A seller of travel seeking to be an approved student tour operator pursuant to Florida Statutes § 559.9281, must register or be registered as a seller of travel pursuant to subsection 5J-9.002(1), F.A.C., and must submit FDACS-10214, Sellers of Travel Student Tour Operator, 02/17, hereby incorporated by reference. Copies of this form may be obtained from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Consumer Services, Attention: Sellers of Travel, 2005 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-6500, or accessed online at: http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-08466.
    (1) In addition to being registered as a seller of travel, an applicant student tour operator must annually provide proof of the following:
    (a) Insurance coverage issued by a company authorized to transact business in this state, in the following amounts:
    1. General liability of at least $1,000,000,
    2. Professional liability of at least $1,000,000; and,
    3. Workers compensation coverage of at least $500,000 or proof of exemption for fewer than four (4) employees.
    (b) The applicant is current on all state and local business taxes.
    (2) A student tour operator and any employee, agent, or independent contractor of the student tour operator whose duties may lead to contact with students must maintain a current Level 2 security clearance with the Florida Department of Education in accordance with the Jessica Lunsford Act, sections 1012.465-1012.468, F.S.
    (3) Failure to meet the requirements set forth in sections 559.926-559.939, F.S., and this rule chapter shall result in the denial of an applicant’s request to be an approved student tour operator.
    (4) Failure to maintain compliance with the requirements of Florida Statutes § 559.9281, and this rule shall result in the seller of travel’s removal from the Department’s list of approved student tour operators.
    (5) An approved student tour operator shall immediately notify the Department if, at any time during the registration period, the student tour operator falls out of compliance with the requirements of Florida Statutes § 559.9281, or this rule.
Rulemaking Authority 559.9281(2), 559.9355(3), 570.07(23) FS. Law Implemented Florida Statutes § 559.9281. History-New 7-26-17.