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As the 2026 Regular Session entered its sixth week, lawmakers in Tallahassee continued intense committee work on a spectrum of issues affecting Florida families, students, and vulnerable populations. With only a few weeks left before the March 13 adjournment deadline, the pace of policy consideration and negotiations picked up significantly across education, early learning, healthcare, child welfare, and juvenile justice.
Education & Early Learning
Committees in both chambers remained focused on education policy and budget priorities. In House panels, bills addressing collective bargaining for school employees and other workplace-related reforms continued to be heard, while Senate education appropriations explored the upcoming 2026–27 higher education budget and discussed measures related to K-12 curriculum and student programs. Meanwhile, early learning advocates monitored updates from the Department of Education on preschool and pre-K funding—key early learning priorities for lawmakers and stakeholders alike.
At the heart of this week’s discussions were broader debates over expanding instructional flexibility and accountability in public schools, juxtaposed with ongoing efforts to streamline teacher recruitment, certification, and salary pathways. Lawmakers also navigated contentious proposals tied to curriculum content and instructional oversight, reflecting divergent priorities in policy and educational governance.
Healthcare Policy
Healthcare committee activity this week included movement on long-term care and Medicaid-related policies. Additionally, there was reported progress on bills aimed at revising Medicaid enrollment procedures and strengthening oversight for care providers, though companion measures in both chambers saw differing levels of progress. Meanwhile, background screening legislation intended to unify criminal history checks for care providers also advanced in committee with amendments narrowing its scope in some cases.
Separately, discussions around Medicaid funding for nursing center residents continued to shape budget negotiations, with both the House and Senate including recurring funding increases as part of their respective budget proposals.
Child Welfare
Child welfare considerations remained integral to Week 6 committee work, even as attention broadened to healthcare and education priorities. Proposals modifying family support structures—like grandparent visitation rights in dependency cases—remain pending in earlier stages but signal lawmakers’ ongoing engagement with family stability issues.
Juvenile Justice
While direct coverage of juvenile justice bills in Week 6 was less prominent, the subject remains a part of Florida’s broader legislative docket. Committees charged with law enforcement and criminal justice continue to track youth crime reform measures and related sentencing policy discussions as the Legislature moves closer to final committee deadlines. Stakeholders in juvenile justice are preparing for the later stages of deliberation as floor sessions loom.
What Comes Next?
With Week 6 behind them, legislators are shifting toward final committee votes and intense budget negotiations ahead of the March 13 adjournment. Education and healthcare budgeting, child welfare supports, and juvenile justice reforms will continue to evolve over the session’s final weeks, with lawmakers balancing fiscal priorities against growing demand for services across Florida’s communities.
Additionally, as committees wind down the Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils & Trusts has removed bills that have not been introduced this session from the bill tracker.
Until next time!
Sincerely,
The Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils & Trusts
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