{"id":1722,"date":"2025-10-14T07:34:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T07:34:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/1722\/"},"modified":"2025-10-14T07:34:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T07:34:10","slug":"proposed-bill-would-require-constitutional-oath-for-teachers-tallahassee-reports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/1722\/","title":{"rendered":"Proposed Bill Would Require Constitutional Oath for Teachers \u2013 Tallahassee Reports"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A bill filed Monday by state Rep. Tom Fabricio would require teachers to take an oath to the Constitution and nonpartisanship. Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes, is an attorney and has been in office since 2020.<\/p>\n

The bill,\u00a0HB 147<\/a>, would require teachers to, \u201cbefore entering upon the duties of a classroom teacher,\u201d take the oath. The language is similar to oaths taken by lawyers, doctors, and public officials.<\/p>\n

Proposed oath<\/p>\n

\u201cI do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States and the Constitution and Government of the State of Florida; that I am duly qualified for employment as a classroom teacher in this state; that I will well and faithfully perform the duties of a classroom teacher in a professional, independent, objective, and nonpartisan manner; that I will uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and professional ethics; that I will foster a respectful learning environment for all students, which promotes critical thinking, civic responsibility, and lifelong learning; and that I will serve as a positive role model in both conduct and character, so help me God.\u201d<\/p>\n

Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas sent a\u00a0letter<\/a>\u00a0last month to superintendents after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated. That letter targeted teachers\u2019 social media conduct that he deemed \u201cdespicable\u201d and \u201cvile, sanctionable behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Legislature and governor in the past few years have also passed laws making illegal teaching about \u201cdivisive concepts\u201d and \u201cidentity politics.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fabricio does not sit on any education committees. He is vice chair of the Ways & Means Committee and sits on the Judiciary Committee, Rules & Ethics Committee, Information Technology Budget & Policy Subcommittee, Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee, and the Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee.<\/p>\n

Chapter 876<\/a>\u00a0of Florida statutes require state employees, including those serving on school boards and working for state or county school districts, to take an oath that they are a citizen of Florida and to support the U.S. and Florida constitutions.<\/p>\n

Other states require oaths to federal and state constitutions, including California, Georgia, and New York. According to\u00a0Encyclopedia.com<\/a>, almost two-thirds of states since 1863 have adopted teacher loyalty oaths.<\/p>\n

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