The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes concerning child care and early learning providers, focusing on licensing standards and exemptions for certain facilities. It introduces an exemption for public and private preschools from specific municipal special assessments and defines "preschool" as any child care facility licensed under section 402.305. The bill revises licensing standards, including minimum sanitation and safety requirements, and establishes new training mandates for child care personnel. Notably, it requires the Department of Children and Families to conduct personnel screenings within three business days and allows for provisional approvals under certain conditions. Additionally, the bill makes technical changes, removes provisions related to educating parents and children on specific topics, and eliminates requirements for specialized facilities for mildly ill children.

The legislation also mandates that the designation of local licensing agencies be affirmed annually by a majority vote of the county commission and requires the Department of Children and Families to collaborate with local agencies to eliminate duplicative inspections of child care facilities. An abbreviated inspection plan is established for facilities meeting specific criteria, such as having no Class 1 deficiencies for two consecutive years. The bill clarifies exemptions for certain child care facilities, including those linked to church or parochial schools and those certified by the U.S. Department of Defense. It also updates training standards for prekindergarten instructors to ensure alignment with evidence-based content and strategies for emergent literacy. 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