On Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, Representative Johanna López (D-Orlando) filed House Bill 129– Educational Services in Department of Juvenile Justice Programs with Representative Susan Plasencia (R-Winter Park) as Prime Co-Sponsor of this bill. This bill would amend Florida Statute 1003.52 subsection 3 to include additional educational services in Juvenile Justice Facilities. These services include course prep work and examination for GED programs. Through these services, students at juvenile justice facilities 16 years of age or older would have the opportunity to take the GED examination once a year at no cost to the student.
Representative Johanna López has visited juvenile justice facilities several times, and has seen the need for more educational opportunities for students. It is important to prioritize education through the juvenile justice program to avoid recidivism and encourage success.
“Not only would this bill provide the opportunity for students to gain a high school diploma, this would also afford students several options: enter the workforce, gain a post-secondary certification, or go on to college,” said Representative López. “The more opportunities students have leaving the juvenile detention facilities, the greater the chance of reducing the school to prison pipeline and avoiding recidivism in our communities.”
