The "Freedom to Learn Act," also known as House Bill 811, proposes significant amendments to Florida's education laws, primarily aimed at enhancing inclusivity in public school curricula. The bill repeals existing prohibitions against teaching concepts related to race, gender identity, and sexual orientation, while also removing guidelines that require school personnel to withhold information from parents about their children's mental and emotional health. It mandates the inclusion of LGBTQ history in school curricula, highlights significant events and contributions of the LGBTQ community, and designates the second week of November as "Holocaust Education Week." The bill encourages educational institutions to develop programs based on diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.

In addition to these inclusivity measures, the bill makes substantial deletions to existing laws regarding teacher preparation programs and instructional materials. It removes restrictions on the teaching of identity politics, systemic racism, and related theories, while also streamlining the process for parents to contest instructional materials. The bill modifies accountability measures for state universities, eliminating penalties related to performance funding for violations of the amended provisions. Furthermore, it allows for greater flexibility in instructional materials and classroom libraries, ensuring diverse viewpoints can be presented. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 811 Filed: 1000.05, 1001.42, 1001.706, 1001.92, 1003.42, 1004.04, 1004.85, 1007.25, 1012.562