Legislation Filed to Restore Freedom in Education, Healthcare

Legislation Filed to Restore Freedom in Education, Healthcare

Bills Respond to Trend of Intrusion and Overreach During DeSantis Administration

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Today, lawmakers filed a suite of bills responding to recent policies promoted by Governor DeSantis that undermine personal rights and freedom, particularly in education and healthcare. The bills would protect Floridians and their families from government intrusion and overreach that have become a hallmark of the Governor’s tenure.

“Floridians should be trusted to make their own informed decisions about their healthcare and education based on professional expertise and personal needs,” said Jon Harris Maurer, Equality Florida's Public Policy Director. “Instead of focusing on real issues like affordability, the Governor and his administration continue inserting themselves into private decision-making when they see a political opportunity. Floridians deserve better."

Senator Shevrin Jones and Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani filed the “Health Care Freedom Act” (Senate Bill 782, House Bill 681), and Senator Tracie Davis and Representative Angie Nixon filed the “Freedom to Learn Act” (Senate Bill 790, House Bill 677) to undo the many harms DeSantis inflicted upon Floridians.

“Access to health care is something we should expand, not restrict through out-of-touch policies,” said Representative Eskamani. “Extreme politicians have inserted themselves into the most personal health care decisions of Floridians — limiting options, creating barriers, and undermining our freedom to choose what’s best for ourselves and our families. The Health Care Freedom Act reaffirms that every Floridian deserves the right to make personal, potentially life-saving health care decisions without political interference or ideological control.”

The Health Care Freedom Act restores healthcare autonomy for a range of Floridians. The legislation repeals the near-total 6-Week Abortion Ban (HB 300 (2023)), restoring abortion access up until the start of the third trimester, and repeals numerous discriminatory restrictions on essential medical care for transgender Floridians, renewing access to care supported by leading medical authorities like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association. It also repeals provisions of the “License to Discriminate in Health Care” law (SB 1580 (2023)) that allow health care providers and insurers to refuse to provide any service or coverage based on personal “religious, moral, or ethical” preferences. Additionally, it increases transparency for patients by requiring patient notification in circumstances where a provider declines to perform certain services and removes a requirement for emergency rooms to inquire about immigration status.

Senator Jones added, “This is about protecting patients, their decision-making, and aligning our policies with the value of freedom that we all share. This will remove discriminatory barriers to care and end political interference in Floridians’ personal medical decisions.”

The Freedom to Learn Act seeks to safeguard academic freedom, ensure our schools teach honest history, and create an environment where all students are protected and all families are respected. It repeals the Stop WOKE Act’s prohibition on discussing topics like systemic injustice or racism and repeals harmful and vague provisions of Florida’s “Don’t Say LGBTQ” law. The legislation would also curb book-banning abuses, as Florida continues to lead the nation in book-banning censorship. The legislation also repeals the funding ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion programming and student activities in state colleges and universities.

Freedom to Learn Act sponsor Representative Nixon stated, “Schools should be a safe environment where all of our children have the freedom to learn a curriculum built on truth and integrity. But under Florida’s Republican-controlled state government, our state leads the nation in book bans, costing local communities tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars in court to defend the removal of classics we've all read, like Of Mice and Men and Beloved, from our classrooms. These unnecessary and divisive tactics do not prepare our students for a successful future. Meanwhile, billions of dollars in essential school projects are left unfunded, neglecting critical needs like quality instructional materials, air conditioning, functional water fountains, and locks on classroom doors. Florida's politicians need to focus on providing our kids with the best, high-quality education because the future of our state will someday be in their hands."

Senator Davis added, “Florida’s Department of Education has spent years distracted by culture wars and political theater, and it shows in our children’s test scores and preparedness. Censoring books about Black history or LGBTQ+ people doesn’t make our realities disappear. It just weakens our education system. This bill would put an end to these political stunts and refocus the Department on its true mission: providing our children with a strong, well-rounded education.”

Equality Florida applauds the sponsors for introducing this important suite of legislation that reflects the policy Floridians deserve.

Equality Florida is the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community. Through education, grassroots organizing, coalition building, and lobbying, we are changing Florida so that no one suffers harassment or discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.