SB 1170 Florida Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Education

Summary

Education; Deleting references to the Video Cameras in Public School Classrooms Pilot Program; deleting an obsolete definition; authorizing certain parents to submit a written request to the school principal for installation and operation of a video camera in a self-contained classroom; requiring that a video camera be operational within a specified timeframe after approval of a request under the policy; prohibiting a school or school district from concealing the identity of an employee in a video recording, etc.

Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Mar 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S 1170 Filed → S 1170 c1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended from a draft version to a committee substitute, significantly expanding the policy's requirements and protections. The changes shift the focus from a simple mandate for school boards to vote on camera policies to a structured process requiring specific criteria for approval or denial of requests. Additionally, new provisions were added to ensure audio is included in recordings, limit the number of requests per student, and clarify rules for video retention and privacy.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a pilot program with minimal oversight to a more comprehensive framework with detailed procedural requirements for schools, including specific timelines for camera installation and strict rules on data retention and privacy.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement for school boards changed from simply voting to establish a policy to adopting a policy that includes specific criteria for approving or denying parent requests.

New requirements mandate that video recordings must include accompanying audio and that cameras cannot monitor restrooms or changing areas.

ELIGIBILITY

A new limit was added restricting parents to submitting only one request per student per school year, with exceptions for material changes in circumstances.

DEFINITION

Clarification was added regarding the definition of a 'self-contained classroom' and the scope of areas cameras may monitor.

TIMELINE

The timeline for camera installation was refined to require operation within 30 days of approval, and new rules were established for notifying parents when cameras are discontinued.

ENFORCEMENT

New provisions were added to prevent the use of recordings for teacher evaluations and to require schools to conceal the identity of uninvolved students in any released footage.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Now in Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Remaining references corrected to Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education; Rules

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Jan 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Education Pre-K - 12, 02/03/26, 3:30 pm, 412 Knott Building

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

upper

Jan 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Judiciary; Rules

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors