Florida has agreed to pay $725,000 in legal fees and costs to businesses that successfully challenged a portion of the controversial “Stop WOKE Act” in court.
The settlement comes after a lengthy legal battle over a provision in the 2022 law that restricted how race-related issues could be addressed in workplace training. A federal judge ruled that the restrictions violated free speech rights, and an appeals court upheld the decision.
READ: Two Florida Men Sentenced In Multi-Million Dollar Tax Fraud Scheme
The businesses, represented by attorneys from Ropes & Gray LLP and Protect Democracy, argued that the law unconstitutionally restricted their ability to conduct diversity, equity, and inclusion training.
The “Stop WOKE Act,” championed by Governor Ron DeSantis, sparked heated debate when it was passed in 2022. The law sought to regulate discussions of race in both workplaces and educational settings.
READ: Florida Secures $47 Million For Peace River Valley Conservation Projects
While the state argued that the law regulated “conduct” rather than speech, the courts disagreed, finding that it impermissibly restricted businesses’ ability to address important topics in workplace training.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.