FL S1864

Establishes a disqualification list maintained by the Department of Education containing individuals permanently denied educator certificates, disqualified private school owners/operators, persons terminated for sexual misconduct with students, and those ineligible under s. 1012.315.

Expands ethical conduct standards and reporting requirements to include educational support employees (in addition to instructional personnel and administrators) across public schools, charter schools, and private schools participating in scholarship programs.

Requires district school boards and schools to report individuals terminated or resigned due to sexual misconduct with students to the department for inclusion on the disqualification list and prohibits employment of disqualified individuals.

Imposes 90-day deadline for the Commissioner of Education to determine probable cause in sexual misconduct complaints (with ability to hold deadline in abeyance during criminal proceedings) and requires immediate administrative suspension from direct student contact.

Makes it a third-degree felony for persons on the disqualification list to knowingly apply for or serve as employees or contractors at public or participating private schools, and requires law enforcement to notify school officials within 48 hours of employee arrests for felonies or abuse/drug-related misdemeanors.