Text of FL H 677 (2026)

HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 1 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S A bill to be entitled 1 An act relating to education; providing a short title; 2 amending s. 1000.05, F.S.; removing provisions 3 relating to prohibited training or instruction in 4 specified concepts which constitutes discrimination on 5 the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex; 6 repealing s. 1000.071, F.S., relating to personal 7 titles and pronouns; amending s. 1001.42, F.S.; 8 prohibiting school districts from adopting a procedure 9 that compels or authorizes school personnel to share 10 certain information with a parent under certain 11 circumstances; removing a provision authorizing school 12 districts to adopt procedures that permit school 13 personnel to withhold certain information from a 14 parent under certain circumstances; removing a 15 prohibition against classroom instruction on sexual 16 orientation and gender identity in specified grades; 17 removing an exception; removing a provision requiring 18 student support services to adhere to specified 19 guidelines; amending s. 1001.706, F.S.; removing a 20 requirement for the Board of Governors to include in 21 its review of state university missions a directive to 22 each university regarding its programs for curricula 23 that violate certain provisions; amending s. 1001.92, 24 F.S.; removing provisions relating to a state 25 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 2 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S university losing its eligibility for performance 26 funding if a certain violation is substantiated; 27 amending s. 1003.42, F.S.; requiring instruction in 28 LGBTQ history in public schools; amending s. 1004.04, 29 F.S.; removing provisions relating to teacher 30 preparation program requirements; amending s. 1004.06, 31 F.S.; authorizing and encouraging Florida College 32 System institutions, state universities, and direct- 33 support organizations to develop programs and campus 34 activities based on diversity, equity, and inclusion 35 principles; authorizing the expenditure of state and 36 federal funds to promote such programs and activities; 37 removing a prohibition against such institutions, 38 universities, and organizations expending funds on 39 programs and campus activities that advocate for 40 diversity, equity, and inclusion or that promote or 41 engage in political or social activism; amending s. 42 1004.85, F.S.; removing a requirement that certain 43 instruction be included in postsecondary educator 44 preparation institutes; amending s. 1006.28, F.S.; 45 providing that certain provisions relating to district 46 school board duties and materials made available in 47 schools do not apply to classroom libraries; revising 48 requirements for resolving objections to instructional 49 materials; removing a requirement that any 50 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 3 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S instructional material that is subject to an objection 51 be removed within 5 school days; removing a 52 requirement that a school board discontinue the use of 53 an instructional material if certain conditions are 54 met; providing that school libraries may provide 55 materials and information presenting all points of 56 view; providing that materials may not be proscribed 57 or removed due to partisan or doctrinal disapproval; 58 amending s. 1007.25, F.S.; removing certain 59 prohibitions for general education courses; amending 60 ss. 1012.551, 1012.56, and 1012.562, F.S.; removing 61 requirements for uniform core curricula for specified 62 teacher preparation programs, professional learning 63 certificate program courses, and school leader 64 preparation programs; providing an effective date. 65 66 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 67 68 Section 1. This act may be cited as the "Freedom to Learn 69 Act." 70 Section 2. Subsection (4) of section 1000.05, Florida 71 Statutes, is amended to read: 72 1000.05 Discrimination against students and employees in 73 the Florida K-20 public education system prohibited; equality of 74 access required.— 75 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 4 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (4)(a) It shall constitute discrimination on the basis of 76 race, color, national origin, or sex under this section to 77 subject any student or employee to training or instruction that 78 espouses, promotes, advances, inculcates, or compels such 79 student or employee to believe any of the following concepts: 80 1. Members of one race, color, national origin, or sex are 81 morally superior to members of another race, color, national 82 origin, or sex. 83 2. A person, by virtue of his or her race, color, national 84 origin, or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, 85 whether consciously or unconsciously. 86 3. A person's moral character or status as either 87 privileged or oppressed is necessarily determined by his or her 88 race, color, national origin, or sex. 89 4. Members of one race, color, national origin, or sex 90 cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to 91 race, color, national origin, or sex. 92 5. A person, by virtue of his or her race, color, national 93 origin, or sex, bears responsibility for, or should be 94 discriminated against or receive adverse treatment because of, 95 actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, 96 color, national origin, or sex. 97 6. A person, by virtue of his or her race, color, national 98 origin, or sex, should be discriminated against or receive 99 adverse treatment to achieve diversity, equity, or inclusion. 100 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 5 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 7. A person, by virtue of his or her race, color, sex, or 101 national origin, bears personal responsibility for and must feel 102 guilt, anguish, or other forms of psychological distress because 103 of actions, in which the person played no part, committed in the 104 past by other members of the same race, color, national origin, 105 or sex. 106 8. Such virtues as merit, excellence, hard work, fairness, 107 neutrality, objectivity, and racial colorblindness are racist or 108 sexist, or were created by members of a particular race, color, 109 national origin, or sex to oppress members of another race, 110 color, national origin, or sex. 111 (b) Paragraph (a) may not be construed to prohibit 112 discussion of the concepts listed therein as part of a larger 113 course of training or instruction, provided such training or 114 instruction is given in an objective manner without endorsement 115 of the concepts. 116 Section 3. Section 1000.071, Florida Statutes, is 117 repealed. 118 Section 4. Paragraph (c) of subsection (8) of section 119 1001.42, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 120 1001.42 Powers and duties of district school board.—The 121 district school board, acting as a board, shall exercise all 122 powers and perform all duties listed below: 123 (8) STUDENT WELFARE.— 124 (c)1. In accordance with the rights of parents enumerated 125 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 6 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S in ss. 1002.20 and 1014.04, adopt procedures for notifying a 126 student's parent if there is a change in the student's services 127 or monitoring related to the student's mental, emotional, or 128 physical health or well-being and the school's ability to 129 provide a safe and supportive learning environment for the 130 student. The procedures must reinforce the fundamental right of 131 parents to make decisions regarding the upbringing and control 132 of their children by requiring school district personnel to 133 encourage a student to discuss issues relating to his or her 134 well-being with his or her parent or to facilitate discussion of 135 the issue with the parent. The procedures may not prohibit 136 parents from accessing any of their student's education and 137 health records created, maintained, or used by the school 138 district, as required by s. 1002.22(2). 139 2. A school district may not adopt procedures or student 140 support forms that prohibit school district personnel from 141 notifying a parent about his or her student's mental, emotional, 142 or physical health or well-being, or a change in related 143 services or monitoring, or that encourage or have the effect of 144 encouraging a student to withhold from a parent such 145 information. School district personnel may not discourage or 146 prohibit parental notification of and involvement in critical 147 decisions affecting a student's mental, emotional, or physical 148 health or well-being. A school district may not adopt a 149 procedure that compels or authorizes school personnel to provide 150 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 7 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S such information to a parent if a reasonably prudent person 151 would believe that disclosure would result in harm to the 152 student, including, but not limited to, This subparagraph does 153 not prohibit a school district from adopting procedures that 154 permit school personnel to withhold such information from a 155 parent if a reasonably prudent person would believe that 156 disclosure would result in abuse, abandonment, or neglect, as 157 those terms are defined in s. 39.01. 158 3. Classroom instruction by school personnel or third 159 parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur 160 in prekindergarten through grade 8, except when required by ss. 161 1003.42(2)(o)3. and 1003.46. If such instruction is provided in 162 grades 9 through 12, the instruction must be age-appropriate or 163 developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with 164 state standards. This subparagraph applies to charter schools. 165 4. Student support services training developed or provided 166 by a school district to school district personnel must adhere to 167 student services guidelines, standards, and frameworks 168 established by the Department of Education. 169 5. At the beginning of the school year, each school 170 district shall notify parents of each health care service 171 offered at their student's school and the option to withhold 172 consent or decline any specific service in accordance with s. 173 1014.06. Parental consent to a health care service does not 174 waive the parent's right to access his or her student's 175 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 8 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S educational or health records or to be notified about a change 176 in his or her student's services or monitoring as provided by 177 this paragraph. 178 4.6. Before administering a student well-being 179 questionnaire or health screening form to a student in 180 kindergarten through grade 3, the school district must provide 181 the questionnaire or health screening form to the parent and 182 obtain the permission of the parent. 183 5.7. Each school district shall adopt procedures for a 184 parent to notify the principal, or his or her designee, 185 regarding concerns under this paragraph at his or her student's 186 school and the process for resolving those concerns within 7 187 calendar days after notification by the parent. 188 a. At a minimum, the procedures must require that within 189 30 days after notification by the parent that the concern 190 remains unresolved, the school district must either resolve the 191 concern or provide a statement of the reasons for not resolving 192 the concern. 193 b. If a concern is not resolved by the school district, a 194 parent may: 195 (I) Request the Commissioner of Education to appoint a 196 special magistrate who is a member of The Florida Bar in good 197 standing and who has at least 5 years' experience in 198 administrative law. The special magistrate shall determine facts 199 relating to the dispute over the school district procedure or 200 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 9 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S practice, consider information provided by the school district, 201 and render a recommended decision for resolution to the State 202 Board of Education within 30 days after receipt of the request 203 by the parent. The State Board of Education must approve or 204 reject the recommended decision at its next regularly scheduled 205 meeting that is more than 7 calendar days and no more than 30 206 days after the date the recommended decision is transmitted. The 207 costs of the special magistrate shall be borne by the school 208 district. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules, 209 including forms, necessary to implement this subparagraph. 210 (II) Bring an action against the school district to obtain 211 a declaratory judgment that the school district procedure or 212 practice violates this paragraph and seek injunctive relief. A 213 court may award damages and shall award reasonable attorney fees 214 and court costs to a parent who receives declaratory or 215 injunctive relief. 216 c. Each school district shall adopt and post on its 217 website policies to notify parents of the procedures required 218 under this subparagraph. 219 d. Nothing contained in this subparagraph shall be 220 construed to abridge or alter rights of action or remedies in 221 equity already existing under the common law or general law. 222 Section 5. Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of section 223 1001.706, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 224 1001.706 Powers and duties of the Board of Governors.— 225 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 10 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (5) POWERS AND DUTIES RELATING TO ACCOUNTABILITY.— 226 (a) The Legislature intends that the Board of Governors 227 shall align the missions of each constituent university with the 228 academic success of its students; the existing and emerging 229 economic development needs of the state; the national reputation 230 of its faculty and its academic and research programs; the 231 quantity of externally generated research, patents, and 232 licenses; and the strategic and accountability plans required in 233 paragraphs (b) and (c). The Board of Governors shall 234 periodically review the mission of each constituent university 235 and make updates or revisions as needed. Upon completion of a 236 review of the mission, the board shall review existing academic 237 programs for alignment with the mission. The board shall include 238 in its review a directive to each constituent university 239 regarding its programs for any curriculum that violates s. 240 1000.05 or that is based on theories that systemic racism, 241 sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the 242 institutions of the United States and were created to maintain 243 social, political, and economic inequities. The mission 244 alignment and strategic plan must consider peer institutions at 245 the constituent universities. The mission alignment and 246 strategic plan must acknowledge that universities that have a 247 national and international impact have the greatest capacity to 248 promote the state's economic development through: new 249 discoveries, patents, licenses, and technologies that generate 250 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 11 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S state businesses of global importance; research achievements 251 through external grants and contracts that are comparable to 252 nationally recognized and ranked universities; the creation of a 253 resource rich academic environment that attracts high-technology 254 business and venture capital to the state; and this generation's 255 finest minds focusing on solving the state's economic, social, 256 environmental, and legal problems in the areas of life sciences, 257 water, sustainability, energy, and health care. A nationally 258 recognized and ranked university that has a global perspective 259 and impact must be afforded the opportunity to enable and 260 protect the university's competitiveness on the global stage in 261 fair competition with other institutions of other states in the 262 highest Carnegie Classification. 263 Section 6. Subsection (5) of section 1001.92, Florida 264 Statutes, is amended to read: 265 1001.92 State University System Performance-Based 266 Incentive.— 267 (5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, 268 if any institution is found to have a substantiated violation of 269 s. 1000.05(4)(a), the institution shall be ineligible to receive 270 performance funding during the next fiscal year following the 271 year in which the violation is substantiated. Substantiated 272 findings are those as determined by a court of law, a standing 273 committee of the Legislature, or the Board of Governors. 274 Section 7. Paragraph (g) of subsection (2) of section 275 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 12 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 1003.42, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (w) is 276 added to that subsection, to read: 277 1003.42 Required instruction.— 278 (2) Members of the instructional staff of the public 279 schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education 280 and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and 281 faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the 282 highest standards for professionalism and historical accuracy, 283 following the prescribed courses of study, and employing 284 approved methods of instruction, the following: 285 (g)1. The history of the Holocaust (1933-1945), the 286 systematic, planned annihilation of European Jews and other 287 groups by Nazi Germany, a watershed event in the history of 288 humanity, to be taught in a manner that leads to an 289 investigation of human behavior, an understanding of the 290 ramifications of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping, and an 291 examination of what it means to be a responsible and respectful 292 person, for the purposes of encouraging tolerance of diversity 293 in a pluralistic society and for nurturing and protecting 294 democratic values and institutions, including the policy, 295 definition, and historical and current examples of antisemitism, 296 as described in s. 1000.05(7) s. 1000.05(8), and the prevention 297 of antisemitism. Each school district must annually certify and 298 provide evidence to the department, in a manner prescribed by 299 the department, that the requirements of this paragraph are met. 300 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 13 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S The department shall prepare and offer standards and curriculum 301 for the instruction required by this paragraph and may seek 302 input from the Commissioner of Education's Task Force on 303 Holocaust Education or from any state or nationally recognized 304 Holocaust educational organizations. The department may contract 305 with any state or nationally recognized Holocaust educational 306 organizations to develop training for instructional personnel 307 and grade-appropriate classroom resources to support the 308 developed curriculum. 309 2. The second week in November shall be designated as 310 "Holocaust Education Week" in this state in recognition that 311 November is the anniversary of Kristallnacht, widely recognized 312 as a precipitating event that led to the Holocaust. 313 (w) The study of LGBTQ history in Florida and the LGBTQ 314 community's contributions to the United States, which may 315 include important United States Supreme Court cases such as 316 Obergefell v. Hodges and United States v. Windsor; the Florida 317 Legislative Investigation Committee; and the tragedy at Pulse 318 Nightclub. 319 320 The State Board of Education is encouraged to adopt standards 321 and pursue assessment of the requirements of this subsection. 322 Instructional programming that incorporates the values of the 323 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor and that is 324 offered as part of a social studies, English Language Arts, or 325 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 14 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S other schoolwide character building and veteran awareness 326 initiative meets the requirements of paragraph (u). 327 Section 8. Paragraph (e) of subsection (2) of section 328 1004.04, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 329 1004.04 Public accountability and state approval for 330 teacher preparation programs.— 331 (2) UNIFORM CORE CURRICULA AND CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT.— 332 (e) Teacher preparation program courses: 333 1. May not distort significant historical events or 334 include a curriculum or instruction that teaches identity 335 politics, violates s. 1000.05, or is based on theories that 336 systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent 337 in the institutions of the United States and were created to 338 maintain social, political, and economic inequities. 339 2. Must afford candidates the opportunity to think 340 critically, achieve mastery of academic program content, learn 341 instructional strategies, and demonstrate competence. 342 Section 9. Subsection (4) of section 1004.06, Florida 343 Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (3), and subsections (2) 344 and (3) of that section are amended to read: 345 1004.06 Prohibited expenditures.— 346 (2) A Florida College System institution, state 347 university, Florida College System institution direct-support 348 organization, or state university direct-support organization 349 may, and is encouraged to, develop programs and campus 350 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 15 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S activities anchored in the principles of diversity, equity, and 351 inclusion. Programs and campus activities may not expend any 352 state or federal funds to promote, support, or maintain any such 353 programs or campus activities that: 354 (a) Violate s. 1000.05; or 355 (b) Advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, or 356 promote or engage in political or social activism, as defined by 357 rules of the State Board of Education and regulations of the 358 Board of Governors. 359 360 Student fees to support student-led organizations are permitted 361 notwithstanding any speech or expressive activity by such 362 organizations which would otherwise violate this subsection, 363 provided that the public funds must be allocated to student-led 364 organizations pursuant to written policies or regulations of 365 each Florida College System institution or state university, as 366 applicable. Use of institution facilities by student-led 367 organizations is permitted notwithstanding any speech or 368 expressive activity by such organizations which would otherwise 369 violate this subsection, provided that such use must be granted 370 to student-led organizations pursuant to written policies or 371 regulations of each Florida College System institution or state 372 university, as applicable. 373 (3) Subsection (2) does not prohibit programs, campus 374 activities, or functions required for compliance with general or 375 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 16 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S federal laws or regulations; for obtaining or retaining 376 institutional or discipline-specific accreditation with the 377 approval of either the State Board of Education or the Board of 378 Governors; or for access programs for military veterans, Pell 379 Grant recipients, first generation college students, 380 nontraditional students, "2+2" transfer students from the 381 Florida College System, students from low-income families, or 382 students with unique abilities. 383 Section 10. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 384 1004.85, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 385 1004.85 Postsecondary educator preparation institutes.— 386 (2)(a) Postsecondary institutions that are accredited or 387 approved as described in State Board of Education rule may seek 388 approval from the Department of Education to create educator 389 preparation institutes for the purpose of providing any or all 390 of the following: 391 1. Professional learning instruction to assist teachers in 392 improving classroom instruction and in meeting certification or 393 recertification requirements. 394 2. Instruction to assist potential and existing substitute 395 teachers in performing their duties. 396 3. Instruction to assist paraprofessionals in meeting 397 education and training requirements. 398 4. Instruction for baccalaureate degree holders to become 399 certified teachers as provided in this section in order to 400 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 17 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S increase routes to the classroom for professionals who hold a 401 baccalaureate degree and college graduates who were not 402 education majors. 403 5. Instruction and professional learning for part-time and 404 full-time nondegreed teachers of career programs under s. 405 1012.39(1)(c). 406 6. Instruction that does not distort significant 407 historical events or include a curriculum or instruction that 408 teaches identity politics, violates s. 1000.05, or is based on 409 theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege 410 are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were 411 created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities. 412 Courses and instruction within the educator preparation 413 institute must afford candidates the opportunity to think 414 critically, achieve mastery of academic program content, learn 415 instructional strategies, and demonstrate competence. 416 Section 11. Paragraphs (a) and (d) of subsection (2) of 417 section 1006.28, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 418 1006.28 Duties of district school board, district school 419 superintendent; and school principal regarding K-12 420 instructional materials.— 421 (2) DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD.—The district school board has 422 the constitutional duty and responsibility to select and provide 423 adequate instructional materials for all students in accordance 424 with the requirements of this part. The district school board 425 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 18 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S also has the following specific duties and responsibilities: 426 (a) Courses of study; adoption.—Adopt courses of study, 427 including instructional materials, for use in the schools of the 428 district. 429 1. Each district school board is responsible for the 430 content of all instructional materials and any other materials 431 used in a classroom, made available in a school or classroom 432 library, or included on a reading list, whether adopted and 433 purchased from the state-adopted instructional materials list, 434 adopted and purchased through a district instructional materials 435 program under s. 1006.283, or otherwise purchased or made 436 available. 437 2. Each district school board must adopt a policy 438 regarding an objection by a parent or a resident of the county 439 to the use of a specific material, which clearly describes a 440 process to handle all objections and provides for resolution. 441 The objection form, as prescribed by State Board of Education 442 rule, and the district school board's process must be easy to 443 read and understand and be easily accessible on the homepage of 444 the school district's website. The objection form must also 445 identify the school district point of contact and contact 446 information for the submission of an objection. The process must 447 provide the parent or resident the opportunity to proffer 448 evidence to the district school board that: 449 a. An instructional material does not meet the criteria of 450 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 19 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S s. 1006.31(2) or s. 1006.40(3)(c) if it was selected for use in 451 a course or otherwise made available to students in the school 452 district but was not subject to the public notice, review, 453 comment, and hearing procedures under s. 1006.283(2)(b)8., 9., 454 and 11. 455 b. Any material used in a classroom, made available in a 456 school or classroom library, or included on a reading list 457 contains content which: 458 (I) Is pornographic or prohibited under s. 847.012; 459 (II) Depicts or describes sexual conduct as defined in s. 460 847.001(19), unless such material is for a course required by s. 461 1003.46 or s. 1003.42(2)(o)1.g. or 3., or identified by State 462 Board of Education rule; 463 (III) Is not suited to student needs and their ability to 464 comprehend the material presented; or 465 (III)(IV) Is inappropriate for the grade level and age 466 group for which the material is used. 467 468 A resident of the county who is not the parent or guardian of a 469 student with access to school district materials may not object 470 to more than one material per month. The State Board of 471 Education may adopt rules to implement this provision. Any 472 material that is subject to an objection on the basis of sub- 473 sub-subparagraph b.(I) or sub-sub-subparagraph b.(II) must be 474 removed within 5 school days after receipt of the objection and 475 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 20 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S remain unavailable to students of that school until the 476 objection is resolved. Parents shall have the right to read 477 passages from any material that is subject to an objection. If 478 the school board denies a parent the right to read passages due 479 to content that meets the requirements under sub-sub- 480 subparagraph b.(I), the school district shall discontinue the 481 use of the material in the school district. If the district 482 school board finds that any material meets the requirements 483 under sub-subparagraph a. or that any other material contains 484 prohibited content under sub-sub-subparagraph b.(I), the school 485 district shall discontinue use of the material. If the district 486 school board finds that any other material contains prohibited 487 content under sub-sub-subparagraphs b.(II)-(IV), the school 488 district shall discontinue use of the material for any grade 489 level or age group for which such use is inappropriate or 490 unsuitable. 491 3. Each district school board must establish a process by 492 which the parent of a public school student or a resident of the 493 county may contest the district school board's adoption of a 494 specific instructional material. The parent or resident must 495 file a petition, on a form provided by the school board, within 496 30 calendar days after the adoption of the instructional 497 material by the school board. The school board must make the 498 form available to the public and publish the form on the school 499 district's website. The form must be signed by the parent or 500 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 21 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S resident, include the required contact information, and state 501 the objection to the instructional material based on the 502 criteria of s. 1006.31(2) or s. 1006.40(3)(c). Within 30 days 503 after the 30-day period has expired, the school board must, for 504 all petitions timely received, conduct at least one open public 505 hearing before an unbiased and qualified hearing officer. The 506 hearing officer may not be an employee or agent of the school 507 district. The hearing is not subject to the provisions of 508 chapter 120; however, the hearing must provide sufficient 509 procedural protections to allow each petitioner an adequate and 510 fair opportunity to be heard and present evidence to the hearing 511 officer. The school board's decision after convening a hearing 512 is final and not subject to further petition or review. 513 4. Meetings of committees convened for the purpose of 514 ranking, eliminating, or selecting instructional materials for 515 recommendation to the district school board must be noticed and 516 open to the public in accordance with s. 286.011. Any committees 517 convened for such purposes must include parents of students who 518 will have access to such materials. 519 5. Meetings of committees convened for the purpose of 520 resolving an objection by a parent or resident to specific 521 materials must be noticed and open to the public in accordance 522 with s. 286.011. Any committees convened for such purposes must 523 include parents of students who will have access to such 524 materials. 525 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 22 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 6. If a parent disagrees with the determination made by 526 the district school board on the objection to the use of a 527 specific material, a parent may request the Commissioner of 528 Education to appoint a special magistrate who is a member of The 529 Florida Bar in good standing and who has at least 5 years' 530 experience in administrative law. The special magistrate shall 531 determine facts relating to the school district's determination, 532 consider information provided by the parent and the school 533 district, and render a recommended decision for resolution to 534 the State Board of Education within 30 days after receipt of the 535 request by the parent. The State Board of Education must approve 536 or reject the recommended decision at its next regularly 537 scheduled meeting that is more than 7 calendar days and no more 538 than 30 days after the date the recommended decision is 539 transmitted. The costs of the special magistrate shall be borne 540 by the school district. The State Board of Education shall adopt 541 rules, including forms, necessary to implement this 542 subparagraph. 543 (d) School library media services; establishment and 544 maintenance.—Establish and maintain a program of school library 545 media services for all public schools in the district, including 546 school library media centers, or school library media centers 547 open to the public, and, in addition such traveling or 548 circulating libraries as may be needed for the proper operation 549 of the district school system. School librarians, media 550 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 23 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S specialists, and other personnel involved in the selection of 551 school district library materials must complete the training 552 program developed pursuant to s. 1006.29(6) before reviewing and 553 selecting age-appropriate materials and library resources. Upon 554 written request, a school district shall provide access to any 555 material or book specified in the request that is maintained in 556 a district school system library and is available for review. 557 1. Each book made available to students through a school 558 district library media center or included in a recommended or 559 assigned school or grade-level reading list must be selected by 560 a school district employee who holds a valid educational media 561 specialist certificate, regardless of whether the book is 562 purchased, donated, or otherwise made available to students. 563 2. Each district school board shall adopt procedures for 564 developing library media center collections and post the 565 procedures on the website for each school within the district. 566 School libraries may provide materials and information 567 presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. 568 Materials may not be proscribed or removed because of partisan 569 or doctrinal disapproval. The procedures must: 570 a. Require that book selections meet the criteria in s. 571 1006.40(3)(c). 572 b. Require consultation of reputable, professionally 573 recognized reviewing periodicals and school community 574 stakeholders. 575 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 24 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S c. Provide for library media center collections, including 576 classroom libraries, based on reader interest, support of state 577 academic standards and aligned curriculum, and the academic 578 needs of students and faculty. 579 d. Provide for the regular removal or discontinuance of 580 books based on, at a minimum, physical condition, rate of recent 581 circulation, alignment to state academic standards and relevancy 582 to curriculum, out-of-date content, and required removal 583 pursuant to subparagraph (a)2. 584 3. Each elementary school must publish on its website, in 585 a searchable format prescribed by the department, a list of all 586 materials maintained and accessible in the school library media 587 center or a classroom library or required as part of a school or 588 grade-level reading list. 589 4. Each district school board shall adopt and publish on 590 its website the process for a parent to limit his or her 591 student's access to materials in the school or classroom 592 library. 593 Section 12. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section 594 1007.25, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 595 1007.25 General education courses; common prerequisites; 596 other degree requirements.— 597 (3) The chair of the State Board of Education and the 598 chair of the Board of Governors, or their designees, shall 599 jointly appoint faculty committees to review and recommend to 600 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 25 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S the Articulation Coordinating Committee for approval by the 601 State Board of Education and the Board of Governors statewide 602 general education core course options for inclusion in the 603 statewide course numbering system established under s. 1007.24. 604 Faculty committees shall, by July 1, 2024, and by July 1 every 4 605 years thereafter, review and submit recommendations to the 606 Articulation Coordinating Committee and the commissioner for the 607 removal, alignment, realignment, or addition of general 608 education core courses that satisfy the requirements of this 609 subsection. 610 (c) General education core courses may not distort 611 significant historical events or include a curriculum that 612 teaches identity politics, violates s. 1000.05, or is based on 613 theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege 614 are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were 615 created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities. 616 Section 13. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 617 1012.551, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 618 1012.551 Teacher preparation core principles, standards, 619 and content.— 620 (2) The uniform core curricula for each state-approved 621 teacher preparation program must meet, at a minimum, the 622 following standards: 623 (a) May not distort significant historical events or 624 include curriculum or instruction that teaches identity 625 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 26 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S politics, violates s. 1000.05, or is based on theories that 626 systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent 627 in the institutions of the United States and were created to 628 maintain social, political, and economic inequities. 629 Section 14. Paragraph (c) of subsection (8) of section 630 1012.56, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as paragraph (b), and 631 paragraph (a) of subsection (7) and present paragraph (b) of 632 subsection (8) of that section are amended to read: 633 1012.56 Educator certification requirements.— 634 (7) TYPES AND TERMS OF CERTIFICATION.— 635 (a) The Department of Education shall issue a professional 636 certificate for a period not to exceed 5 years to any applicant 637 who fulfills one of the following: 638 1. Meets all the applicable requirements outlined in 639 subsection (2). 640 2. For a professional certificate covering grades 6 641 through 12: 642 a. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)- 643 (h). 644 b. Holds a master's or higher degree in the area of 645 science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. 646 c. Teaches a high school course in the subject of the 647 advanced degree. 648 d. Is rated highly effective as determined by the 649 teacher's performance evaluation under s. 1012.34, based in part 650 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 27 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S on student performance as measured by a statewide, standardized 651 assessment or an Advanced Placement, Advanced International 652 Certificate of Education, or International Baccalaureate 653 examination. 654 e. Achieves a passing score on the Florida professional 655 education competency examination required by state board rule. 656 3. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)- 657 (h) and completes a professional learning certification program 658 approved by the department pursuant to paragraph (8)(b) (8)(c) 659 or an educator preparation institute approved by the department 660 pursuant to s. 1004.85. An applicant who completes one of these 661 programs and is rated highly effective as determined by his or 662 her performance evaluation under s. 1012.34 is not required to 663 take or achieve a passing score on the professional education 664 competency examination in order to be awarded a professional 665 certificate. 666 667 At least 1 year before an individual's temporary certificate is 668 set to expire, the department shall electronically notify the 669 individual of the date on which his or her certificate will 670 expire and provide a list of each method by which the 671 qualifications for a professional certificate can be completed. 672 (8) PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.— 673 (b) Professional learning certification program courses: 674 1. May not distort significant historical events or 675 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 28 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S include curriculum or instruction that teaches identity 676 politics, violates s. 1000.05, or is based on theories that 677 systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent 678 in the institutions of the United States and were created to 679 maintain social, political, and economic inequities. 680 2. Must afford candidates the opportunity to think 681 critically, achieve mastery of academic program content, learn 682 instructional strategies, and demonstrate competence. 683 Section 15. Subsection (4) of section 1012.562, Florida 684 Statutes, is amended to read: 685 1012.562 Public accountability and state approval of 686 school leader preparation programs.—The Department of Education 687 shall establish a process for the approval of Level I and Level 688 II school leader preparation programs that will enable aspiring 689 school leaders to obtain their certificates in educational 690 leadership under s. 1012.56. School leader preparation programs 691 must be competency-based, aligned to the principal leadership 692 standards adopted by the state board, and open to individuals 693 employed by public schools, including charter schools and 694 virtual schools. Level I programs lead to initial certification 695 in educational leadership for the purpose of preparing 696 individuals to serve as school administrators. Level II programs 697 build upon Level I training and lead to renewal certification as 698 a school principal. 699 (4) PROGRAM PROHIBITIONS; REQUIREMENTS.— 700 HB 677 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb677-00 Page 29 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (a) School leader preparation programs may not distort 701 significant historical events or include curriculum or 702 instruction that teaches identity politics, violates s. 1000.05, 703 or is based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, 704 oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of 705 the United States and were created to maintain social, 706 political, and economic inequities. 707 (b) School leader preparation programs must afford 708 candidates the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of program 709 content, including instructional leadership strategies, coaching 710 development, school safety, and continuous improvement efforts. 711 Section 16. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 712