FL H5101

Expands the state group insurance program to include Florida College System institution employees, with initial open enrollment coverage beginning no later than July 31, 2025, and a minimum participation period of at least 3 plan years.

Creates a transportation stipend program for K-8 public school students attending a school other than their assigned school, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis through eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations, with the stipend amount specified in the General Appropriations Act and limited to one per household.

Revises charter school funding by requiring schools to report full-time equivalent student membership rather than enrollment, establishing a new funding formula for charter schools sponsored by state universities or Florida College System institutions (including state-funded discretionary contributions), and making such charter schools ineligible for capital outlay funds under s. 1013.62.

Renames the Florida Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship Program as the Florida First Responder Scholarship Program, expanding eligibility beginning in 2024-2025 to include emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and firefighters, covering tuition, applicable fees, and up to $1,000 for additional expenses such as textbooks, uniforms, and certification exams.

Creates several new programs subject to legislative appropriation, including the Bridge to Speech Program for auditory-oral education, the Charity for Change character education program, and the AMIkids, Inc. program for youth alternatives to institutionalization; also requires the Legislature to annually fund the educational enrollment stabilization program to maintain a projected minimum balance of $250 million.