House Bill 1307 amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance educational opportunities for active members of the Florida State Guard and improve educational equity across the state. The bill provides tuition assistance for up to six credit hours per term at state universities and Florida College System institutions, revises the submission date for annual reports on apprenticeship programs, and updates the duties of the Department of Education. It also renames the "Florida Educational Equity Act" to the "Florida Educational Equality Act" and mandates public schools and Florida College System institutions to provide accommodations based on sex, with the State Board of Education responsible for enforcing compliance. Additionally, the bill removes certain requirements for developing strategies to increase participation among underrepresented students and updates criteria for various educational programs, including the Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education (GATE) Program.

Furthermore, the bill enhances protections against sex discrimination in public postsecondary institutions by introducing provisions that require objective evaluations in discrimination cases, access to evidence before disciplinary proceedings, and in-person hearings with cross-examination. It also modifies existing statutes, such as changing Hillsborough Community College to Hillsborough State College, and emphasizes the use of high-quality instructional materials in educational programs. The bill repeals several existing programs related to minority teacher education and updates requirements for educator preparation programs. Overall, HB 1307 aims to streamline reporting processes, enhance educational standards, and improve access to educational opportunities while addressing local and statewide economic needs.

Statutes affected:
H 1307 Filed: 251.001, 446.032, 446.041, 1000.21, 1001.64, 1001.706, 1002.20, 1003.42, 1004.04, 1004.42, 1004.85, 1004.933, 1005.06, 1006.60, 1006.71, 1007.25, 1007.271, 1008.37, 1008.44, 1009.22, 1009.23, 1009.25, 1009.26, 1009.40, 1009.94, 1011.801, 1011.802, 1012.56, 1012.562, 1013.46, 1013.841