SESSION WATCH
THE BILL ITSELF

HB 111

Antisemitism Task Force

VERSION H 111 Filed · BACK TO THE SUMMARY · OFFICIAL RECORD

underlined language is being added; struck language is being deleted. Line numbers are the Legislature's own — the same ones amendments cite.

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 within the Office of Civil Rights of the
5 Department of Legal Affairs for a specified purpose;
6 requiring the department to provide administrative and
7 staff support to the task force; providing for
8 appointment and terms of members; providing for per
9 diem and travel expenses; providing membership and
10 duties of the task force; requiring a report to the
11 Governor and the Legislature by a specified date;
12 providing for future review and repeal of the task
13 force; providing an effective date.
15 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
17 Section 1. Section 16.571, Florida Statutes, is created to
18 read:
19 16.571 Antisemitism Task Force.—
20 (1) The Antisemitism Task Force, a task force as defined
21 in s. 20.03(5), is created adjunct to the Office of Civil Rights
22 within the Department of Legal Affairs for the express purpose
23 of combating antisemitism in this state. Except as otherwise
24 provided in this section, the task force shall operate in a
25 manner consistent with s. 20.052. The department shall provide
26 administrative and staff support relating to the functions of
27 the task force.
28 (2)(a) The task force is composed of the following
29 members:
30 1. Three members appointed by the President of the Senate,
31 one of whom must be a representative of a Jewish community
32 organization in this state and one of whom must have expertise
33 in combating antisemitism. The President of the Senate shall
34 designate one of his or her appointees as co-chair of the task
35 force.
36 2. Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of
37 Representatives, one of whom must be a representative of a
38 Jewish community organization in this state and one of whom must
39 have expertise in combating antisemitism. The Speaker of the
40 House of Representatives shall designate one of his or her
41 appointees as co-chair of the task force.
42 3. One member of the Senate appointed by the Minority
43 Leader of the Senate.
44 4. One member of the House of Representatives appointed by
45 the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
46 5. Two members appointed by the Governor, one of whom must
47 have legal expertise in civil rights law.
48 6. The Attorney General or his or her designee.
49 7. The Commissioner of Education or his or her designee.
50 8. The chair of the Florida Commission on Human Relations
51 or his or her designee.
52 9. One member appointed by the Florida Association of
53 Counties.
54 10. One member appointed by the Florida League of Cities.
55 11. One member appointed by the Florida Prosecuting
56 Attorneys Association.
57 12. One member appointed by the Florida Police Chiefs
58 Association.
59 13. One member appointed by the Florida Association of
60 District School Superintendents.
61 (b) Members of the task force shall serve 2-year terms. A
62 vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term
63 in the same manner as the original appointment.
64 (c) Members of the task force shall serve without
65 compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for per diem and
66 travel expenses in accordance with s. 112.061.
67 (3) The task force shall hold its first meeting by August
68 1, 2026. The task force shall convene at least once quarterly
69 but may meet more often as necessary to complete the duties
70 prescribed in this section.
71 (4) The task force shall:
72 (a) Identify and acknowledge the growing threat of
73 antisemitism in this state by conducting a comprehensive review
74 of the prevalence of antisemitism within this state.
75 (b) Strengthen community relations by identifying and
76 creating opportunities for new connections between state and
77 local governments and the local Jewish community.
78 (c) Engage with the community and provide public officials
79 across this state with recommendations and support for combating
80 antisemitism.
81 (d) Advise on training programs for law enforcement
82 relating to the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.
83 (e) Assess existing state programs relating to education
84 in digital media literacy, including identifying educational
85 gaps, studying education efficacy, and planning for enhanced
86 educational offerings.
87 (f) Identify best practices from efforts to combat
88 antisemitism in other states and jurisdictions.
89 (g) Evaluate this state's hate crime statutes and consider
90 whether amendments thereto would better protect residents from
91 antisemitism.
92 (h) Recommend strategies, programs, and legislation to
93 combat antisemitism in this state. The initial report provided
94 pursuant to paragraph (i) shall examine antisemitism in schools
95 and universities.
96 (i) Before January 31 of each year, submit a report and
97 policy recommendations to the Governor, the President of the
98 Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the
99 Minority Leader of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the House
100 of Representatives, the chair of the Judiciary Committee of the
101 Senate, and the chair of the Security and Threat Assessment
102 Committee of the House of Representatives.
103 (5) In accordance with s. 20.052(8), this section is
104 repealed October 2, 2029, unless reviewed and saved from repeal
105 through reenactment by the Legislature.
106 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.