HB 1279 — CS/CS/HB 1279: Education

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hb1279-01-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/HB 1279 2026 format, including, but not limited to, braille, large print, or audio upon request.

fitness for Pageresponsibilities; 5 of 34 CODING:

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hb1279-02-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/HB 1279 2026 responsibilities;

The division shall establish an annualPage application5 periodof for31 serviceCODING: providers to submit applications.

Beginning January 1, 2027, only service providers that meet the minimum qualifications established by the division, and that have been approved to provide employment- related services to individuals with disabilities, may participate in the vocational rehabilitation program.

(b) The division shall develop and make publicly available an annual report of service provider effectiveness which includes an evaluation system measuring the effectiveness of all service providers that are approved by the division to provide employment-related services to individuals with disabilities.

(c) In order to maintain approved status with the division, service providers must meet minimum standards of effectiveness in the provision of vocational rehabilitation Page 6 of 34 CODING:

hb1279-02-c2hb1279-01-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/HBCS/HB 1279 2026 services,annual includingapplication placementperiod offor individualsservice inproviders competitiveto andsubmit integratedapplications. employment.

Beginning January 1, 2027, only service providers that meet the minimum qualifications established by the division, and that have been approved to provide employment- related services to individuals with disabilities, may participate in the vocational rehabilitation program.

(b) The division shall develop and make publicly available an annual report of service provider effectiveness which includes an evaluation system measuring the effectiveness of all service providers that are approved by the division to provide employment-related services to individuals with disabilities.

(c) In order to maintain approved status with the division, service providers must meet minimum standards of effectiveness in the provision of vocational rehabilitation services, including placement of individuals in competitive and integrated employment.

Paragraph (d) of subsection (2) and paragraph (c) of subsection (3)(5) of section 491.005,1001.7065, Florida Statutes, isare amended to read:

491.0051001.7065 LicensurePreeminent bystate examination.—research (3)universities MARRIAGEprogram.— AND(2) FAMILYACADEMIC THERAPY.—UponAND verificationRESEARCH ofEXCELLENCE documentationSTANDARDS.—The andfollowing paymentacademic of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by board rule, the department shall issue a license as a marriage and familyresearch therapistexcellence tostandards anare applicantPage whom6 the board certifies has met all of the31 followingCODING: criteria:

(c)1.

Attained one of the following:

a.

A minimum of a master's degree in marriage and family therapy from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.

b.

A minimum of a master's degree with a major emphasis in marriage and family therapy or a closely related field from a university program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs and graduate courses approved by the board.

c.

A minimum of a master's degree with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy or a closely related field, with a degree conferred before September 1, 2032 September 1, 2027, Page 7 of 34 CODING:

hb1279-02-c2hb1279-01-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/HBCS/HB 1279 2026 fromestablished anfor institutionallythe accreditedpreeminent collegestate orresearch universityuniversities program and graduateshall coursesbe approvedreported byannually in the board.Board of Governors Accountability Plan:

2.(d) A 4-year graduation rate of 60 percent or higher for full-time, first-time-in-college students, excluding those enrolled in baccalaureate degree programs in engineering that require more than 120 semester hours.

If(5) thePREEMINENT courseSTATE titleRESEARCH thatUNIVERSITIES appearsPROGRAM onSUPPORT.— the(c) applicant'sThe transcriptaward doesof notfunds clearlyunder identifythis thesubsection contentis ofcontingent theupon coursework,funding the applicant provided additionalby documentation,the including,Legislature butto notsupport limitedthe to,preeminent astate syllabusresearch oruniversities catalogprogram descriptioncreated publishedunder forthis thesection. course.

TheFunding requiredincreases master'sappropriated degreebeyond must have been received in an institution of higher education that, at the timeamounts thefunded applicant graduated, was fully accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or was a member in good standing with Universities Canada, or an institution of higher education located outside the Unitedprevious Statesfiscal andyear Canadashall which,be atdistributed theto timeeach thedesignated applicantpreeminent wasstate enrolledresearch anduniversity atthat themeets time the applicantcriteria graduated, maintained a standard of training substantially equivalent to the standards of training of those institutions in theparagraph United(a). States which are accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization.

Such foreign education and training must have been received in an institution or program of higher education officially recognized by the government of the country in which it is located as an institution or program to train students to practice as professional marriage and family therapists or psychotherapists.

The applicant has the burden of establishing Page 8 of 34 CODING:

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hb1279-02-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/HB 1279 2026 that the requirements of this provision have been met, and the board shall require documentation, such as an evaluation by a foreign equivalency determination service, as evidence that the applicant's graduate degree program and education were equivalent to an accredited program in this country.

An applicant with a master's degree from a program that did not emphasize marriage and family therapy may complete the coursework requirement in a training institution fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education recognized by the United States Department of Education.

For the purposes of dual licensure, the department shall license as a marriage and family therapist any person who meets the requirements of s.

491.0057.

Fees for dual licensure may not exceed those stated in this subsection.

Section 4.

Paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of section 1001.7065, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

1001.7065 Preeminent state research universities program.— (5) PREEMINENT STATE RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES PROGRAM SUPPORT.— (c) The award of funds under this subsection is contingent upon funding provided by the Legislature to support the preeminent state research universities program created under this section.

Funding increases appropriated beyond the amounts Page 9 of 34 CODING:

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hb1279-02-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/HB 1279 2026 funded in the previous fiscal year shall be distributed to each designated preeminent state research university that meets the criteria in paragraph (a).

Section 5.4.

ParagraphsParagraph (a) and (h) of subsection (1) of section 1001.92, Florida Statutes, areis amended to read:

1001.92Page State7 University System Performance-Based Incentive.— (1) A State University System Performance-Based Incentive shall be awarded to state universities using performance-based metrics adopted by the Board of Governors31 ofCODING: the State University System.

Beginning with the Board of Governors' determination of each university's performance improvement and achievement ratings, and the related distribution of annual fiscal year appropriation, the performance-based metrics must include:

(a) The 4-year graduation rate and adjusted cohort graduation rate for engineering programs for first-time-in- college students;

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hb1279-02-c2hb1279-01-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/HBCS/HB 1279 2026 (h)1001.92 AccessState rate,University basedSystem onPerformance-Based theIncentive.— percentage(1) ofA first-yearState undergraduateUniversity studentsSystem enrolledPerformance-Based duringIncentive theshall fallbe termawarded whoto receivedstate auniversities Pellusing Grantperformance-based duringmetrics adopted by the fallBoard term;of Governors of the State University System.

andBeginning Thewith the Board of GovernorsGovernors' maydetermination approveof othereach metricsuniversity's inperformance aimprovement publiclyand noticedachievement meeting.ratings, and the related distribution of annual fiscal year appropriation, the performance-based metrics must include:

(a) The 4-year graduation rate for first-time-in-college students, excluding those enrolled in baccalaureate degree programs in engineering that require more than 120 semester hours;

The Board of Governors may approve other metrics in a publicly noticed meeting.

Section 6.5.

1003.437Page Middle8 and high school grading system.—The grading system and interpretation of letter31 gradesCODING: used to measure student success in grade 6 through grade 12 courses for students in public schools shall be as follows:

(1) Grade "A" equals 90 percent through 100 percent, has a grade point average value of 4, and is defined as "outstanding progress." (2) Grade "B" equals 80 percent through 89 percent, has a grade point average value of 3, and is defined as "above average progress." (3) Grade "C" equals 70 percent through 79 percent, has a Page 11 of 34 CODING:

hb1279-02-c2hb1279-01-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/HBCS/HB 1279 2026 grade1003.437 pointMiddle average value of 2, and ishigh definedschool asgrading "averagesystem.—The progress."grading (4)system Gradeand "D"interpretation equals 60 percent through 69 percent, has a grade point average value of 1,letter andgrades isused definedto asmeasure "loweststudent acceptablesuccess progress."in (5)grade Grade6 "F" equals zero percent through 59 percent, has a grade point12 averagecourses valuefor ofstudents zero,in andpublic isschools definedshall asbe "failure." (6) Grade "I" equals zero percent, has a grade point average value of zero, and is defined as "incomplete."follows: The State Board of Education must establish a statewide uniform weighted grading system for honors courses and articulated acceleration mechanisms identified in s.

(1) Grade "A" equals 90 percent through 100 percent, has a grade point average value of 4, and is defined as "outstanding progress." (2) Grade "B" equals 80 percent through 89 percent, has a grade point average value of 3, and is defined as "above average progress." (3) Grade "C" equals 70 percent through 79 percent, has a grade point average value of 2, and is defined as "average progress." (4) Grade "D" equals 60 percent through 69 percent, has a grade point average value of 1, and is defined as "lowest acceptable progress." (5) Grade "F" equals zero percent through 59 percent, has a grade point average value of zero, and is defined as "failure." (6) Grade "I" equals zero percent, has a grade point average value of zero, and is defined as "incomplete." The State Board of Education must establish a statewide uniform weighted grading system for honors courses and articulated acceleration mechanisms identified in s.

For the purposesPage 9 of class31 ranking,CODING: District school boards shall use the may exercise a weighted grading system to calculate weighted high school grade point averages pursuant to s.

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hb1279-01-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/HB 1279 2026 purposes of class ranking, District school boards shall use the may exercise a weighted grading system to calculate weighted high school grade point averages pursuant to s.

Section 7.6.

for obtaining or retaining institutional or discipline-specific accreditation with the approval of either the State Board of Education or the Board of PageGovernors; 12 of 34 CODING:

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hb1279-02-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/HB 1279 2026 Governors;

Section 8.7.

1004.072 Enrollment of noncitizen and nonresident students at state universities.—Based on the limitation on systemwide enrollment of nonresident degree-seeking students established by regulation of the Board of Governors, a state university must limit, within its enrollment of nonresident students, the number of enrolled nonresident degree-seeking students who are noncitizens and who are not permanent residents of the United StatesPage to10 noof more31 thanCODING: 5 percent from any specific country.

Section 9.

Subsections (5) and (6) of section 1004.343, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

1004.343 Statewide Data Repository for Anonymous Human Trafficking Data.— (5) Beginning January 31, 2027 July 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the University of South Florida Trafficking in Persons - Risk to Resilience Lab, in consultation with the Department of Law Enforcement, shall submit an annual report and analysis on its findings to the Governor, the Attorney General, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Page 13 of 34 CODING:

hb1279-02-c2hb1279-01-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/HBCS/HB 1279 2026 Representatives.States to no more than 5 percent from any specific country.

(6)Section This8. section is repealed July 1, 2027 July 1, 2026, unless reviewed and reenacted by the Legislature before that date.

Section 10.

(5) The Florida International University Board of Trustees Pageand 14the Board of 34Governors CODING:may accept grants, donations, gifts, and moneys available for this purpose, including moneys for planning and constructing the college.

The Florida International Page 11 of 31 CODING:

hb1279-02-c2hb1279-01-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/HBCS/HB 1279 2026 andUniversity the Board of GovernorsTrustees may procure and accept grants,any donations,federal gifts,funds andthat moneysare available for thisthe purpose,planning, includingcreation, moneysand forestablishment planningof andthe constructingcollege theof college.law.

The Florida International University Board of Trustees may procure and accept any federal funds that are available for the planning, creation, and establishment of the college of law.

The college of law at Florida International University shall receive no moneys allocated for the planning, construction, or operation of the college of law after its cessation of operations other than moneys to be Page 1512 of 3431 CODING:

hb1279-02-c2hb1279-01-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/HBCS/HB 1279 2026 International University shall receive no moneys allocated for the planning, construction, or operation of the college of law after its cessation of operations other than moneys to be expended for the cessation of operations of the college of law.

Section 11.9.

(4) The college of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University shall develop and institute a program that is consistent with sound legal education principles as Page 1613 of 3431 CODING:

hb1279-02-c2hb1279-01-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/HBCS/HB 1279 2026 (4) The college of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University shall develop and institute a program that is consistent with sound legal education principles as determined by a the American Bar Association or any other nationally recognized association for the accreditation of colleges of law and that, to the extent consistent with such sound legal education principles, is structured to serve the legal needs of traditionally underserved portions of the population by providing an opportunity for participation in a legal clinic program or pro bono legal service.

If a the American Bar Association or any other nationally recognized association for the accreditation of colleges of law issues a third disapproval of an application for provisional approval or for full approval or fails to grant, within 5 years following the graduation of the first class, a provisional approval, to the college of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the Board of Governors shall make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature as to whether the college of law will cease operations at the end of the full academic year subsequent to the receipt by the college of law of any such third disapproval, or whether the college of law will Page 1714 of 3431 CODING:

hb1279-02-c2hb1279-01-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/HBCS/HB 1279 2026 the college of law will cease operations at the end of the full academic year subsequent to the receipt by the college of law of any such third disapproval, or whether the college of law will continue operations and any conditions for continued operations.

(b) Any buildings of the college of law at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University constructed from the expenditure of capital outlay funds appropriated by the Legislature shall be owned by the Board of Trustees of the PageInternal 18Improvement Trust Fund and managed by the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Board of 34Trustees CODING:upon the cessation of the college of law.

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hb1279-02-c2hb1279-01-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/HBCS/HB 1279 2026 InternalSection Improvement10. Trust Fund and managed by the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Board of Trustees upon the cessation of the college of law.

Section 12.

(b) Any college or, school, or course licensed or approved as an institution for establishment and operation by another stateagency agency.of the state.

AColleges collegeor schools approved by another state agency to offer one or school,more courses or anyprograms under part I of itschapter programs464, chapter 466, or courses,chapter does475, or any other chapter of the Florida Statutes may not qualify for an exemption from the commission's jurisdiction under this paragraphsubsection solelyrequiring becauselicensing another state agency licenses or approvesapproval oneas ordefined morein ofthis itschapter. programs or courses.

NothingSection in11. this paragraph shall be construed to limit or affect the exemptions for contract training, continuing education, or professional development programs or courses under paragraph (d), even if such programs or courses are approved under part I of chapter 464, chapter 466, or chapter 475, or any other chapter of the Florida Statutes requiring licensing or approval as defined in this chapter.

Section 13.

Page1006.71 19Gender ofequity 34in CODING:intercollegiate athletics.— (1) PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH TITLE IX AND THE FLORIDA EDUCATIONAL EQUITY ACT GENDER EQUITY PLAN.— (a) Each Florida College System institution and state university shall develop a gender equity plan pursuant to s.

1000.05.

(b) The plan shall include consideration of equity in sports offerings, participation, availability of facilities, Page 16 of 31 CODING:

hb1279-02-c2hb1279-01-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/HBCS/HB 1279 2026 1006.71scholarship Genderofferings, equityand infunds intercollegiateallocated athletics.—for (1)administration, PENALTIESrecruitment, FORcomparable FAILUREcoaching, TOpublicity COMPLYand WITHpromotion, TITLE IX AND THE FLORIDA EDUCATIONAL EQUITY ACT GENDER EQUITY PLAN.— (a) Each Florida College System institution and stateother universitysupport shallcosts. develop a gender equity plan pursuant to s.

1000.05.

(b) The plan shall include consideration of equity in sports offerings, participation, availability of facilities, scholarship offerings, and funds allocated for administration, recruitment, comparable coaching, publicity and promotion, and other support costs.

(f) To determine the proper level of support for women's athletic scholarships, an equity plan may determine, where Pageappropriate, 20that support for women's scholarships may be disproportionate to the support of 34scholarships CODING:for men.

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hb1279-02-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/HB 1279 2026 appropriate, that support for women's scholarships may be disproportionate to the support of scholarships for men.

2.b.Page 17 of 31 CODING:

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hb1279-01-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/HB 1279 2026 2.b.

Section 14.12.

Paragraph (b) of subsection (9) of section Page1007.25, 21Florida ofStatutes, 34is CODING:amended, and subsection (15) is added to that section, to read:

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hb1279-02-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/HB 1279 2026 1007.25, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsection (15) is added to that section, to read:

Specialized transferPage degrees18 areof designed31 forCODING: Florida College System institution students who need supplemental lower-level coursework in preparation for transfer to another institution.

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hb1279-01-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/HB 1279 2026 transfer degrees are designed for Florida College System institution students who need supplemental lower-level coursework in preparation for transfer to another institution.

The Division of Florida Colleges to forward the notice of intent within 10 business days after receipt to all Florida PageCollege 22System institutions and to the Chancellor of 34the CODING:State University System, who shall forward the notice to all state universities.

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hb1279-02-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/HB 1279 2026 College System institutions and to the Chancellor of the State University System, who shall forward the notice to all state universities.

After the submission of comments pursuant to subparagraph 2., the requesting Florida College System institutionPage to19 submitof a31 proposalCODING: that, at a minimum, includes:

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hb1279-01-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/HB 1279 2026 institution to submit a proposal that, at a minimum, includes:

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hb1279-02-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/HB 1279 2026 e.

SectionPage 15.20 of 31 CODING:

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hb1279-01-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/HB 1279 2026 Section 13.

1007.271 Dual enrollment programs.— (1) The dual enrollment program is the enrollment of an eligible Florida secondary student in this state or Florida home education student in this state in a postsecondary course creditable toward high school completion and a career certificate or an associate or baccalaureate degree.

Postsecondary institutions eligible to participate in the dual enrollment program are Florida publicCollege postsecondarySystem institutionsinstitutions, state universities, and eligible not-for- profit, independent colleges and universities pursuant to s.

(16) Students who meet the eligibility requirements of this section and who choose to participate in dual enrollment programs are exempt from the payment of registration, tuition, Pageand 24laboratory offees. 34 CODING:

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hb1279-02-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/HB 1279 2026 and laboratory fees.

Alternative gradePage calculation21 systems,of alternative31 gradeCODING: weighting systems, and information regarding student education options that discriminate against dual enrollment courses are prohibited.

SectionWords 16.stricken are deletions;

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hb1279-01-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/HB 1279 2026 grade calculation systems, alternative grade weighting systems, and information regarding student education options that discriminate against dual enrollment courses are prohibited.

Section 14.

Within 3 years In the year following reaffirmation or fifth-year review by its accrediting agencies Pageor 25associations, each public postsecondary institution must seek and obtain accreditation from an accrediting agency or association identified by the Board of 34Governors CODING:or State Board of Education, respectively, before its next reaffirmation or fifth-year review date.

The requirements in this section are limited to a one-time change in accreditation.

The requirements of this subsection are not applicable to those professional, graduate, departmental, or certificate programs at public Page 22 of 31 CODING:

hb1279-02-c2hb1279-01-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/HBCS/HB 1279 2026 or associations, each public postsecondary institutioninstitutions mustthat seekhave andspecific obtain accreditation fromrequirements anor accreditingbest agencypractices, orincluding, associationbut identifiednot bylimited theto, Boardlaw, ofpharmacy, Governorsengineering, or Stateother Boardsimilarly ofsituated Education,educational respectively,programs. before its next reaffirmation or fifth-year review date.

The requirements in this section are limited to a one-time change in accreditation.

The requirements of this subsection are not applicable to those professional, graduate, departmental, or certificate programs at public postsecondary institutions that have specific accreditation requirements or best practices, including, but not limited to, law, pharmacy, engineering, or other similarly situated educational programs.

If a public postsecondary Pageinstitution 26is ofnot 34granted CODING:candidacy status before its next reaffirmation or fifth-year review date, the institution may remain with its current accrediting agency or association.

(3) PROHIBITION.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an accrediting agency or association, including programmatic accreditors, may not compel any public postsecondary institution to violate state law, and any adverse action upon the institution based upon the institution's Page 23 of 31 CODING:

hb1279-02-c2hb1279-01-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/HBCS/HB 1279 2026 institutioncompliance iswith notstate grantedlaw candidacyconstitutes statusa beforeviolation itsof nextthis reaffirmationsection orthat fifth-yearmay reviewbe date,enforced through subsection (4), except to the institutionextent maythat remainstate withlaw itsis currentpreempted accreditingby agencya federal law that recognizes the necessity of the accreditation standard or association.requirement.

(3)Section PROHIBITION.—Notwithstanding15. any other provision of law, an accrediting agency or association, including programmatic accreditors, may not compel any public postsecondary institution to violate state law, and any adverse action upon the institution based upon the institution's compliance with state law constitutes a violation of this section that may be enforced through subsection (4), except to the extent that state law is preempted by a federal law that recognizes the necessity of the accreditation standard or requirement.

Section 17.

11434a(2), as previously determined by a public school in the state.state, and whose physical presence is in the state for the duration of the tuition and fee exemption.

This includes a student who would otherwise meet the requirements of this paragraph, as Pagedetermined 27by ofa 34college CODING:or university, but for his or her residence in college or university dormitory housing.

The State Board of Education may adopt rules and the Board of Governors may adopt regulations regarding documentation and procedures to implement this paragraph.

Such rules and regulations must consider documentation of a student's circumstance to be adequate if such Page 24 of 31 CODING:

hb1279-02-c2hb1279-01-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/HBCS/HB 1279 2026 determineddocumentation bymeets athe collegestandards orunder university,20 butU.S.C. for his or her residence in college or university dormitory housing.

The State Board of Education may adopt rules and the Board of Governors may adopt regulations regarding documentation and procedures to implement this paragraph.

Such rules and regulations must consider documentation of a student's circumstance to be adequate if such documentation meets the standards under 20 U.S.C.

1087uu-2(a).1087uu- 2(a).

ASection distance16. learning student residing out-of-state is ineligible for the exemption in this paragraph.

Section 18.

Page2.1. 28 of 34 CODING:

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hb1279-02-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/HB 1279 2026 2.1.

or a private career institution accredited by an accreditingPage agency25 recognized by the State Board of Education.31 CODING:

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hb1279-01-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/HB 1279 2026 accrediting agency recognized by the State Board of Education.

Falsification of such information shall result in the denial of a pending application and revocation of an award or grant currently held Pageto 29the ofextent 34that CODING:no further payments shall be made.

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hb1279-02-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/HB 1279 2026 to the extent that no further payments shall be made.

Section 19.17.

Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 1009.895,Page Florida26 Statutes,of is31 amendedCODING: to read:

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hb1279-01-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/HB 1279 2026 1009.895, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

Section 20.18.

The chair and the executive director of the board shall jointly name, at a Pageminimum, 30four other individuals to serve as directors of 34the CODING:organization.

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hb1279-02-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/HB 1279 2026 minimum, four other individuals to serve as directors of the organization.

Section 21.

a.Page 27 of 31 CODING:

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hb1279-01-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/HB 1279 2026 a.

At least one of the individuals appointed under this sub-subparagraph must be an advocate of Pagepersons 31with ofdevelopmental 34disabilities, CODING:as that term is defined in s.

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hb1279-02-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/HB 1279 2026 persons with developmental disabilities, as that term is defined in s.

Unless authorized by the board of directors of Florida ABLE,Page Inc.,28 an individual director has no authority to control or direct the operations of Florida31 ABLE,CODING: Inc., or the actions of its officers and employees.

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words underlined are additions.

hb1279-01-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/HB 1279 2026 ABLE, Inc., an individual director has no authority to control or direct the operations of Florida ABLE, Inc., or the actions of its officers and employees.

Members of the board of directors of Florida ABLE, Inc., and the board's subcommittees or other subdivisions shall Pageserve 32without ofcompensation; 34 CODING:

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words underlined are additions.

hb1279-02-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/HB 1279 2026 serve without compensation;

Section 22.20.

1011.62 Funds for operation of schools.—If the annual allocationPage from29 the Florida Education Finance Program to each district for operation of schools31 isCODING: not determined in the annual appropriations act or the substantive bill implementing the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as follows:

(17) ACADEMIC ACCELERATION OPTIONS SUPPLEMENT.—The academic acceleration options supplement is created to assist school districts in providing academic acceleration options, career-themed courses, and courses that lead to digital tool certificates and industry certifications for prekindergarten through grade 12 students and shall be allocated annually in the General Appropriations Act.

(h) Calculation of additional full-time equivalent membership based on Florida advanced courses and tests scores of students.—A value of 0.16 full-time equivalent student membership shall be calculated for each student in a Florida advanced course who achieves a minimum score on an assessment Page 33 of 34 CODING:

hb1279-02-c2hb1279-01-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/HBCS/HB 1279 2026 identifiedallocation byfrom the DepartmentFlorida of Education pursuantFinance Program to s.each district for operation of schools is not determined in the annual appropriations act or the substantive bill implementing the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as follows:

(17) ACADEMIC ACCELERATION OPTIONS SUPPLEMENT.—The academic acceleration options supplement is created to assist school districts in providing academic acceleration options, career-themed courses, and courses that lead to digital tool certificates and industry certifications for prekindergarten through grade 12 students and shall be allocated annually in the General Appropriations Act.

(h) Calculation of additional full-time equivalent membership based on Florida advanced courses and tests scores of students.—A value of 0.16 full-time equivalent student membership shall be calculated for each student in a Florida advanced course who achieves a minimum score on an assessment identified by the Department of Education pursuant to s.

The school district shall distribute to each classroom teacher who provided advanced coursePage instruction:30 of 31 CODING:

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words underlined are additions.

hb1279-01-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/HB 1279 2026 course instruction:

Section 23.21.

Page 3431 of 3431 CODING:

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