HB0147 • 2026

Oaths of Classroom Teachers

Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Fabricio
Last action: 2026-03-13
Official status: House - Died in Student Academic Success Subcommittee
Effective date: 2026-07-01

Plain English Breakdown

The official status shows a conflict: metadata says 'Passed Legislature,' but the last action listed is 'Died in Student Academic Success Subcommittee.' The effective date of July 1, 2026, suggests it may have passed later or been refiled, but this explanation relies only on the text provided.

Oaths for Classroom Teachers

This bill requires classroom teachers in Florida to sign a specific oath before starting their job duties.

What This Bill Does

Creates a new law requiring classroom teachers to take an official oath.
Requires the oath to be signed before a teacher begins working with students.
Sets rules for what must be included in the text of the oath, including promises about supporting constitutions and acting nonpartisanly.

Who It Names or Affects

Persons employed as classroom teachers in Florida

Terms To Know

Oath: A formal promise or pledge to follow certain rules, which the teacher must sign.
Nonpartisan: Not supporting any specific political party; teachers must perform duties in this manner according to the oath.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill defines 'classroom teacher' by referring to another law (Section 1012.01(2)(a)), but does not list that definition here.
The text does not say what happens if a teacher refuses to sign the oath.

Bill History

2026-03-13 House
• Died in Student Academic Success Subcommittee
2026-01-13 House
• 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
2025-10-21 House
• Referred to Student Academic Success Subcommittee • Referred to Education & Employment Committee • Now in Student Academic Success Subcommittee
2025-10-13 House
• Filed

Official Summary Text

Oaths of Classroom Teachers; Requires persons employed as classroom teachers to take specified oath before entering upon duties of classroom teacher; & provides requirements for such oath.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB 147 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb147-00
Page 1 of 2
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 oaths of classroom teachers; 2
creating s. 1012.591, F.S.; requiring persons employed 3
as classroom teachers to take a specified oath before 4
entering upon the duties of a classroom teacher; 5
providing requirements for such oath; providing an 6
effective date. 7
8
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 9
10
Section 1. Section 1012.591, Florida Statutes, is created 11
to read: 12
1012.591 Oath of classroom teachers.—Before entering upon 13
the duties of a classroom teacher, as defined in s. 14
1012.01(2)(a), each person employed as a classroom teacher shall 15
subscribe to the following oath: "I do solemnly swear (or 16
affirm) that I will support, protect, and defend the 17
Constitution and Government of the United States and the 18
Constitution and Government of the State of Florida; that I am 19
duly qualified for employment as a classroom teacher in this 20
state; that I will well and faithfully perform the duties of a 21
classroom teacher in a professional, independent, objective, and 22
nonpartisan manner; that I will uphold the highest standards of 23
academic integrity and professional ethics; that I will foster a 24
respectful learning environment for all students, which promotes 25

HB 147 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb147-00
Page 2 of 2
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

critical thinking, civic responsibility, and lifelong learning; 26
and that I will serve as a positive role model in both conduct 27
and character, so help me God." 28
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 29