The bill amends section 1001.42 of the Florida Statutes regarding the start times for middle and high schools. It removes the previous requirement that middle schools must start no earlier than 8 a.m. and high schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m. by July 1, 2026. Instead, it mandates that district school boards must consider the health, safety, and academic impacts of sleep deprivation on students and the benefits of later start times when determining their school schedules.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of community engagement by requiring school boards to inform stakeholders—including parents, students, and teachers—about the implications of sleep deprivation. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 261 Filed: 1001.42