STORAGE NAME: h1051a.EAS
DATE: 3/28/2025
1
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: CS/HB 1051
TITLE: Council on Social Status of Black Men and Boys
SPONSOR(S): Aristide
COMPANION BILL: CS/SB 364 (Osgood)
LINKED BILLS: None
RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Education Administration
17 Y, 0 N, As CS
PreK-12 Budget
Education & Employment
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill transfers the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys (council) from the Department of Legal
Affairs to Florida Memorial University (FMU). The bill shifts administrative responsibilities, for the council,
including staffing support, meeting approvals and expense reimbursements to FMU.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill has an indeterminate fiscal impact on FMU for the administrative responsibilities for the council.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill transfers the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys (council) from the Department of Legal
Affairs to Florida Memorial University (FMU).
The bill shifts administrative responsibilities, including staffing support, and expense reimbursements from the
Attorney General to FMU.
Additionally, the bill designates the authority to approve the council’s meeting times from the Attorney General to
the president of FMU.
No substantive changes are made to the council’s composition, powers, or duties, aside from shifting oversight to
FMU. (Section 1)
The bill transfers and renumbers the statute on the council, from s. 16.615, F.S. to s. 1001.216, F.S.
The effective date of the bill is July 1, 2025. (Section 2).
FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
STATE GOVERNMENT:
The bill has an indeterminate fiscal impact on FMU for the administrative responsibilities for the council.
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
2
The 2006 Florida Legislature established the Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys (council)
to study conditions negatively affecting black males in our state.
1 The council is housed within the Department of
Legal Affairs in the Office of the Attorney General.
2
The council is comprised of 19 appointed members who serve 4-year terms.
3
These members include
representatives of state agencies and the Legislature, as well as citizens who represent relevant areas of interest.
The members include:
4
Two members of the Senate who are not members of the same political party, appointed by the President of
the Senate with the advice of the minority leader of the Senate.
Two members of the House of Representatives who are not members of the same political party, appointed
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives with the advice of the minority leader of the House of
Representatives.
The Secretary of Children and Family Services (DCF), or his or her designee.
The director of the Mental Health Program Office within the DCF, or his or her designee.
The State Surgeon General, or his or her designee.
The Commissioner of Education, or his or her designee.
The Secretary of Corrections, or his or her designee.
The Attorney General, or his or her designee.
The Secretary of Management Services, or his or her designee.
The Secretary of Commerce, or his or her designee.
A businessperson who is an African American appointed by the Governor.
Two persons appointed by the President of the Senate who are not members of the Legislature or
employed by state government. One of these appointments must be a clinical physiologist.
Two persons appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives who are not members of the
Legislature or employed by state government. One of these appointments must be an Africana studies
professional.
The deputy secretary for Medicaid in the Agency for Health Care Administration, or his or her designee.
The Secretary of Juvenile Justice, or his or her designee.
The council is tasked with conducting a systematic study of the social and economic conditions affecting black men
and boys, including, but not limited to:
5
Homicide rates;
Arrest and incarceration rates;
Poverty;
Violence;
Drug use;
Death rates;
Disparate annual income levels;
School performance in all grade levels including postsecondary levels; and
Health issues.
Based on these findings, the council proposes legislative and nonlegislative measures to alleviate and correct the
underlying causes of these conditions. In addition to its mandated studies, the council may explore additional
topics at the direction of the Legislature or its chair. It also receives input from legislators, government agencies,
advocacy organizations, and private citizens. Furthermore, the council is responsible for developing a strategic
program and funding initiative to establish local councils dedicated to addressing these issues at the community
1
S. 16.615, F.S.; Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, About the Council, https://cssbmb.com/about-the-
council/ (last visited Mar. 21, 2025).
2
S. 16.615(1), F.S.
3
S. 16.615, (1) and (2),F.S. For the purpose of providing staggered terms of the initial appointments, 9 members are appointed
to 2-year terms, and 10 members are appointed to 4-year terms. A member of the council may be removed at any time by the
member’s appointing authority who must fill the vacancy on the council.
4
S. 16.615(1), F.S.
5
S. 16.615(4)(a), F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
3
level.
6 Additionally, it is tasked with developing a strategic program and funding initiative for the establishment of
local councils.
7
The council has statutory authority to access public records from state agencies, request research assistance from
the Office of Economic and Demographic Research and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government
Accountability, seek assistance from state or local government entities, and apply for and accept funding from
public and private sources to support its work.
8 It may also collaborate with Florida’s Historically Black Colleges
and Universities to address education-related issues.
9
The Office of the Attorney General provides staffing and administrative support and oversees the council’s meeting
schedule. The council meets quarterly and may hold additional meetings with the approval of the Attorney
General.
10 A quorum of 11 members is required for official actions, with a majority vote needed for final decisions.
11
The council must submit an annual report by December 15 to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the relevant legislative committees outlining its findings and
recommendations.
12
As a public entity, the council and any subcommittees it forms are subject to Florida’s public records law and public
meetings law, ensuring transparency.
13 Additionally, members not already required to file a financial disclosure
statement must submit a disclosure of financial interests.
14
Council members serve without compensation but are eligible for reimbursement for per diem and travel
expenses. State officers and employees receive reimbursement through their respective agencies, while other
members may be reimbursed through the Department of Legal Affairs.
15
Florida Memorial University (FMU)
Florida Memorial University is a private coeducational institution with the distinction of being one of the oldest
academic centers in the state, and the only historically black university in southern Florida.
The university offers
27 undergraduate degree programs and 3 master’s programs.
16
6
S. 16.615(4)(b)-(d), F.S.
7
S. 16.615(4)(e), F.S.
8
S. 16.615(5)(a)-(e), F.S.
9
S. 16.615(5)(f), F.S.
10
S. 16.615(6) and (7), F.S.
11
S. 16.615(8), F.S.
12
S. 16.615(9), F.S.
13
S. 16.615(11), F.S.
14
S. 16.615(12), F.S.
15
S. 16.615(10), F.S.
16
Florida Memorial University, About FMU, https://www.fmu.edu/about-fmu/fmu-at-a-glance/ (last visited Mar. 27, 2025). JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
4
BILL HISTORY
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE
STAFF
DIRECTOR/
POLICY CHIEF
ANALYSIS
PREPARED BY
Education Administration
Subcommittee
17 Y, 0 N, As CS 3/27/2025 Sleap Dixon
THE CHANGES ADOPTED BY THE
COMMITTEE:
Transferred the council at the Department of Legal Affairs to FMU,
instead of the Department of Education (DOE).
Shifted staffing and administrative support responsibilities from the
Office of the Attorney General to FMU, instead of the DOE.
Designated the authority to approve the council’s meeting times from
the Attorney General to the president of FMU, instead of the
Commissioner of Education.
PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee
Education & Employment
Committee
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THIS BILL ANALYSIS HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCORPORATE ALL OF THE CHANGES DESCRIBED ABOVE.
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