FL H0989

Allows county residents (not just parents) to challenge instructional materials adoption and use through a formal objection process requiring written petitions within 30 days of adoption and public hearings before an independent, unbiased hearing officer.

Requires district school boards to maintain a website listing all instructional materials by grade level and provide access to school library materials upon written request.

Establishes that instructional materials must be free of pornography and content prohibited under s. 847.012, suited to student comprehension levels, and appropriate for grade/age groups, with automatic discontinuation if materials fail to meet criteria.

Mandates district school boards use at least 50 percent of annual instructional materials allocation for digital or electronic materials on the state-adopted list, except for kindergarten (100 percent flexibility) and first grade (75 percent flexibility).

Effective July 1, 2017, with numerous conforming amendments to Florida Statutes sections governing instructional materials duties of school boards, superintendents, and parents.