(1) Sections 246.201-246.231 shall provide for the protection of the health, education, and welfare of the citizens of Florida and shall facilitate and promote the acquisition of a minimum satisfactory [Footnote 1] career, technical, trade, and business education by all the citizens of this state. There are presently many fine nonpublic schools existing in this state, but there are some nonpublic schools which do not generally offer those educational opportunities which the citizens of Florida deem essential. The latter type of school also fails to contribute to the ultimate health, education, and welfare of the citizens of Florida. It shall be in the interest of, and essential to, the public health and welfare that the state create the means whereby all independent [Footnote 2] degree career education, technical, trade, and business schools as defined in s. 246.203(1) shall satisfactorily meet minimum educational standards.

(2) A common practice in our society is to use diplomas and degrees for many purposes. Some of these purposes are: for employers to judge the qualifications of prospective employees; for public and nonpublic professional groups, vocational groups, educational agencies, governmental agencies, and educational institutions to determine the qualifications for admission to, and continuation of, educational goals, occupational goals, professional affiliations, or occupational affiliations; and for public and professional assessment of the extent of competency of individuals engaged in a wide range of activities within our society.

(3) Because of the common use of diplomas and degrees, the minimum legal requirements provided by ss. 246.201-246.231 for the establishment and operation of independent [Footnote 2] degree career education, technical, trade, and business schools shall protect the individual student from deceptive, fraudulent, or substandard education; protect such independent [Footnote 2] degree career education, technical, trade, and business schools; and protect the citizens of Florida holding diplomas or degrees.

(4) Nothing contained herein is intended in any way, nor shall be construed, to regulate the stated purpose of an independent [Footnote 2] degree career education, technical, trade, and business school or to restrict any religious instruction or training in a nonpublic school. Any school or business regulated by the state or approved, certified, or regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration is hereby expressly exempt from ss. 246.201-246.231. Nonprofit schools, owned, controlled, operated, and conducted by religious, denominational, eleemosynary, or similar public institutions exempt from property taxation under the laws of this state shall be exempt from the provisions of ss. 246.201-246.231. However, such schools may choose to apply for a license hereunder, and, upon approval and issuance thereof, such schools shall be subject to ss. 246.201-246.231. History: s. 1, ch. 74-360; s. 1, ch. 75-32; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-457; s. 4, ch. 78-323; ss. 5, 6, 7, ch. 81-67; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; s. 7, ch. 84-94; ss. 14, 15, ch. 86-275; s. 4, ch. 91-429. [Footnote 1] Note. The term "career education" was substituted for the term "vocational education" by the editors pursuant to the directive of the Legislature in s. 16, ch. 94-232. [Footnote 2] Note. The term "degree career education" was substituted for the term "postsecondary vocational" by the editors pursuant to the directive of the Legislature in s. 16, ch. 94-232.