TAMPA, Fla. — Ron DeSantis on Monday signed HB 1471 into law, a measure aimed at restricting the use of certain foreign or religious legal principles in Florida courts and expanding the state’s authority to address terrorist organizations.
According to the legislation, Florida courts are prohibited from applying or enforcing foreign or religious law if doing so would violate rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution or the Florida Constitution. The law also blocks the recognition of foreign judgments or contractual provisions that attempt to circumvent those protections.
The measure includes new provisions related to counterterrorism. It authorizes the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s chief of domestic security to recommend the designation of domestic terrorist organizations at the state level. Organizations designated under the law would be subject to restrictions, including bans on receiving public funding or other forms of state support. Individuals found to be providing material support to such groups could face criminal penalties.
The legislation also aligns state policy with federal designations of foreign terrorist organizations, allowing those classifications to be enforced within Florida. State officials say the changes are intended to strengthen coordination between federal and state efforts.
In addition, the bill places new restrictions on the use of taxpayer funds in educational institutions. Schools and universities are prohibited from using public funds to support or promote designated terrorist organizations. Institutions that violate the law could face loss of state funding, while students accused of promoting terrorist violence may be subject to disciplinary action under institutional policies.
The new law builds on prior actions taken by the DeSantis administration related to foreign influence and security. In December, the governor issued an executive order directing state agencies to deny contracts, funding, or other benefits to entities providing material support to terrorist organizations.
State officials said the legislation is intended to reinforce constitutional protections, maintain a uniform legal system, and expand tools available to law enforcement to address evolving security threats.
