Postsecondary credit for military training and education courses.

(1) In consultation with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Board of Governors shall adopt regulations and the State Board of Education shall adopt rules that create a process that enables eligible servicemembers or veterans of the United States Armed Forces to earn uniform postsecondary credit across all Florida public postsecondary educational institutions for college-level training and education acquired in the military. The regulations and rules shall include procedures for credential evaluation and the uniform award of postsecondary credit or career education clock hours, including, but not limited to, equivalency and alignment of military coursework with appropriate postsecondary courses and course descriptions.

(2) The Articulation Coordinating Committee shall convene a workgroup by July 15, 2020, which is responsible for developing a process for determining postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded for courses taken and occupations held by individuals during their service in the military.

(a) The workgroup shall be composed of the following 13 members:

1. The chair of the Articulation Coordinating Committee, or his or her designee, who shall serve as chair.

2. Four members representing academic affairs administrators and faculty from state universities, appointed by the chair of the Board of Governors.

3. Four members representing academic affairs administrators and faculty from Florida College System institutions, appointed by the chair of the State Board of Education.

4. Two members representing faculty from career centers, appointed by the State Board of Education.

5. Two members representing veterans, appointed by the executive director of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

(b) The Office of K-20 Articulation shall provide administrative support for the workgroup.

(c) The workgroup shall establish a process for prioritizing and determining postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded for courses taken and occupations held by individuals during their service in the military. The workgroup shall provide recommendations to the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education by December 1, 2020, for approval at the next meeting of each board to allow for adequate public notice.

(d) Upon approval of the workgroup’s recommendations by the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education, the Articulation Coordinating Committee shall facilitate the review of courses taken and occupations held by individuals during their service in the military for postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded in accordance with the approved process.

(e) Within 1 year after approval of the workgroup’s recommendations by the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education pursuant to paragraph (c), the Articulation Coordinating Committee shall approve a prioritized list of postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded for courses taken and occupations held by individuals during their service in the military. The list must be updated annually. The Board of Governors and the State Board of Education shall timely adopt the list approved by the Articulation Coordinating Committee at the next meeting of each board to allow for adequate public notice. For the purpose of statewide application, postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded for courses taken and occupations held by individuals during their service in the military shall be delineated by the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors in the statewide articulation agreement required by s. 1007.23(1).

(f) State universities, Florida College System institutions, and career centers must award postsecondary credit or career education clock hours for courses taken and occupations held by individuals during their service in the military based on the list adopted by the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education pursuant to paragraph (e) if the credit or career education clock hours are applicable toward the student’s degree or certificate. Institutions may award additional postsecondary credit or career education clock hours if appropriate. Credit or career education clock hours awarded in accordance with minimum postsecondary credit and clock hour requirements, respectively, are guaranteed to transfer to other state universities, Florida College System institutions, and career centers.

(3)(a) For purposes of this subsection, the term “accredited program” has the same meaning as in s. 464.003.

(b) By July 15, 2023, the Articulation Coordinating Committee shall convene a workgroup that is responsible for establishing a process for determining postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded in an accredited program for military training and education required for service as an Army Combat Medic Specialist, a Navy or Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman, an Air Force or Space Force Aerospace Medical Service Technician, or a Coast Guard Health Services Technician.

1. The composition of the workgroup and the provision of administrative support to the workgroup must be as provided in paragraphs (2)(a) and (b). The workgroup shall ensure that the award of postsecondary credit or career education clock hours does not impair an accredited program’s ability to comply with the requirements identified in s. 464.019.

2. The workgroup shall provide its recommendations regarding the process for awarding postsecondary credit or career education clock hours to the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education by December 1, 2023, for approval at the next meeting of each board to allow for adequate public notice.

3.a. Upon approval of the workgroup’s recommendations by the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education, the Articulation Coordinating Committee shall facilitate the review of the military training and education received by individuals who served as an Army Combat Medic Specialist, a Navy or Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman, an Air Force or Space Force Aerospace Medical Service Technician, or a Coast Guard Health Services Technician for postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded for that training and education.

b. Within 1 year after such approval, the Articulation Coordinating Committee shall approve a prioritized list of postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded in an accredited program for such military training and education. The list must be updated annually. The Board of Governors and the State Board of Education shall adopt the list approved by the Articulation Coordinating Committee at their next respective meetings. For the purpose of statewide application, postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum postsecondary credit or career education clock hours that must be awarded in an accredited program for such military training and education must be delineated by the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors in the statewide articulation agreement required by s. 1007.23(1).

4. State universities, Florida College System institutions, and career centers shall award postsecondary credit or career education clock hours for such military training and education based on the list adopted pursuant to sub-subparagraph 3.b. if the credit or career education clock hours are applicable toward the student’s degree or certificate and may award additional postsecondary credit or career education clock hours as appropriate. Postsecondary credit or career education clock hours awarded under this subsection are transferable from one state university, Florida College System institution, or career center to another.