2020 Legislative Session | Week 9
The 2020 Florida Legislative Session has officially been extended while lawmakers try to secure last minute funding in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the state’s response to the coronavirus. Friday, March 13 th was the 60 th day of session and the day slated for sine die, but session is now anticipated to conclude next week and the budget to be voted on Wednesday, March 18 th after the mandatory 72-hour cooling off period. HB 1013 Early Learning and Early Grade Success, a bill aimed at revamping early learning programming and standards in the state, is struggling to get through its last hurtles before session ends. We are hopeful that a last-minute solution will appear. We are extremely happy that SB 190 & HB 81 Healthcare for Children (formerly Medicaid School-based Services), which will help students receive much needed healthcare on K-12 school campuses, is waiting on Governor DeSantis’ desk for signature. 
 
Below shows the latest movements for the bills we are following, now that the committee meetings for both the House and the Senate have concluded. While there is the possibility of last-minute maneuvering for bill passage, the majority of bills that did not complete the full committee process will not become law this session.
Below you will find a list of bills filed for this session related to children, youth and families. The first column lists the bill number, name and sponsor and provides a hyperlink to the bill's text and history. The second column represents the number of committees of reference for each bill and the final column gives a brief description of the bill.
Child Welfare
 Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Passed Full Senate


This bill amends definitions relating to child-on-child sexual abuse and reorganizes and clarifies provisions and requirements relating to reports of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect and the central abuse hotline at the Department of Children and Families (DCF). It requires that the central abuse hotline keep statistical reports relating to reports of child abuse and child-on-child sexual abuse in specified educational settings. It provides penalties for specified educational providers whose employees knowingly and willingly fail to report suspected or known child abuse. It also addresses a recognized strong correlation between animal abuse and child abuse and requires reporting and penalties for specified investigators for failure to report.
Early Learning



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 Rep. Williams
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Passed Full Senate


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These compare bills require vehicles used by child care facilities to transport children to be equipped with a DCF minimum standards approved alarm system that prompts the driver to inspect the vehicle for the presence of children before leaving the area.
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Requires child care facilities and large family child care homes to install video cameras in both facilities and associated transportation. Provides DCF authority to promulgate associated rules. 
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Revises minimum licensing standards relating to transportation safety for child care facilities, large family child care homes, & family day care homes.
Will be enrolled & sent to the Governor




Laid on Table

These bills extend the scheduled expiration of the Early Childhood Music Education Incentive Pilot Program expected to expire in June 2020 to June 2022, and it modifies the eligibility requirements.
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Passed Full House

These similar bills place the Office of Early Learning within the Department of Education (DOE). They revise duties of the Early Learning Programs Estimating Conference, place Gold Seal program in DOE, addressing licensing standards, and defines accountability system for Florida's VPK program.
K-12 Education
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Passed Full House
These similar bills revise the notification requirements relating to involuntary examinations of a student who is removed from school, school transportation, or school-sponsored activity. 
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HB 7011 - K-12 Student Athletes - PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee
Laid on Table


Will be enrolled & sent to the Governor
These bills are aimed at student safety while participating in rigorous events on campus. They revise provisions relating to automated external defibrillators on school grounds, training related to CPR & defibrillators, FHSAA student athlete safety policies, & specified medical evaluations.  
Juvenile Justice
Passed Full Senate



Passed Full House

These similar bills eliminate the requirements that for a juvenile to qualify for enrollment in a diversion program, they must have been charged with a misdemeanor and it is their first offense.
Health & Safety
Laid on Table



Will be enrolled & sent to the Governor
These bills revise provisions relating to reimbursement of school-based services by AHCA to certain school districts and private & charter schools.
Sen. Book
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Rep. Altman




Laid on Table


Will be enrolled & sent to the Governor
These bills aim to update outdated state laws in accordance with federal statutes for continuum of care. They increase the amount of challenge grant funds CoCs are able to receive annually, allow for federal match to be accessed, and create a designated revenue stream.
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Will be enrolled & sent to the Governor

Laid on Table
These bills remove the lifetime maximum cap on covered expenses for a child enrolled in the Florida Healthy Kids program.
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Passed Full House
These similar bills aim to provide additional evidence-based supports for young adults experiencing serious mental illness, particularly evidence of an episode of a psychotic episode .
Two-Generational Approach
Passed Full Senate


Passed Full House

These similar bills r equire the auditor general to complete audits of specified assistance programs and document eligibility requirements, the frequency of eligibility determination and other associated requirements for families. Revises definition of income and changes service priorities within the school readiness program.
For more information, please contact
Donovan Lee-Sin, Public Policy & Community Engagement Officer at
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