Child Care and Early Learning Providers
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SB 738 — Child Care and Early Learning Providers
Last action — Chapter No. 2025-181
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Senate
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✓Passed House
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 13, 2025. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Ron DeSantis (Republican) on June 25, 2025.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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2 sponsors
2 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 5 recorded votes so far.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
Summary
Child Care and Early Learning Providers; Exempting public and private preschools from specified special assessments levied by a municipality; revising licensing standards for all licensed child care facilities and minimum standards and training requirements for child care personnel; requiring a county commission to affirm annually certain decisions; expanding the types of providers to be considered when developing and implementing a plan to eliminate duplicative and unnecessary inspections, etc.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
33 added · 46 removed33 line(s) added, 46 removed.
ENROLLEDFlorida LegislatureSenate - 2025 CS for SB 738 2025738erBy 2the AnCommittee acton relatingChildren, toFamilies, child care and earlyElder learningAffairs; providers;
and Senator Burton 586-02324-25 2025738c1 A bill to be entitled An act relating to child care and early learning providers;
ENROLLEDFlorida LegislatureSenate - 2025 CS for SB 738 2025738er586-02324-25 2025738c1 abbreviated inspections;
ENROLLEDFlorida LegislatureSenate - 2025 CS for SB 738 2025738er586-02324-25 2025738c1 institution” means any church, synagogue, or other established physical place for worship at which nonprofit religious services and activities are regularly conducted and carried on and the term “governmentally financed, insured, or subsidized housing facility” means a facility that is financed by a mortgage loan made or insured by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development under s.
ENROLLEDFlorida LegislatureSenate - 2025 CS for SB 738 2025738er586-02324-25 2025738c1 3.
ENROLLEDFlorida LegislatureSenate - 2025 CS for SB 738 2025738er586-02324-25 2025738c1 Department of Health shall consider meals to be provided through the AMP only if the program is actively participating in the AMP, is in good standing with the department, and the meals meet AMP requirements.
ENROLLEDFlorida LegislatureSenate - 2025 CS for SB 738 2025738er586-02324-25 2025738c1 1.
ENROLLEDFlorida LegislatureSenate - 2025 CS for SB 738 2025738er586-02324-25 2025738c1 begin training to meet the training requirements.
ENROLLEDFlorida LegislatureSenate - 2025 CS for SB 738 2025738er586-02324-25 2025738c1 care training shall be required to take an additional 1 continuing education unit of approved inservice training, or 10 clock hours of equivalent training, as determined by the department.
ENROLLEDFlorida LegislatureSenate - 2025 CS for SB 738 2025738er586-02324-25 2025738c1 years after employment, either as a part of the introductory training or the annual 8 hours of inservice training.
ENROLLEDFlorida LegislatureSenate - 2025 CS for SB 738 2025738er586-02324-25 2025738c1 (c) During the months of April and September of each year, at a minimum, each facility shall provide parents of children enrolled in the facility information regarding the potential for a distracted adult to fail to drop off a child at the facility and instead leave the child in the adult’s vehicle upon arrival at the adult’s destination.
ENROLLEDFlorida LegislatureSenate - 2025 CS for SB 738 2025738er586-02324-25 2025738c1 for the daily provision of varied activities and active and quiet play opportunities appropriate to the age of the child.
ENROLLEDFlorida LegislatureSenate - 2025 CS for SB 738 2025738er586-02324-25 2025738c1 (b) The decision to designate a local licensing agency under subparagraph (a)1.
ENROLLEDFlorida LegislatureSenate - 2025 CS for SB 738 2025738er586-02324-25 2025738c1 identified by the department and the local governmental agencies as being key indicators of whether the child care facility continues to provide quality care and programming.
ENROLLEDFlorida LegislatureSenate - 2025 CS for SB 738 2025738er586-02324-25 2025738c1 Coast Guard to provide child care and has completed background screening by the United States Department of Defense pursuant to 34 U.S.C.
ENROLLEDFlorida LegislatureSenate - 2025 CS for SB 738 2025738er586-02324-25 2025738c1 (1) The department, in collaboration with the Just Read, Florida! Office, shall adopt minimum standards for courses in emergent literacy for prekindergarten instructors.
View plain text versions (3)
- S 738 c1 View text pdf
- S 738 er View text Current pdf
- Introduced S 738 Filed pdf
AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.
The bill amends several sections of Florida statutes to revise and update licensing standards for child care facilities, exempting certain preschools from municipality assessments, and altering personnel screening and training requirements.
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170.201
by a public or private preschool, elementary school, middle school, or high school;→ by a public or private preschool, elementary school, middle school, or high school;It clarifies and reaffirms that public and private preschools are exempt from special assessments by municipalities.
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402.305
Good moral character based upon screening as defined in s. 402.302(15).→ Good moral character based upon screening as defined in s. 402.302(15). This screening shall be conducted as provided in chapter 435, using the level 2 standards for screening provided set forth in that chapter, and include employment history checks, a search of criminal history records, sexual predator and sexual offender registries, and child abuse and neglect registry of any state in which the current or prospective child care personnel resided during the preceding 5 years.It expands the requirements for child care personnel screening for better assurance of safety.
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402.305
shall begin training to meet the training requirements.→ shall begin training to meet the training requirements. Child care personnel shall successfully complete such training within 1 year after the date on which the training began, as evidenced by passage of an in-person or online a competency examination.This sets a definitive timeline for child care personnel to complete their training and competency exams.
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402.305
the health and nutrition, sanitation, safety, developmental needs, and sanitary adequate physical conditions surroundings for all children served by in child care facilities.→ the health and nutrition, sanitation, safety, developmental needs, and sanitary adequate physical conditions surroundings for all children served by in child care facilities.It updates the language for clarity regarding the standards needed for child care facilities.
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402.305
require different minimum standards for facilities that serve children in different age groups,→ may adopt different minimum standards for facilities that serve children in different age groups, including school-age children.It provides flexibility for establishing varied standards based on the age group of children served.
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402.306
to continue to license certain facilities under certain circumstances;It removes the requirement for counties or cities with existing child care licensing programs to continue licensing certain facilities, offering more discretion.
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402.3115
expanding the types of providers to be considered when developing and implementing a plan to eliminate duplicative and unnecessary inspections;
It broadens the scope of providers reviewed for inspection efficiency.
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402.316
requiring a county or city with certain child care licensing programs in existence on a specified date to continue to license certain facilities under certain circumstances;This deletion allows for changes in how local governments manage child care facility licensing.
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402.305
a definition for child care which distinguishes between child care programs that require child care licensure and after-school programs that do not require licensure.→ a definition for child care that differentiates from after-school programs that do not require licensure.It enhances clarity in defining child care versus after-school programs.
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1002.59
None→ conforming a cross-reference;It updates cross-references for consistency in the law.
Action History
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Chapter No. 2025-181
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Approved by Governor
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Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
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Ordered enrolled
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CS passed; YEAS 114, NAYS 0
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Read 3rd time
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Added to Third Reading Calendar
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Placed on 3rd reading
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Read 2nd time
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1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
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Bill added to Special Order Calendar (4/30/2025)
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Bill referred to House Calendar
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In Messages
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CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0
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Read 3rd time
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Read 2nd time
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Placed on Special Order Calendar, 04/23/25
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Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
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Favorable by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 17 NAYS 0
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On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 04/02/25, 9:00 am, 110 Senate Building
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Now in Fiscal Policy
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Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; YEAS 10 NAYS 0
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On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, 03/26/25, 1:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
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CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs read 1st time
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Now in Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
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Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
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CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; YEAS 6 NAYS 0
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On Committee agenda-- Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, 03/12/25, 8:30 am, 301 Senate Building
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Introduced
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Referred to Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; Fiscal Policy
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Filed
Sponsors
- Colleen Burton · Primary
- Children, Families, and Elder Affairs · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →2 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 162 not signed on
Sponsors (2)
- Burton, Colleen Republican
- Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (162)
162 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 162 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 78 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Democrat | 31 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unaffiliated | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 114 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| % of votes cast | 96% | 0% | 0% | 4% |
How each member voted (119)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 24 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unaffiliated | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No Party Affiliation | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 37 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 97% | 0% | 0% | 3% |
How each member voted (38)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Ingoglia | — | Yea |
| Collins | — | Yea |
| Arrington, Kristen Aston | Democrat | Yea |
| Berman, Lori | Democrat | Yea |
| Bernard, Mack | Democrat | Yea |
| Davis, Tracie | Democrat | Yea |
| Jones, Shevrin D. "Shev" | Democrat | Yea |
| Osgood, Rosalind | Democrat | Yea |
| Polsky, Tina Scott | Democrat | Yea |
| Rouson, Darryl Ervin | Democrat | Yea |
| Sharief, Barbara | Democrat | Yea |
| Smith, Carlos Guillermo | Democrat | Yea |
| Pizzo, Jason W. B. | No Party Affiliation | Yea |
| Albritton, Ben | Republican | Yea |
| Boyd, Jim | Republican | Yea |
| Bradley, Jennifer | Republican | Yea |
| Brodeur, Jason | Republican | Yea |
| Burgess, Danny | Republican | Yea |
| Burton, Colleen | Republican | Yea |
| Calatayud, Alexis | Republican | Yea |
| DiCeglie, Nick | Republican | Yea |
| Gaetz, Don | Republican | Yea |
| Garcia, Ileana | Republican | Yea |
| Grall, Erin | Republican | Yea |
| Gruters, Joe | Republican | Not Voting |
| Harrell, Gayle | Republican | Yea |
| Hooper, Ed | Republican | Yea |
| Leek, Thomas J. "Tom" | Republican | Yea |
| Martin, Jonathan | Republican | Yea |
| McClain, Stan | Republican | Yea |
| Passidomo, Kathleen | Republican | Yea |
| Rodriguez, Ana Maria | Republican | Yea |
| Simon, Corey | Republican | Yea |
| Truenow, Keith L. | Republican | Yea |
| Trumbull, Jay | Republican | Yea |
| Vacant | Republican | Yea |
| Wright, Tom A. | Republican | Yea |
| Yarborough, Clay | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 11 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unaffiliated | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 17 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 89% | 0% | 0% | 11% |
How each member voted (19)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Ingoglia | — | Yea |
| Arrington, Kristen Aston | Democrat | Yea |
| Bernard, Mack | Democrat | Yea |
| Davis, Tracie | Democrat | Yea |
| Jones, Shevrin D. "Shev" | Democrat | Yea |
| Osgood, Rosalind | Democrat | Yea |
| Boyd, Jim | Republican | Yea |
| Bradley, Jennifer | Republican | Yea |
| Burton, Colleen | Republican | Yea |
| Calatayud, Alexis | Republican | Not Voting |
| Gaetz, Don | Republican | Not Voting |
| Gruters, Joe | Republican | Yea |
| Leek, Thomas J. "Tom" | Republican | Yea |
| Passidomo, Kathleen | Republican | Yea |
| Rodriguez, Ana Maria | Republican | Yea |
| Simon, Corey | Republican | Yea |
| Truenow, Keith L. | Republican | Yea |
| Vacant | Republican | Yea |
| Yarborough, Clay | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (10)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Berman, Lori | Democrat | Yea |
| Davis, Tracie | Democrat | Yea |
| Rouson, Darryl Ervin | Democrat | Yea |
| Brodeur, Jason | Republican | Yea |
| Burton, Colleen | Republican | Yea |
| Garcia, Ileana | Republican | Yea |
| Gruters, Joe | Republican | Yea |
| Harrell, Gayle | Republican | Yea |
| Rodriguez, Ana Maria | Republican | Yea |
| Trumbull, Jay | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Democrat | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 86% | 0% | 0% | 14% |
How each member voted (7)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Rouson, Darryl Ervin | Democrat | Yea |
| Sharief, Barbara | Democrat | Yea |
| Brodeur, Jason | Republican | Yea |
| Garcia, Ileana | Republican | Yea |
| Grall, Erin | Republican | Not Voting |
| Harrell, Gayle | Republican | Yea |
| Simon, Corey | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does SB 738 do?
- Child Care and Early Learning Providers; Exempting public and private preschools from specified special assessments levied by a municipality; revising licensing standards for all licensed child care facilities and minimum standards and training requirements for child care personnel; requiring a county commission to affirm annually certain decisions; expanding the types of providers to be considered when developing and implementing a plan to eliminate duplicative and unnecessary inspections, etc.
- Who sponsors SB 738?
- SB 738 is sponsored by Burton, Colleen (Republican) and Children, Families, and Elder Affairs.
- What is the current status of SB 738?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 13, 2025. Enacted.
- Where can I track SB 738?
- Track SB 738 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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