FL S1622

Requires hope operators that have not been notified of a financial audit by the Auditor General to retain an independent certified public accountant to complete an annual financial audit within 9 months of the fiscal year's end, paid from public funds.

Mandates auditors to discuss audit comments with the hope operator board chair or designee and notify all board members of deteriorating financial conditions or fund balance deficits; requires operators to file written explanations or rebuttals within 30 days.

Authorizes schools of hope designated as local education agencies to report students directly to the Department of Education rather than to school districts, and changes requirement from schools of hope to hope operators to provide quarterly financial statement summaries to school districts.

Provides alternate fingerprint screening methods for school of hope personnel and governing board members, allowing submission to the school of hope itself rather than exclusively to district school boards.

Expands eligibility to receive capital outlay funds to charter schools operated by a hope operator and increases the carryforward period for unused program funds from 5 to 7 years.