The bill amends Section 1003.574 of the Florida Statutes to establish new requirements regarding the use of video cameras in self-contained classrooms within public schools. It removes references to the previously established Video Cameras in Public School Classrooms Pilot Program and an obsolete definition. The bill mandates that district school boards, except those in fiscally constrained counties, must vote to create a policy for installing video cameras in self-contained classrooms upon a parent's request. Additionally, it prohibits schools from concealing the identity of employees in video recordings and requires that any video made available after a request must include accompanying audio.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the operational requirements for video cameras, including monitoring capabilities and retention periods for recorded footage. It specifies that video recordings must be retained for at least three months or until the conclusion of any related investigations. The bill also establishes protocols for notifying parents about the placement of cameras and the discontinuation of their operation. It allows for appeals to the State Board of Education regarding alleged violations of the new provisions and clarifies that the law does not limit parental access to recordings under existing privacy laws. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 257 Filed: 1003.57
H 257 c1: 1003.574