 575 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 24 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S Internet; and how to report suspicious behavior encountered on 576 the Internet. 577 b. The Department of Education shall make available online 578 the instructional material being used pursuant to this 579 subparagraph, and each district school board shall notify 580 parents of its availability. 581 6.a. For students in grades 6 through 12, health education 582 addressing human embryologic and fetal development must include 583 all of the following: 584 (I) A high-definition ultrasound video, at least 1 minute 585 in duration, showing the development of the heart and other 586 organs and movement of the limbs and head. 587 (II) A high-quality, computer-generated rendering, 588 animation, video, or other multimedia, at least 3 minutes in 589 duration, showing and describing the process of fertilization 590 and various stages of human development inside the uterus, 591 noting significant markers in cell growth and organ development 592 by week from conception until birth. 593 b. The State Board of Education may adopt rules to 594 implement this subparagraph. 595 596 Health education and life skills instruction and materials may 597 not contradict the principles enumerated in subsection (3). 598 599 The State Board of Education is encouraged to adopt standards 600 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 25 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S and pursue assessment of the requirements of this subsection. 601 Instructional programming that incorporates the values of the 602 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor and that is 603 offered as part of a social studies, English Language Arts, or 604 other schoolwide character building and veteran awareness 605 initiative meets the requirements of paragraph (u). 606 (5) Each school shall provide a notification to parents 607 relating to a parent's right to make a Any student whose parent 608 makes written request to the school principal for his or her 609 student to shall be exempted from the teaching of reproductive 610 health or any disease, including HIV/AIDS, its symptoms, 611 development, and treatment or the teaching of human embryologic 612 and fetal development under subparagraph (o)6. A student so 613 exempted may not be penalized by reason of that exemption. 614 Course descriptions for comprehensive health education may shall 615 not interfere with the local determination of appropriate 616 curriculum which reflects local values and concerns. Each school 617 district shall, on the district's website homepage, notify 618 parents of this right and the process to request an exemption. 619 The home page must include a link for a student's parent to 620 access and review the instructional materials, as defined in s. 621 1006.29(2), used to teach the curriculum. 622 Section 14. Section 1003.4202, Florida Statutes, is 623 created to read: 624 1003.4202 Comprehensive system of mathematics 625 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 26 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S instruction.—Each school district must implement a system of 626 comprehensive mathematics instruction for students enrolled in 627 prekindergarten through grade 12 and certain students who 628 exhibit a substantial deficiency in early mathematics skills 629 under s. 1008.25(6). 630 (1) Each school district must develop, and submit to the 631 district school board for approval, a detailed mathematics 632 instruction plan that outlines the components of the district's 633 comprehensive system of mathematics instruction. The plan must 634 include all district schools, including charter schools, unless 635 a charter school elects to submit a plan independently from the 636 school district. A charter school plan must comply with all of 637 the provisions of this section and must be approved by the 638 charter school's governing body and provided to the charter 639 school's sponsor. 640 (2) Components of the mathematics instruction plan may 641 include the following: 642 (a) Additional time per day of evidence-based intensive 643 mathematics instruction for kindergarten through grade 12 644 students, which may be delivered during or outside of the 645 regular school day. 646 (b) Employing highly qualified mathematics coaches to 647 specifically support classroom teachers in making instructional 648 decisions based on progress monitoring data collected pursuant 649 to s. 1008.25(9) and improve classroom teacher delivery of 650 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 27 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S effective mathematics instruction and mathematics intervention. 651 The coaches must: 652 1. Hold a certification in middle grades mathematics or 653 mathematics. 654 2. Have earned a highly effective rating on the 3 prior 655 years' performance evaluation under s. 1012.34. 656 (c) Tutoring in mathematics. 657 (3) Each school district shall submit its approved 658 mathematics instruction plan, including approved mathematics 659 instruction plans for each charter school in the district, to 660 the school board and, if applicable, any charter school 661 governing board by August 1 of each fiscal year. 662 (4) For purposes of this section, the term "evidence- 663 based" means demonstrating a statistically significant effect on 664 improving student outcomes or other relevant outcomes as 665 provided in 20 U.S.C. s. 8101(21)(A)(i). 666 Section 15. Subsection (1) of section 1003.46, Florida 667 Statutes, is amended to read: 668 1003.46 Health education; instruction in acquired immune 669 deficiency syndrome.— 670 (1) Each district school board may provide instruction in 671 acquired immune deficiency syndrome education as a specific area 672 of health education. Such instruction may include, but is not 673 limited to, the known modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, 674 risk factors associated with acquired immune deficiency 675 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 28 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S syndrome, and means used to control the spread of acquired 676 immune deficiency syndrome. The instruction shall be appropriate 677 for the grade and age of the student and shall reflect current 678 theory, knowledge, and practice regarding acquired immune 679 deficiency syndrome and its prevention. The parent of a student 680 may make a written request for his or her student to be exempted 681 from such instruction. 682 Section 16. Paragraph (f) of subsection (6) of section 683 1006.07, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 684 1006.07 District school board duties relating to student 685 discipline and school safety.—The district school board shall 686 provide for the proper accounting for all students, for the 687 attendance and control of students at school, and for proper 688 attention to health, safety, and other matters relating to the 689 welfare of students, including: 690 (6) SAFETY AND SECURITY BEST PRACTICES.—Each district 691 school superintendent shall establish policies and procedures 692 for the prevention of violence on school grounds, including the 693 assessment of and intervention with individuals whose behavior 694 poses a threat to the safety of the school community. 695 (f) School safety requirements.—Each school district and 696 charter school governing board shall comply with the following 697 school safety requirements, which apply from 30 minutes before 698 the school start time until 30 minutes after the end of the 699 school day: 700 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 29 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 1. All gates or other access points that restrict ingress 701 to or egress from the exclusive zone of a school campus shall 702 remain closed and locked when students are on campus. For the 703 purposes of this section, the term "exclusive zone" means the 704 area within a gate or door allowing access to the interior 705 perimeter of a school campus beyond a single point of entry. A 706 gate or access point to the exclusive zone may only be open or 707 unlocked if one of the following conditions is met: 708 a. It is attended or actively staffed when students are on 709 campus; 710 b. The use complies with a shared use agreement pursuant 711 to s. 1013.101; 712 c. Another closed and locked gate or access point 713 separates the open or unlocked gate from areas occupied by 714 students; or 715 d. The school safety specialist, or his or her designee, 716 has documented in the Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool 717 portal maintained by the Office of Safe Schools that the gate or 718 other access point is not subject to this requirement based upon 719 other safety measures at the school. The office may conduct a 720 compliance visit pursuant to s. 1001.212(13) to review if such 721 determination is appropriate. 722 723 This subparagraph does not apply to the nonexclusive zone of a 724 school campus. The term "nonexclusive zone" means the area 725 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 30 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S outside of the exclusive zone but contained on school property. 726 Nonexclusive zones may include, but are not limited to, such 727 spaces as parking lots, athletic fields and stadiums, mechanical 728 buildings, playgrounds, bus ramps, agricultural spaces, and 729 other areas that do not give direct, unimpeded access to the 730 exclusive zone. 731 2.a. All school classrooms and other instructional spaces 732 must be locked to prevent ingress when occupied by students, 733 except between class periods when students are moving between 734 classrooms or other instructional spaces. If a classroom or 735 other instructional space door must be left unlocked or open for 736 any reason other than between class periods when students are 737 moving between classrooms or other instructional spaces, the 738 door must be actively staffed by a person standing or seated at 739 the door. All school classrooms and other instructional spaces 740 with a permanently installed door lock may also use temporary 741 door locks during an active assailant incident. The temporary 742 door lock must be able to be engaged or removed without opening 743 the door; must be easily removed in a single operation from the 744 egress side of the door without the use of a key and from the 745 ingress side of the door with the use of a key or other 746 credential; may be installed at any height; must otherwise be in 747 compliance with the Florida Fire Prevention Code; and must be 748 integrated into the active assailant response plan. 749 b. Instructional spaces for career and technical education 750 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 31 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S which are designed as open areas for which compliance with the 751 requirements of sub-subparagraph a. affects the health and 752 safety of students may be exempted from compliance with that 753 sub-subparagraph by the school safety specialist. To be exempt, 754 the school safety specialist, or his or her designee, must 755 document in the Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool portal 756 maintained by the Office of Safe Schools that the instructional 757 space is exempt from these requirements due to negative impacts 758 to student health and safety and the presence of other safety 759 measures at the school that prevent egress from the 760 instructional space to hallways or other classrooms or 761 instructional spaces. 762 c. Common areas on a school campus, including, but not 763 limited to, cafeterias, auditoriums, and media centers, which 764 are used for instructional time or student testing must meet the 765 requirements of sub-subparagraph a. only when such areas are 766 being used for instructional time or student testing. 767 3. For schools that do not have a secure exclusive zone, 768 all campus access doors, gates, and other access points that 769 allow ingress to or egress from a school building shall remain 770 closed and locked at all times to prevent ingress, unless: 771 a. A person is actively entering or exiting the door, 772 gate, or other access point; 773 b. The door, gate, or access point is actively staffed by 774 school personnel to prevent unauthorized entry; or 775 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 32 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S c. The school safety specialist, or his or her designee, 776 has documented in the Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool 777 portal maintained by the Office of Safe Schools that the open 778 and unlocked door, gate, or other access point is not subject to 779 this requirement based upon other safety measures at the school. 780 There must be at least one locked barrier between classrooms and 781 instructional spaces and open school campus. 782 783 The office may conduct a compliance visit pursuant to s. 784 1001.212(13) to review if such determination is appropriate. All 785 campus access doors, gates, and other access points may be 786 electronically or manually controlled by school personnel to 787 allow access by authorized visitors, students, and school 788 personnel. 789 4. All school classrooms and other instructional spaces 790 must clearly and conspicuously mark the safest areas in each 791 classroom or other instructional space where students must 792 shelter in place during an emergency. Students must be notified 793 of these safe areas within the first 10 days of the school year. 794 If it is not feasible to clearly and conspicuously mark the 795 safest areas in a classroom or other instructional space, the 796 school safety specialist, or his or her designee, must document 797 such determination in the Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool 798 portal maintained by the Office of Safe Schools, identifying 799 where affected students must shelter in place. The office shall 800 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 33 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S assist the school safety specialist with compliance during the 801 inspection required under s. 1001.212(13). 802 803 Persons who are aware of a violation of this paragraph must 804 report the violation to the school principal. The school 805 principal must report the violation to the school safety 806 specialist no later than the next business day after receiving 807 such report. If the person who violated this paragraph is the 808 school principal or charter school administrator, the report 809 must be made directly to the district school superintendent or 810 charter school governing board, as applicable. 811 Section 17. Section 1006.38, Florida Statutes, is amended 812 to read: 813 1006.38 Duties, responsibilities, and requirements of 814 instructional materials publishers and manufacturers.—This 815 section applies to both the state and district approval 816 processes. Publishers and manufacturers of instructional 817 materials, or their representatives, shall: 818 (1) Comply with all provisions of this part. 819 (2) Electronically deliver fully developed sample copies 820 of all instructional materials upon which bids are based to the 821 department pursuant to procedures adopted by the State Board of 822 Education. 823 (3) Make sample student editions of instructional 824 materials on the commissioner's list of state-adopted 825 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 34 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S instructional materials electronically available, at a discount 826 below publisher cost, for use by teacher preparation programs 827 and by educator preparation institutes as defined in ss. 1004.04 828 and 1004.85(1), respectively, for each adoption cycle, to enable 829 educators to practice teaching with currently adopted 830 instructional materials aligned to state academic standards. 831 (a) Teacher preparation programs and educator preparation 832 institutes that use samples to practice teaching shall provide 833 reasonable safeguards against the unauthorized use, 834 reproduction, and distribution of the sample copies of 835 instructional materials. 836 (b) Notwithstanding subsection (5), publishers may make 837 sample student editions of adopted instructional materials 838 available at a discounted price to teacher preparation programs 839 and educator preparation institutes for the instructional 840 purpose of educators practicing with current materials. 841 (4) Submit, at a time designated in s. 1006.33, the 842 following information: 843 (a) Detailed specifications of the physical 844 characteristics of the instructional materials, including any 845 software or technological tools required for use by the 846 district, school, teachers, or students. The publisher or 847 manufacturer shall comply with these specifications if the 848 instructional materials are adopted and purchased in completed 849 form. 850 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 35 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (b) Evidence that the publisher or manufacturer has 851 provided materials that address the performance standards 852 provided for in s. 1001.03(1) and that can be accessed through 853 the school district's digital classrooms plan and a variety of 854 electronic, digital, and mobile devices. 855 (c) Evidence that the instructional materials include 856 specific references to statewide standards in the teacher's 857 manual and incorporate such standards into chapter tests or the 858 assessments. 859 (5) Make available for purchase by any district school 860 board any diagnostic, criterion-referenced, or other tests that 861 they may develop. 862 (6) Furnish the instructional materials offered by them at 863 a price in the state which, including all costs of electronic 864 transmission, may not exceed the lowest price at which they 865 offer such instructional materials for adoption or sale to any 866 state or school district in the United States. 867 (7) Reduce automatically the price of the instructional 868 materials to any district school board to the extent that 869 reductions are made elsewhere in the United States. 870 (8) Provide any instructional materials free of charge in 871 the state to the same extent as they are provided free of charge 872 to any state or school district in the United States. 873 (9) Guarantee that all copies of any instructional 874 materials sold in this state will be at least equal in quality 875 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 36 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S to the copies of such instructional materials that are sold 876 elsewhere in the United States and will be kept revised, free 877 from all errors, and up-to-date as may be required by the 878 department. 879 (10) Agree that any supplementary material developed at 880 the district or state level does not violate the author's or 881 publisher's copyright, provided such material is developed in 882 accordance with the doctrine of fair use. 883 (11) Not in any way, directly or indirectly, become 884 associated or connected with any combination in restraint of 885 trade in instructional materials, nor enter into any 886 understanding, agreement, or combination to control prices or 887 restrict competition in the sale of instructional materials for 888 use in the state. 889 (12) Maintain or contract with a depository in the state. 890 (13) For the core subject areas specified in s. 891 1006.40(2), maintain in the depository for the first 3 years of 892 the contract an inventory of instructional materials sufficient 893 to receive and fill orders. 894 (14) For the core subject areas specified in s. 895 1006.40(2), ensure the availability of an inventory sufficient 896 to receive and fill orders for instructional materials for 897 growth, including the opening of a new school, and replacement 898 during the 3rd and subsequent years of the original contract 899 period. 900 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 37 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (15) Accurately and fully disclose only the names of those 901 persons who actually authored the instructional materials. In 902 addition to the penalties provided in subsection (17), the 903 commissioner may remove from the list of state-adopted 904 instructional materials those instructional materials whose 905 publisher or manufacturer misleads the purchaser by falsely 906 representing genuine authorship. 907 (16) Grant, without prior written request, for any 908 copyright held by the publisher or its agencies automatic 909 permission to the department or its agencies for the 910 reproduction of instructional materials and supplementary 911 materials in Braille, large print, or other appropriate format 912 for use by visually impaired students or other students with 913 disabilities that would benefit from use of the materials. 914 (17) Upon the willful failure of the publisher or 915 manufacturer to comply with the requirements of this section, be 916 liable to the department in the amount of three times the total 917 sum which the publisher or manufacturer was paid in excess of 918 the price required under subsections (6) and (7) and in the 919 amount of three times the total value of the instructional 920 materials and services which the district school board is 921 entitled to receive free of charge under subsection (8). 922 923 If, after state adoption of an instructional material, the 924 commissioner determines that a publisher or manufacturer has 925 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 38 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S violated any provision of general law relating to the content, 926 marketing, sale, distribution, or furnishing of instructional 927 materials, or any requirement of this part, the commissioner 928 may, in his or her discretion, remove any or all instructional 929 materials of that publisher from the list of state-adopted 930 instructional materials and remove the publisher from 931 eligibility to offer instructional materials for state adoption 932 for a period not to exceed 5 years. The department shall provide 933 written notice identifying the alleged violation and afford the 934 publisher at least 15 business days to submit a written response 935 and any proposed corrective action. The commissioner may shorten 936 this period if student safety or an immediate violation of 937 general law is implicated. As a condition of continued 938 eligibility or reinstatement, the commissioner may require 939 corrective actions, including revision or replacement of 940 materials at no cost to the state or districts, training, or 941 other remediation the department prescribes. An action taken by 942 the commissioner is in addition to, and does not limit, any 943 other remedies available under this part, including removal of 944 materials under s. 1006.35(3) and penalties under subsection 945 (17). 946 Section 18. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 947 1008.2125, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 948 1008.2125 The Council for Early Grade Success.— 949 (1) The Council for Early Grade Success, a council as 950 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 39 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S defined in s. 20.03(7), is created within the Department of 951 Education to oversee the coordinated screening and progress 952 monitoring program under s. 1008.25(9) for students in the 953 Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program through grade 3 and, 954 except as otherwise provided in this section, shall operate 955 consistent with s. 20.052. 956 (a) The council shall be responsible for reviewing the 957 implementation of, training for, and outcomes from the 958 coordinated screening and progress monitoring program to provide 959 recommendations to the department that support grade 3 students 960 reading at or above grade level. The council, at a minimum, 961 shall: 962 1. Provide recommendations on the implementation of the 963 coordinated screening and progress monitoring program, including 964 reviewing any procurement solicitation documents and criteria 965 before being published. 966 2. Develop training plans and timelines for such training. 967 3. Identify appropriate personnel, processes, and 968 procedures required for the administration of the coordinated 969 screening and progress monitoring program. 970 4. Provide input on the methodology for calculating a 971 provider's or school's performance metric and designations under 972 s. 1002.68(3) s. 1002.68(4). 973 5. Work with the department to review the methodology for 974 determining a child's kindergarten readiness. 975 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 40 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 6. Review data on age-appropriate learning gains by grade 976 level that a student would need to attain in order to 977 demonstrate proficiency in reading by grade 3. 978 7. Continually review anonymized data from the results of 979 the coordinated screening and progress monitoring program for 980 students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program 981 through grade 3 to help inform recommendations to the department 982 that support practices that will enable grade 3 students to read 983 at or above grade level. 984 Section 19. Paragraph (b) of subsection (5) and paragraph 985 (a) of subsection (9) of section 1008.25, Florida Statutes, are 986 amended to read: 987 1008.25 Public school student progression; student 988 support; coordinated screening and progress monitoring; 989 reporting requirements.— 990 (5) READING DEFICIENCY AND PARENTAL NOTIFICATION.— 991 (b) A Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program student 992 who exhibits a substantial deficiency in early literacy skills 993 based upon the results of the administration of the midyear or 994 final coordinated screening and progress monitoring under 995 subsection (9) shall be referred to the local school district 996 and may be eligible to receive instruction in early literacy 997 skills before participating in kindergarten. A Voluntary 998 Prekindergarten Education Program student who scores below the 999 25th 10th percentile on the final administration of the 1000 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 41 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S coordinated screening and progress monitoring under subsection 1001 (9) shall be referred to the local school district and is 1002 eligible to receive early literacy skill instructional support 1003 through a summer bridge program the summer before participating 1004 in kindergarten. The summer bridge program must meet 1005 requirements adopted by the department and shall consist of 4 1006 hours of instruction per day for a minimum of 100 total hours. A 1007 student with an individual education plan who has been retained 1008 pursuant to paragraph (2)(g) and has demonstrated a substantial 1009 deficiency in early literacy skills must receive instruction in 1010 early literacy skills. 1011 (9) COORDINATED SCREENING AND PROGRESS MONITORING SYSTEM.— 1012 (a) The Department of Education, in collaboration with the 1013 Office of Early Learning, shall procure and require the use of a 1014 statewide, standardized coordinated screening and progress 1015 monitoring system for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education 1016 Program and public schools. The system must: 1017 1. Measure student progress in meeting the appropriate 1018 expectations in early literacy and mathematics skills and in 1019 English Language Arts and mathematics standards as required by 1020 ss. 1002.67(1)(a) and 1003.41 and identify the educational 1021 strengths and needs of students. 1022 2. For students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education 1023 Program through grade 3, measure student performance in oral 1024 language development, phonological and phonemic awareness, 1025 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 42 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S knowledge of print and letters, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, 1026 and comprehension, as applicable by grade level, and, at a 1027 minimum, provide interval level and norm-referenced data that 1028 measures equivalent levels of growth. 1029 3. Be a valid, reliable, and developmentally appropriate 1030 computer-based direct instrument that provides screening and 1031 diagnostic capabilities for monitoring student progress; 1032 identifies students who have a substantial deficiency in reading 1033 or mathematics, including identifying students with 1034 characteristics of dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other learning 1035 disorders; and informs instruction. Any student identified by 1036 the system as having characteristics of dyslexia or dyscalculia 1037 shall undergo further screening. Beginning with the 2023-2024 1038 school year, the coordinated screening and progress monitoring 1039 system must be computer-adaptive. 1040 4. Provide data for Voluntary Prekindergarten Education 1041 Program accountability as required under s. 1002.68. 1042 5. Provide Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program 1043 providers, school districts, schools, teachers, and parents with 1044 data and resources that enhance differentiated instruction and 1045 parent communication. 1046 6. Provide baseline data to the department of each 1047 student's readiness for kindergarten. The determination of 1048 kindergarten readiness must be based on the results of each 1049 student's initial progress monitoring assessment in 1050 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 43 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S kindergarten. The methodology for determining a student's 1051 readiness for kindergarten must be developed by the department 1052 and aligned to the methodology adopted pursuant to s. 1002.68(3) 1053 s. 1002.68(4). 1054 7. Assess how well educational goals and curricular 1055 standards are met at the provider, school, district, and state 1056 levels and provide information to the department to aid in the 1057 development of educational programs, policies, and supports for 1058 providers, districts, and schools. 1059 Section 20. Subsection (5) of section 1008.33, Florida 1060 Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (6), and a new subsection 1061 (5) is added to that section, to read: 1062 1008.33 Authority to enforce public school improvement.— 1063 (5) The Department of Education must annually identify 1064 each school district in need of intervention and support to 1065 improve student academic performance. 1066 (a) A school district is in need of improvement if it has 1067 10 percent or more district-operated schools that earn a grade 1068 of "D" or "F" under s. 1008.34. 1069 (b)1. Each school district in need of improvement must 1070 annually submit a district improvement plan in a format 1071 prescribed by the department. The plan must include provisions 1072 to improve and monitor, at a minimum, all of the following: 1073 a. Instructional staff. 1074 b. Professional learning. 1075 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 44 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S c. Fiscal and staffing resources dedicated to school 1076 improvement. 1077 d. Student scheduling, attendance, and behavior. 1078 e. The use of continuous improvement and monitoring plans 1079 and processes. 1080 2. The plan must be approved by the district school board 1081 and may be reviewed by the State Board of Education for approval 1082 or denial. District school superintendents may be called before 1083 the state board to provide implementation updates. 1084 (c) A school district must submit, at a minimum, all of 1085 the following documents to the department as part its district 1086 improvement plan: 1087 1. Monthly vacancy reports for instructional personnel in 1088 schools receiving a grade of "D" or "F" under s. 1008.34. 1089 2. Monthly teacher absenteeism rates at schools receiving 1090 a grade of "D" or "F" under s. 1008.34. 1091 3. Monthly student absenteeism rates at schools receiving 1092 a grade of "D" or "F" under s. 1008.34. 1093 4. Monthly professional learning, activities, and 1094 expenditures for instructional staff in schools receiving a 1095 grade of "D" or "F" under s. 1008.34. 1096 5. Monthly professional learning, activities, and 1097 expenditures for school administrators in schools receiving a 1098 grade of "D" or "F" under s. 1008.34. 1099 6. Local progress monitoring results that are not part of 1100 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 45 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S the statewide progress monitoring system. 1101 (d) The state board may require modifications or revoke a 1102 school district's district improvement plan if the school 1103 district does not: 1104 1. Provide evidence of plan implementation or significant 1105 districtwide improvement. 1106 2. Submit deliverables in a format prescribed by the 1107 department or by a timeframe established by the department. 1108 Section 21. Paragraphs (g) and (h) of subsection (6) of 1109 section 1012.56, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as 1110 paragraphs (f) and (g), respectively, and paragraph (b) of 1111 subsection (1), paragraph (f) of subsection (6), and subsection 1112 (9) of that section are amended, to read: 1113 1012.56 Educator certification requirements.— 1114 (1) APPLICATION.—Each person seeking certification 1115 pursuant to this chapter shall submit a completed application 1116 containing the applicant's social security number to the 1117 Department of Education and remit the fee required pursuant to 1118 s. 1012.59 and rules of the State Board of Education. Pursuant 1119 to the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity 1120 Reconciliation Act of 1996, each party is required to provide 1121 his or her social security number in accordance with this 1122 section. Disclosure of social security numbers obtained through 1123 this requirement is limited to the purpose of administration of 1124 the Title IV-D program of the Social Security Act for child 1125 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 46 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S support enforcement. 1126 (b) The department shall issue a temporary certificate to 1127 a qualifying applicant within 14 calendar days after receipt of 1128 a request from an employer with a professional education 1129 competence demonstration program pursuant to paragraph (6)(f) 1130 and subsection (9). The temporary certificate must cover the 1131 classification, level, and area for which the applicant is 1132 deemed qualified. The department shall electronically notify the 1133 applicant's employer that the temporary certificate has been 1134 issued and provide the applicant an official statement of status 1135 of eligibility at the time the certificate is issued. 1136 1137 The statement of status of eligibility must be provided 1138 electronically and must advise the applicant of any 1139 qualifications that must be completed to qualify for 1140 certification. Each method by which an applicant can complete 1141 the qualifications for a professional certificate must be 1142 included in the statement of status of eligibility. Each 1143 statement of status of eligibility is valid for 5 years after 1144 its date of issuance, except as provided in paragraph (2)(d). 1145 (6) MASTERY OF PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION AND EDUCATION 1146 COMPETENCE.—Acceptable means of demonstrating mastery of 1147 professional preparation and education competence are: 1148 (f) Successful completion of professional preparation 1149 courses as specified in state board rule, successful completion 1150 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 47 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S of a professional education competence program pursuant to 1151 subsection (9), and documentation of 3 years of being rated 1152 effective or highly effective under s. 1012.34 while holding a 1153 temporary certificate; 1154 1155 The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement this 1156 subsection, including rules to approve specific teacher 1157 preparation programs that are not identified in this subsection 1158 which may be used to meet requirements for mastery of 1159 professional preparation and education competence. 1160 (9) PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION COMPETENCY PROGRAM.— 1161 (a) Each school district must and a private school or 1162 state-supported public school, including a charter school, may 1163 develop and maintain a system by which members of the 1164 instructional staff may demonstrate mastery of professional 1165 preparation and education competence as required by law. Each 1166 program must: 1167 1. Be based on classroom application of the Florida 1168 Educator Accomplished Practices and instructional performance 1169 and, for public schools, must be aligned with the district's or 1170 state-supported public school's evaluation system established 1171 under s. 1012.34, as applicable. 1172 2. Include individualized plan tailored to each candidate 1173 to determine the appropriate professional learning plan. 1174 3. Monitor candidate performance to ensure candidates are 1175 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 48 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S meeting program expectations and implement a remediation process 1176 for candidates not meeting program performance expectations. 1177 4. Assign a mentor that meets the requirements of 1178 paragraph (7)(e) to each candidate participating in the program. 1179 (b) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to 1180 Commissioner of Education shall determine the continued approval 1181 of programs implemented under this paragraph, based upon the 1182 department's review of performance data. The department shall 1183 review the performance data as a part of the periodic review of 1184 each school district's professional learning system required 1185 under s. 1012.98. 1186 Section 22. Paragraphs (d) and (f) of subsection (1) of 1187 section 1014.05, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1188 1014.05 School district notifications on parental rights.— 1189 (1) Each district school board shall, in consultation with 1190 parents, teachers, and administrators, develop and adopt a 1191 policy to promote parental involvement in the public school 1192 system. Such policy must include: 1193 (d) Procedures, pursuant to s. 1002.20(3)(d), for a parent 1194 to withdraw his or her minor child from any portion of the 1195 school district's instruction on reproductive health, including 1196 human embryologic and fetal development under s. 1197 1003.42(2)(o)6., or any disease, including HIV/AIDS 1198 comprehensive health education required under s. 1003.42(2)(o) 1199 that relates to sex education or instruction in acquired immune 1200 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 49 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S deficiency syndrome education or any instruction regarding 1201 sexuality if the parent provides a written objection to his or 1202 her minor child's participation. Such procedures must provide 1203 for a parent to be notified in advance of such course content so 1204 that he or she may withdraw his or her minor child from those 1205 portions of the course. 1206 (f) Procedures for a parent to learn about parental rights 1207 and responsibilities under general law, including all of the 1208 following: 1209 1. Pursuant to s. 1002.20(3)(d), the right to be notified 1210 in advance and to opt his or her minor child out of any portion 1211 of the school district's instruction on reproductive health, 1212 including human embryologic and fetal development under s. 1213 1003.42(2)(o)6., or any disease, including HIV/AIDS 1214 comprehensive health education required under s. 1003.42(2)(o) 1215 that relates to sex education instruction in acquired immune 1216 deficiency syndrome education or any instruction regarding 1217 sexuality. 1218 2. A plan to disseminate information, pursuant to s. 1219 1002.20(6), about school choice options, including open 1220 enrollment. 1221 3. In accordance with s. 1002.20(3)(b), the right of a 1222 parent to exempt his or her minor child from immunizations. 1223 4. In accordance with s. 1008.22, the right of a parent to 1224 review statewide, standardized assessment results. 1225 HB 1071 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1071-00 Page 50 of 50 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 5. In accordance with s. 1003.57, the right of a parent to 1226 enroll his or her minor child in gifted or special education 1227 programs. 1228 6. In accordance with s. 1006.28(2)(a)1., the right of a 1229 parent to inspect school district instructional materials. 1230 7. In accordance with s. 1008.25, the right of a parent to 1231 access information relating to the school district's policies 1232 for promotion or retention, including high school graduation 1233 requirements. 1234 8. In accordance with s. 1002.20(14), the right of a 1235 parent to receive a school report card and be informed of his or 1236 her minor child's attendance requirements. 1237 9. In accordance with s. 1002.23, the right of a parent to 1238 access information relating to the state public education 1239 system, state standards, report card requirements, attendance 1240 requirements, and instructional materials requirements. 1241 10. In accordance with s. 1002.23(4), the right of a 1242 parent to participate in parent-teacher associations and 1243 organizations that are sanctioned by a district school board or 1244 the Department of Education. 1245 11. In accordance with s. 1002.222(1)(a), the right of a 1246 parent to opt out of any district-level data collection relating 1247 to his or her minor child not required by law. 1248 Section 23. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 1249