Reimbursement for workers’ compensation insurance premiums.

(1) A student 18 years of age or younger who is in a paid work-based learning opportunity must be covered by the workers’ compensation insurance of his or her employer in accordance with chapter 440. For purposes of chapter 440, a school district or Florida College System institution is considered the employer of a student 18 years of age or younger who is providing unpaid services under a work-based learning opportunity provided by the school district or Florida College System institution.

(2) Subject to appropriation, employers, including school districts and Florida College System institutions, may apply to the Department of Financial Services for reimbursement of the proportionate cost of workers’ compensation premiums paid during the fiscal year for students participating in work-based learning opportunities in the previous state fiscal year.

(a) An application for reimbursement must include the following information:

1. The number of students participating in work-based learning opportunities with the employer, including the number of those participating in paid and unpaid work-based learning opportunities;

2. An attestation that:

a. The students were 18 years of age or younger during the time of participation in the work-based learning opportunity; and

b. For an employer who paid the students, the employer is seeking reimbursement for the proportionate cost of workers’ compensation premiums related to those students only; or

c. For a school district or Florida College System institution that is considered the employer, the employer is seeking reimbursement for the proportionate cost of workers’ compensation premiums related to those students only;

3. A description of the method used by the employer to determine the proportionate share of the cost of workers’ compensation premiums attributable to students;

4. The total amount of reimbursement requested;

5. The employer’s name, point of contact, and contact information;

6. A statement by the employer agreeing to maintain documentation supporting the information in the application for 5 years; and

7. Any other information requested by the department.

(b) Within 45 days after receipt of a complete application, the Department of Financial Services must process the application and notify the applicant of approval or denial of the application. The Department of Financial Services shall coordinate with the educational institution to verify the information on the application related to the employer and the students participating in the work-based learning opportunity. Reimbursements must be made on a first-come, first-served basis.

(c) For purposes of this section, the term “educational institution” means a school as defined in s. 1003.01(2) operated by a district school board, a charter school formed under s. 1002.33, a career center operated by a district school board under s. 1001.44, a charter technical career center under s. 1002.34, or a Florida College System institution identified in s. 1000.21.