The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes concerning child care and early learning providers, with a primary focus on licensing standards and exemptions for certain facilities. It exempts public and private preschools from specific municipal special assessments and defines "preschool" as any child care facility licensed under section 402.305. The legislation revises licensing standards, including minimum requirements and training for personnel, and mandates that the Department of Children and Families conduct screenings of child care personnel within three business days. It also allows for provisional approval under certain conditions, updates sanitation and safety standards, and makes technical changes to existing regulations.

Additionally, the bill expands the types of providers considered in developing plans to reduce unnecessary inspections and revises requirements for abbreviated inspection plans for various child care settings. It introduces new training provisions for child care personnel, including free online coursework provided by the department, and establishes a classification system for violations of licensing standards. The bill removes certain educational requirements for parents and children regarding health topics and eliminates provisions for specialized child care facilities for mildly ill children. It also requires county commissions to annually affirm the designation of local licensing agencies and allows facilities with Department of Defense or Coast Guard certifications to operate without standard licensing if they meet specific background screening criteria. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 738 Filed: 170.201, 402.306, 402.3115, 402.316, 627.70161, 1002.59
S 738 c1: 170.201, 402.306, 402.3115, 402.316, 1002.59
S 738 er: 170.201, 402.306, 402.3115, 402.316, 1002.59