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. Such 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.