By Merrilee Gasser, The Center Square.
In Summary:
Lawmakers passed House Bill 561 to make it easier for teachers with expired certifications to return to the classroom, while House Bill 757 expands the state’s Armed Guardian Program to colleges and universities. The legislation also includes additional safety requirements such as training, risk assessments, and restrictions on weapons near schools. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 1296 introduces stricter rules for public employee unions, drawing criticism from education advocates.
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Addressing teacher shortages, expanding school safety, and changing how unions operate are among the K-12 initiatives the Florida Legislature passed this session.
House Bill 561 received bipartisan support in the Senate and House of Representatives. It makes reinstatement easier for expiring teaching certificates and expands the use of temporary teaching certificates by allowing teachers with expired certifications to use a temporary certificate while finishing requirements.
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“Educators whose certificates have expired face an unclear path to get certified,” said Rep. Anne Gerwig, R-Wellington. "It can also be quite costly to get the credits required. Teachers who have left the profession but want to return are a great resource."
The bill does away with the requirement that teachers pass a subject-area exam for each subject on their certificate if they have already demonstrated mastery of that subject. The Department of Education will likely experience a revenue loss, as subject-area exams cost about $150 each. A fiscal analysis estimated a $52,650 drop in fee revenue.
Florida’s school safety laws have been expanded under House Bill 757. The bill extends the Armed Guardian Program to include colleges and universities.
Enacted after the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, the Guardian Program allows certain school employees to be armed on campus. The school employee must complete a minimum of 144 hours of training from a Florida sheriff’s office and pass a psychological evaluation.
Participating sheriff’s offices receive state funds to cover screening and training costs. School employees who serve as guardians get a one-time stipend of $500, according to the Florida Association of School Resource Officers.
With the inclusion of colleges and universities, college professors and staff could become qualified to carry out campus activities.
The bill also prohibits someone from firing a weapon within 1,000 feet of a school during school hours.
Other school safety measures under the bill include requirements to develop response plans, conduct annual security risk assessments, and train school faculty and staff on how to detect and respond to students experiencing mental health issues, among other things.
Meanwhile, Senate Bill 1296 makes significant changes to how public employee unions can operate. The bill enacts stricter union certification and recertification rules, allows more parties to file complaints, and adjusts how disputes are handled, among other things.
The Florida Education Association criticized the bill for failing to address Florida’s affordability problems.
“Families are struggling to stay in the communities they love,” the FEA said. "Instead of helping, SB1296 makes it harder for workers – including educators – to fight for the pay and stability their families need."
The bills are headed to the governor’s desk for his signature.
Key Points:
- House Bill 561 simplifies the process for teachers to renew expired certifications and return to teaching.
- House Bill 757 expands the Armed Guardian Program to include college campuses and enhances safety protocols.
- School safety measures now include training, mental health response planning, and annual risk assessments.
- Senate Bill 1296 tightens regulations on public employee unions and their operations.
- Supporters say the bills improve accountability and safety, while critics argue they do not address affordability and teacher pay.
