CS/CS/HB 587 - Summary

• Authorizes Department of Education employees to access child abuse and neglect reports and records when investigating misconduct by certified educators.

• Creates the Florida Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarship Program beginning in 2015-2016, awarding scholarships to teachers who scored at or above the 80th percentile on SAT or ACT and are rated highly effective; school districts must submit eligible teacher counts by December 1 annually, with funds disbursed by February 1.

• Establishes an educator liability insurance program administered by the Department of Education beginning in 2015-2016, providing at least $2 million in coverage to full-time instructional personnel, with optional coverage available at cost to part-time staff, administrators, and teacher preparation students.

• Revises Education Practices Commission membership from 25 to 25 members and authorizes the Commissioner of Education to appoint up to 5 emeritus members from prior commission members to serve up to five 1-year terms as voting members at discipline hearings.

• Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to issue a letter of guidance to teachers or administrators when no probable cause is found in complaint investigations.