House Bill 1471 seeks to strengthen Florida's legal framework concerning terrorism and the designation of terrorist organizations. It introduces a new section, 2.05, which explicitly prohibits the application of religious or foreign law, particularly Sharia law, in ways that infringe upon constitutional rights. The bill defines "domestic terrorist organization" and sets forth criteria for their designation, focusing on activities that threaten public safety. It also amends existing laws to impose penalties for providing material support to these organizations and assigns the Chief of Domestic Security the responsibility of maintaining a list of designated entities.

The bill further revises definitions and penalties related to terrorism offenses, including membership in terrorist organizations and military-type training provided by them. It mandates that state agencies and educational institutions refrain from using public funds to support designated terrorist organizations and establishes procedures for the immediate expulsion of students involved with such groups. Additionally, the Chief of Domestic Security must notify the Cabinet before designating an organization as a terrorist entity, which can be challenged in court. The bill imposes strict penalties on students in public postsecondary institutions who promote these organizations, including expulsion and ineligibility for financial aid. Overall, HB 1471 aims to enhance Florida's ability to combat terrorism while ensuring the protection of constitutional rights.

Statutes affected:
H 1471 Filed: 775.34, 1004.06, 1009.01