The bill amends existing Florida statutes regarding the start times for middle and high schools. It removes the requirement for district school boards to adopt policies that dictate specific start times for these schools, which previously mandated that middle schools could not start earlier than 8 a.m. and high schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m. Additionally, the bill eliminates the obligation for school boards to inform the community about the impacts of sleep deprivation on students and the benefits of later start times, as well as to discuss strategies for implementing these changes.

Furthermore, the bill also amends the regulations for charter schools by exempting them from compliance with the previously established start time requirements for middle and high schools. This change allows charter schools greater flexibility in determining their operational schedules without the constraints imposed by the earlier law. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 343 Filed: 1001.42, 1002.33