Florida bill letting youth ‘patriotic organizations’ speak to students clears committee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Florida bill to let youth “patriotic organizations” speak to students for recruitment and participation passed a House committee Wednesday.

The Florida House Education and Employment Committee passed the bill 16-0.

Rep. Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville, is the sponsor of HB 1317.

“The bill authorizes, but does not require a school district to allow a representative the opportunity during school hours and instructional time to speak with and distribute materials in a classroom setting,” Duggan said.

“And [it provides] students to encourage participation in the organization and its activities and provide opportunities for the organizations to have displays at schools within the district to provide opportunities for student recruitment,” Duggan said.

The six patriotic organizations specified by Duggan were the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Future Farmers of America and the Civil Air Patrol.

Rep. Patricia Williams, D-Pompano Beach, asked how the organizations were chosen.

“Congress, identified in statute, a list of organizations that are defined by Congress as patriotic,” Duggan said. “The original version of the bill simply made reference to that list, but it’s a pretty extensive list. At the choice and innovation stop we did an amendment to limit it to these six organizations, because they are youth focused and oriented.”

Duggan referenced the extensive list, specifically Title 36 of United States code.

Williams also asked if organizations could be added to the list.

“Absolutely, but I would also add the bill doesn’t prohibit a school district from allowing any other organizations that it wants to allow on campus,” Duggan said.

Rep. Randy Fine, Melbourne Beach, praised its importance, referencing his past experience with The Boy Scouts of America.

“When you’re in first grade or second grade, and your parents may or may not know about an organization like this, and may not have the money, frankly, to pay for you to be in an organization like this, someone coming and giving you a flyer that says, ‘Hey would you like to get off of your iPad, or your computer, and go outside and learn how to camp, and learn how to cook?’ And, make it sound pretty cool, you take that flyer home to your parents,” Fine said.

“I certainly know that I didn’t [learn everything in school],” Fine said. “These kinds of organizations help round out a child’s life, and help them become the kind of participating adults that we want.”

Sen. Tom Wright, R-Port Orange, filed a similar bill to HB 1317.

The legislation would go into effect if fully approved on July 1.