Florida legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Florida H127: Required Instruction in Cursive Writing
Status: Failed, March 13, 2026
Requires students in specified grades to receive instruction in cursive writing; provides requirements for such instruction; requires students to demonstrate proficiency in cursive writing by end of specified grade; defines "proficiency in cursive writing".
What the bill says
An act relating to required instruction in cursive writing; amending s. 1003.42, F.S.; requiring students in specified grades to receive instruction in cursive writing; providing requirements for such instruction; requiring students to demonstrate proficiency in cursive writing by the end of a specified grade; defining the term "proficiency in cursive writing"; providing an effective date.
From the introduced text, October 8, 2025:
A bill to be entitled An act relating to required instruction in cursive writing; amending s. 1003.42, F.S.; requiring students in specified grades to receive instruction in cursive writing; providing requirements for such instruction; requiring students to demonstrate proficiency in cursive writing by the end of a specified grade; defining the term "proficiency in cursive writing"; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Paragraph (w) is added to subsection (2) of section 1003.42, Florida Statutes, to read: 1003.42 Required instruction.-- (2) Members of the instructional staff of the public schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the highest standards for professionalism and historical accuracy, following the prescribed courses of study, and employing approved methods of instruction, the following: (w)1. For students in grades 2 through 5, the study of cursive writing and the development of the skills necessary for legible cursive writing, including: words underlined are additions. hb127-00 FLORIDAHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES HB 127 2026 a. Letter formation. b. Proper spacing and alignment. c. Practice in writing complete words and sentences in cursive. 2. By the end of grade 5, each student must demonstrate proficiency in cursive writing through an evaluation …
Sponsors
- Overdorf, Toby (R, HD-085) · primary sponsor
- Trabulsy, Dana (R, HD-084) · primary sponsor
- Benarroch, Yvette (R, HD-081)
- Blanco, Omar (R, HD-115)
- Booth (R, 35)
- Booth, Erika (R, HD-035)
- Cobb, Nan (R, HD-026)
- Gossett-Seidman, Peggy (R, HD-091)
- Kendall, Kim (R, HD-018)
- Kendall (R, 18)
- Melo, Lauren (R, HD-082)
- Michael (R, 16)
Latest actions
- : Died in Rules, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 182 (Ch. 2026-33)
- : Received
- : Referred to Rules
- : In Messages
- : Passed; YEAS 111, NAYS 0
- : Read 3rd time
- : Added to Third Reading Calendar
- : Read 2nd time
- : Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/4/2026)
- : Added to Second Reading Calendar
Votes
- House: H 127 Filed (February 4, 2026): 111 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Education & Employment Committee (January 22, 2026): 17 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Education & Employment Committee (January 22, 2026): 17 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Student Academic Success Subcommittee (November 18, 2025): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Student Academic Success Subcommittee (November 18, 2025): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Rules
Common questions
- What is H127?
- H127 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Required Instruction in Cursive Writing.
- What does H127 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to required instruction in cursive writing; amending s. 1003.42, F.S.; requiring students in specified grades to receive instruction in cursive writing; providing requirements for such instruction; requiring students to demonstrate proficiency in cursive writing by the end of a specified grade; defining the term "proficiency in cursive writing"; providing an effective date.
- What is the status of H127?
- Failed as of March 13, 2026. Latest action: Died in Rules, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 182 (Ch. 2026-33) (March 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored H127?
- Overdorf, Toby (R, HD-085), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H127?
- On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/127
Source: official Florida record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.