The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) praised Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis for approving House Bill 1. The bill allows for increased school choice and the creation of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), states a press release published by the FCCB on March 27.

"The bill's expansion of school choice and the creation of Education Savings Accounts will empower all parents to choose the educational environment and services that best meet the needs of their children," the release reads.

The organization also applauded various Florida legislators, including House Speaker Paul Renner (R), Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R), and bill sponsors Sen. Corey Simon (R) and Rep. Kaylee Tuck (R), who advanced the bill through both the committee process and floor debate in their respective legislatures.

"Parents are the primary educators of their children; however, the family also needs help from society," the release continues. "Families, churches, and various levels of state, local, and federal government all have their appropriate place in the governing, implementing, and imparting of education."

"Catholic schools look forward to working with the Florida Department of Education and scholarship funding organizations to implement the provisions of this historic law that will transform K-12 education in Florida," said Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director. "This marks the accomplishment of a long-standing goal of so many stakeholders to bring educational choice to every family in Florida."

According to the Diocese of St. Augustine, H.B. 1 and its Senate equivalent, Senate Bill 202, extend the availability of state scholarship programs to all Florida students regardless of their financial situation and form of schooling. Scholarships will no longer be limited to individuals with low income, disabilities, or special status.

"I know HB1 will provide important and lasting value for our Catholic school families," said archdiocesan school Superintendent Jim Rigg in his March 23 newsletter to school principals.

According to the conference, approximately 200,000 students are enrolled in Florida scholarship programs based on income or special status, with about 41,500 attending Catholic schools. Scholarships available to students include the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) scholarship; the Family Empowerment (FES-EO) scholarship; the Hope scholarship; the McKay and Gardiner (FES-UA) scholarship; VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten); and School Readiness.