The bill amends section 446.032 of the Florida Statutes to enhance the requirements for apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs. It introduces new provisions that mandate partnerships between local educational agencies and these programs, ensuring clarity in funding allocations and responsibilities. The Department of Education is tasked with developing a standard model contract template for these partnerships, which must include specific sections addressing the roles of each party, funding details, and compliance with applicable laws. Additionally, the bill revises the timeline for an annual report on apprenticeship programs, now due by November 30, and expands the report's content to include detailed financial and performance metrics.

Furthermore, the bill amends section 1011.80 to establish requirements for meetings of the District Workforce Education Funding Steering Committee, ensuring transparency and public participation. Meetings must be publicly noticed in advance, open to the public, and allow for public comment, with all related workpapers distributed at the time of notice. The bill also requires the development of a funding transparency tool by July 1, 2026, to provide historical funding data for apprenticeship programs. Overall, these changes aim to improve the structure, accountability, and transparency of apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs in Florida.

Statutes affected:
H 681 c1: 1011.80
H 681 er: 1011.80