No. HB 491
Faith-based Content in Batterers' Intervention Programs
SPONSOR
Blanco; Johnson
FILED BY
Omar Blanco — District 115, Republican [search donations]
Chad Johnson — District 22, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
OFFICIAL RECORD
Filed under Criminal Justice.
PROVIDED SUMMARY
Faith-based Content in Batterers' Intervention Programs; Specifies that batterers' intervention programs may include faith-based activities, but may not require participation in such activities.
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATEDPermits optional faith-based activities in batterers' intervention programs.
Courts and program directors can now add faith-based activities to batterers' intervention programs.
These new activities must remain strictly optional for every participant.
Programs are explicitly forbidden from making faith-based participation a requirement.
This change takes effect on July 1, 2026, for all covered programs.
KEY PROVISIONS
AIAllows programs to offer faith-based activities, but forbids making them mandatory for participants.
“participation in such activities may not be required as part of the program.” bill text, line 18 →
TIMELINE
5/12/2026
Chapter No. 2026-71
5/11/2026
Approved by Governor
4/30/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/6/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/6/2026
In Messages
3/6/2026
Passed; YEAS 33 NAYS 1 -SJ 673
3/6/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 673
3/6/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 673
3/6/2026
Substituted for SB 624 -SJ 673
3/6/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/6/2026
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 673
3/3/2026
Received
3/3/2026
Referred to Rules
3/3/2026
In Messages
3/3/2026
Passed; YEAS 107, NAYS 2
3/3/2026
Read 3rd time
3/3/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
3/3/2026
Read 2nd time
2/26/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/3/2026)
2/3/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/3/2026
Bill released to House Calendar
2/3/2026
Reported out of Health & Human Services Committee
2/3/2026
Favorable by Health & Human Services Committee
1/30/2026
Added to Health & Human Services Committee agenda
1/22/2026
Now in Health & Human Services Committee
1/22/2026
Reported out of Judiciary Committee
1/22/2026
Favorable by Judiciary Committee
1/20/2026
Added to Judiciary Committee agenda
1/14/2026
Now in Judiciary Committee
1/14/2026
Reported out of Human Services Subcommittee
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/13/2026
Favorable by Human Services Subcommittee
1/9/2026
Added to Human Services Subcommittee agenda
11/24/2025
Now in Human Services Subcommittee
11/24/2025
Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
11/24/2025
Referred to Judiciary Committee
11/24/2025
Referred to Human Services Subcommittee
11/19/2025
Filed
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 741.325
+24 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES