This bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes concerning early childhood education and child care facilities. It revises definitions for terms such as "child care facility," "child care personnel," and introduces a new definition for "school-age children." The bill updates the minimum standards for child care facility licensing, removes certain requirements for large family child care homes regarding parent information on specific viruses and the risks of leaving children in vehicles, and changes the terminology from "family day care" to "family child care." Additionally, it establishes new regulations for insurance coverage of large family child care homes, prohibiting insurers from denying or canceling policies based solely on the operation of such homes.

Moreover, the bill mandates a collaborative initiative among the Department of Education, the Florida Lottery, and CareerSource Florida, Inc. to create a program providing child care and early learning options for children from families in high-demand occupations, including vouchers for children aged birth to four. A report detailing existing programs and evaluating the voucher's implementation is due by January 1, 2027. The bill also includes provisions for a comprehensive training system for early learning professionals and specifies the conditions under which information from the central abuse hotline may be used for employment screening. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 1690 Filed: 627.70161, 1001.24, 39.101