Florida legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Florida H835: Freedom of Speech and Religious Expression in Public Schools
Status: Failed, March 13, 2026
Prohibits school district from discriminating against students or school personnel on basis of political or ideological viewpoints or expression; prohibits penalty or reward for student's political or ideological expression in coursework, artwork, or other specified assignments; authorizes student to wear clothing, accessories, & jewelry displaying political or ideological messages or symbols; authorizes student to engage in political or ideological activities or expression; authorizes student to organize political or ideological groups, clubs, & other gatherings; requires that school district provide political or ideological groups with equal access to school facilities; authorizes political or ideological groups to advertise or announce meetings in same manner & to same extent as other groups; requires that DOE develop & publish model policy regarding limited public forum & political or ideological expression; creates private cause of action for persons & student organizations harmed by specified violations; provides for specified awards to such persons & organizations; authorizes such persons & organizations to use specified violations as defense or counterclaim; provides applicability; requires such actions to be brought within specified period of time; provides that state waives specified immunity; provides school district liability.
What the bill says
An act relating to freedom of speech and religious expression in public schools; amending s. 1002.206, F.S.; prohibiting a school district from discriminating against students or school personnel on the basis of political or ideological viewpoints or expression; prohibiting penalty or reward for a student's political or ideological expression in coursework, artwork, or other specified assignments; authorizing a student to wear clothing, accessories, and jewelry displaying political or ideological messages or symbols…
From the introduced text, December 18, 2025:
A bill to be entitled An act relating to freedom of speech and religious expression in public schools; amending s. 1002.206, F.S.; prohibiting a school district from discriminating against students or school personnel on the basis of political or ideological viewpoints or expression; prohibiting penalty or reward for a student's political or ideological expression in coursework, artwork, or other specified assignments; authorizing a student to wear clothing, accessories, and jewelry displaying political or ideological messages or symbols; authorizing a student to engage in political or ideological activities or expression; authorizing a student to organize political or ideological groups, clubs, and other gatherings; requiring that a school district provide political or ideological groups with equal access to school facilities; authorizing political or ideological groups to advertise or announce meetings in the same manner and to the same extent as other groups; requiring that the Department of Education develop and publish a model policy regarding a limited public forum and political or ideological expression; providing construction; creating a private cause of action for persons and student clubs or groups harmed words underlined are additions. hb835-00 FLORIDAHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES HB 835 2026 by specified violations; providing for specified awards to such persons and clubs or groups; authorizing such persons and clubs or groups to use specified violations as a defense or counterclaim under certain circumstances; …
Sponsors
- Borrero, David (R, HD-111) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Died in Student Academic Success Subcommittee
- : 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
- : Now in Student Academic Success Subcommittee
- : Referred to Education & Employment Committee
- : Referred to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
- : Referred to Student Academic Success Subcommittee
- : Filed
Common questions
- What is H835?
- H835 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Freedom of Speech and Religious Expression in Public Schools.
- What does H835 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to freedom of speech and religious expression in public schools; amending s. 1002.206, F.S.; prohibiting a school district from discriminating against students or school personnel on the basis of political or ideological viewpoints or expression; prohibiting penalty or reward for a student's political or ideological expression in coursework, artwork, or other specified assignments; authorizing a student to wear clothing, accessories, and jewelry displaying political or ideological messages or symbols…
- What is the status of H835?
- Failed as of March 13, 2026. Latest action: Died in Student Academic Success Subcommittee (March 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored H835?
- Borrero, David (R, HD-111).
- Where is the official record for H835?
- On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/835
Source: official Florida record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.