HB 835 Florida House · 2026 Regular Session

Freedom of Speech and Religious Expression in Public Schools

Summary
Freedom of Speech and Religious Expression in Public Schools; Prohibits school district from discriminating against students or school personnel on basis of political or ideological viewpoints or expression; prohibits penalty or reward for student's political or ideological expression in coursework, artwork, or other specified assignments; authorizes student to wear clothing, accessories, & jewelry displaying political or ideological messages or symbols; authorizes student to engage in political or ideological activities or expression; authorizes student to organize political or ideological groups, clubs, & other gatherings; requires that school district provide political or ideological groups with equal access to school facilities; authorizes political or ideological groups to advertise or announce meetings in same manner & to same extent as other groups; requires that DOE develop & publish model policy regarding limited public forum & political or ideological expression; creates private cause of action for persons & student organizations harmed by specified violations; provides for specified awards to such persons & organizations; authorizes such persons & organizations to use specified violations as defense or counterclaim; provides applicability; requires such actions to be brought within specified period of time; provides that state waives specified immunity; provides school district liability.
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 18, 2025 Last action Mar 13, 2026
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
1
Committee
4
Jan 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Now in Student Academic Success Subcommittee
lower
Jan 5, 2026
Committee
Referred to Education & Employment Committee
lower
Jan 5, 2026
Committee
Referred to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
lower
Jan 5, 2026
Committee
Referred to Student Academic Success Subcommittee
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of David Borrero
David Borrero
RRepublican
FL
111