Senate committee adopts amendment and advances omnibus higher‑education bill amid concerns on private‑school oversight

TALLAHASSEE — The Senate Appropriations Committee on PreK–12 Education considered and reported favorably SB 7,038, an omnibus higher‑education bill that includes a tuition waiver for members of the Florida State Guard, residency clarifications for formerly incarcerated individuals, consumer protections for blind services and vocational rehabilitation, and other postsecondary changes.

Senator Collati explained the bill’s broad scope. The committee adopted an amendment (barcode 941220) offered by Senator Kalatiud that, among other changes, restored the Classical Learning Test (CLT) as an eligible measure for a grandparent out‑of‑state tuition waiver, adjusted accreditation timelines and revised a metric tied to Pell Grant recipients.

During public testimony Bob Harris, representing Bridal Dental Assisting, said language in a section of the amendment (identified in committee as section 8) could unintentionally change a 55‑year exemption that has allowed dental‑assisting programs and certain on‑the‑job training to remain outside Commission for Independent Education oversight. Harris urged stakeholders and the department to work through the summer to clear the language and avoid disrupting workforce training.

Joanne Hart, chief legislative officer for the Florida Dental Association, also asked the sponsor to ensure changes would not impact on‑the‑job dental assisting programs and thanked the sponsor for agreeing to continue stakeholder discussions.

Senator Collati closed by saying he would continue to work with the dental association and other stakeholders to clarify the language and avoid disincentivizing workforce programs. The committee adopted the amendment and reported SB 7,038 favorably as amended.