This bill amends several sections of Florida Statutes related to private schools and the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program. It establishes a maximum enrollment cap for full-time virtual students participating in the program, allowing 1% of the statewide total prekindergarten through grade 12 student enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year, increasing to 2% for the 2026-2027 school year. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, there will be no maximum enrollment restriction for these students. Additionally, the bill revises the definition of "eligible private school" to include those offering full-time virtual instruction and mandates that such schools provide a student orientation course and develop a policy regarding participation in instructional activities.

Further amendments include requirements for private schools to maintain regular contact with teachers for online courses and to notify scholarship-funding organizations of student disenrollment. The definition of "regular school attendance" is also updated to encompass students participating remotely or through virtual instruction. The bill aims to enhance accountability and oversight of private schools participating in educational scholarship programs while ensuring that students receive adequate support and resources. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1608 Filed: 1002.421, 1003.01