Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed legislation designed to enhance the state's public education standards regarding the teaching of communism and to prepare students "to withstand indoctrination on communism at colleges and universities."
The new law adds to existing standards regarding the teaching of communist history, including the history of communism in the United States and the "tactics of communist movements."
It also authorizes the new Institute for Freedom in the Americas at Miami Dade College to "promote the importance of economic and individual freedoms as a means to advance human progress—specifically in Latin America and the Caribbean."
"The truth will set us free," DeSantis, a Republican, said in a statement. "We will not allow our students to live in ignorance, nor be indoctrinated by Communist apologists in schools. To the contrary, we will ensure students in Florida are taught the truth about the evils and dangers of Communism."
Newsweek reached out to the Florida office of the Communist Party USA via email on Wednesday for comment.
Another provision in the law is that the Florida Department of State, in collaboration with the Florida Department of Education, will be allowed to recommend to the state's Legislature the creation of a museum dedicated to the history of communism.
The bill—SB 1264—includes a line about educators preparing students to be able to "withstand" communist indoctrination at institutes of higher education.
DeSantis signed the legislation on the 63rd anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion, a failed CIA-financed effort to push Cuban leader Fidel Castro from power.
The governor, who was a candidate for his party's nomination in the 2024 presidential election before suspending his campaign in January, has long been outspoken about his opposition to communism. In 2022, he signed legislation that established November 7 as Victims of Communism Day in Florida.
Florida lawmakers overwhelmingly approved SB 1264 during a legislative session that ended last month. The requirements set out in the bill are expected to go into effect in public schools starting in the 2026-27 school year.
Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. also issued a statement on Wednesday about the new legislation.
"It is vitally important that every student learns about the dangers of Communism," the Republican said. "I know firsthand the evils that Communism brings, and I am proud to stand by Governor DeSantis as he signs this legislation to ensure Florida remains the bastion of freedom."
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