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SB 1072
First Engrossed
20261072e1
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to the Antisemitism Task Force;
3 creating s. 16.571, F.S.; creating the Antisemitism
4 Task Force adjunct to the Office of Civil Rights
5 within the Department of Legal Affairs for a specified
6 purpose; requiring the department to provide
7 administrative and staff support to the task force;
8 providing for appointment and terms of task force
9 members; providing for per diem and travel expenses;
10 requiring the task force to meet quarterly;
11 authorizing more frequent meetings at the call of the
12 co-chairs; providing duties of the task force;
13 requiring the task force to annually submit a report
14 and policy recommendations to the Governor and the
15 Legislature by a specified date; specifying that the
16 term “antisemitism” does not include certain criticism
17 of the state of Israel; providing construction;
18 providing for future repeal; providing an effective
19 date.
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21 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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23 Section 1. Section 16.571, Florida Statutes, is created to
24 read:
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16.571
Antisemitism Task Force.—
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(1)
The Antisemitism Task Force, a task force as defined in
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s. 20.03(5), is created adjunct to the Office of Civil Rights
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within the Department of Legal Affairs for the express purpose
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of combating antisemitism in this state. Except as otherwise
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provided in this section, the task force shall operate in a
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manner consistent with s. 20.052. The department shall provide
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administrative and staff support relating to the functions of
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the task force.
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(2)(a)
The task force is composed of the following members:
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1.
Three members appointed by the President of the Senate,
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one of whom must be a representative of a Jewish community
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organization in this state and one of whom must have expertise
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in combating antisemitism. The President of the Senate shall
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designate one of his or her appointees as co-chair of the task
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force.
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2.
Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of
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Representatives, one of whom must be a representative of a
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Jewish community organization in this state and one of whom must
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have expertise in combating antisemitism. The Speaker of the
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House of Representatives shall designate one of his or her
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appointees as co-chair of the task force.
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3.
One member of the Senate, appointed by the Minority
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Leader of the Senate.
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4.
One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by
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the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
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5.
Two members appointed by the Governor, one of whom must
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have legal expertise in civil rights law.
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6.
The Attorney General or his or her designee.
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7.
The Commissioner of Education or his or her designee.
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8.
The chair of the Florida Commission on Human Relations
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or his or her designee.
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9.
One member appointed by the Florida Association of
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Counties.
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10.
One member appointed by the Florida League of Cities.
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11.
One member appointed by the Florida Prosecuting
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Attorneys Association.
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12.
One member appointed by the Florida Police Chiefs
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Association.
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13.
One member appointed by the Florida Association of
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District School Superintendents.
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(b)
Members of the task force shall serve 2-year terms. A
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vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term
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in the same manner as the original appointment.
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(c)
Members of the task force shall serve without
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compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for per diem and
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travel expenses in accordance with s. 112.061.
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(3)
The task force shall hold its first meeting by August
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1, 2026. The task force shall convene at least once quarterly
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but, at the call of the co-chairs, may meet more often as
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necessary to complete the duties prescribed in this section.
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(4)
The task force shall:
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(a)
Identify and acknowledge the growing threat of
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antisemitism in this state by conducting a comprehensive review
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of the prevalence of antisemitism within this state.
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(b)
Strengthen community relations by identifying and
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creating opportunities for new connections between state and
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local governments and local Jewish communities.
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(c)
Engage with local Jewish communities and provide public
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officials across this state with recommendations and support for
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combating antisemitism.
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(d)
Advise on training programs for law enforcement
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relating to the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.
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(e)
Assess existing state programs relating to education in
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digital media literacy, including identifying educational gaps,
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studying education efficacy, and planning for enhanced
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educational offerings.
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(f)
Identify best practices from efforts to combat
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antisemitism in other states and jurisdictions.
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(g)
Evaluate this state’s hate crime statutes and consider
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whether amendments thereto would better protect residents from
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antisemitism.
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(h)
Recommend strategies, programs, and legislation to
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combat antisemitism in this state. The initial report provided
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pursuant to paragraph (i) shall examine antisemitism in schools
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and universities.
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(i)
Before January 31 of each year, submit a report and
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policy recommendations to the Governor, the President of the
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Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the
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Minority Leader of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the House
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of Representatives, the chair of the Judiciary Committee of the
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Senate, and the chair of the Security and Threat Assessment
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Committee of the House of Representatives.
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(5)
For the purposes of the task force, the term
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“antisemitism” does not include criticism of Israel which is
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similar to criticism of any other country.
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(6)
This section may not be construed to diminish or
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infringe upon any right protected under the First Amendment to
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the United States Constitution or to conflict with federal or
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state antidiscrimination laws.
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(7)
In accordance with s. 20.052(8), this section is
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repealed October 2, 2029, unless reviewed and saved from repeal
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through reenactment by the Legislature.
118 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.