HB 973 Summary

• Establishes the Dan Marino Foundation Florida Vocational College in Broward County as a residential postsecondary school serving students ages 18-28 with developmental disabilities who are no longer eligible for K-12 exceptional student education funding.

• Creates a 7-member Board of Trustees with 3 members appointed by the Governor (including one person with a developmental disability), the chair and CEO of Dan Marino Foundation, and one member each appointed by the Speaker and Senate President.

• School shall provide educational programs including two curriculum tracks: employment track for on-the-job training and certification track for industry-specific certifications, with completion resulting in a Career and Life Skills Diploma.

• Requires level 2 background screenings for all employees and applicants; establishes criminal penalties for failure to disclose material facts or misuse of confidential information; requires annual campus crime statistics reporting.

• Designates the college as a component of the Florida College System and subjects it to Department of Education funding with audit authority through the Office of Inspector General.