Read the full stored bill text
Florida Senate
-
2026
SB 1472
By
Senator Bernard
24-01454A-26 20261472__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to required instruction; amending s.
3 1003.42, F.S.; providing requirements for instruction
4 on the study of Hispanic contributions to the United
5 States; providing an effective date.
6
7 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
8
9 Section 1. Paragraph (q) of subsection (2) of section
10 1003.42, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
11 1003.42 Required instruction.—
12 (2) Members of the instructional staff of the public
13 schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education
14 and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and
15 faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the
16 highest standards for professionalism and historical accuracy,
17 following the prescribed courses of study, and employing
18 approved methods of instruction, the following:
19 (q) The study of Hispanic contributions to the United
20 States.
Su
ch instruction must include:
21
1. For grades K through 2, Hispanic American holidays,
22
symbols, and traditions; Hispanic Americans who have made
23
significant contributions to the country; how Hispanic Americans
24
fit into the broader American social fabric; and the importance
25
of respect, fairness, and kindness to all people.
26
2. For grades 3 through 5, Spanish exploration of the New
27
World; the role of Hispanic leaders in the defense of the United
28
States; influences of Hispanic culture in American life;
29
Hispanic Americans who have excelled in the arts and sciences,
30
business, and education; Hispanic Americans who have
31
demonstrated perseverance, courage, and civic responsibility;
32
and how fairness, hard work, and equality strengthen democracy.
33
3. For grades 6 through 8, the impact of Spanish
34
colonization and Hispanic communities on the growth of the
35
United States; how United States expansion affected Hispanic
36
populations; Hispanic contributions during significant periods
37
of United States history; how Hispanic Americans overcame
38
barriers to achieve equality and opportunity; how
Hispanic
39
American
experiences reflect the nation’s founding principles of
40
liberty and equality; how prejudice, racism, and stereotyping
41
limit individual freedoms; and how recognition of freedoms helps
42
overturn unjust laws.
43
4. For grades 9 through 12, the role of Hispanic people in
44
United States
exploration, colonization, and expansion;
Hispanic
45
American
participation in major
United States
conflicts
;
46
Hispanic American
contributions to
United States
economic
47
growth
;
the influence of Hispanic leaders in advancing civil
48
rights
;
Hispanic American
contributions
to art, music,
49
literature, science, and education
;
how Hispanic identity has
50
evolved within American society
;
how hard work, merit, and
51
responsibility align with the pursuit of happiness and success
;
52
instances where Hispanic Americans’ freedoms were infringed
upon
53
and how those injustices were addressed
;
Hispanic American
54
contributions to civic life and governance
; and
stories of
55
Hispanic Americans who prospered through perseverance and
56
innovation
.
57
58 The State Board of Education is encouraged to adopt standards
59 and pursue assessment of the requirements of this subsection.
60 Instructional programming that incorporates the values of the
61 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor and that is
62 offered as part of a social studies, English Language Arts, or
63 other schoolwide character building and veteran awareness
64 initiative meets the requirements of paragraph (u).
65 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.