SESSION WATCH
Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-170

No. CS/CS/CS/HB 1081

Cybersecurity Experiential Learning
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SPONSOR
Education & Employment Committee; Budget Committee; Careers & Workforce Subcommittee; Sirois
FILED BY
Tyler Sirois — District 31, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026

Filed under Education.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Cybersecurity Experiential Learning; Requires, subject to Legislative appropriation, Florida Center for Cybersecurity (Cyber Florida) to develop Cybersecurity Experiential Learning Program; provides requirements for program; & provides reporting requirements for Cyber Florida related to participation in & improvement of program.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Mandates a state-run cybersecurity internship program for students.

The bill requires the Florida Center for Cybersecurity to create a new experiential learning program for students at state and private colleges. This duty is conditional on the Legislature providing the necessary funding.

The center must identify specific internships and consult with local employers to ensure the program prepares students for high-demand cybersecurity jobs. It must also set the minimum qualifications required for a student to enroll.

The center must publish an annual report starting in 2028. This report will track student participation, job placement rates, and certification exam passage rates for each participating institution.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Mandatory Program Development majors. 1004.444(4)(a)

AIRequires the Florida Center for Cybersecurity to create a formal experiential learning program for students at state and private postsecondary institutions.

“the center shall assist in the expansion of experiential learning opportunities for students at state universities, Florida College System institutions, and private postsecondary” bill text, line 17 →
§ 2 NIST-Aligned Opportunity Identification majors. 1004.444(4)(a)

AIMandates the center to select internships and learning opportunities specifically identified by NIST as most impactful for job placement in high-demand cybersecurity roles.

“Identify specific internship and experiential learning opportunities that the United States Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has” bill text, line 24 →
§ 3 Employer and Best Practice Consultation moderates. 1004.444(4)(a)

AIRequires the center to consult with state employers having cybersecurity openings or security clearance requirements, and to review best practices from other NSA National Centers of Academic Excellence.

“Consult with employers in this state with openings or anticipated openings in cybersecurity roles or other industries that perform work that require a security clearance” bill text, line 29 →
§ 4 Student Qualification Standards moderates. 1004.444(4)(a)

AIDirects the center to establish the minimum qualifications a student must possess or meet before enrolling in the Cybersecurity Experiential Learning Program.

“Establish the minimum qualifications that a student should possess or meet before enrolling in the Cybersecurity Experiential Learning Program” bill text, line 39 →
§ 5 Annual Public Reporting moderates. 1004.444(4)(b)

AIRequires the center to publish an annual report on its website detailing student participation, completion rates, certification passage rates, and job placement rates by institution.

“Publishing on its website, by July 1, 2028, and on July 1 of each year thereafter, a report on the Cybersecurity Experiential Program that contains, by institution, the number of” bill text, line 47 →
TIMELINE
6/26/2026
Chapter No. 2026-170
6/25/2026
Approved by Governor
6/15/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/10/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/10/2026
In Messages
3/10/2026
CS passed; YEAS 38 NAYS 0 -SJ 744
3/10/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 744
3/10/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 744
3/10/2026
Substituted for CS/CS/SB 1266 -SJ 744
3/10/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/10/2026
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 744
2/26/2026
Received
2/26/2026
Referred to Rules
2/25/2026
In Messages
2/25/2026
CS passed; YEAS 112, NAYS 0
2/25/2026
Read 3rd time
2/25/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
2/25/2026
Read 2nd time
2/19/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/25/2026)
2/18/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/18/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
2/17/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 3)
2/17/2026
CS Filed
2/17/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
2/17/2026
Reported out of Education & Employment Committee
2/17/2026
Favorable with CS by Education & Employment Committee
2/13/2026
PCS added to Education & Employment Committee agenda
2/6/2026
PCS added to Education & Employment Committee agenda
1/29/2026
Now in Education & Employment Committee
1/29/2026
Referred to Education & Employment Committee
1/28/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)
1/28/2026
CS Filed
1/28/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
1/28/2026
Reported out of Budget Committee
1/27/2026
Favorable with CS by Budget Committee
1/23/2026
Added to Budget Committee agenda
1/22/2026
Now in Budget Committee
1/22/2026
Referred to Education & Employment Committee
1/22/2026
Referred to Budget Committee
1/21/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
1/21/2026
CS Filed
1/21/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
1/20/2026
Reported out of Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
1/20/2026
Favorable with CS by Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
1/15/2026
PCS added to Careers & Workforce Subcommittee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/12/2026
Now in Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
1/12/2026
Referred to Education & Employment Committee
1/12/2026
Referred to Budget Committee
1/12/2026
Referred to Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
1/6/2026
Filed
45 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 1004.444
+289 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES