FLORIDA TWINS LAW

Governor Charlie Crist has signed SB 642 enacting the Florida Twins Law.  This law will allow the parents of multiple birth children the choice of placing their twins, triplets, and higher order multiples, together or separate in the classroom.

 Highlights of this bill:

 · This law became effective July 2008.

·  Parents need to let the school know their decision no later than 5 days before the first day of school or five days after the first day of attendance of students during the school year if the students are enrolled in the school after the school year commences.

· The school may make recommendations to parents but will honor the placement request of the parents unless factual evidence supports the multiple birth children should be separated.

· At the end of the first grading period, if the principal determines that the requested classroom placement is disruptive to the school, the principal may determine the appropriate classroom placement for the siblings.

· A parent may appeal such placement in the manner provided by the school district policy.

· During an appeal, the siblings shall remain in the classroom chosen by the parent.

To understand your rights and responsibilities and for complete wording of the bill please go to this link:  http://www.flsenate.gov/cgi-bin/view_page.pl?Tab=session&Submenu=1&FT=D&File=sb0642er.html&Directory=session/2008/Senate/bills/billtext/html/

Families, please thank Senator Gary Siplin (D-Orlando) and Representative Bill Heller (D-St. Petersburg) for sponsoring this legislation in the house and senate.  Without the diligent efforts of our sponsors getting our senate bill out of messages in the house on the last day of our legislative session, this bill would have had to wait another year to become realized. 

Congratulations families of multiple birth children, you now have a real choice in the classroom placement of your children.  Together or separate, one size does not fit all multiple birth children. 

For more information on the research behind Florida Twins Law go to www.twinslaw.com and click the research tab. 

Please contact Carla Kordek, Director of Florida Twins Law Campaign, for more information.  

Please visit www.twinslaw.com for information on legislative efforts throughout the country.