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