KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference at Tohopekaliga High School in Kissimmee Thursday morning.
DeSantis signed House Bill 1317 to help enhance the student experience and “provide resources by authorizing school districts to allow representatives of patriotic organizations to speak to students, distribute certain materials and provide opportunities for certain displays relating to the patriotic organizations,” according to the Florida Senate website.
“Faith leaders and civic organizations are important additional resources for students who may be facing challenges or need to build community and camaraderie,” said DeSantis. “I’m pleased to be able to expand the variety of options that students have at their disposal in school and we have no doubt that these options will enhance the experiences of our students.”
The bill also authorizes groups such as Big Brothers-Big Sisters of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Girl and Boy Scouts of America, the Marine Corps League, Navy Seals Cadet Corps and Little League Baseball to come into schools to make suggestions on what they’re about and why students should participate.
‘We want kids to remain active,” he said. “This bill really helps students be more involved in activities as opposed to being on their electronics all day.”
DeSantis also signed HB 931 which establishes a school-wide state chaplain program and will allow volunteer chaplains to provide additional support to students.
Districts would be required to notify parents of the presence of chaplains, their offered services and any religious association. Written parental consent would be mandatory for students to avail themselves of their services.
“HB 931 It’s purely voluntary,” said DeSantis when answering questions about the bill. “The chaplain program is going to be a reflection of the community.
“I’d like to thank Governor DeSantis for signing HB 1317,” said State Representative Berny Jacques in a news release from the governor’s office. “This is an important piece of legislation that allows patriotic organizations in our schools, organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters — a mentoring organization that I’ve been involved with for over 10 years, starting back when I was a young prosecutor. Big Brothers Big Sisters works well with many of our schools, but this legislation will help us double down on our efforts so kids will turn out to be productive members of society, and not as a file on a prosecutor’s desk.”
Local 10 News spoke with parents who said they didn’t mind chaplains on school grounds.
“I feel it should be an option if you want your kid to participate,” said parent Tamika Crawford. “If not, that’s OK too.
Students, however had a difference of opinion.
“That is not our main focus,” said student Samuel Patino. “Our main focus is our education, not our religion.”
“I personally am at school to learn so I am not going to be doing anything else,” said student Evrlon Leon.
HB 931 will go into law on July 1. The district will have until Jan. 1, 2025, to decide whether they’d like to participate in the program.
Local 10 News has reached out to both school districts in Miami-Dade and Broward counties to see how they’d participate. We are still waiting to hear back.
Watch the press conference here: