US EditionFlorida 'Terrorist' Designation Bill Raises Free Speech Concerns
The new law grants Florida officials authority to label groups as terrorists, affecting funding, student status, and school vouchers, with less than 1% of voucher schools being Islamic.
- On March 12, 2026, Florida lawmakers passed HB 1471 authorizing state designations of domestic terrorist organizations, and the measure is expected to reach Gov. Ron DeSantis for signature.
- Supporters said Gov. Ron DeSantis's office proposed the bill to identify terrorist groups and bar state funding to supporters amid reports about private religious and Islamic schools receiving vouchers.
- Under the bill, students who 'promote' organizations can be expelled, state universities and colleges risk losing funding, and certain designation records are exempt from public disclosure but accessible in courts.
- Free-Speech groups warned the law could chill expression, a federal judge temporarily blocked it, and critics said it may disproportionately affect Muslim institutions and reveal evidence in courts.
- With an 80-25 vote, House Republicans approved the bill after debate, while critics warned it risks infringing constitutional rights, and supporters said it protects safety, according to Statement 42, 4, 1.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Florida House of Representatives passed an initiative that would empower Ron DeSantis to declare certain local groups "terrorists"
Miami, 12 Mar (EFE).- The Florida Congress passed on Thursday a law that will allow the governor, Republican Ron DeSantis, to declare local groups “terrorists” and expel students who “promote” these organizations, which alarmed defenders of migrants and freedom of expression in the U.S. The House of State Representatives endorsed, with 80 votes against 25, the initiative to empower the Florida Government to designate “internal terrorist organiza…
Tampa Bay Times
Hanford SentinelFlorida lawmakers approve giving DeSantis power to name ‘terrorist’ groups
Free speech groups have widely condemned the legislation as unconstitutional.
‘Terrorist’ bill allowing for student expulsion, voucher losses, clears Legislature
The Florida Capitol building on March 11, 2026, as the legislative session neared its end. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)Schools tied to designated terrorist organizations must lose their state-sponsored tuition vouchers and college students supporting these groups must be expelled under legislation that won final passage Thursday. Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to soon sign HB 1471 into law, largely because his office, according to t…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
