FL H0165

Expands education and training opportunities to include local government employees (law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians/paramedics) in addition to state employees.

Authorizes local government employees to receive vouchers or grants for matriculation fees at public community colleges, career centers, and universities, with funding from departmental appropriations or individual agency supplements.

Allows local government employees to take paid time off during work hours for training when evening/weekend programs are unavailable, and permits up to 1 year of paid educational leave for employees with superior performance.

Establishes that agencies may require employees to reimburse training costs exceeding $1,000 if they voluntarily terminate or are discharged for cause within 4 years of completing training.

Extends tuition and fee waivers at state universities and Florida College System institutions to local government employees for up to 6 credit hours per term on a space-available basis, effective July 1, 2012.