Lose a book, pay the price bill headed to Crist

Students who lose or damage instructional materials will have to pay schools 100 percent replacement costs under a bill that made it through under the wire Friday, stripped of a House add-on to require civics for all middle schoolers.

SB 1248, sponsored by Sen. Stephen Wise, R-Jacksonville, changes current law, which requires students to repay costs for lost or damaged books at a rate of 50 to 75 percent if more than a year old.

For students having trouble paying back the costs, there's a provision that allows for a penalty or in-kind activity in lieu of payment, such as scraping gum off the bottom of desks.

Also in the bill, a provision pushed for years by Rep. Rick Kriseman, D-St. Petersburg, to encourage service-learning programs in K-12 schools.

House backs lose-a-book, pay-the-price idea

By a 111-6 vote, the House today approved a plan to require students who lose or damage instructional materials to pay schools 100 percent replacement costs.

SB 1248, passed unanimously by the Senate this month, changes current law, which requires students to repay costs for lost or damaged books at a rate of 50 to 75 percent if more than a year old.

The bill now heads back to the Senate because of an amendment by Rep. Rick Kriseman, D-St. Petersburg, adding civics as a requirement for middle schoolers and a provison to promote service-learning programs in K-12 schools.

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Lose a book, pay the price

Students who lose or damage instructional materials will have to pay schools 100 percent replacement costs under a bill that passed the Senate today on a 38-0 vote.

SB 1248, sponsored by Sen. Stephen Wise, R-Jacksonville, changes current law, which requires students to repay costs for lost or damaged books at a rate of 50 to 75 percent if more than a year old.

"This is where you teach a young person character," Wise told his colleagues in debate.

Sen. Frederica Wilson, D-Miami, wanted to know what happens when a child or his parents is unable to pay the textbook costs, which can approach $50. Could people be turned over to a collection agency if they couldn't pay?

Wise said there was nothing within the bill to call in collection agencies and explained a provision that allows for a penalty or in-kind activity in lieu of payment, such as scraping gum off the bottom of desks.

"I will assure you it will help young people gain some respect for the cost of a textbook," Wise said.

The House version, HB813, is headed to a floor vote soon.

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