HB 1265 - Charter School Taxpayer Protection Act

• Creates the Florida Charter School Association as a nonprofit corporation; requires all charter schools to be members as a condition of operating in the state.

• Establishes a board of directors with 5-9 members appointed by the Commissioner of Education; board members automatically terminate if their school fails.

• The association must pay claims from failed charter schools arising within 30 days of failure, with annual assessments against member schools capped at 2 percent of school income, prorated if insufficient funds exist.

• Prohibits state funding to the association; requires submission of an operational plan by January 1, 2015, and annual financial reports to the Department of Education by March 30.

• Provides immunity from liability for charter schools, the association, board members, and the department for actions taken in performance of their duties under this act; takes effect July 1, 2014.