Education committee advances seven bills on virtual school access, student safety and school staffing

The Florida House Education Employment Committee on Feb. 25 reported seven bills favorably, moving measures on virtual schooling, student safety and school staffing to the next legislative stage.

Representative Smith told the committee that House Bill 129 clarifies governance and access at Florida Virtual School: board meeting scheduling, statewide student access (including military families overseas), recognition that virtual teachers are state employees with retirement benefits, and the ability for students to take required in-person exams at local schools. "These are the 4 points of the bill, Madam Chair," Smith said in explanation. There was brief questioning about audit-related updates; Smith described the changes as statute updates rather than corrective sanctions. The committee voted to report HB 129 favorably, 15-0.

House Bill 423, presented by Representatives Eskamani and Tremont, would require schools to establish a "safe team" and written protocols to prevent and respond when students—particularly children on the autism spectrum—leave a supervised setting. "This centers on ensuring that all of our students are safe in our public schools," Eskamani said. Witnesses from the Autism Society of Greater Orlando described the high risks when children elope, including drowning; one parent testified that "when a student is missing, every second counts." The committee approved HB 423, 16-0.

The committee also advanced CS/CS/HB 753 to update school counselor certification and evaluations. Representative Hunchoske said the bill removes two examination requirements that can be barriers while preserving the master’s-degree requirement and aligning evaluations with Florida School Counseling Standards. Belinda Dees of the Florida School Counselor Association testified in support, saying the change "removes unnecessary examination barriers while maintaining rigor and high standards." The committee voted 16-0.

Representatives Lamarca and Tremont sponsored CS for CS for HB 1253, which allows a coach to use personal funds to support a student’s needs—up to $15,000 per athletic team per year—and requires parental written consent under an adopted amendment. Lamarca said the amendment "requires a parent's written consent before a coach may provide such support to a student." Members raised liability and equity concerns about ride-sharing and resource imbalances across schools; Representative Robinson asked whether parental consent would waive liability and whether school business services or district policies would govern these circumstances. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably, 17-0.

PCS for CSHB 833 would deem private schools enrolling 150 students or fewer a permitted use in commercial and mixed-use zoning districts without rezoning, provided facilities meet existing life-safety and fire-code standards. Representative Cassell said the change is intended to reduce permitting barriers while keeping life-safety requirements "firmly in place." Questions focused on drop-off, sidewalks and whether existing distance buffers (for example, restrictions around certain facilities) would still apply; the sponsor said existing laws remain in force. The committee reported the measure favorably, 15-0.

PCS for CS for HB 1325 aims to strengthen partnerships between industry and nursing education by clarifying eligible nonmonetary matching contributions, permitting retrofits or modernization (not new construction) of existing space to expand capacity, and allowing conditional multi-year awards linked to contributions and appropriations. Representatives of multiple colleges and health systems waved in support. The committee voted 16-0.

Finally, CS for HB 1437 addresses mutual management plans for conversion charter schools and adds dispute-resolution options including Department of Education mediation or hearings before an administrative law judge. The committee adopted an amendment to allow conversion charter schools that fully assume repair and maintenance responsibilities to receive charter school capital outlay funds for renovation and maintenance. That bill passed the committee, 13-3.

Votes at a glance: HB 129 — reported favorably, 15-0; HB 423 — reported favorably, 16-0; CS/CS/HB 753 — reported favorably, 16-0; CS for CS for HB 1253 (coach support, amendment adopted) — reported favorably, 17-0; PCS for CSHB 833 — reported favorably, 15-0; PCS for CS for HB 1325 — reported favorably, 16-0; CS for HB 1437 (amendment adopted) — reported favorably, 13-3.

The committee recorded public testimony for several bills and heard members raise implementation questions (liability, traffic/parking, equity of resources between schools). By committee practice, reported bills will next wait for scheduling on the House calendar. Representative Rizzo moved to rise without objection, and the committee adjourned.