Title: Family Empowerment Scholarship Program

Summary: Requiring private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to provide specified information in writing to certain parents before their student's initial enrollment in the school; providing private school requirements relating to certain services, etc.

Full Text:
An act relating to the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program; amending s. 1002.394, F.S.; requiring private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to provide specified information in writing to certain parents before their student s initial enrollment in the school; providing private school requirements relating to certain services; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Paragraph (d) of subsection (9) of section 1002.394, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1002.394 The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.  (9) PRIVATE SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY AND OBLIGATIONS. To be eligible to participate in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, a private school may be sectarian or nonsectarian and must: (d)  Before a student s initial enrollment, provide to the parent,in writing, For a student determined eligible pursuant to paragraph (3)(b), discuss the school s academic programs and policies, specialized services, code of conduct, and attendance policies,and specialized services and therapies offered at the school.A private school may update specialized services and therapies offered once per school year or,if a school district updates its list of equitable services offered, whichever comes first. In addition, within days after the school district provides the student with a private school services plan, each parent of a student with an i ndividualized education plan, education plan, English language learner plan, or plan must be informed of what modifications, accommodations, and therapies included in the student s plan will be honored before enrollment with the parent to determine which programs and services may meet the student s individual needs.If a private school fails to meet the requirements of this subsection or s. 1002.421, the commissioner may determine that the private school is ineligible to participate in the scholarship program. Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.