On June 14, 2021, Governor DeSantis approved HB529, which amended Section 1003.45, Florida Statutes, to require a moment of silence to be set aside for public school students during each school day. The new law requires the principal to require teachers in first-period classrooms in all grades to set aside at least one (1) minute, but not more than two (2) minutes, for a moment of silence daily, during which students may not interfere with other students' participation. The new law prohibits teachers from making suggestions as to the nature of any reflection that a student may engage in during the moment of silence. Instead, teachers must encourage parents/guardians to discuss the moment of silence with their children and to make suggestions as to the best use of this time. The new law took effect July 1, 2021.
Moment of Silence
September 7, 2021