New Florida laws that affect schools this upcoming school year
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – A number of Florida state laws are now in effect that will impact the upcoming 2023-24 academic school year.
The following bills were signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and went into effect July 1. They include handling challenged books, school choice provisions, and restrictions on social media in the classrooms.
Challenging Books
A new law, HB 1069, sets guidelines for books that citizens can challenge in schools. Districts school boards are now responsible for instructional material placed in both classroom and school libraries.
Such instruction, including those that are deemed pornographic or describe and depict sexual material, are subject to removal from where the objection was made within five days while under review.
Pronoun Restrictions
HB 1069 also prohibits a school from mandating students or teachers use preferred pronouns not based on biological sex. Specifically, individuals are not required to declare pronouns in school and/or be forced to use pronouns not based on a persons biological sex.
The law also extends Florida’s K-3 ban on instruction related to sexual orientation and gender identity to PreK-8th grade. It applies to charter schools as well.
While the new law extends to the 8th grade, the State Board of Education voted in April to prohibit such gender teachings through 12th grade with some exceptions.
Technology in Public Schools
The law, HB 379, will prohibit users from accessing social media websites on school district networks and devices.
Specifically, TikTok is banned on district-owned devices “as a platform used to communicate or promote any district school, school-sponsored club, extracurricular organization, or athletic team.”
Furthermore, the law mandates a district school board to ban any device used by a student from viewing a website or software application that does not have an internet safety policy.
School Choice
The law, HB 1, increases school choice vouchers to all in the state.
Essentially, any student in the state is now eligible for Florida’s school choice scholarship regardless of an income or enrollment cap.
The law also removes the waiting list for students with disabilities to ensure their specific abilities are met. It also gives schools flexibility with facility costs and student transportation.
For parents, individuals can use “Educational Savings Accounts” to cover certain products or services. For teachers, it makes it easier to obtain a 5-year temporary teacher certificate for anyone with a bachelor’s degree and those with three years of productive or exceptional service.
Teachers “Bill of Rights“
The law, HB 1035, gives teachers more self-rule and freedom over their classrooms while holding the right to challenge illegitimate school orders.
It will provide instructors two options for responding to a school policy that is illegal.
Teachers can pursue legal avenues in civil court which thus could entitle them damages and “reasonable” attorney fees.
School Zones
The law, HB 657, will allow school districts to contract with a private vendor or manufacturer to provide a school bus infraction detection system on each school bus in its fleet.
Further, counties are permitted to authorize “speed detection systems” within a school zone to enforce unlawful speed violations. Signage must be posted designating photographic or video enforcement of school zone speed limits.
A $100 violation could be applied for any vehicle in excess of 10 miles per hour over the designated speed limit during the school day, or when children are going to and from school.
Violaters have 30 days from date of occurrence to appeal or face penalty. The law does not apply to points on a drivers record or for motor vehicle insurance rates due to a violation.
Menstrual Hygiene Products
The law, HB 389, allows school districts to make menstrual hygiene products accessible at no charge. School districts are also encouraged to partner with organizations to supply the products.
