Legislative Update: HB 859 & SB 1382 Filed – Creating Greater Efficiency and Accessibility in Florida's School Readiness Program

Legislation to expand access to the School Readiness Program has been filed and the Senate bill, SB 1382, will be heard today in the Senate Education PreK - 12 Committee. This marks a significant step forward in ensuring that Florida’s School Readiness Program, the state’s child care tuition assistance program, meets the needs of working families and supports the state’s long-term economic competitiveness. These bills align with our Chamber's commitment to strengthening Lakeland's workforce by expanding access to quality early learning opportunities.

HB 859 – Enhancing Transparency & Efficiency in School Readiness, and SB 1382 – Expanding Access to School Readiness Programs

HB 859, sponsored by Representative Chase Tramont, and SB 1382, sponsored by Senator Alexis Calatayud, refine eligibility rules, prioritization, and funding distribution within Florida’s School Readiness Program. It ensures a more accurate measure of economic needs and increases efficiency in serving families. The bills require that early learning coalitions actively enroll children from the waiting list, ensuring that more families can have access to critical early learning opportunities that build a strong foundation for lifelong success.

These bills also reinforce the importance of early learning as a workforce issue by expanding access to School Readiness programs for economically disadvantaged households. With early childhood education playing an essential role in developing both cognitive and non-cognitive skills, these bills strengthen Florida’s position as a leader in preparing the next generation of workers while supporting families in need.

HB 859 and SB 1382 will:

• Improve access by shifting eligibility from the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to State Median Income (SMI), better reflecting the financial realities of Florida’s working families.
• Enhance accountability through stronger performance tracking for kindergarten readiness outcomes.
• Increase transparency and efficiency by establishing clearer guidelines for eligibility and funding distribution.

The Lakeland Chamber recognizes that access to high-quality early childhood education is not just an educational priority but also a workforce necessity. A strong early learning system directly impacts our economic future by improving school readiness, reducing future remediation costs, and ensuring a steady pipeline of talent to keep Florida competitive.

In a new policy research report informed by the Florida Business Alliance for Early Learning Project, the Florida Chamber Foundation makes the data-driven case for how a shift to State Median Income as the eligibility measure for School Readiness could be a game-changer for Florida’s workforce and economy. Explore the report on our blog.