FL S1336

Transfers the Gold Seal Quality Care program from the Department of Children and Families to the Department of Education by July 1, 2026, through a type two transfer.

Changes terminology from "accrediting association" to "accrediting entity" and establishes new requirements for approval, including qualified personnel, proven expertise, state registration, and specific accreditation process components such as self-study, onsite verification, training, and compliance auditing.

Authorizes the Department of Education to establish a verification process for accrediting entities and recommend termination of an entity's participation for 2-5 years if deficiencies are not cured within 30 days; affected providers have up to 1 year to obtain new accreditation.

Makes accrediting entities liable for repayment of rate differentials if they fraudulently granted accreditation or failed to conduct required onsite verifications, and allows removal of entities that have accredited 10 or fewer providers in the previous 5 years.

Provides ad valorem tax exemptions for Gold Seal Quality Care designated facilities and maintains a minimum 20 percent rate differential for school readiness program participants.