HB 609 — Public Postsecondary Academic Freedom

Summary

Public Postsecondary Academic Freedom; Requires SBE & BOG to ensure FCS institutions & state universities, respectively, are free from political influence & interference in specified activities; removes prohibition against such boards shielding students, faculty, & staff from specified speech; provides that students & faculty in State University System & Florida College System have specified rights relating to academic freedom.

Bill Text

• Introduced H 609 Filed Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill revises provisions relating to academic freedom and free speech in Florida's public postsecondary institutions, removing certain protections and adding requirements for faculty negotiation of assignments.

• Section 1001.03

  2. "Shield" means to limit students', faculty members', or staff members' access to, or observation of, ideas and opinions that they may find uncomfortable, unwelcome, disagreeable, or offensive.

  The definition of "shield" has been removed, potentially allowing broader access to diverse ideas.

• Section 1001.03

  may not shield students, faculty, or staff at Florida College System institutions are from free from undue political influence and interference in academic affairs, including curriculum design, faculty appointments, research activities, and administrative operations speech protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, Art. I of the State Constitution, or s. 1004.097. → must ensure that students, faculty, or staff at Florida College System institutions are free from undue political influence and interference in academic affairs, including curriculum design, faculty appointments, research activities, and administrative operations.

  Clarifies the requirement for Florida College System institutions to remain free from political influence.

• Section 1001.706

  2. "Shield" means to limit students', faculty members', or staff members' access to, or observation of, ideas and opinions that they may find uncomfortable, unwelcome, disagreeable, or offensive.

  The definition of "shield" has been removed here as well.

• Section 1001.706

  may not shield students, faculty, or staff at state universities are from free from undue political influence and interference in academic affairs, including curriculum design, faculty appointments, research activities, and administrative operations speech protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, Art. I of the State Constitution, or s. 1004.97. → must ensure that students, faculty, or staff at state universities are free from undue political influence and interference in academic affairs, including curriculum design, faculty appointments, research activities, and administrative operations.

  Clarifies the requirement for state universities to remain free from political influence.

• 1004.022 Academic freedom.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, every student in the State University System and Florida College System has the unalienable right to pursue education access across all academic disciplines without governmental or institutional interference, including, but not limited to, a student's prerogative to select, drop, or change courses and areas of study without facing pressure or restrictions based on political or ideological grounds.

  Establishes a right for students to pursue education without interference based on political or ideological grounds.

• Section 1004.097

  A student may record video or audio of class lectures for his or her own personal educational use, in connection with a complaint to the public institution of higher education where the recording was made, or as evidence in, or in preparation for, a criminal or civil proceeding. A recorded lecture may not be published without the consent of the lecturer.

  Removes the provision allowing students to record lectures for personal use, limiting their ability to do so.

• Section 1004.097

  A person injured by a violation of this section may bring an action:

  Removes the ability for individuals to bring a cause of action related to violations of free speech rights in this context.

• 1012.802 Faculty assignments at public postsecondary education institutions.—(1) Each faculty member at a state university or Florida College System institution shall, at his or her discretion, negotiate his or her annual assignments with his or her department chair and academic officers. To maintain the professional autonomy of faculty members, the negotiation process must be free from interference by the state university's or Florida College System institution's board of trustees or any other governing body.

  Establishes a requirement for faculty to negotiate their assignments independently from external influence.

Action History

1. June 16, 2025

   Died in Education Administration Subcommittee

2. May 03, 2025

   Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration

3. March 04, 2025

   1st Reading (Original Filed Version)

4. February 19, 2025

   Now in Education Administration Subcommittee

5. February 19, 2025

   Referred to Education & Employment Committee

6. February 19, 2025

   Referred to Education Administration Subcommittee

7. February 13, 2025

   Filed

Sponsors

• Yvonne Hayes Hinson · Primary

Subjects