House Bill 1367 proposes significant amendments to various sections of Florida Statutes concerning education, student attendance, and the rights of students with disabilities. The bill introduces new definitions for terms such as "absence," "chronically absent," and "excused absence," while explicitly prohibiting out-of-school suspensions as a disciplinary measure for attendance issues. It mandates the State Board of Education to adopt rules for attendance policies, including documentation for absences and early identification of chronically absent students. Additionally, the bill emphasizes parental involvement in justifying absences and outlines a structured approach for schools to address nonattendance patterns.

The bill also addresses the responsibilities of district school boards and superintendents in enforcing attendance, including the issuance of written notices for nonenrollment and potential criminal prosecution for noncompliance. It clarifies the educational services for students in juvenile justice programs and the role of surrogate parents for children with disabilities. Furthermore, it updates definitions related to educational institutions and modifies the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to specify authorized uses of funds. Overall, HB 1367 aims to enhance accountability in student attendance, improve educational participation, and protect the rights of students, particularly those with disabilities, with provisions set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 1367 Filed: 1003.01, 1003.04, 1003.24, 1003.26, 1003.436, 1006.08, 11.45, 39.0016, 327.371, 414.1251, 446.54, 553.865, 984.151, 1001.11, 1002.01, 1002.20, 1002.3105, 1002.33, 1002.42, 1002.43, 1003.03, 1003.4282, 1003.573, 1003.575, 1006.0626, 1006.07, 1008.24, 1012.2315