The bill CS/CS/HB 765 amends various sections of the Florida Statutes to enhance child care and early learning services, focusing on definitions, licensing standards, and operational guidelines for child care facilities. Key changes include the replacement of the term "family day care" with "family child care" and the introduction of a new definition for "school-age children." The bill mandates that operators of family child care homes complete a 30-hour training course and annual continuing education, while also removing certain provisions that required family day care homes to provide specific information to parents. Additionally, it establishes the Brighter Futures Program to manage funds for early learning services and prohibits residential property insurance from covering liability claims related to large family child care home operations.

The bill further updates terminology from "day care" to "child care" throughout the legislation, clarifies licensing requirements, and ensures family child care homes are recognized as valid residential uses under local zoning regulations. It introduces penalties for misrepresentation in child care operations and mandates that advertisements for child care facilities include the state or local agency license number. The bill also enhances the accreditation process for child care facilities, requiring annual reports and risk-based onsite audits, while specifying criteria for maintaining a Gold Seal Quality Care designation. Overall, the bill aims to improve the quality, accessibility, and regulatory framework of early childhood education and care in Florida, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 765 Filed: 402.305, 627.70161, 1002.95, 39.101
H 765 c1: 402.313, 627.70161, 1002.95, 39.101, 39.202, 125.0109, 166.0445, 212.08, 402.306, 402.312, 402.315, 402.316, 402.318, 402.319, 409.988, 411.203, 1002.55, 1002.82, 1002.83, 1002.84, 1002.895
H 765 c2: 402.313, 627.70161, 1002.95, 39.101, 39.202, 125.0109, 166.0445, 212.08, 402.306, 402.312, 402.315, 402.316, 402.318, 402.319, 409.988, 411.203, 1002.55, 1002.82, 1002.83, 1002.84, 1002.93