RumbergerKirk’s Leonard Dietzen Examines Florida’s New AI Rule and Implementation Challenges for Schools
RumbergerKirk’s Leonard Dietzen Examines Florida’s New AI Rule and Implementation Challenges for Schools
New Client Alert offers practical guidance as school districts and charter schools prepare for a July 1, 2027 policy deadline.
RumbergerKirk partner Leonard J. Dietzen examines the practical and legal challenges facing Florida schools under the state’s new artificial intelligence requirements in his latest Client Alert, “Navigating the New AI Rule: Practical Challenges and Implementation Guidance for Florida School Board Employees.”
The alert addresses amendments to Rule 6A-1.0957, Florida’s Internet Safety Policy rule, requiring district school boards and charter school governing boards to adopt AI-specific amendments to their internet safety policies by July 1, 2027. Dietzen explores how the requirements may affect classroom technology, parental consent procedures and the resources schools need to support implementation.
A central concern is determining which instructional tools fall within the rule’s scope, particularly as AI features become increasingly embedded in educational software. Dietzen also examines the challenges of managing parental opt-ins and providing non-AI alternatives, along with the staffing, training and recordkeeping demands associated with compliance.
The alert gives particular attention to autonomous, or “agentic,” AI tools and requirements for direct adult supervision, complete activity logs and the ability for school personnel to immediately disable autonomous functions without vendor assistance. It also addresses incident reporting and the importance of maintaining human review of decisions affecting students.
To help school leaders prepare, Dietzen outlines practical steps including inventorying AI instructional tools, beginning policy revisions, developing staff training and parent notification materials, and establishing internal procedures for oversight and reporting. His analysis emphasizes early coordination among school administrators, instructional staff, IT departments and legal counsel to manage costs and minimize disruption.
Read the full Client Alert: “Navigating the New AI Rule: Practical Challenges and Implementation Guidance for Florida School Board Employees.”
Leonard J. Dietzen, III is a partner in RumbergerKirk’s Tallahassee office whose practice focuses on education law, collective bargaining, and labor and employment matters. He advises school boards and superintendents throughout Florida and serves as general counsel to the Florida School Boards Association and Florida Educational Negotiators.
ABOUT RUMBERGERKIRK – RumbergerKirk represents businesses and organizations in complex litigation and provides counsel on legal and regulatory matters affecting their operations. With offices in Orlando, Miami, Tampa and Tallahassee, Florida, and Birmingham, Alabama, the firm serves clients across a broad range of industries and practice areas. For more information, visit rumberger.com.