Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Legislation to Protect Florida Jobs

Governor Ron DeSantis, alongside Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls and Senate President Wilton Simpson, signed a series of bills designed to protect Floridians from losing their jobs over COVID-19 vaccine mandates and to safeguard parental rights in healthcare decisions for students. The legislation, passed during a Special Session of the Florida Legislature, takes effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature. Florida’s new laws represent the strongest pro-freedom, anti-mandate protections enacted by any state.

Key provisions now in effect in Florida:

• Private employers are prohibited from enforcing COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
  • Employees can claim exemptions based on health concerns, religious beliefs, pregnancy, anticipated pregnancy, or previous recovery from COVID-19.
  • Workers may also choose periodic testing or personal protective equipment (PPE) as alternatives.
  • Employers must cover the cost of any required testing or PPE.
• Penalties for employers who violate the law:
  • Small businesses (99 employees or fewer) face $10,000 per violation fines.
  • Medium and large businesses face fines of $50,000 per violation.
• Government entities are banned from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations.
• Educational institutions cannot mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for students.
• School districts are prohibited from imposing mask mandates or quarantining healthy students.
• Parents and students can sue school districts that violate these protections and recover costs and attorney’s fees.

Governor DeSantis stated:

"I promised Floridians we would protect their jobs, and today we made that promise law. No one should be fired because of heavy-handed COVID mandates. I’m grateful to the Florida Legislature for standing strong for freedom."

Attorney General Ashley Moody announced Florida’s legal challenge against the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) vaccine mandate at today's event.

Attorney General Moody said:

"Governor DeSantis has shown tremendous leadership throughout the pandemic. I am proud to stand with him as we fight unlawful vaccine mandates pushed by Washington bureaucrats. I will always defend freedom, Florida’s sovereignty, and the autonomy of American workers."

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez added:

"Governor DeSantis made it clear: no Floridian should lose their job over a vaccine. I applaud the leadership of President Simpson and Speaker Sprowls. Florida remains the Free State – we will not bow to unconstitutional overreach by the Biden Administration."

Senate President Wilton Simpson said:

"It’s an honor to join Governor DeSantis today as we sign the ‘Keep Florida Free’ agenda into law. Florida stands proudly for freedom. We thank our essential workers – healthcare workers, first responders, farmers, truckers – who kept Florida moving during the pandemic. We will not allow federal bureaucrats to turn these heroes into political pawns, and we will always uphold the right of parents to raise their children without interference."

Speaker Chris Sprowls added:

"Today, working with Governor DeSantis, Senate President Simpson, and our colleagues, we passed the strongest legislation in the nation to fight the Biden Administration’s unlawful vaccine mandates. In Florida, forced masking of children and forced vaccinations to keep a job will not be tolerated. Businesses now are free to treat employees as individuals, not as part of a federal checklist."

Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo concluded:

"The purpose of this special session was to enshrine liberty in law. Today, Floridians are protected – at work, in schools, and as parents – in their COVID-19 health choices. Thank you, Governor DeSantis, for your commitment to science, reason, and freedom."