THE BILL ITSELF
SB 430
Oaths of School Personnel
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 430 By Senator Yarborough 4-00518A-26 2026430__
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A bill to be entitled
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An act relating to oaths of school personnel; creating
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s. 1012.591, F.S.; requiring specified persons
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employed as members of school personnel to take a
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specified oath before entering upon the duties of a
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member of the school personnel; creating s. 1012.802,
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F.S.; requiring persons employed in an administrative
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or instructional capacity at a Florida College System
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institution or state university to take a specified
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oath before entering upon the duties of a person
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employed in an administrative or instructional
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capacity; 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. Section 1012.591, Florida Statutes, is created
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to read:
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1012.591 Oath of school personnel.—Before entering upon the
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duties of a member of the instructional or administrative
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personnel as defined in s. 1012.01(2) and (3), respectively, or
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of a prekindergarten instructor as defined in s. 1002.51(6), a
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person must subscribe to the following oath:
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I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support,
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protect, and defend the Constitution and Government of
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the United States and the Constitution and Government
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of the State of Florida; that I am duly qualified for
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employment as a member of the school personnel in this
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state; that I will well and faithfully perform the
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duties of a member of the school personnel in a
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professional, independent, objective, and nonpartisan
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manner; that I will uphold the highest standards of
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academic integrity and professional ethics; that I
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will foster a respectful learning environment for all
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students which promotes critical thinking, civic
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responsibility, and lifelong learning; and that I will
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serve as a positive role model in both conduct and
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character, so help me God.
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Section 2. Section 1012.802, Florida Statutes, is created
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to read:
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1012.802 Oath of administrative and instructional
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employees.—Before entering upon the duties of a person employed
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in an administrative or instructional capacity of a Florida
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College System institution or state university, a person
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employed in such capacity must subscribe to the following oath:
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I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support,
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protect, and defend the Constitution and Government of
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the United States and the Constitution and Government
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of the State of Florida; that I am duly qualified as a
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person employed in an administrative or instructional
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capacity in this state; that I will well and
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faithfully perform the duties of a person employed in
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an administrative or instructional capacity in a
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professional, independent, objective, and nonpartisan
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manner; that I will uphold the highest standards of
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academic integrity and professional ethics; that I
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will foster a respectful learning environment for all
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students which promotes critical thinking, civic
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responsibility, and lifelong learning; and that I will
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serve as a positive role model in both conduct and
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character, so help me God.
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Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.