HB 543 Summary

• Establishes a 3-year Books to Babies Pilot Project in Seminole and Orange Counties to help children develop emergent literacy skills by providing resources to parents of newborns.

• Office of Early Learning must select a local not-for-profit organization qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code to implement the program, with Great Start of Seminole County cited as an example.

• Selected organization must provide hospital gift bags with books to new parents, early literacy education, structured parent-child playgroups, and case management services including home visits.

• Organization must submit annual accountability reports by December 31 to the Office of Early Learning, Early Learning Coalitions of Orange and Seminole Counties, Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House detailing state fund usage and other funding sources.

• Orange County School District and Seminole County School District must provide matching funds for the program; state fund expenditures must be verified by affidavit.

• Effective date: July 1, 2018.