The bill CS/HB 443 amends various sections of Florida Statutes concerning charter schools, introducing new governance and operational standards. It allows charter school governing boards to create their own codes of student conduct, which must meet or exceed the sponsor's standards, and establishes criteria for resolving complaints related to these codes. The bill also revises enrollment preference criteria, enabling charter schools to prioritize certain student populations, and mandates compliance with specific provisions regarding student welfare. Additionally, it outlines the process for determining a charter school's capacity and includes provisions for increasing student enrollment under certain conditions.

Moreover, the bill requires school districts to take specific actions before disposing of real property, granting charter schools the right of first refusal for such properties and prohibiting districts from disposing of property without meeting certain requirements. It also prohibits sponsors from imposing administrative deadlines on charter schools that are earlier than their own deadlines for similar reports. Other significant changes include a requirement for charter schools to notify sponsors by March 1 if they plan to increase enrollment, mandates for sponsors to provide access to student information systems, and enhanced rights for high-performing charter schools to increase enrollment and expand grade levels. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 443 Filed: 1002.331
H 443 c1: 1002.331