SB 1072 First Engrossed
20261072e1
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to the Antisemitism Task Force;
3 creating s. 16.571, F.S.; creating the Antisemitism
4 Task Force adjunct to the Office of Civil Rights
5 within the Department of Legal Affairs for a specified
6 purpose; requiring the department to provide
7 administrative and staff support to the task force;
8 providing for appointment and terms of task force
9 members; providing for per diem and travel expenses;
10 requiring the task force to meet quarterly;
11 authorizing more frequent meetings at the call of the
12 co-chairs; providing duties of the task force;
13 requiring the task force to annually submit a report
14 and policy recommendations to the Governor and the
15 Legislature by a specified date; specifying that the
16 term “antisemitism” does not include certain criticism
17 of the state of Israel; providing construction;
18 providing for future repeal; providing an effective
19 date.
20
21 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
22
23 Section 1. Section 16.571, Florida Statutes, is created to
24 read:
25 16.571 Antisemitism Task Force.—
26 (1) The Antisemitism Task Force, a task force as defined in
27 s. 20.03(5), is created adjunct to the Office of Civil Rights
28 within the Department of Legal Affairs for the express purpose
29 of combating antisemitism in this state. Except as otherwise
30 provided in this section, the task force shall operate in a
31 manner consistent with s. 20.052. The department shall provide
32 administrative and staff support relating to the functions of
33 the task force.
34 (2)(a) The task force is composed of the following members:
35 1. Three members appointed by the President of the Senate,
36 one of whom must be a representative of a Jewish community
37 organization in this state and one of whom must have expertise
38 in combating antisemitism. The President of the Senate shall
39 designate one of his or her appointees as co-chair of the task
40 force.
41 2. Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of
42 Representatives, one of whom must be a representative of a
43 Jewish community organization in this state and one of whom must
44 have expertise in combating antisemitism. The Speaker of the
45 House of Representatives shall designate one of his or her
46 appointees as co-chair of the task force.
47 3. One member of the Senate, appointed by the Minority
48 Leader of the Senate.
49 4. One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by
50 the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
51 5. Two members appointed by the Governor, one of whom must
52 have legal expertise in civil rights law.
53 6. The Attorney General or his or her designee.
54 7. The Commissioner of Education or his or her designee.
55 8. The chair of the Florida Commission on Human Relations
56 or his or her designee.
57 9. One member appointed by the Florida Association of
58 Counties.
59 10. One member appointed by the Florida League of Cities.
60 11. One member appointed by the Florida Prosecuting
61 Attorneys Association.
62 12. One member appointed by the Florida Police Chiefs
63 Association.
64 13. One member appointed by the Florida Association of
65 District School Superintendents.
66 (b) Members of the task force shall serve 2-year terms. A
67 vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term
68 in the same manner as the original appointment.
69 (c) Members of the task force shall serve without
70 compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for per diem and
71 travel expenses in accordance with s. 112.061.
72 (3) The task force shall hold its first meeting by August
73 1, 2026. The task force shall convene at least once quarterly
74 but, at the call of the co-chairs, may meet more often as
75 necessary to complete the duties prescribed in this section.
76 (4) The task force shall:
77 (a) Identify and acknowledge the growing threat of
78 antisemitism in this state by conducting a comprehensive review
79 of the prevalence of antisemitism within this state.
80 (b) Strengthen community relations by identifying and
81 creating opportunities for new connections between state and
82 local governments and local Jewish communities.
83 (c) Engage with local Jewish communities and provide public
84 officials across this state with recommendations and support for
85 combating antisemitism.
86 (d) Advise on training programs for law enforcement
87 relating to the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.
88 (e) Assess existing state programs relating to education in
89 digital media literacy, including identifying educational gaps,
90 studying education efficacy, and planning for enhanced
91 educational offerings.
92 (f) Identify best practices from efforts to combat
93 antisemitism in other states and jurisdictions.
94 (g) Evaluate this state’s hate crime statutes and consider
95 whether amendments thereto would better protect residents from
96 antisemitism.
97 (h) Recommend strategies, programs, and legislation to
98 combat antisemitism in this state. The initial report provided
99 pursuant to paragraph (i) shall examine antisemitism in schools
100 and universities.
101 (i) Before January 31 of each year, submit a report and
102 policy recommendations to the Governor, the President of the
103 Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the
104 Minority Leader of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the House
105 of Representatives, the chair of the Judiciary Committee of the
106 Senate, and the chair of the Security and Threat Assessment
107 Committee of the House of Representatives.
108 (5) For the purposes of the task force, the term
109 “antisemitism” does not include criticism of Israel which is
110 similar to criticism of any other country.
111 (6) This section may not be construed to diminish or
112 infringe upon any right protected under the First Amendment to
113 the United States Constitution or to conflict with federal or
114 state antidiscrimination laws.
115 (7) In accordance with s. 20.052(8), this section is
116 repealed October 2, 2029, unless reviewed and saved from repeal
117 through reenactment by the Legislature.
118 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.