Local

Florida Senate panel approves bill to move back school start times

ORLANDO, Fla. — A Florida Senate panel has approved a proposal that would mean later school start times for students.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

The bill would prevent middle schools from starting earlier than 8 a.m. and high schools from starting earlier than 8:30 a.m.

Watch: Gov. DeSantis signs school choice legislation at Miami high school

The proposal comes amid a long-running debate about whether earlier start times contribute to sleep deprivation for teens.

The Florida House is scheduled to take up its version of the bill on Thursday.

Read: 4 Florida universities among the Top 100 in the country

If the proposal is approved, school districts would have to use the later start times by July 1, 2026.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.