This bill amends Section 1003.574 of the Florida Statutes to establish new requirements regarding the use of video cameras in self-contained classrooms within public schools. It removes references to the previously established Video Cameras in Public School Classrooms Pilot Program and an obsolete definition. The bill mandates that district school boards create a policy to provide video cameras in self-contained classrooms upon parental request, ensuring that the identity of school employees recorded in the videos cannot be concealed. Additionally, it stipulates that any video recording made available must include accompanying audio.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the operational requirements for video cameras, including their monitoring capabilities and retention policies. It specifies that recordings must be retained for at least three months or until the conclusion of any related investigations. The bill also includes provisions for parental notification regarding the placement of cameras and the viewing of recordings, as well as an appropriation of $2 million for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support the implementation of these measures. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 859 Filed: 1003.574