Overview
- CS/CS/SB 178 authorizes public K-12 head coaches to use up to $15,000 of personal funds per team each year for student welfare such as food, transportation and recovery services.
- Spending must be reported to the Florida High School Athletic Association, with such use presumed not to be an impermissible benefit under association rules.
- The bill passed the Senate 38-0 and was sponsored by Sen. Shevrin Jones, with a companion measure filed in the House by Rep. Chip LaMarca.
- Next steps include consideration in the Florida House of Representatives, after which the bill would go to Gov. Ron DeSantis for potential signature.
- Supporters say the cap and reporting protect good-faith coaches, while coverage flags enforcement questions over tracking expenditures and preventing booster pass-throughs.