HB 1353 — Early Learning

Section 2.

Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section Page 2of 10 CODING:

hb1353-02-c2hb1353-01-c1 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 CS/CS/HB1353CS/HB1353 2024 prekindergarten1002.67, program,Florida eachStatutes, schoolis districtamended shall give priority to teachersread: who have experience or coursework in early childhood education and have completed emergent literacy and performance standards courses, as provided for in s.

1002.55(3)(c)2.

Section 3.

Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 1002.67, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

A private prekindergarten provider's or public school's curriculum may not use the coordinated screening and progress monitoring Pageprogram, 4ofany 19other CODING:progress monitoring program, or an instructional program that requires one student to one device for direct student instruction.

Section 3.

Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (4), paragraph (a) of subsection (5), and paragraph (d) of subsection (6) of section 1002.68, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

Page 3of 10 CODING:

hb1353-02-c2hb1353-01-c1 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 CS/CS/HB1353CS/HB1353 2024 program1002.68 orVoluntary anyPrekindergarten otherEducation progressProgram monitoringaccountability.— (4)(a) Beginning with the 2024-2025 2023-2024 program year, the department shall adopt a methodology for directcalculating studenteach instruction.private prekindergarten provider's and public school provider's performance metric, which must be based on a combination of the following:

A private prekindergarten provider or public school may not allow any student to view an electronic screen, commonly known as screen time, for more than 10 percent of the day.

As used in this subparagraph, the term "screen" includes, but is not limited to, a television, a computer, a tablet, a virtual reality device, a mobile telephone, or a gaming console.

Any such screen time must involve activities directly related to the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program standards.

This limitation does not include administration of the coordinated screening and progress monitoring system as required under s.

1008.25(9).

Section 4.

Paragraph (d) of subsection (6) of section 1002.68, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of that section is republished, to read:

1002.68 Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program accountability.— (4) (c) The program assessment composite score and performance metric must be calculated for each private prekindergarten or public school site.

(6) (d) A good cause exemption may not be granted to any private prekindergarten provider or public school that has any class I violations or three two or more of the same class II Page 5of 19 CODING:

Words strickenare deletions;

words underlined are additions.

hb1353-02-c2 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 CS/CS/HB1353 2024 violations, as defined by rule of the Department of Children and Families, within the 2 years preceding the provider's or school's request for the exemption.

Section 5.

Upon the expiration and reversion of the amendments made to section 1002.68, Florida Statutes, pursuant to section 6 of chapter 2023-240, Laws of Florida, paragraphs (a) and (f) of subsection (4) of section 1002.68, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (5) and paragraph (e) of subsection (6) of that section are republished, to read:

1002.68 Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program accountability.— (4)(a) Beginning with the 2023-2024 2022-2023 program year, the department shall adopt a methodology for calculating each private prekindergarten provider's and public school provider's performance metric, which must be based on a combination of the following:

Program assessment composite scores under subsection (2), which may be calculated differently, based on the methodology adopted by the department, than the program assessment composite score required for contracting in paragraph (5)(a), and which must be weighted at no less than 50 percent.

(f)(c) The departmentprogram shallassessment adoptcomposite proceduresscore toin annuallysubsection calculate(5) and performance metric must be calculated for each private prekindergarten provider'sor and public Pageschool 6ofsite. 19 CODING:

(5)(a) Beginning with the 2024-2025 program year, if a private prekindergarten provider's or public school's performance metric or designation does not maintain falls below the minimum performance metric or designation, the early learning coalition shall:

Page 4of 10 CODING:

hb1353-02-c2hb1353-01-c1 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 CS/CS/HB1353CS/HB1353 2024 school's1. performance metric, based on the methodology adopted in paragraphs (a) and (b), and assign a designation under paragraph (d).

Beginning with the 2024-2025 2023-2024 program year, each private prekindergarten provider or public school shall be assigned a designation within 45 days after the conclusion of the school-year Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program delivered by all participating private prekindergarten providers or public schools and within 45 days after the conclusion of the summer Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program delivered by all participating private prekindergarten providers or public schools.

(5)(a) If a public school's or private prekindergarten provider's program assessment composite score for its prekindergarten classrooms fails to meet the minimum program assessment composite score for contracting adopted in rule by the department, the private prekindergarten provider or public school may not participate in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program beginning in the consecutive program year and thereafter until the public school or private prekindergarten provider meets the minimum composite score for contracting.

A public school or private prekindergarten provider may request one program assessment per program year in order to requalify for participation in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program, provided that the public school or private prekindergarten provider is not excluded from participation Page 7of 19 CODING:

Words strickenare deletions;

words underlined are additions.

hb1353-02-c2 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 CS/CS/HB1353 2024 under ss.

1002.55(6), 1002.61(10)(b), 1002.63(9)(b), or paragraph (5)(b) of this section.

If a public school or private prekindergarten provider would like an additional program assessment completed within the same program year, the public school or private prekindergarten provider shall be responsible for the cost of the program assessment.

(b) If a private prekindergarten provider's or public school's performance metric or designation falls below the minimum performance metric or designation, the early learning coalition shall:

1.

Require the provider or school to take certain corrective actions, including notifying the parent of each student enrolled in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program based on rules adopted by the department and the use of a curriculum approved by the department under s.

(c)(6) (d) A good cause exemption may not be granted to any private prekindergarten provider or public school that ishas placedany onclass probationI mustviolations continueor thethree correctivetwo actionsor requiredmore underof paragraphthe (b)same untilclass theII providerviolations, oras schooldefined meetsby rule of the minimumDepartment performanceof metricChildren orand designationFamilies, adoptedwithin bythe 2 years preceding the Pageprovider's 8ofor 19school's CODING:request for the exemption.

WordsSection strickenare4. deletions;

words underlined are additions.

hb1353-02-c2 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 CS/CS/HB1353 2024 department.

Failure to meet the requirements of subparagraphs (b)1.

and 3.

shall result in the termination of the provider's or school's contract to deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program for a period of at least 2 years but no more than 5 years.

(d) If a private prekindergarten provider or public school remains on probation for 2 consecutive years and fails to meet the minimum performance metric or designation, or is not granted a good cause exemption by the department, the department shall require the early learning coalition to revoke the provider's eligibility and the school district to revoke the school's eligibility to deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program and receive state funds for the program for a period of at least 2 years but no more than 5 years.

(6) (e) A private prekindergarten provider or public school granted a good cause exemption shall continue to implement its improvement plan and continue the corrective actions required under paragraph (5)(b) until the provider or school meets the minimum performance metric.

Section 6.

(j) Monitor the alignment and consistency of the standards Page 9of5of 1910 CODING:

hb1353-02-c2hb1353-01-c1 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 CS/CS/HB1353CS/HB1353 2024 (j) Monitor the alignment and consistency of the standards and benchmarks developed and adopted by the department that address the age-appropriate progress of children in the development of school readiness skills.

Section 7.5.

In the absence of a governor-appointed chair, the Commissioner of Education may appoint an interim chair from the current early learning coalition board membership.Page 6of 10 CODING:

Page 10 of19 CODING:

hb1353-02-c2hb1353-01-c1 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 CS/CS/HB1353CS/HB1353 2024 (5)membership. Each early learning coalition may choose to appoint an additional public sector board member in order to include a representative of local law enforcement.

Section(5) 8.Each early learning coalition may choose to appoint an additional public sector board member in order to include a representative of local law enforcement.

ParagraphSection (c)6. of subsection (1) of section 1002.87, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

1002.87Subsection School(4) readinessof program;section 1002.89, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

eligibility and enrollment.— (1) Each early learning coalition shall give priority for participation in the school readiness program as follows:

(c) Subsequent priority shall be given, based on the early learning coalition's local priorities identified under s.

1002.85(2)(i), to children who meet the following criteria:

1.

A child from birth to the beginning of the school year for which the child is eligible for admission to kindergarten in a public school under s.

1003.21(1)(a)2.

who is from a working family that is economically disadvantaged, and may include such child's eligible siblings, beginning with the school year in which the sibling is eligible for admission to kindergarten in a public school under s.

1003.21(1)(a)2.

until the beginning of the school year in which the sibling is eligible to begin 6th grade, provided that the first priority for funding an eligible sibling is local revenues available to the coalition for funding direct services.

2.

A child of a parent who transitions from the work program into employment as described in s.

445.032 from birth to Page 11 of19 CODING:

Words strickenare deletions;

words underlined are additions.

hb1353-02-c2 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 CS/CS/HB1353 2024 the beginning of the school year for which the child is eligible for admission to kindergarten in a public school under s.

1003.21(1)(a)2.

3.

An at-risk child who is at least 9 years of age but younger than 13 years of age.

An at-risk child whose sibling is enrolled in the school readiness program within an eligibility priority category listed in paragraphs (a) and (b) and subparagraph 1.

shall be given priority over other children who are eligible under this paragraph.

4.

A child who is younger than 13 years of age from a working family that is economically disadvantaged.

5.

A child of a parent who transitions from the work program into employment as described in s.

445.032 who is younger than 13 years of age.

6.a.

A child who has special needs and, has been determined eligible as a student who requires additional accommodations beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The child's special needs and associated accommodations must be validated by a licensed health care professional, licensed mental health professional, or educational psychologist.

Such person may not be the child's parent or a person employed by a child care provider.

The following documentation must be used to determine the child's eligibility for such accommodations:

I.

with a disability, has A current individual education Page 12 of19 CODING:

Words strickenare deletions;

words underlined are additions.

hb1353-02-c2 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 CS/CS/HB1353 2024 plan with a Florida school district;, and is not younger than 3 years of age.

II.

A current individualized family support plan;

III.

A diagnosed special need;

or IV.

A determination of required accommodations.

b.

The child care provider of a child who meets the requirements of this subparagraph may be eligible for additional funding through the special needs differential allocation to implement the special needs rate as determined in s.

1002.89(1)(d) needs child eligible under this paragraph remains eligible until the child is eligible for admission to kindergarten in a public school under s.

1003.21(1)(a)2.

7.

A child who otherwise meets one of the eligibility criteria in paragraphs (a) and (b) and subparagraphs 1.

and 2.

but who is also enrolled concurrently in the federal Head Start Program and the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.

Section 9.

Present paragraphs (h) through (s) of subsection (1) of section 1002.88, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as paragraphs (i) through (t), respectively, a new paragraph (h) is added to that subsection, and present paragraphs (n) and (p) of that subsection are amended, to read:

1002.88 School readiness program provider standards;

eligibility to deliver the school readiness program.— (1) To be eligible to deliver the school readiness program, a school readiness program provider must:

Page 13 of19 CODING:

Words strickenare deletions;

words underlined are additions.

hb1353-02-c2 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 CS/CS/HB1353 2024 (h) Prohibit a child from birth to 3 years of age from viewing an electronic screen, commonly known as screen time.

A student 4 years of age or older may have screen time for no more than 10 percent of the day.

As used in this paragraph, the term "screen" includes, but is not limited to, a television, a computer, a tablet, a virtual reality device, a mobile telephone, or a gaming console.

(o)(n) For a provider that is an informal provider, comply with the provisions of paragraph (n) (m) or maintain homeowner's liability insurance and, if applicable, a business rider.

If an informal provider chooses to maintain a homeowner's policy, the provider must obtain and retain a homeowner's insurance policy that provides a minimum of $100,000 of coverage per occurrence and a minimum of $300,000 general aggregate coverage.

The department may authorize lower limits upon request, as appropriate.

An informal provider must add the coalition as a named certificateholder and as an additional insured.

An informal provider must provide the coalition with a minimum of 10 calendar days' advance written notice of cancellation of or changes to coverage.

The general liability insurance required by this paragraph must remain in full force and effect for the entire period of the provider's contract with the coalition.

(q)(p) Notwithstanding paragraph (n) (m), for a provider that is a state agency or a subdivision thereof, as defined in s.

768.28(2), agree to notify the coalition of any additional Page 14 of19 CODING:

Words strickenare deletions;

words underlined are additions.

hb1353-02-c2 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 CS/CS/HB1353 2024 liability coverage maintained by the provider in addition to that otherwise established under s.

768.28.

The provider shall indemnify the coalition to the extent permitted by s.

768.28.

Notwithstanding paragraph (n) (m), for a child development program that is accredited by a national accrediting body and operates on a military installation that is certified by the United States Department of Defense, the provider may demonstrate liability coverage by affirming that it is subject to the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C.

ss.

2671 et seq.

Section 10.

Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) and subsection (4) of section 1002.89, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

funding.— (1)(4) DETERMINATIONCOST OFREQUIREMENTS.—Costs EARLYshall LEARNINGbe COALITIONkept SCHOOLto READINESSthe PROGRAMminimum FUNDING.—Fundingnecessary for the schoolefficient readinessand programeffective shalladministration beof usedthe byschool thereadiness earlyprogram learningwith coalitionsthe inhighest accordancepriority withof thisexpenditure partbeing anddirect theservices Generalfor Appropriationseligible Act.children.

(d) Special needs differential allocation.—There is created the special needs differential allocation to assist eligible school readiness program providers to implement the special needs rate provisions defined in the state's approved Child Care and Development Fund Plan.

Subject to legislative appropriation, each early learning coalition shall be reimbursed based on actual expenditures.

All expenditures from the special needs differential allocation shall be used by the department to help meet federal targeted requirements for improving quality to Page 15 of19 CODING:

Words strickenare deletions;

words underlined are additions.

hb1353-02-c2 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 CS/CS/HB1353 2024 the extent allowable in the state's approved plan.

A school readiness program provider is eligible for funding through the allocation to implement the special needs differential rate upon meeting all of the following requirements by July 1, 2025:

1.

If the provider has a program assessment score, the score must meet or exceed the composite score established by the department.

2.

The provider has completed 10 hours of training in inclusive early childhood or inclusive school-age education practices within the preceding 2-year period with the provider completing an additional 10 hours of such training each subsequent 5-year period as specified by the department.

(4) COST REQUIREMENTS.—Costs shall be kept to the minimum necessary for the efficient and effective administration of the school readiness program with the highest priority of expenditure being direct services for eligible children.

1002.82 to improve Pagecompliance 16with of19state CODING:and federal regulations and law pursuant to the requirements of the statewide provider contract adopted under s.

Words strickenare deletions;

words underlined are additions.

hb1353-02-c2 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 CS/CS/HB1353 2024 compliance with state and federal regulations and law pursuant to the requirements of the statewide provider contract adopted under s.

98.53, which shall be limited to the following:Page 7of 10 CODING:

Words strickenare deletions;

words underlined are additions.

hb1353-01-c1 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 CS/HB1353 2024 following:

1002.82(2)(n), child care performance standards, implementing developmentally appropriate curriculumcurricula and related classroom resources that support parent engagement curricula, providing literacy supports, and providing continued professional development through the Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (TEACH) Scholarship Program under s.

1002.82(2)(l)1002.95 curricula and relatedtraining classroomaligned resourcesto thatthe supportearly parentlearning engagement curricula, providing literacy supports, and providing continued professional development andstandards training through the Teacher Education and Compensationcareer Helpspathways (TEACH) Scholarship Program under s.

1002.95,1002.995, and reimbursement for background screenings.screenings and training.

Providing training,training technicalaligned assistance,with andthe financialearly Pagelearning 17professional of19development CODING:standards and career pathways under s.

1002.995, technical assistance, and financial support to school readiness program providers, staff, and parents on standards, child screenings, child assessments, the child development Page 8of 10 CODING:

hb1353-02-c2hb1353-01-c1 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 CS/CS/HB1353CS/HB1353 2024 support to school readiness program providers, staff, and parents on standards, child screenings, child assessments, the child development research and best practices, developmentally appropriate curriculum under s.

1002.82(2)(l), executive functioning curricula, character development, teacher-child interactions, age-appropriate discipline practices, health and safety, nutrition, first aid, in-person cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the recognition of communicable diseases, and child abuse detection, prevention, and reporting.

By(c) JulyNondirect 1,services 2026,as alldescribed trainingin andapplicable professionalOffice developmentof providedManagement byand anBudget earlyinstructions learningare coalitionthose underservices thisnot paragraphdefined mustas beadministrative, aligneddirect, withor thequality earlyservices learningthat professionalare developmentrequired standardsto andadminister careerthe pathwaysschool underreadiness s.program.

1002.995.

Page 18 of19 CODING:

Words strickenare deletions;

words underlined are additions.

hb1353-02-c2 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 CS/CS/HB1353 2024 (c) Nondirect services as described in applicable Office of Management and Budget instructions are those services not defined as administrative, direct, or quality services that are required to administer the school readiness program.

2.Page 9of 10 CODING:

Words strickenare deletions;

words underlined are additions.

hb1353-01-c1 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 CS/HB1353 2024 2.

Section 11.7.

Page 1910 of19of10 CODING:

hb1353-02-c2hb1353-01-c1