The Florida Senate unanimously passed a bill 38-0 on Wednesday that would eliminate the previously proposed later academic start times for middle and high schools set to take effect beginning in 2026.
Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) sponsored the bill (SB 296) in the Senate. Sen. Bradley explained her bill and reasons for the change on the Senate floor.
"In 2023, the legislature mandated that beginning in 2026, district and charter middle schools could not start before 8 a.m., and high schools could not start before 8:30 a.m. "This very well-intentioned law sought to ensure that our students were rested," Bradley said. "The law recognized that such a mandate for all 67 school districts would require much planning and logistics, and accordingly provided for a three-year implementation period for districts to modify their transportation policies."
Bradley said that feedback from school districts warranted a repeal, citing financial difficulties.
"To date, school districts have begun their analysis of the impact on these required start times for the 2026 school year, and the feedback is overwhelming. The mandate would present incredible challenges financially and otherwise.
The bill was originally intended because students were not getting enough sleep. Sen. Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) sponsored the orgnial 2023 law.
Sen. Burgess also supported Bradley's change.
"This bill removes the statewide mandate for middle schools and high schools to start at specific times and instead requires that district school boards inform the community of the health, safety, and academic impacts of sleep deprivation," Bradley said.
Instead, Bradley emphasized that school districts should consider the benefits of later school start times. The bill would thus require school districts to submit efforts of different time consideration to the Florida Department of Education, including consequences and strategies the district used if new school start times were to be adopted.
Bradley also said districts that submit a report to the Florida Department of Education would comply with the would-be law.
Rep. Anne Gerwig (R-Wellington) filed a similar bill (HB 261) in the House. If signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, SB 296/HB 261 would take effect on July 1.
