FL H0525

Legislature finds that greater public access to school recreation and sports facilities is needed to reduce obesity and improve community physical activity opportunities.

Each district school board is encouraged to adopt written policies allowing public access to outdoor recreation and sports facilities during nonschool hours and to increase joint-use agreements with local governments or private organizations.

District school boards must submit copies of adopted public access policies or joint-use agreements to the Department of Education within 30 days.

Department of Education shall develop a model joint-use agreement, maintain a website with all submitted agreements and policies, and develop criteria for grants to implement joint-use agreements.

District school boards are granted immunity from civil liability for injuries or deaths on school property opened to the public through access policies or joint-use agreements, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct; liability immunity does not apply during school hours or school-related activities.