Today was Sine Die for Florida’s 2023 Legislative Session. The Florida Senate and our colleagues in the Florida House worked together to craft meaningful policy and pass a balanced budget for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year. I was proud to join House Speaker Paul Renner (R-Palm Harbor) and other legislators for the traditional Sine Die “Hankie Drop,” a ceremony marking the conclusion of session for at least 100 years. The presiding officers also joined Governor Ron DeSantis to discuss the conclusion of the session.

We began session in the aftermath of a destructive hurricane season on the heels of two special sessions needed to help stabilize Florida’s freefalling property insurance market. While these issues alone could have easily monopolized the last 60 days, I am proud that with the tireless work of our Senators, and strong partnerships with the Florida House and Governor DeSantis, we are concluding today having passed significant legislation in nearly every area of public policy, along with a balanced budget, meaningful tax relief for families and seniors, and historic reserves.

This was truly the session of the Florida family as we tackled kitchen-table issues important to growing families and seniors. School choice is now a reality for every child, in every family. Education dollars follow the child, and the parents – not the government – decide where they are spent.

With our Live Local Act, more Floridians can afford to live close to good jobs, where they can raise their families in the heart of the communities they serve.

Insurance and litigation reforms with strong protections for consumers, coupled with permanent tax relief on key items will help eliminate hidden costs that increase the price of goods and services, keeping Florida affordable for those at every income level and stage of life.

We passed strong legislation to support unborn babies and parents, with safeguards to protect the innocence of childhood and let kids be kids.

And, by expanding Florida’s iconic wildlife corridor, current and future generations of Florida families will have the opportunity to experience the wonder and beauty of Florida’s heartland.

From workforce housing, to school choice, to insurer accountability, to public safety, we listened to our constituents, incorporated ideas and feedback from our communities, and made our mark with historic reforms to keep our state affordable and her people free.

Balanced Budget Invests in Infrastructure, Education, Tax Relief & Historic Reserves

On Friday, Senate Bill 2500, the General Appropriations Act, a balanced state budget for the upcoming fiscal year passed the Senate and House floor.

We continue to be in a very unique situation with our budget. We are seeing increases in revenue and record-low unemployment, yet we know Floridians are suffering greatly from inflation, and nationally our economy is projected to face some challenges.

With increases in revenue, we have the amazing opportunity to make key generational investments in many areas of our infrastructure, from workforce housing to transportation, to clean water, to our iconic Wildlife Corridor. While this is positive, we cannot ignore the economic challenges already impacting Florida families and those clearly on the horizon nationally. Rather than spending all we have, this budget holds the line, setting aside historic reserves and providing tremendous tax relief opportunities that will reduce the cost of living for Florida families in a meaningful way.

We also make critical investments to further ongoing relief and recovery efforts as we work to help Southwest Florida and other impacted communities rebuild. Coupled with the significant legislation put forward by Senator Martin, Leader Albritton, and our Select Committee on Resiliency, this budget will help our state be even more prepared for future hurricanes and other significant weather events that come with living on our beautiful peninsula.

Live Local Statewide Workforce Housing Strategy

Senate Bill 102, Housing, by Senator Alexis Calatayud, was signed into law on March 29. The legislation, entitled the Live Local Act, contains a comprehensive, statewide workforce housing strategy designed to increase the availability of attainable housing options for Florida workers who seek to live in the communities they serve.

Floridians are ready to live local, and to spend less time commuting and more time building their lives and raising their families in the heart of the communities they serve. As I travel the state, availability of workforce housing is a top issue on the minds of hardworking Floridians and retirees in every community I visit. With this comprehensive legislation, we are shutting down affordable housing stereotypes and creating attainable housing options needed by the majority of our workforce, the backbone of Florida’s economy.

The Live Local plan is the product of discussions with stakeholders over many years. With their advice and input, we are tackling this complex issue from all angles –incentivizing private sector investment, funding both the SHIP and SAIL programs at historically high levels, providing new avenues for solutions in zoning, encouraging more mixed-use developments in latent commercial areas, and enhancing public access to information about expedited permitting and public property that may be suitable for workforce housing.

In total, I am confident our legislation will improve housing options for Floridians at all income levels and stages of life, so that families don’t have to spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing, and can have the margin needed to save and build the rest of their lives.

Expanding Access to Florida’s Wildlife Corridor

Senate Bill 106, Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network, by Senator Jason Brodeur, expands access to Florida’s iconic Wildlife Corridor. The bill, signed into law by Governor DeSantis on April 11, connects the corridor to Florida’s Greenways and Trails System and the SUN Trail Network, as well as recreational pathways to heritage small towns across Florida.

Our wildlife corridor provides a unique opportunity to experience the wonder and beauty of Florida’s heartland. With this legislation, we have the chance not only to preserve this natural resource for future generations, but to expand access so more Floridians can walk, run, and bike from trail town to trail town, taking in all our great state has to offer.

I envision Florida’s Wildlife Corridor as a top destination for recreational tourists from across the country and around the world. As I have said before, I believe this will be Florida’s Central Park – a legacy we can be proud to leave for future generations of Floridians and visitors to enjoy.

Enhancing Public Safety, Codifying Constitutional Right To Keep And Bear Arms

Senate Bill 150, Public Safety, by Senator Jay Collins, was signed into law on April 3. This robust public safety package codifies the constitutional right of citizens to keep and bear arms and expand tools available to law enforcement and educators working to keep our communities and schools safe.

I stand with Governor DeSantis, Speaker Renner, and Senator Collins, decorated members of our military, who along law enforcement leaders from across the state, agree that eliminating the need for a concealed weapons license in the state of Florida will help more Floridians better protect themselves and their families.

This comprehensive legislation ensures our laws respect the constitutional rights of law-abiding Floridians while at the same time incorporating valuable tools recommended by law enforcement that will increase the safety of our schools and communities.

Historic School Choice, Parental Empowerment Legislation

House Bill 1, Education, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Corey Simon, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education Pre-K-12, was signed into law on March 27. HB 1 contains a comprehensive package of innovations that promote parental involvement and customized K-12 education in Florida. The legislation empowers parents to guide their children’s education by providing for an Education Savings Account for every student in the K-12 system. Incorporating recommendations from the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, the bill also takes the first step towards reducing onerous and excessive regulations on public schools.

The goal of making school choice a reality for every child across our great state has been a long time coming, and with the steadfast resolve and leadership of Governor DeSantis, Speaker Renner, Senator Simon, Rep. Tuck, and many others, school choice is here for every Florida family.

Additionally, this bill reduces some of the outdated, unnecessary, and quite frankly, burdensome regulations public schools have to abide by. By reducing red tape that burdens our traditional public schools, these institutions, which have served our communities for generations, will have a meaningful chance to compete right alongside other school choice options.

Career and Technical Education, Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Grades 6-12

Senate Bill 240, Education, by Senator Travis Hutson, furthers ongoing legislative initiatives that promote career and technical education (CTE), with a focus on work-based learning linked to local employment opportunities for Florida students in Grades 6-12.

More than a decade ago, Florida began the transformation to link education to the realities and opportunities of the economy. Under the leadership of Senate President Don Gaetz and House Speaker Will Weatherford, in 2013 the Legislature passed the Career and Professional Education Act, which began the process of promoting industry certifications in K-12 education, with financial incentives for schools that help students learn skills that directly lead to jobs.

A decade later, under the leadership of President Wilton Simpson and Speaker Chris Sprowls, Florida transformed our workforce system, making it easier for consumers to access services and career planning, and to register for job training. This legislation builds on this tremendous progress by creating additional partnerships between local schools and businesses, expanding opportunities for students to gain on-the-job experience in meaningful, high-paying fields needed in our growing communities.

Increasing Consumer Protection and Insurer Accountability

Senate Bill 7052, Insurer Accountability, by Senator Hutson, contains various provisions intended to increase consumer protection and insurer accountability in Florida.

Over the last several years, during regular and special sessions, we have worked on reforms to strengthen the property insurance market in our state so policyholders have access to quality, affordable, private market property insurance. Ultimately, every homeowner needs property insurance that is reliable and affordable. When disaster strikes, we want to make sure impacted Floridians can successfully navigate the claims process and be compensated for losses in a timely manner.

This legislation continues our efforts to balance fair costs and protections for consumers while strengthening state review and analysis of the insurance market so that bad actors can be held accountable. I commend Senator Hutson for his diligence in bringing stakeholders together to put forward a strong and meaningful insurer accountability package that enhances consumer-friendly provisions of current law and increases transparency between homeowners and insurance companies.

Heartbeat Protection Act

Senate Bill 300, the Heartbeat Protection Act, by Senator Erin Grall, was signed into law on April 13. The legislation protects innocent, unborn life by prohibiting abortions after six weeks gestation, with exceptions for women who are victims of rape, incest and human trafficking, or whose baby has a devastating diagnosis of a fatal fetal abnormality.

The Heartbeat Protection Act builds on Florida’s strong track record of protecting the most vulnerable, especially the unborn, and strengthens state efforts to promote adoption and support families, with significant resources to benefit infants, young children, and parents, which we hope will encourage more Floridians in difficult and unplanned situations to choose life for their babies.

Our bill also includes strong and clear exceptions for rape, incest, and human trafficking, in addition to those already available for the life of the mother. We also clarify the existing exception for the horrible situation when parents are facing the heartbreaking diagnosis of a fatal fetal abnormality.

Comprehensive Legal Reforms

House Bill 837, Civil Remedies, sponsored by Senator Hutson, was signed into law on March 24. The bill reforms Florida’s tort laws to decrease frivolous lawsuits while protecting the rights of Floridians who suffer a loss.

When a horrible accident or incident occurs and people suffer a loss, they should be compensated quickly and fairly. The vast majority of attorneys work very hard to provide sound legal representation for Floridians in these difficult circumstances. Unfortunately, there are a few bad actors who are in the business to draw out civil cases as long as possible, collecting more and more fees from insurance companies.

Litigation drives up the basic costs of goods and services for everyone across all areas of industry and commerce.

Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, we have taken many steps to help keep Florida affordable for growing families and seniors. This legislation furthers those efforts striking the right balance and protecting the rights of Floridians who suffer a loss, while at the same time safeguarding everyone else against the hidden costs of prolonged litigation.

Protecting Children

Last session we defended and expanded parental rights in education, and the feedback from parents and teachers who appreciate appropriate guardrails on social issues being taught in schools is overwhelmingly positive. This year, we expanded on that good work.

Parents have the right to raise their children as they see fit, and government intervention should be a last resort. Unfortunately, all too often we are hearing about treatments for gender dysphoria being administered to children, often very young children. That’s just wrong, and we need to step in and make sure it isn’t happening in our state.

• House Bill 1069, Child Protection in Public Schools, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Yarborough prohibits classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity in Pre-K through Grade 8 and expands the role of parents in reviewing and approving instructional materials, with a clear process when a parent wants to object to specific content.   The bill also protects students and teachers from being required to use language that violates their personal convictions. Specifically, the bill prohibits a school from requiring, as a condition of employment, that a teacher refers to a student or another teacher by a pronoun that does not correspond to that person’s sex. Similarly, students cannot be forced to refer to a teacher or to other students by pronouns that do not correspond to the person’s sex.
• Senate Bill 1438, Protection of Children, by Senator Yarborough, authorizes the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to fine, suspend, or revoke the license of any public lodging establishment or public food service establishment if the establishment admits a child to a live adult performance that depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, or lewd exposure.
• Senate Bill 254, Treatments for Sex-Reassignment, by Senator Yarborough protects children from being subjected to sex-reassignment prescriptions and procedures. Exceptions are provided for patients with genetic or biochemical disorders as well as those with certain injuries or illnesses.

Governor Ron DeSantis Proposes Protections for Floridians Against Federal Digital Currency and Surveillance

• Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Legislation to Protect Floridians from a Federally Controlled Central Bank Digital Currency and Surveillance State
• Florida’s Voice: DeSantis calls for ban on central bank digital currency
• The Capitolist: DeSantis launches offensive against government-issued “digital dollar” cryptocurrency
• Decrypt: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Introduces State Legislation Banning CBDCs

Governor DeSantis: 4,500 Teachers Earn Civics Seal of Excellence, Receive $3,000 Bonus

• 4,500 Teachers Earn the Civics Seal of Excellence Endorsement and Receive $3,000 Bonuses
• Florida’s Voice: DeSantis emphasizes putting American civics ‘front and center’ in schools
• The Florida Standard: Florida Teachers Earn Civics Seal of Excellence

First Lady Casey DeSantis Expands Hope Florida Initiative

• First Lady Casey DeSantis Announces an Expansion of Hope Florida to Harness the Generosity of Private Sector Entities
• The Florida Standard: First Lady Announces Expansion of Hope Florida to the Private Sector

First Lady Casey DeSantis Holds Roundtable on Mental Health Education and Resiliency

• First Lady Casey DeSantis Announces Next Steps in Florida’s First-In-The-Nation Approach to Create a Culture of Resiliency and Incentivize Parental Involvement in Schools
•  Florida’s Voice: Casey DeSantis announces ‘resiliency’ program to prepare Florida youth for life’s challenges
•  The Florida Standard: Florida’s First Lady Wants To Change the Way Schools Tackle Mental Health

Attorney General Ashley Moody Warns Spring Breakers About Dangerous Opiods

• Villages-News: A warning for Florida’s spring breakers

CFO Jimmy Patronis’ Interview on Newsmax on Biden’s Veto of Anti-ESG Legislation

• Watch beginning at timestamp 36:00

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson Joins Lawmakers to Reform Hemp Laws

• Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Lawmakers Highlight Legislation Protecting Children from High-Potency THC Products, Reforming Hemp Laws

Senator Rick Scott Calls for Increased Accountability for Federal Reserve

• FOX News: Federal Reserve out of control: Americans shouldn’t have to pay for Wall St-Washington mistakes

2023 Legislative Session News

Bill Expanding School Choice Headed to Governor’s Desk

• The Florida Senate: Senate Passes Historic School Choice, Parental Empowerment Legislation
• Spectrum News 13: Florida’s school choice expansion bill now heads to the governor’s desk
• Tampa Bay Times: Florida Senate OKs private school voucher expansion. Bill heads to DeSantis.
• Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Lawmakers Announce Proposal to Prohibit Local Special Assessments on Agricultural Lands
• Florida’s Voice: ‘Let kids be kids’: Bill expanding Parental Rights in Education Act clears first Senate committee
• The Florida Standard: Defying Precedent, Florida Moves Towards Death Penalty for Child Rapists
• Florida Politics: House panel moves bill executing child rapists with supermajority jury vote
• Florida’s Voice: ‘Life is sacred’: Republicans advance six week abortion ban in Senate
•  Florida’s Voice: Simpson pushes anti-local special assessment tax legislation for farmland
• The Florida Standard: “It’s Not Healthcare To Cut Someone’s Body Parts Off”: Trans Bill Divides the House
• Florida’s Voice: Proposal banning sex reassignment surgeries for children clears House committee
• The Florida Standard: Bill Banning Financial Institutions from Tracking Gun Sales Passes House Committee
•  City & State: School’s (always) in? Year-round learning gets look in Florida Legislature
• The Florida Standard: Defamation Bill Rocks Senate Committee in Surprise Pass
• The Florida Standard: Architect of Controversial Defamation Bill Says First Amendment Fears are Unfounded
• The Florida Standard: New Florida Bill: Admitting Kids to Drag Shows May Land You in Prison
• Florida’s Voice: Bill advances to penalize businesses who admit kids to ‘adult live performances’

Republican Party of Florida News

• RPOF Chairman Ziegler Statement on Duval Elections
• Florida’s Voice: ‘Get out and vote!’: Ziegler encourages voters for Jacksonville election
• Florida’s Voice: Democrats face Duval losses weeks after Fried elected state party chair
• Florida’s Voice: Duval GOP turnout overcomes registration deficit

Other News

• Governor Ron DeSantis Highlights Recovery Efforts Following Hurricane Ian
• Newsweek: The Top 10 Florida Policies Other States Should Emulate | Opinion
• Washington Examiner: Biden issues first veto of his presidency to stop Congress from scrapping ESG rule
• Politico: The new Red Scare for red states: Diversity programs
•  Las Vegas Review-Journal: VICTOR JOECKS: 7 things you don’t know about Ron DeSantis
• FOX News: On this day in history, March 20, 1854, Republican Party founded to oppose expansion of slavery
• Florida’s Voice: School district cancels ‘Drag & Donuts’ event after state questions appropriateness
• The Florida Standard: Woke, Not Awake: Radical School Board Member Disrespects Parents by Dozing Off in Meeting
• Florida’s Voice: DeSantis: I have what it takes to be president, and I would’ve fired Fauci
• The Florida Standard: Outrage Over Pornographic Books at Hillsborough County Schools Board Meeting
• The Florida Standard: Can the College Board Survive the AP Course Fallout Amid Cries of “Racist” SAT Tests?
• The Capitolist: From FIU Student to State Leader: How Jeanette Nuñez’s Education Shaped Her Political Career

On Friday. the Florida Legislature wrapped the second week of meetings of the 2023 Legislative Session.

The Florida Senate debated and discussed proposed policy both in committee meetings and on the Senate floor this week. Legislation focused on rebuilding local communities that suffer damage from hurricanes, upholding the parent’s right to choose the best school for their children, addressing labor shortages in workforce revitalization and protecting Florida from foreign threats.

Rebuilding After Natural Disasters

Wednesday, Senator Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers) presented Senate Bill 250 in the Senate Committee on Community Affairs where it passed with unanimous committee support. Senate Bill 250 assists local communities impacted by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole with the recovery process while ensuring that Florida is better prepared to respond to future natural disasters. Senator Yarbrough presents Senate Bill 254 to the Senate Committee on Health Policy

This legislation among other things allows residents of devastated areas to stay on their land while rebuilding their homes, encourages local governments to develop an emergency financial plan, and requires the Division of Emergency Management to assist local governments and residents with the debris removal process.

Senate Bill 250 lays the groundwork for Floridians to recover stronger and faster in the case of future natural disasters.

Funding Students, Not Systems

Thursday, Senator Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee) presented Senate Bill 202 in the Senate Appropriations Committee where it passed with strong committee support. Senate Bill 202 establishes universal school choice across the State of Florida, ensuring that Florida students receives an education that meets their unique needs.

This legislation expands Florida’s educational voucher program and allows every student in Florida to receive an education in a setting fit to their own individual needs. Through this legislation, families of students who fall below 185% of the federal poverty level (FPL) will be prioritized, with a second priority for households with income below 400% of FPL, to receive an empowerment account to take education dollars earmarked for their child and choose among a variety of options to customize their child’s k-12 education.

Senate Bill 202 puts parents in the driver’s seat regarding their child’s education, provides parents and students with the full array of educational opportunities, and ensures that a child’s future is not determined by their zip-code. Through this legislation, Florida will continue to lead the way in education, delivering positive educational outcomes that result in lifelong success.

Reimagining Workforce Development

Tuesday, Senator Travis Hutson (R-Palm Coast) presented Senate Bill 240 in the Senate Committee on Pre-K – 12 Education where it passed with unanimous committee support. Senate Bill 240 reimagines and revitalizes workforce development programs hosted within Florida’s schools.

Through a comprehensive approach, incorporating local businesses, community boards, and public schools, this legislation expands opportunities for middle and high school students to receive valuable career training while still enrolled in a Florida public school.

Senate Bill 240 revises current high school graduation requirements to place a specific emphasis on educational curriculum that is focused on technical education and career training. Additionally, this legislation establishes a program that allows local businesses to assess the job market for their specified region and collaborate with local schools to ensure that roles found to be of a greater need are greater emphasized in our educational system.

As the entire nation attempts to address labor shortages in key fields such as nursing and logistics, Florida will lead through innovative educational policies that benefit individual students and the economy as a whole.

Defending Florida from Foreign Threats

Tuesday, Senator Jay Collins (R-Tampa) presented Senate Bill 264 in the Senate Judiciary Committee where it passed with strong committee support. Senate Bill 264 prohibits foreign adversaries and companies funded by adversaries from purchasing agricultural land in the State of Florida.

Due to the growing threat of the Chinese Communist Party’s attempts to weaken America’s national security through strategic land purchases, it is critical that we protect the health of our agriculture industry. Senate Bill 264 ensures that America’s enemies will be strictly prohibited from purchasing agricultural land in the State of Florida. This is a crucial step to protect Florida’s food supply and broader security interests.

On Tuesday, the Florida Legislature convened to mark to the start of the 2023 Legislative Session.

We wasted no time to pass bills that strengthen our state. On Wednesday, we passed Senate Bill 102, the Live Local Act, sponsored by Senator Alexis Calatayud. This measure will expand attainable housing for Florida’s workforce.

We also passed Senate Bill 106, by Senator Jason Brodeur, this week. This bill expands access to Florida’s iconic Wildlife Corridor by connecting the corridor to Florida’s Greenways and Trails System and the SUN Trail Network, as well as recreational pathways to heritage small towns across Florida. All Floridians will have the opportunity to enjoy the precious natural landscape of Florida’s heartland.

During his State of the State Address in a joint session, Governor Ron DeSantis detailed Florida’s success in protecting individual freedoms, rebuilding from recent natural disasters, and defending the rights of parents to be involved in their children’s education.

Visit the Florida Channel to watch my remarks from opening day and the Governor’s  State of the State Address.

While we accomplished a great deal this first week of session, there is more work to do:

• We will make school choice a reality for every child in every family across our great state. We must invest in the education of every Florida student, no matter where they choose to go to school.
• We will cut red tape on traditional public schools. These institutions – which have served our communities for generations – will have a meaningful opportunity to compete right alongside other school choice options.
• We will enhance public safety by codifying the constitutional right of citizens to keep and bear arms. At the same time, we will expand tools available to law enforcement and educators working to keep our communities and schools safe.
• We will promote career and technical education with a focus on work-based learning opportunities linked to local employment.
• We will work to secure our borders because the federal government has failed to do so.
• We are going to cut taxes on more essential items so Florida families can keep more of their hard-earned dollars where they belong – in their pockets.
• And we’re going to pass meaningful tort reform to curb the practices of those attorneys who file frivolous lawsuits which increase the cost of living in our state.

Expanding Access to Florida’s Wildlife Corridor

Senate Bill 106, which passed with unanimous support on the Senate floor this week, will connect the corridor to Florida’s Greenways and Trails System and the SUN Trail Network, as well as recreational pathways to heritage small towns across Florida.

Our wildlife corridor provides a unique opportunity to experience the wonder and beauty of Florida’s heartland. We have the chance not only to preserve this natural resource for future generations, but to expand access so more Floridians can walk, run, and bike from trail town to trail town, taking in all our great state has to offer. I envision Florida’s Wildlife Corridor as a top destination for recreational tourists from across the country and around the world. As I have said before, I believe this will be Florida’s Central Park – a legacy we can be proud to leave for future generations of Floridians and visitors to enjoy.

Florida’s Wildlife Corridor encompasses approximately 17.7 million acres, including almost 10 million acres of conservation lands. The corridor is being created through the state’s purchase of development rights of farmers, ranchers, and other landowners who will be able to continue their operations in perpetuity and the lands will never be developed.

Creating Workforce Housing

Senate Bill 102, Housing, by Senator Alexis Calatayud, also earned unanimous support from the Florida Senate this week. The legislation contains the comprehensive, statewide workforce housing strategy and is designed to increase the availability of attainable housing options for Florida workers who seek to live in the communities they serve.

Floridians are ready to live local, and to spend less time commuting and more time building their lives and raising their families in the heart of the communities they serve. With this comprehensive legislation, we are shutting down affordable housing stereotypes and creating attainable housing options needed by the majority of our workforce, the backbone of Florida’s economy.

Expanding School Choice in Florida

Senator Corey Simon presented Senate Bill 202 to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Education which passed with strong committee support. Senate Bill 202 expands Florida’s educational voucher program and implements universal school vouchers across the state.

Senate Bill 202 ensures that educational funding in Florida follows students, not systems. Florida’s students will now be able to receive an education in a setting that best fits their unique needs, abilities, and goals. Whether a student and their family wish to attend a public, charter, private, or home school, this legislation will give every Florida student the opportunity to excel and thrive through their educational journey regardless of their zip code.

This legislation also removes burdensome regulations on teachers that unnecessarily overcomplicate the recertification process.

With Senate Bill 202, Florida will offer dynamic educational opportunities that will improve educational outcomes for every student.

Protecting Students’ Privacy

This week, Senator Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) presented Senate Bill 662 to the Senate Judiciary Committee where it passed with strong committee support. Senate Bill 662, cited as the “Student Online Personal Information Protection Act,” establishes a secure shelter of students’ personal information.

This legislation will prohibit operators of websites, online services, or online applications from collecting, disclosing, or selling student data. Under this legislation, operators will only be able to collect information that is necessary for the operation of educational technology and will be prohibited from using student data to engage in targeted advertising.

Given the increased reliance upon the internet and other software programs in educational settings due to the pandemic, it is important that the personal information of Florida students is protected in a comprehensive manner. Senate Bill 662 ensures that when Florida students enter the classroom, the educational technology they operate is utilized solely for education, and not as a tool for third-party companies to profit off of a student’s personal data.