This bill amends section 1003.5716 of the Florida Statutes to establish specific timelines and requirements for school districts regarding the evaluation and provision of individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities. It mandates that a school district must complete an initial evaluation to determine a student's eligibility for an IEP within 60 calendar days of receiving parental consent and convene an IEP team meeting within 30 calendar days after eligibility is confirmed. Additionally, if a related service identified in a student's IEP is not provided as scheduled, the school district is required to notify the parent or guardian in writing within 5 school days, explaining the reason for the service's absence and providing a plan for make-up services. Parents or guardians are also granted the right to access service provider logs or progress notes within 15 school days after services are provided, with the school district obligated to inform them of this right at each IEP meeting.

Furthermore, the bill creates a new section, 1003.5718, which requires each school district to provide an individualized orientation for parents or guardians of students newly identified as eligible for exceptional student education services. This orientation must cover procedural safeguards, parental rights and responsibilities, instructions on accessing service logs, and guidance on filing complaints with the Department of Education. The school district must obtain a signed acknowledgment from the parent or guardian confirming receipt of the orientation, and annual refresher orientations must be offered and documented, with all acknowledgment forms retained in the student's education records. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.