FL S0738

Exempts public and private licensed preschools from special assessments levied by municipalities to fund services, adding them to existing exemptions for religious institutions and schools

Requires the Department of Children and Families to complete background screenings of child care personnel within 3 business days and issue a 45-day provisional-hire status if screenings cannot be completed in time, during which personnel must be supervised by screened staff

Establishes an abbreviated inspection plan for child care facilities, family day care homes, and large family child care homes that have been licensed for at least 2 consecutive years with no Class 1 deficiencies, no more than three of the same Class 2 deficiencies, and no open complaints or investigations

Requires county commissions to annually affirm by majority vote their decision to designate a local child care licensing agency, and exempts Department of Defense- or Coast Guard-certified child care facilities from state licensing requirements

Removes requirements for child care facilities to distribute influenza and hot-car prevention information to parents, eliminates provisions for specialized mildly ill children facilities, and requires the department to offer free online training coursework for child care personnel