DeSantis signs bills authorizing Florida schools to host ‘patriotic organizations,’ certain chaplains

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Thursday morning at Tohopekaliga High School in Osceola County, signing two bills he said would help enhance the student experience.

“It (the legislation) provides students with even more resources to be able to help them through difficult times, make the most of their own lives, realize all their opportunities and dreams,” DeSantis said.

The bills, HB 1317 and HB 931, will authorize Florida school districts and charter schools to host representatives of “patriotic organizations” to speak to students and to allow volunteer, faith-based school chaplains, respectively. Both will take effect July 1.

“When education in the United States first started, every school was a religious school. I mean, that was just part of it. Public schools were religious schools,” DeSantis said of HB 931. “You know, there’s been things that have been done over the years that veered away from, I think, that original intent, but the reality is, I think what we’re doing is really restoring the sense of purpose that our founding fathers wanted to see for education.”

ClickOrlando.com is currently updating this story to reflect the latest information.

Watch the news conference again in the player below:

DeSantis on Wednesday signed a bill in Hialeah Gardens, which will add “history of communism” instruction in public schools starting in the 2026-27 school year.

[RELATED: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs 14 more bills into law. Here’s what they are, when they take effect]

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