No. SB 818
Filed under Education.
Education in the Criminal Justice System; Authorizing the Department of Corrections to award gain time for an inmate who completes specified education programs; revising the purpose of the Florida Virtual School to provide for the development and delivery of blended learning; requiring the Florida Virtual School to establish the Florida Virtual School Justice Education Program, beginning with a specified school year; requiring the Department of Education, with assistance from specified entities, to select a common student assessment instrument and protocol for measuring student learning gains and progression, etc.
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATEDInmates under 22 in state prisons must be offered a path to a standard high school diploma, starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The Florida Virtual School will deliver these courses online or in blended formats within Department of Corrections facilities.
The Department of Corrections may award up to 180 additional days of early release for inmates who complete vocational or workforce programs. This new incentive operates independently of existing monthly gain-time limits, allowing for significantly faster release for eligible participants.
The Florida Virtual School's statutory purpose is expanded from distance learning to include blended learning. It must now report enrollment and performance data specifically for the new Justice Education Program to the State Board of Education and the Legislature.
State funding for the new program is tied to full-time enrollment in blended learning courses. The Department of Education must select a common assessment instrument to measure student learning gains and progression for these incarcerated students.
AICreates new pathways for inmates to earn additional days off their sentences for completing vocational, workforce, and rehabilitation programs.
AIAllows inmates to earn up to 5 days per month for participating in designated workforce programs, capped at 15% of their sentence.
AIPermits the department to grant up to three additional 60-day awards based on an inmate's demonstrated commitment to rehabilitation.
AIReduces the minimum sentence percentage required for release from 85% to 65% for inmates serving sentences for nonviolent felonies.
AIMandates the Florida Virtual School to establish a program for inmates under 22 to earn a high school diploma via online or blended learning.
AIRequires the Florida Education Finance Program to fund full-time students in the Justice Education Program's blended learning courses.
AIRequires the Department of Education to select a common assessment instrument to measure learning gains for inmates in the program.