The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education
BILL: CS/SB 364
INTRODUCER: Education Pre-K - 12 Committee and Senator Osgood
SUBJECT: Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys
DATE: April 9, 2025
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Jahnke Bouck ED Fav/CS
2. Gray Elwell AED Pre-meeting
3. FP
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information:
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes
I. Summary:
CS/SB 364 transfers the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys from the
Department of Legal Affairs to Florida Memorial University. The bill also shifts administrative
responsibilities, including staffing support and expense reimbursements, from the Department of
Legal Affairs and the Office of the Attorney General to Florida Memorial University.
Additionally, the bill designates the authority to approve the council’s meeting times from the
Attorney General to the president of Florida Memorial University.
If no direct appropriation is provided to the university to support the council, the university
would incur a cost to implement the various provisions of the bill. See Section V., Fiscal Impact
Statement.
The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.
REVISED: BILL: CS/SB 364 Page 2
II. Present Situation:
The 2006 Florida Legislature established the Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men
and Boys (the council) to study conditions negatively affecting black males in our state. The
council is housed within the Department of Legal Affairs in the Office of the Attorney General.
1
The council is comprised of 19 appointed members who serve four-year terms. These members
include representatives of state agencies and the Legislature, as well as citizens who represent
relevant areas of interest. The members include:
• 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.
2
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:
• Homicide rates;
• Arrest and incarceration rates;
• Poverty;
• Violence;
• Drug use;
• Death rates;
• Disparate annual income levels;
1
Section 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. 20, 2025).
2
Section 16.615(1), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 364 Page 3
• 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 level.
Additionally, it is tasked with developing a strategic program and funding initiative for the
establishment of local councils.
3
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. It
may also collaborate with Florida’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to
address education-related issues.
4
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.
5
A quorum of 11 members is required for official actions,
with a majority vote needed for final decisions.
6
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.
7
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.
8
Additionally, members not already
required to file a financial disclosure statement must submit a disclosure of financial interests.
9
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.
10
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
This bill transfers the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys from the Department
of Legal Affairs to Florida Memorial University. The bill also shifts administrative
3
Section 16.615(4), F.S.
4
Section 16.615(5), F.S.
5
Section 16.615(6) and (7), F.S.
6
Section 16.615(8), F.S.
7
Section 16.615(9), F.S.
8
Section 16.615(11), F.S.
9
Section 16.615(12), F.S.
10
Section 16.615(10), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 364 Page 4
responsibilities, including staffing support and expense reimbursements, from the Department of
Legal Affairs and the Office of the Attorney General to Florida Memorial University.
Additionally, the bill designates the authority to approve the council’s meeting times from the
Attorney General to the president of Florida Memorial University.
No substantive changes are made to the council’s composition, powers, or duties, aside from
shifting oversight to the Department of Education.
The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The Department of Legal Affairs is appropriated $350,000 to support the Council on the
Social Status of Black Men and Boys. It is anticipated that Florida Memorial University
would need a similar amount of money to implement the provisions of the council. If no
direct appropriation is provided to the university to support the council, the university
would incur a cost to implement the various provisions of the bill. BILL: CS/SB 364 Page 5
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill transfers, renumbers, and amends section 16.615 of the Florida Statutes as section
1001.216 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Substantial Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
CS by Education Pre-K - 12 on March 17, 2025:
The committee substitute:
• Transfers the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys at the Department
of Legal Affairs to Florida Memorial University, instead of the Department of
Education.
• Shifts staffing and administrative support responsibilities from the Office of the
Attorney General to Florida Memorial University, instead of the Department of
Education
• Designates the authority to approve the council’s meeting times from the Attorney
General to the president of Florida Memorial University, instead of the Commissioner
of Education.
• Reassigns responsibility for reimbursing council members for expenses from the
Department of Legal Affairs to Florida Memorial University, instead of the
Department of Education.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.