summary
Introduced
12/18/2025
12/18/2025
In Committee
01/05/2026
01/05/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to freedom of speech and religious expression in public schools; amending s. 1002.206, F.S.; prohibiting a school district from discriminating against students or school personnel on the basis of political or ideological viewpoints or expression; prohibiting penalty or reward for a student's political or ideological expression in coursework, artwork, or other specified assignments; authorizing a student to wear clothing, accessories, and jewelry displaying political or ideological messages or symbols; authorizing a student to engage in political or ideological activities or expression; authorizing a student to organize political or ideological groups, clubs, and other gatherings; requiring that a school district provide political or ideological groups with equal access to school facilities; authorizing political or ideological groups to advertise or announce meetings in the same manner and to the same extent as other groups; requiring that the Department of Education develop and publish a model policy regarding a limited public forum and political or ideological expression; providing construction; creating a private cause of action for persons and student clubs or groups harmed hb835-00 by specified violations; providing for specified awards to such persons and clubs or groups; authorizing such persons and clubs or groups to use specified violations as a defense or counterclaim under certain circumstances; providing applicability; requiring such actions to be brought within a specified period of time; providing that state waives specified immunity; providing school district liability; providing severability; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill amends Florida's education law to strengthen protections for students' freedom of speech and religious expression in public schools. The bill expands existing protections to include not just religious viewpoints, but also political and ideological expressions, ensuring that students cannot be discriminated against, penalized, or rewarded based on the content of their personal views. Students are now explicitly authorized to wear clothing with political or ideological messages, organize groups and clubs reflecting their beliefs, and express their views in coursework and assignments without academic penalty. The bill requires school districts to provide equal access to facilities for political and ideological groups, treat all viewpoint expressions equally, and create a limited public forum policy that does not discriminate against voluntary student expression. Additionally, the bill creates a private right of action for students or student groups who believe their rights have been violated, allowing them to sue school districts and potentially receive up to $25,000 in statutory punitive damages. The Department of Education must develop a model policy to guide schools in implementing these protections, and the law includes provisions to ensure that harmful or disruptive speech is still prohibited. The bill aims to protect diverse student expressions while maintaining a respectful educational environment, and will take effect on July 1, 2026.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
1st Reading (Original Filed Version) (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/835 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/835/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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