Bills pertaining to education, health care and veterans affairs became law last week when they were signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Here are those measures –
HB429 – The measure requires the Department of Education (DOE) to create a Purple Star Campus program and to specify criteria for participating schools. It also authorizes schools to partner with school districts to meet Purple Star Campus program criteria. Effective July 1 2021.
HB435 – The measure designates Veterans Florida as the state’s principal assistance organization for the United States Department of Defense’s (DOD) SkillBridge program. The program matches eligible transitioning service members with businesses offering training and employment within the state. Effective July 1, 2021.
SB922 – The Veterans’ Preference in Employment bill authorizes post-secondary schools in Florida to waive certain post-secondary educational requirements for employment for service members and veterans who meet specified criteria; requires each state or local government entity to develop and implement a veterans’ recruitment plan for specified purposes; and modify point preferences given to veterans and their family members when a numerically based selection process is used for hiring. Effective July 1, 2021.
SB 2518- The State Group Insurance Program authorizes eligible state employees to participate in the program to elect membership with certain health maintenance organization (HMO) plans and requires that at least one HMO plan be made available to each enrollee residing in this state. Effective July 1, 2021.
SB7018 – The State-administered Retirement Systems measure revises required employer retirement contribution rates for each membership class and subclass of the Florida Retirement System, and provides a declaration of important state interest. Effective July 1, 2021.
HB 5101 – The Education Refunding measure revises the calculation for determining the amount of state funds received by Florida Virtual School for operating purposes, and repeals provisions relating to reading scholarship accounts. Effective July 1, 2021.
HB 5301 – The measure revises the number of circuit court judges in certain circuits and revises the number of county court judges in certain counties. Effective July 1, 2021.
SB 2500 – The General Appropriations Act established Florida’s state budget for fiscal 2021-2022. Effective July 1, 2021.