Florida H471: Recruitment and Retention of Speech-language Pathologists

What the bill says

An act relating to the recruitment and retention of speech-language pathologists; creating s. 1012.02, F.S.; requiring the Department of Education to develop and maintain a statewide strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of speech-language pathologists and the provision of quality services; providing requirements for such plan; providing department requirements relating to completing and publishing the plan; providing school district and charter school requirements relating to submitting specified data for the plan…

From the introduced text, November 19, 2025:

An act relating to the recruitment and retention of speech-language pathologists; creating s. 1012.02, F.S.; requiring the Department of Education to develop and maintain a statewide strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of speech-language pathologists and the provision of quality services; providing requirements for such plan; providing department requirements relating to completing and publishing the plan; providing school district and charter school requirements relating to submitting specified data for the plan; requiring the department to provide specified updates to certain committees of the Legislature; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Section 1012.02, Florida Statutes, is created to read: 1012.02 Statewide strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of speech-language pathologists and the provision of quality services.— (1) The Department of Education shall develop and maintain a statewide strategic plan for recruiting and retaining speech-24 language pathologists and assuring that quality services are HB 471 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb471-00 Page 2 of FLORIDAHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES provided to students with speech-language disabilities. At a minimum, the plan must include, but is not limited to, all of the following: (a) The analysis of relevant data to determine the specific staffing needs of school districts and charter schools. Such analysis must be ongoing throughout the school year …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Chambliss, Kevin (D, HD-117) · primary sponsor
• Alvarez, Jose (D, HD-046)
• Campbell, Daryl (D, HD-099)
• Rosenwald, Mitch (D, HD-098)
• Salzman, Michelle (R, HD-001)
• Salzman (R, 1)

Latest actions

1. March 13, 2026: Died in Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
2. January 13, 2026: 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
3. November 24, 2025: Now in Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
4. November 24, 2025: Referred to Education & Employment Committee
5. November 24, 2025: Referred to Education Administration Subcommittee
6. November 24, 2025: Referred to Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
7. November 19, 2025: Filed

Common questions

What is H471?

H471 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Recruitment and Retention of Speech-language Pathologists.

What does H471 do?

In its own words: An act relating to the recruitment and retention of speech-language pathologists; creating s. 1012.02, F.S.; requiring the Department of Education to develop and maintain a statewide strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of speech-language pathologists and the provision of quality services; providing requirements for such plan; providing department requirements relating to completing and publishing the plan; providing school district and charter school requirements relating to submitting specified data for the plan…

What is the status of H471?

Failed as of March 13, 2026. Latest action: Died in Careers & Workforce Subcommittee (March 13, 2026).

Who sponsored H471?

Chambliss, Kevin (D, HD-117), with 5 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for H471?

On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/471