Bill Text: FL S1436 | 2021 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Florida Postsecondary Academic Library Network
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-04-22 - Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 847 (Ch. 2021-85) [S1436 Detail]
Download: Florida-2021-S1436-Comm_Sub.html
Florida Senate - 2021 CS for SB 1436 By the Committee on Appropriations; and Senator Gruters 576-04411-21 20211436c1 1 A bill to be entitled 2 An act relating to the Florida Postsecondary Academic 3 Library Network; amending ss. 257.02 and 295.22, F.S.; 4 conforming provisions to changes made by the act; 5 amending s. 1004.013, F.S.; revising provisions 6 relating to the awareness of certain postsecondary 7 education programs and initiatives; amending s. 8 1006.73, F.S.; deleting provisions relating to the 9 Florida Academic Library Services Cooperative; 10 providing responsibilities for the Florida 11 Postsecondary Academic Library Network; providing that 12 the Board of Governors and the Department of Education 13 will oversee a host entity chosen to deliver certain 14 services; providing the services to be provided by the 15 host entity; transferring responsibility for the 16 statewide Internet-based catalog of distance learning 17 courses to the host entity; providing requirements for 18 such catalog; transferring responsibility for certain 19 statewide online student advising services to the host 20 entity; providing requirements for such services; 21 requiring the host entity to annually submit a certain 22 report by a specified date; providing requirements for 23 such report; requiring the chancellors of the State 24 University System and the Florida College System to 25 provide a certain report; providing that specified 26 entities have responsibility for the governance and 27 administration of the provided services; requiring 28 specified entities to issue a recommendation and 29 report on expanding organizations who may access the 30 provided services; repealing s. 1006.735, F.S., 31 relating to the Complete Florida Plus Program; 32 amending s. 1007.01, F.S.; conforming a cross 33 reference; amending s. 1007.27, F.S.; conforming a 34 provision to changes made by the act; amending ss. 35 1009.23 and 1009.24, F.S.; conforming cross 36 references; revising a requirement to include a 37 certain graphic on specified websites; providing an 38 effective date. 39 40 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 41 42 Section 1. Subsection (1) of section 257.02, Florida 43 Statutes, is amended to read: 44 257.02 State Library Council.— 45 (1) There shall be a State Library Council to advise and 46 assist the division with planning, policy, and priorities 47 related to the development of statewide information services. 48 The council shall consist of nine members who shall be appointed 49 by the Secretary of State. Of the nine members, three members 50 must represent Florida public libraries, two members must 51 represent the Florida Postsecondary Academic Library Network 52Services Cooperative, one member must represent a multitype 53 library cooperative, one member must represent a school library 54 media center, one member must represent the Independent Colleges 55 and Universities of Florida, and one member must represent a 56 Florida library professional association. Members shall be 57 appointed for 4-year terms. A vacancy on the council shall be 58 filled for the period of the unexpired term. A person may not be 59 appointed to serve more than two consecutive terms as a member 60 of the council. The secretary may remove from office any council 61 member for malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, 62 incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, or 63 pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, or being found guilty of, 64 a felony. 65 Section 2. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 66 295.22, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 67 295.22 Veterans Employment and Training Services Program.— 68 (3) ADMINISTRATION.—Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., shall 69 administer the Veterans Employment and Training Services Program 70 and perform all of the following functions: 71 (b) Assist veterans who reside in or relocate to this state 72 and who are seeking employment. The corporation shall offer 73 skills assessments to veterans and assist them in establishing 74 employment goals and applying for and achieving gainful 75 employment. 76 1. Assessment may include skill match information, skill 77 gap analysis, resume creation, translation of military skills 78 into civilian workforce skills, and translation of military 79 achievements and experience into generally understood civilian 80 workforce skills. 81 2. Assistance may include providing the veteran with 82 information on current workforce demand by industry or 83 geographic region, creating employment goals, and aiding or 84 teaching general knowledge related to completing applications. 85 The corporation may provide information related to industry 86 certifications approved by the Department of Education under s. 87 1008.44 as well as information related to earning academic 88 college credit at public postsecondary educational institutions 89 for college-level training and education acquired in the 90 military under s. 1004.096. 91 3. The corporation shall encourage veterans to register 92 with the state’s job bank system and may refer veterans to local 93 one-stop career centers for further services. The corporation 94 shall provide each veteran with information about state 95 workforce programs and shall consolidate information about all 96 available resources on one website that, if possible, includes a 97 hyperlink to each resource’s website and contact information, if 98 available.If appropriate, a veteran shall be encouraged to99participate in the Complete Florida Degree Program established100under s. 1006.735.101 4. Assessment and assistance may be in person or by 102 electronic means, as determined by the corporation to be most 103 efficient and best meet the needs of veterans. 104 Section 3. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 105 1004.013, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 106 1004.013 SAIL to 60 Initiative.— 107 (2) The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors 108 shall work collaboratively to, at a minimum: 109 (a) Increase the awareness and use of: 110 1. The student advising system established under s. 1006.73 111s. 1006.735(4)(b). 1122.The Complete Florida Degree Initiative established under113s. 1006.735(2) that facilitates degree completion for the114state’s adult learners. The Chancellor of the State University115System and the Chancellor of the Florida College System shall116consult with the Complete Florida Degree Initiative to identify117barriers to program expansion and develop recommendations to118increase the number of participating institutions and students119served by the program. The recommendations must consider, at a120minimum, methods for increasing outreach efforts to help121students complete the “last mile” by providing financial122assistance to students who are within 12 credit hours of123completing their first associate or baccalaureate degree, but124have separated from their institution of enrollment for more125than one semester. Recommendations must be submitted to the126Board of Governors, the State Board of Education, and the127Governor no later than October 1, 2019.128 2.3.Summer bridge programs at state universities and 129 Florida College System institutions that help students 130 transition to postsecondary education. 131 Section 4. Section 1006.73, Florida Statutes, is amended to 132 read: 133 (Substantial rewording of section. See 134 s. 1006.73, F.S., for present text.) 135 1006.73 Florida Postsecondary Academic Library Network.— 136 (1) PURPOSE.—The Board of Governors and the Department of 137 Education shall jointly oversee the host entity in accordance 138 with subsection (5) which will deliver the following services to 139 public postsecondary education institutions in this state, 140 which, for the purposes of this section, means all Florida 141 College System and State University System institutions: 142 (a) Provide information regarding and access to distance 143 learning courses and degree programs offered by public 144 postsecondary education institutions within this state. 145 (b) Coordinate with the Florida College System and the 146 State University System to identify and provide online academic 147 support services and resources when the multi-institutional 148 provision of such services and resources is more cost effective 149 or operationally effective. 150 (c) Administer a single library automation system and 151 associated resources and services that all public postsecondary 152 institutions shall use to support learning, teaching, and 153 research needs and develop automated library management tools 154 that shall include, but are not limited to, the following 155 services and functions: 156 1. A shared Internet-based catalog and discovery tool that 157 allows a user to search and, if authorized, access the aggregate 158 library holdings of this state’s public postsecondary education 159 institutions. The catalog and discovery tool shall allow a user 160 to search the library holdings of one institution, selected 161 institutions, or all institutions and, to the extent feasible, 162 shall include an interlibrary loan function that ensures an 163 authorized user can access the required library holding. 164 2. An Internet-based searchable collection of electronic 165 resources which shall include, but not be limited to, full-text 166 journals, articles, databases, and electronic books licensed 167 pursuant to paragraph (d). 168 3. An integrated library management system and its 169 associated services that all public postsecondary education 170 institution academic libraries shall use for purposes of 171 acquiring, cataloging, circulating, and tracking library 172 material. 173 4. A statewide searchable database that includes an 174 inventory of digital archives and collections held by public 175 postsecondary education institutions. 176 (d) In collaboration with library staff from Florida 177 College System institutions and state universities, coordinate 178 the negotiation of statewide licensing of electronic library 179 resources and preferred pricing agreements, issue purchase 180 orders, and enter into contracts for the acquisition of library 181 support services, electronic resources, and other goods and 182 services necessary to carry out its duties under this section. 183 (e) Promote and provide recommendations concerning the use 184 and distribution of open-access textbooks and education 185 resources and innovative pricing techniques that comply with all 186 applicable laws in regard to copyrighted material as a method 187 for reducing costs. 188 (f) Provide appropriate help desk support, training, and 189 consultation services to institutions and students. 190 (2) STATEWIDE INTERNET-BASED CATALOG OF DISTANCE LEARNING 191 COURSES.—There is established a statewide Internet-based catalog 192 of distance learning courses, degree programs, and resources 193 offered by public postsecondary education institutions which is 194 intended to assist in the coordination and collaboration of 195 articulation and access pursuant to parts II and III of chapter 196 1007. The host entity is responsible for developing and 197 disseminating operational procedures and technical guidelines 198 for the catalog, to be followed by all participating 199 institutions. Operating procedures and technical guidelines will 200 address the following: 201 (a) Specific information concerning the distance learning 202 course or degree program, including, but not limited to, course 203 number, classification of instructional programs number, and 204 information on the availability of the course or degree program; 205 any prerequisite course or technology competency or skill; the 206 availability of academic support services and financial aid 207 resources; and course costs, fees, and payment policies. 208 (b) Definitions and descriptions of the catalog’s search 209 and retrieval options that, at a minimum, will allow users to 210 search by academic term or course start date; institution, 211 multiple institutions, or all institutions; and course or 212 program delivery methods, course type, course availability, 213 subject or discipline, and course number or classification of 214 instructional programs number. 215 (c) An Internet-based analytic tool that allows for the 216 collection and analysis of data as to usage of resources 217 accessed or interaction with constituent institutions whose 218 courses and programs are listed in the catalog. 219 (d) Frequent review and updates to institution catalogs to 220 ensure that distance learning courses and degree programs comply 221 with operational procedures. 222 (3) STATEWIDE ONLINE STUDENT ADVISING SERVICES AND 223 SUPPORT.—The following online services and support shall be made 224 available on a statewide basis: 225 (a) A streamlined online admissions application process, 226 which shall be used by all public postsecondary institutions, 227 for undergraduate transient students currently enrolled and 228 pursuing a degree at a public postsecondary education 229 institution who enroll in a course offered by a public 230 postsecondary education institution that is not the student’s 231 degree-granting institution, which shall: 232 1. Use the transient student admissions application 233 available through the statewide computer-assisted student 234 advising system established pursuant to paragraph (b). This 235 admissions application is the only application required for 236 enrollment of a transient student as described in this 237 paragraph. 238 2. Implement the financial aid procedures required by the 239 transient student admissions application process. 240 3. Transfer credit awarded by the institution offering the 241 course to the transient student’s degree-granting institution. 242 4. Provide an interface between the institutional advising 243 system and the statewide computer-assisted student advising 244 system established pursuant to paragraph (b) in order to 245 electronically send, receive, and process transient student 246 admissions application. 247 (b) A statewide computer-assisted student advising system 248 that shall support career and education planning for the system 249 and the process of advising, registering, and certifying 250 postsecondary students for graduation and that shall include a 251 degree audit and an articulation component. Florida College 252 System institutions and state universities shall interface 253 institutional advising systems with the statewide computer 254 assisted student advising system. At a minimum, the statewide 255 computer-assisted student advising system shall: 256 1. Allow a student to access the system at any time. 257 2. Support career and education planning. 258 3. Allow a student to search public postsecondary education 259 institutions and identify course options that will meet the 260 requirements of a selected path toward a degree. 261 4. Audit transcripts of students enrolled in a public 262 postsecondary education institution to assess current academic 263 standing, the requirements for a student to transfer to another 264 institution, and all requirements necessary for graduation. 265 5. Serve as the official statewide repository for the 266 common prerequisite manual, admissions information for 267 transferring programs, foreign language requirements, residency 268 requirements, and statewide articulation agreements. 269 6. Provide information relating to career descriptions and 270 corresponding educational requirements, admissions requirements, 271 and available sources of student financial assistance. 272 7. Provide the admissions application for transient 273 students pursuant to paragraph (a) which must include the 274 electronic transfer and receipt of information and records for: 275 a. Admissions and readmissions. 276 b. Financial aid. 277 c. Transfer of credit awarded by the institution offering 278 the course to the transient student’s degree-granting 279 institution using the Florida Automated System for Transferring 280 Educational Records (the “FASTER System”). 281 (c) A method for identifying and evaluating new 282 technologies and instructional methods for improving distance 283 learning instruction and development for faculty, student 284 learning outcomes, student access, the efficient delivery of 285 student support services, and the overall quality of 286 postsecondary distance learning courses and degree programs. 287 (d) Negotiation of statewide licensing resources and 288 preferred pricing agreements, issuing purchase orders, and 289 entering into contracts for the acquisition of distance learning 290 resources, student and support services, electronic resources, 291 and other goods and services necessary to carry out duties under 292 this section. 293 (4) REPORTING.—Beginning December 31, 2021, and each year 294 thereafter, the host entity shall submit a report to the 295 chancellors of the State University System and the Florida 296 College System regarding the implementation and operation of all 297 components described in this section, including, but not limited 298 to, usage information collected under paragraph (2)(c), 299 information and associated costs relating to the services and 300 functions of the program, and the implementation and operation 301 of the automated library services. The chancellors will provide 302 an annual report on the performance of the host entity in 303 delivering the services and any recommendations for changes 304 needed to this section to the Governor, the President of the 305 Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Board 306 of Governors, and the State Board of Education. 307 (5) GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION.—The Office of the Board 308 of Governors and the Department of Education shall have joint 309 responsibility for determining the host entity for the services 310 described in this section and shall share in the receipt and 311 administration of an associated appropriation as described in 312 the General Appropriations Act. The chancellors of the Florida 313 College System and the Board of Governors shall provide 314 oversight for successful delivery by the host entity of the 315 services described in this section. 316 (6) RECOMMENDATION ON OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO BE 317 INCLUDED WITHIN THE FLORIDA POSTSECONDARY ACADEMIC LIBRARY 318 NETWORK.—By June 1, 2022, the Commissioner of Education and the 319 Chancellor of the State University System shall provide a joint 320 recommendation for a process by which school district career 321 centers operated under s. 1001.44 and charter technical career 322 centers under s. 1002.34 would access appropriate postsecondary 323 distance learning, student support services, and library assets 324 described in this section. The recommendation must include an 325 analysis of the resources necessary to expand access and assets 326 to centers and their students. 327 Section 5. Section 1006.735, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 328 Section 6. Paragraph (h) of subsection (3) of section 329 1007.01, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 330 1007.01 Articulation; legislative intent; purpose; role of 331 the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors; 332 Articulation Coordinating Committee.— 333 (3) The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the 334 Chancellor of the State University System, shall establish the 335 Articulation Coordinating Committee, which shall make 336 recommendations related to statewide articulation policies and 337 issues regarding access, quality, and reporting of data 338 maintained by the K-20 data warehouse, established pursuant to 339 ss. 1001.10 and 1008.31, to the Higher Education Coordination 340 Council, the State Board of Education, and the Board of 341 Governors. The committee shall consist of two members each 342 representing the State University System, the Florida College 343 System, public career and technical education, K-12 education, 344 and nonpublic postsecondary education and one member 345 representing students. The chair shall be elected from the 346 membership. The Office of K-20 Articulation shall provide 347 administrative support for the committee. The committee shall: 348 (h) Recommend roles and responsibilities of public 349 education entities in interfacing with the single, statewide 350 computer-assisted student advising system established pursuant 351 to s. 1006.73s. 1006.735. 352 Section 7. Subsection (1) of section 1007.27, Florida 353 Statutes, is amended to read: 354 1007.27 Articulated acceleration mechanisms.— 355 (1) It is the intent of the Legislature that a variety of 356 articulated acceleration mechanisms be available for secondary 357 and postsecondary students attending public educational 358 institutions. It is intended that articulated acceleration serve 359 to shorten the time necessary for a student to complete the 360 requirements associated with the conference of a high school 361 diploma and a postsecondary degree, broaden the scope of 362 curricular options available to students, or increase the depth 363 of study available for a particular subject. Articulated 364 acceleration mechanisms shall include, but are not limited to, 365 dual enrollment and early admission as provided for in s. 366 1007.271, advanced placement, credit by examination, the 367 International Baccalaureate Program, and the Advanced 368 International Certificate of Education Program. Credit earned 369 through the Florida Virtual School shall provide additional 370 opportunities for early graduation and acceleration. Students of 371 Florida public secondary schools enrolled pursuant to this 372 subsection shall be deemed authorized users of the state-funded 373 electronic library resources that are licensed for Florida 374 College System institutions and state universities by the 375 Florida Postsecondary Academic Library NetworkServices376Cooperative. Verification of eligibility shall be in accordance 377 with rules established by the State Board of Education and 378 regulations established by the Board of Governors and processes 379 implemented by Florida College System institutions and state 380 universities. 381 Section 8. Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (16) and 382 subsection (17) of section 1009.23, Florida Statutes, are 383 amended to read: 384 1009.23 Florida College System institution student fees.— 385 (16)(a) Each Florida College System institution may assess 386 a student who enrolls in a course listed in the distance 387 learning catalog, established pursuant to s. 1006.73s.3881006.735, a per-credit-hour distance learning course user fee. 389 For purposes of assessing this fee, a distance learning course 390 is a course in which at least 80 percent of the direct 391 instruction of the course is delivered using some form of 392 technology when the student and instructor are separated by time 393 or space, or both. 394 (c) If an institution assesses the distance learning fee, 395 the institution must provide a link to the catalog within the 396 advising and distance learning sections of the institution’s 397 website, using a graphic and description provided by the398Complete Florida Plus Program, to inform students of the399catalog. 400 (17) Each Florida College System institution that accepts 401 transient students, pursuant to s. 1006.73s. 1006.735, may 402 establish a transient student fee not to exceed $5 per course 403 for processing the transient student admissions application. 404 Section 9. Paragraph (t) of subsection (14) and paragraphs 405 (a) and (c) of subsection (17) of section 1009.24, Florida 406 Statutes, are amended to read: 407 1009.24 State university student fees.— 408 (14) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (15), each 409 university board of trustees is authorized to establish the 410 following fees: 411 (t) A transient student fee that may not exceed $5 per 412 course for accepting a transient student and processing the 413 transient student admissions application pursuant to s. 1006.73 414s. 1006.735. 415 416 With the exception of housing rental rates and except as 417 otherwise provided, fees assessed pursuant to paragraphs (h)-(s) 418 shall be based on reasonable costs of services. The Board of 419 Governors shall adopt regulations and timetables necessary to 420 implement the fees and fines authorized under this subsection. 421 The fees assessed under this subsection may be used for debt 422 only as authorized under s. 1010.62. 423 (17)(a) A state university may assess a student who enrolls 424 in a course listed in the distance learning catalog, established 425 pursuant to s. 1006.73s. 1006.735, a per-credit-hour distance 426 learning course fee. For purposes of assessing this fee, a 427 distance learning course is a course in which at least 80 428 percent of the direct instruction of the course is delivered 429 using some form of technology when the student and instructor 430 are separated by time or space, or both. 431 (c) If an institution assesses the distance learning fee, 432 the institution must provide a link to the catalog within the 433 advising and distance learning sections of the institution’s 434 website, using a graphic and description provided by the435Complete Florida Plus Program, informing students of the436catalog. 437 Section 10. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.