There is created an incentive payment for school districts and charter schools that implement a standard student attire policy for all students in kindergarten through grade 8 in accordance with this section.(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Students Attired for Education (SAFE) Act.”
(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of a standard student attire policy is to provide a safe environment for students which fosters learning and improves school safety and discipline by:(a) Encouraging students to express their individuality through personality and academic achievements, rather than outward appearance.
(b) Enabling students to focus on academics, rather than fashion, because they are able to convey a neat, serious, and studious image.
(c) Minimizing disciplinary problems because students are not distracted by clothing.
(d) Reducing the time needed to correct dress code violations through a readily available inventory of compliant attire.
(e) Minimizing visible differences between students and eliminating social pressures to wear brand-name clothing or colors to show gang affiliation, thereby easing financial pressures on parents and enhancing school safety.
(f) Creating a sense of school pride and belonging.
(3) QUALIFICATIONS.—To qualify for the incentive payment, a school district or charter school must, at a minimum, implement a standard attire policy that:(a) Applies to all students in kindergarten through grade 8 in the school district or charter school, regardless of individual school grade configurations.
(b) Prohibits certain types or styles of clothing.
(c) Allows reasonable accommodations based on a student’s religion, disability, or medical condition.
(4) AWARD.—Subject to the appropriation of funds by the Legislature, a qualified school district or charter school shall receive an annual award of not less than $10 per student in kindergarten through grade 8, as specified in the General Appropriations Act. Before the release of funds, but no later than September 1 of each year, the district school superintendent or the charter school governing board shall certify to the commissioner that the school district or charter school has implemented a districtwide or schoolwide standard student attire policy, respectively, in accordance with this section. A charter school may also qualify by participating in its sponsor’s qualifying policy. The commissioner shall make payment of awards to school districts and charter schools in the order in which certifications are received. As of June 30 of each year, any funds provided pursuant to this section that have not been disbursed to qualified school districts and charter schools revert to the fund from which they were appropriated pursuant to s. 216.301. (5) IMMUNITY.—A district school board or governing board of a charter school that implements a districtwide or schoolwide standard student attire policy, respectively, is immune from civil liability resulting from adoption of the policy in accordance with this section.
