This bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes related to athletics in public K-12 schools, specifically focusing on the role of coaches and the welfare of student athletes. It requires the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) to adopt bylaws that allow coaches to use their personal funds to provide support to students, such as food, transportation, and recovery services, while mandating that coaches report such expenditures to the FHSAA. The bill establishes that these personal funds are presumed not to constitute an impermissible benefit unless certain conditions are met, such as failure to report or using the funds for recruiting purposes.

Additionally, the bill makes conforming amendments to several statutes, including updates to cross-references in sections concerning volunteer team physicians, student rights regarding medical evaluations, and the provision of electrocardiograms for student athletes. It also exempts certain non-instructional contractors, such as investigators for the FHSAA, from specific screening requirements. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 178 Filed: 768.135, 1002.20, 1006.165, 1012.468