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Bill

HB 345

Student Elopement

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Anna Eskamani and 3 co-sponsors

HB 345 establishes notification and response protocols for when Florida students leave school grounds without permission, balancing school safety duties with parental communication requirements.

Died in Education & Employment Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 345

Legislative bill overview

HB 345 addresses "student elopement"—when students leave school grounds without permission during the school day. The bill establishes protocols for school notification procedures, parent communication requirements, and potentially limits on how schools handle these incidents.

Why is this important

Student elopement poses genuine safety concerns for minors, particularly those with disabilities or behavioral challenges who may be at higher risk. The bill attempts to standardize how schools respond to and report these incidents, affecting school safety procedures, parental rights, and potential liability frameworks across Florida districts.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition and scope: Disagreement over whether the bill's definition covers all relevant situations and whether it distinguishes between different age groups or student circumstances
  • School liability and responsibility: Tension between protecting schools from excessive liability while ensuring accountability for student safety and timely parent notification
  • Implementation costs and feasibility: Concerns about whether new protocols create unfunded mandates for school districts or require significant resource reallocation
  • Special education considerations: How the bill's provisions apply differently to students with IEPs or 504 plans versus general education students

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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