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SB 1382

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2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ghazala Hashmi

SB 1382 expands eligibility for School Readiness by using 65% of State Median Income instead of 150% FPL, increasing potential access for more families.

Stricken at request of Patron in Education and Health (15-Y 0-N)
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Bill Summary · SB 1382

SB 1382 — Access to School Readiness Programs for Economically Disadvantaged Households (Sen. Calatayud)

Status: Re-referred to Assignments (Rule 3-9(a)) — Favorable committee action; committee substitute adopted
Introduced: February 19, 2025
Effective date (as written): July 1, 2025

Purpose / Intent

SB 1382 changes how “economically disadvantaged” is defined for Florida’s School Readiness (SR) program and updates program implementation and reporting to align with that new definition. The stated aim is to revise eligibility and prioritization rules and improve local-level estimating and waitlist tracking so SR services are allocated consistent with county income patterns and family need.

Key provisions

  • Redefines “economically disadvantaged” for SR eligibility:

    • Replaces the current benchmark “income that does not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL)” with “income that does not exceed 65% of the State Median Income (SMI).”
    • Example comparisons cited in analyses: for a family of three (2023 figures) 150% FPL ≈ $37,390; 65% of Florida’s 2023 SMI ($71,771) ≈ $46,612 — i.e., the new threshold is higher in that example.

  • Waitlist tracking and data collection:

    • Requires the single-point-of-entry/uniform waitlist system to track children on SR waitlists by family income and by priority category consistent with the new income definition.
    • Modifies DOE data elements to reflect the new income threshold.

  • Priority categories:

    • Retools SR priority sequencing for children from economically disadvantaged families by splitting what was a single subsequent priority group into two separate groups distinguished by family income (specific income cut-points are not detailed in the analysis).

  • Estimating Conference requirements:

    • Directs the Early Learning Programs Estimating Conference to consider county-specific trends and changes when adopting estimates used for SR planning and budgeting.

Who is affected

  • Families seeking SR assistance: eligibility and priority status may change for families near prior income cutoffs. In many cases the new 65% SMI threshold will make some additional families eligible.
  • Early learning coalitions (ELCs): must implement revised prioritization, update waitlist tracking, and adjust local enrollment decisions.
  • Department of Education / Division of Early Learning: must revise data-collection, reporting, and coordinate with the Estimating Conference.
  • State budget and program funding: potential increase in eligible children served and demand for SR funds; fiscal impact described as indeterminate.

Context & fiscal implications

  • Background stats cited: FY 2022–23 — ~212,062 children served; total SR expenditures ≈ $990 million. FY 2023–24 data show substantial unmet need (e.g., only ~33% of children under 150% FPL were served statewide).
  • Because the new income threshold (65% SMI) in many cases is higher than 150% FPL, the bill could expand the eligible population, increasing demand and potential costs. The committee fiscal analysis characterizes the fiscal impact as indeterminate; actual cost depends on enrollment changes, county-level demand, and funding decisions.

Timeline / Next steps

  • Bill takes effect July 1, 2025 (per analysis).
  • As of committee reports, the bill received favorable recommendations and a committee substitute; it was re‑referred under Rule 3‑9(a) to Assignments on June 2, 2025.

If you want, I can:
- Produce a side-by-side comparison showing how eligibility numbers change for different family sizes using the two thresholds; or
- Summarize likely fiscal scenarios (low/medium/high enrollment increases) and their budget implications.

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

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