This bill amends several sections of Florida Statutes related to educator certifications and training, specifically focusing on the inclusion of training for mass casualty incidents in teacher preparation programs. It revises the core curricula for state-approved teacher preparation programs to mandate training on identifying, preventing, preparing for, addressing, and responding to mass casualty incidents. Additionally, it requires postsecondary educator preparation institutions to incorporate similar training into their programs. The bill also updates the eligibility criteria for certified educators and adjunct teaching certificate holders to include this training as a requirement.

Furthermore, the bill makes conforming changes to cross-references in existing statutes and specifies that individuals seeking certification must have received training in mass casualty incidents. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2026. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the preparedness of educators in handling emergency situations, thereby improving safety in educational environments.

Statutes affected:
H 23 Filed: 1004.04, 1012.57