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HB 1587

Historical Records Concerning Enslaved Individuals

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Fentrice Driskell and 2 co-sponsors

HB 1587 would require Florida to identify, centralize, and publicly preserve historical records documenting enslaved individuals to enable genealogical research and historical documentation.

Died in Government Operations Subcommittee
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Bill Summary · HB 1587

Legislative bill overview

HB 1587 would establish requirements for Florida to identify, preserve, and provide public access to historical records concerning enslaved individuals and their descendants. The bill aims to create a comprehensive database or registry of such records held by state agencies, counties, and municipalities, potentially including documentation from slavery-era transactions, court proceedings, and administrative records.

Why is this important

Access to historical records about enslaved individuals is crucial for genealogical research, reparations discussions, academic scholarship, and community understanding of local history. Such records are often scattered across different agencies, difficult to locate, or poorly preserved, making it challenging for descendants and researchers to trace family histories or document systemic injustices.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and resource requirements: Creating a statewide database and digitizing historical records requires significant funding, staff, and technical infrastructure that some lawmakers may view as burdensome
  • Privacy and sensitivity concerns: Questions about what information should be public, how to handle sensitive personal details, and whether descendants should have special access rights versus general public availability
  • Scope and definition ambiguity: Disagreement over which records qualify, what time periods are included, and whether the mandate applies retroactively to all agencies or only certain repositories

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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