TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As the Florida Legislative session enters its third day, developments are unfolding with the introduction of bills targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies at the local government level.
State Rep. Dean Black (R-Yulee) and State Sen. Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville) have filed House Bill 1571 and Senate Bill 420, aiming to restrain DEI enforcement by counties and municipalities.
The bills seek to prohibit local governments from adopting any ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations, programs or policies that classify individuals based on race, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation, and that promote preferential treatment based on these classifications.
A notable aspect of the bills is a provision that allows individuals who feel disadvantaged by such policies to file lawsuits.
Additionally, any commissioners or members of governing bodies found in violation of these rules could be charged with misfeasance or malfeasance in office.
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These proposed measures are still in the early stages of the legislative process, requiring passage through various committees before potentially becoming law.
This legislative push against DEI initiatives echoes previous local actions, such as the Jacksonville Finance Committee’s decision in August 2024 to eliminate the Chief of Diversity and Inclusion position from Mayor Donna Deegan’s proposed budget.
This position was created by the mayor shortly after she took office, with Deegan calling the decision a “political move.”
If passed, these bills would take effect on July 1, 2025.
