|
2007 Legislative Report
Updated: May 4, 2007
Florida Legislative Session
March 6 – May
4, 2007
This report identifies
important bills being followed by the Florida Catholic
Conference. Subsequent legislative reports will contain new bills
filed and legislative action on these proposals. Additional
information on the Conference's public policy advocacy may be accessed at
our
Public Policy and Legislation
Web page.
For complete text of any bill listed on this report, please visit the
Websites of
The Florida Senate or
The Florida House of Representatives.
CLICK ON THE TOPICS ABOVE TO ACCESS YOUR AREA(S) OF INTEREST
Action on legislation during the current week appears in
red.
LIFE AND DEATH
|
Issue |
Bill(s) and
Sponsor(s) |
Description |
Conference Position |
Comments |
|
Abandoned Newborn |
SB 1950 (Children, Families, and Elder Affairs) |
Parental ID/Leaving Newborn:
Removes repeal of exemption from public-records with respect to
identity of parent who leaves newborn infant at hospital, emergency
medical services station, or fire station. |
Support |
Legislation removes a provision to
repeal this good law.
Favorable by Children, Families, and
Elder Affairs; favorable by
Governmental Operations;
withdrawn from
Rules; Senate passed (38-0);
House substituted for HB 7131; passed (117-0);
ordered enrolled. |
|
Unborn Child |
HB 71 (Poppell)
SB 234 (Posey) |
Offenses Against
Unborn Children:
Cites act as "Florida Unborn Victims of Violence Act"; revises
terminology to refer to "unborn child" rather than "viable fetus" for
vehicular homicide purposes; provides that certain offenses re killing of
unborn child by injury to mother do not require specified knowledge or
intent. |
Support |
Legislation acknowledges
unborn child from moment of conception forward.
HB 71-Favorable
with 1 Amendment by Homeland Security and Public Safety;
favorable with Committee
Substitute by Safety and Security Council;
House passed (76-39); in Senate messages.
SB 234-Favorable
with Committee Substitute by Criminal Justice;
withdrawn from
Judiciary;
now in
Criminal and Civil Justice
Appropriations. |
|
Parental Notice of Abortion |
HB 1497
(Traviesa)
SB 1602
(Storms) |
Abortion/Parental Notification:
Requires specified waiting period after notice;
revises provisions re notice; provides exceptions; requires
appointment of guardian ad litem for minor petitioning for waiver of
notice requirements; specifies factors to be considered in
determining whether minor is sufficiently mature to waive notice
requirements; revises provisions re confidentiality of hearings.
|
Support |
Between
July 2005-June 2006, 450 judicial bypass petitions for abortion were
filed; 423 bypasses were granted. HB 1497-Favorable with
Committee Substitute by Healthcare Council;
House amendment(s) adopted,
passed (71-42); Senate substituted for SB 1602; amendment(s)
adopted; passed
(24-15); House refused to concur; requested Senate recede. SB 1602-Favorable
with Committee Substitute by Health Regulation;
favorable
with Committee Substitute by
Judiciary; Senate
amendment(s) adopted;
laid on table; refer to
HB 1497. |
|
Ethical
Research
Environment |
HB 1065 (Flores)
SB 2496 (Haridopolos) |
Stem Cell Research:
Cites act as "Florida Hope Offered through Principled, Ethically
Sound Stem Cell Research Act"; establishes state program to fund
only non-destructive embryonic stem cell research with $20 million
annually; provides prohibitions re human cloning. |
Support |
See media program
Supporting
Ethical Stem Cell Research and other information on Conference
Web site.
HB 1065-Favorable with Council Substitute by Healthcare Council;
favorable
by Policy and Budget Council; placed on House calendar, on
second reading. SB 2496-Favorable
with Committee Substitute by
Health Policy;
favorable with Committee Substitute by
Commerce;
references to Higher
Education; Criminal Justice removed;
now in Health and Human
Services Appropriations. |
|
Ethical
Research
Environment |
HB 555 (Sands)
SB 750 (Geller) |
Biomedical Research:
Revises uses for funds credited to Biomedical Research Trust
Fund; provides for grants-in-aid program for purpose of conducting
embryonic, amniotic, or human adult stem cell research. |
Oppose |
HB 555-Bill discussed during
the Office of the EDR's Criminal Justice Impact Conference (No Votes
Taken). SB 750-Favorable by Health Policy
Committee; favorable with 1 Amendment by Commerce;
withdrawn from Higher
Education;
now in
Criminal Justice;
also
referred to
Health and Human Services
Appropriations. |
|
Ethical
Research
Environment |
HB 7079 (Healthcare Council) |
Biomedical Research:
Revises provisions for the
use of state-appropriated funds for
research;
allows for state funding of destructive embryo research and
human cloning. |
Monitor |
Favorable with Committee Substitute, which removed
provision for
state funding of destructive embryo research and human cloning, by Policy and
Budget Council; House amendments adopted;
bill passed (112-2); Senate received; amendment adopted; bill passed
(33-1); House refused to concur; Senate
refused to recede; Conference Committee
appointed. |
|
Death Penalty |
HB 1481 (Coley)
SB 2740 (Argenziano) |
Death Penalty Reform Act:
Prohibits certain public defenders from representing certain persons
sentenced to death. |
Oppose |
Eliminates ability to file appeal after a date
certain. HB 1481-Referred
to Safety and Security Council; Policy and Budget Council. SB 2740-Referred
to Criminal Justice; Judiciary; Criminal and Civil Justice
Appropriations. |
SOCIAL CONCERNS
|
Issue |
Bill(s) and
Sponsor(s) |
Description |
Conference Position |
Comments |
|
Criminal Justice |
HB 125 (Taylor)
SB 2464 (Joyner) |
Wrongful Incarceration/Compensation: Provides that
person who has been wrongfully convicted of felony and incarcerated within
DOC may be financially compensated if determined to be innocent; authorizes
Legislature to make official apology. |
Support |
HB 125-Favorable
with Committee Substitute by Safety and Security Council;
favorable with Committee Substitute by Policy and Budget Council;
House passed (115-0); in Senate messages.
SB 2464-Favorable
by Judiciary;
favorable
with Committee Substitute by Criminal Justice;
now in Criminal and Civil Justice
Appropriations. |
|
Criminal Justice |
SB 542 (Margolis)
HB 1477 (Ausley) is a similar bill. |
Forensic Mental Health:
Creates Criminal Justice and Mental Health Reinvestment Grant
Program within DCFS for purpose of providing funds to counties to
establish or expand initiatives to improve accessibility and
effectiveness of mental health and substance abuse treatment
services for people who have mental illness or co-occurring
substance abuse disorder and who are in justice system; specifies
issues to be included in annual report. |
Support |
SB 542-Favorable with Committee
Substitute by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs;
favorable with Committee Substitute by Criminal Justice;
withdrawn from Health and Human Services Appropriations;
Senate amendment(s) adopted; laid on table; refer to HB 1477. HB
1477-Favorable with 1 Amendment by Healthy Families;
favorable with Committee Substitute by
Healthcare Council; favorable with Committee Substitute by Policy and Budget Council;
House passed (116-0); Senate substituted for
SB 542; passed (40-0); ordered enrolled. |
|
Affordable Housing |
SB 144 (King, Jr.) |
State Housing Trust
Fund/Cap: Removes cap on certain funds distributed to State
Housing Trust Fund. |
Support |
Bill discussed during the
Office of the EDR's Revenue Impact Conference (No Votes Taken). |
|
Affordable Housing |
HB 1375
(Davis, M.) |
Affordable Housing: Removes prohibition on state
allocation pool from being used to provide written confirmations for private
activity bonds that are to be issued by Florida Housing Finance Corporation;
provides criteria to be used in assessing just valuation of certain
affordable housing properties serving certain low-income and moderate-income
persons; authorizes certain public housing authorities to create
self-insurance fund. |
Support |
Allocates funding for housing programs
to prevent and alleviate homelessness.
Favorable with 1 Amendment by Committee on
Infrastructure; favorable with committee
substitute by Economic Expansion and Infrastructure Council;
withdrawn from Policy and Budget
Council; House amendment(s) adopted; bill passed (119-0); Senate
substituted for SB 780; amendment(s) adopted; passed (39-0); House
concurred; passed (119-0); ordered enrolled. |
|
Homeless Housing |
HB 1083 (Culp) |
Homelessness: Increases and revises membership on
Council on Homelessness; creates Housing First program; creates 3-year Youth
Housing First Continuum Pilot Program. |
Support |
Favorable by committees of reference;
House passed (118-0); in
Senate messages. |
|
Health and
Human Services |
SB 212 (Lynn)
HB 283 (Chestnut) is a
similar bill. |
Florida 211 Network:
Requires network to provide services in each county and to coordinate
services with county emergency management agencies during disasters;
provides requirements for distribution of state funds appropriated for such
purposes; requires local matching funds; defines term "211 provider";
authorizes additional positions. |
Support |
211 Network to link social services is
available in some but not all counties. SB
212-Favorable by
Military Affairs and Domestic Security; Favorable by Health Policy;
favorable by Community Affairs; now in Health and Human Services
Appropriations. HB 283-Favorable
with 3 Amendments by Health Innovation,
favorable with Committee Substitute by Healthcare Council;
favorable with
Committee Substitute by Policy and Budget Council;
House passed (115-0); in Senate messages. |
|
Social Work |
SB 2508 (Rich) |
Social Worker Identification: Defines term
"social worker"; prohibits persons from identifying themselves as
social workers unless they hold certain credentials; provides
exceptions; requires Department of Health to adopt rules. |
Support |
Favorable with 1 Amendment by Children, Families, and
Elder Affairs; favorable with Committee
Substitute by Higher Education; withdrawn from Health and Human Services Appropriations;
Senate passed (27-12); in House messages. |
Developmental
Disabilities |
HB 127 (Lynn)
SB 402 (Fasano)
is a similar bill. |
Developmental Disabilities
Institution: Requires Agency for Persons with Disabilities to
give written notice to certain specified persons if agency proposes
to close or reduce resident population of developmental disabilities
institution; requires Governor and Cabinet to hold public hearing
and that notice of public hearing be given in specified manner;
requires specified level of funding until plan is completed; creates
family advisory council. |
Support |
This will protect disabled persons from
residency closings without state's review. HB
127-Favorable with 1 Amendment
by Healthy Families;
favorable with
Committee Substitute by Healthcare Council;
also referred to Policy and Budget Council.
SB 402-Favorable with
Committee Substitute by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs;
withdrawn from Governmental Operations; now in Health and Human Services Appropriations. |
Developmental
Disabilities |
HB 7067 (Healthcare Council,
Galvano) |
Fixed-Payment Service Delivery System:
Requires Agency for Healthcare Administration to
implement federal waivers to administer model fixed-payment service
delivery system for Medicaid recipients with developmental
disabilities; provides for implementation of system on pilot basis
in certain areas of state and for mandatory enrollment in system
pilot areas. |
Monitor |
This Healthcare Council bill has been filed and is
temporarily postponed by the Policy and Budget Council. |
|
Disabilities |
SB 1720 (Crist) |
Literacy Education for Blind Persons:
Requires that instruction in Braille be part of individualized
education program for child who is blind or visually impaired;
provides exceptions and conditions, standards for such instruction,
and specifies contents of individualized education program. |
Support |
Favorable by Education Pre-K-12; now in Education Pre-K-12
Appropriations. |
|
Adoption |
HB 1309 (Galvano)
SB 1388 (Storms) |
Adoption and Child
Protection: Redesignates Office of Child
Abuse Prevention as Office of Adoption and Child Protection; revises
purpose of office; provides for Chief Child Advocate and provides
duties therefore; provides for promotion of adoption and support of
adoptive families in state plan of office; establishes Child Abuse
Prevention and Permanency Advisory Council and provides for
composition thereof; establishes subsidized adoption program. |
Support |
HB 1309-Favorable with 2 Amendments
by Healthy Families; favorable with Committee
Substitute by Healthcare Council;
favorable
with Committee Substitute by
Policy and Budget Council; House passed (117-0);
Senate substituted for SB 1388; passed (39-0);
ordered enrolled.
SB 1388-Favorable with Committee
Substitute by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs;
favorable by Judiciary
Committee; favorable with Committee Substitute
by Health and Human Services
Appropriations; Senate amendment(s) adopted;
laid on table; refer to HB 1309. |
|
Adoption |
SB 206
(Dawson) |
Adoptive Parents: Provides
standard for selecting adoptive parent; requires individual
assessment of prospective adoptive parents of minor; eliminates ban
on adoption by person who is homosexual. |
Oppose |
See Conference position
paper on
adoption by homosexuals.
Referred to Children, Families, and
Elder Affairs; Judiciary. |
|
Adoption |
HB 599 (Mahon)
SB 2030 (Rich) |
Adoption:
Revises procedures to terminate parental rights
pending adoption. Safe haven/abandoned newborn language amended to
both bills, extends definition of newborn infant from 3 to 7 days. |
Support |
HB 599-Favorable with 8
Amendments by Healthy Families; favorable with Committee Substitute
by Healthcare Council; House
amendment(s) adopted; bill passed
(114-1); in Senate messages.
SB 2030-Favorable
with 12 amendments by
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; now in Judiciary; also
referred to Health and Human Services Appropriations. |
|
Foster Care |
HB 507 (Kendrick) |
Rights of Dependent Children and
Youth: Authorizes DCFS to permit children
in foster care to participate in home schooling, enroll in K-8
Virtual School Program, or attend private school on scholarship
under certain conditions; provides process for recommending change
of placement of child in shelter or foster home who is perceived to
be at risk; provides for appearance of child in court to discuss
placement informational session. |
Monitor |
Found favorable by committees of
reference; House amendment(s)
adopted; passed (117-0); in Senate messages. |
|
Children |
HB 229 (Mahon)
SB 1612 (Rich) |
Guardian Ad Litem Direct-support Organization:
Provides for organization and operation of direct-support
organization for Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Office. |
Support |
Enables establishment of new
organization to raise funds for the Guardian ad litem program. HB 229-Favorable
with 1 Amendment by Committee on Courts; favorable with Committee Substitute
by Safety and Security Council;
favorable by Policy and Budget Council; House passed (117-0);
Senate substituted for SB 1612, passed (36-0);
ordered enrolled. SB 1612-Favorable
with Committee Substitute by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs;
favorable by Judiciary;
favorable by Criminal and Civil Justice
Appropriations; Senate laid on
table; refer to HB 229. |
|
Immigrants |
SB 2032 (Margolis)
HB 7181 (Healthcare Council) |
Human Trafficking/Immigrant
Survivor: Requires DCFS to provide services to immigrant
survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, & other serious
crimes to extent funds are available; provides for same state &
local benefits that refugees receive; provides that sworn statement
by victim is sufficient evidence for purposes of determining
eligibility for services if supported by at least one piece of
additional evidence. |
Support |
Favorable by Children,
Families, and Elder Affairs; withdrawn from Community Affairs;
favorable with Committee Substitute by Health and Human Services Appropriations;
Senate laid on table; refer to HB 7181.
HB 7181-House passed (117-0); Senate
amendment(s) adopted; passed (39-0); House concurred; passed
(119-0); ordered enrolled. |
|
Environment |
HB 549 (Traviesa)
SB 1202 (Bennett) |
Power Plants/Integrated
Gasification: Revises definitions re certain power plants to
include integrated gasification combined cycle power plants. |
Support |
A cleaner technology for coal fired
plants. HB 549-Favorable by Environment and Natural Resources
Council; favorable by Policy and Budget Council; House
amendment(s) adopted; bill passed (110-2); Senate
substituted for SB 1202; amendment(s) adopted;
bill passed (39-0); House concurred; passed (115-2); ordered
enrolled. SB 1202-Favorable
by Communications and Public Utilities; favorable by Environmental
Preservation and Conservation; favorable by General Government
Appropriations; Senate amendment(s) adopted; laid on table, refer to HB 549. |
|
Environment |
SB 2446 (Saunders, B.) |
Global Warming:
Creates Florida Climate Action Partnership for
purpose of developing plan and making policy recommendations
addressing global warming; directs that partnership be staffed by
Executive Office of Governor; requires interim recommendations and
report; provides for expiration of partnership. |
Monitor |
Favorable by Environmental Preservation and
Conservation; favorable by Communications and Public Utilities;
favorable with Committee Substitute by General Government Appropriations;
on Senate Calendar, second reading. |
|
Environment |
HB 1257 (Richardson)
SB 2136 (Constantine) |
Green Schools Pilot
Project/Education: Establishes pilot project to enable selected
school districts to comply with certain building certification
standards; provides for application and selection process for
participation in pilot project; provides minimum requirements for
participation; establishes Green Schools Grant Program through which
funds shall be made available to participating school districts. |
Support |
HB 1257-Favorable with 1 Amendment by Education
Innovation and Career Preparation; favorable
with Committee Substitute by Schools
and Learning Council; withdrawn from Policy
and Budget Council; on House calendar, on second reading.
SB 2136-favorable
with Committee Substitute by Education Pre-K-12;
favorable with Committee Substitute by Environmental Preservation and Conservation;
withdrawn from Education Facilities
Appropriations; Senate amendment(s) adopted; passed (40-0); in House
messages. |
|
Sexual Battery |
HB 1081 (Kravitz) |
Minor/Sexual Battery: Provides
that the time
period for commencing prosecution for battery upon minor does
not run during certain specified time periods. |
Monitor |
Favorable by Committee on Courts;
now in Safety and Security Council. |
|
Sexual Battery |
SB 2246 (Ring) |
Sexual Battery on
Minor: Provides for time period for commencing civil action
based upon act that constitutes sexual battery upon minor to be
tolled under certain circumstances; provides that time period for
commencing prosecution for sexual battery upon minor does not run
during certain specified time periods. |
Monitor |
Favorable by Criminal Justice Committee;
now in Judiciary; also referred to Criminal and Civil Justice
Appropriations. |
|
Property Tax |
HB 7001(Government Efficiency and
Accountability Council) |
Ad Valorem Taxation: Limits
the millage rates that counties, municipalities, and special
districts adopt without approval from a two-thirds vote of the
governing board; requires governments to reduce property tax rates
so that revenues will not exceed the amount of 2000-2001 revenues
plus CPI inflation; provides exemptions for certain hospital and
health care districts, children's services independent special
districts, and fiscally constrained counties. |
Monitor |
Favorable with Committee Substitute by Policy and
Budget Council; House amendment(s) adopted, failed, withdrawn;
bill passed
(118-0); Senate received; amendment(s) adopted; bill passed (38-0);
House refused to concur; Conference Committee
appointed;
bill discussed during Office of EDR's Revenue Impact Conference (no votes taken). |
|
Other |
SB 998 (Bennett)
HB 529 (Traviesa) |
Cable TV/Video Service Franchises:
Cites act as "Consumer Choice Act of 2007"; prohibits counties
and municipalities from negotiating terms and conditions re cable
and video services; deletes authorization for counties and
municipalities to award cable service franchises and restriction
that cable service companies not operate without such franchise.
SB 998 amended to include service providers may not deny
potential subscribers access to service due to race, income, or
ethnicity. |
Monitor |
SB 998-Favorable with Committee Substitute by Communications
and Public Utilities; favorable with Committee
Substitute by Community Affairs; favorable
with Committee Substitute by General Government Appropriations; Senate
amendment(s) adopted; laid on table, refer to HB
529. HB 529-favorable by
committees of reference, House passed (104-8); Senate amendment(s)
adopted, passed (30-3); House concurred;
passed (117-2); ordered enrolled; presented to governor. |
EDUCATION
|
Issue |
Bill(s) and
Sponsor(s) |
Description |
Conference Position |
Comments |
|
Scholarships
/Vouchers |
SB 228
(Lynn)
HB 1067 (Patterson) |
Bright Futures Scholarship Program:
Authorizes student to use award from Bright
futures Scholarship Program for enrollment in summer term. |
Monitor |
Public and nonpublic school students
are eligible for Bright Future Scholarships, provided they meet
GPA and SAT requirements. SB
228-Favorable by Higher Education; now in Higher Education
Appropriations. HB 1067-Referred to Committee on Postsecondary
Education by Schools and Learning Council. |
Scholarships
/Vouchers |
HB 465 (Legg)
SB 1212 (Wise) |
Corporate Income Tax Credit
Scholarship Program: Provides that students placed in foster
care are eligible for participation in scholarship program. |
Monitor |
Students can use this scholarship at
participating Catholic schools. Amended
in Senate Education Committee to provide
for siblings of Corporate Tax Scholarship students, as well as those
who cannot meet min. attendance of 170 days
in classroom.
HB 465-Favorable with Committee
Substitute by Education Innovation and Career Preparation;
favorable with Committee Substitute by Schools and Learning Council;
favorable by Policy and Budget Council; House
temporarily postponed on second reading; retained on calendar.
SB 1212-Favorable with Committee Substitute by Education Pre-K-12;
favorable by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; now in Finance and
Tax; also referred to Education Pre-K-12 Appropriations. |
Scholarships
/Vouchers |
HB 7145 (Schools
and Learning Council) |
Corporate Income
Tax Credit Scholarship Program: Amends
provisions to revise program purposes; provides for eligibility of
siblings of certain students; revises provisions re authorized uses
of scholarship funds and expenditure of contributions received
during fiscal year; amends provisions re John M. McKay Scholarships
for Students with Disabilities Program to revise scholarship
ineligibility and private school eligibility provisions. |
Support |
House amendment(s) adopted; passed
(84-34); Senate substituted for SB 2380; amendment(s) adopted;
passed (26-15); in House returning messages. |
Scholarships
/Vouchers |
SB 344 (Wilson) |
Voluntary Prekindergarten Education:
Revises number of instructional hours that are required for
school-year prekindergarten program delivered by private
kindergarten provider; revises number of instructional hours that
are required to be considered full-time equivalent student in
Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program. |
Monitor |
Conference supports increased funding and full day program for VPK
program. Referred to Education
Pre-K-12; Education Pre-K-12 Appropriations. |
|
Scholarships
/Vouchers |
SB 1642 (Fasano) |
McKay Scholarships/Autism Disorder: Authorizes
McKay Scholarship to fund home-based early intervention program for
child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. |
Support |
Conference supports language that
would restore eligibility for children with Autism Spectrum
Disorder. Referred to
Education Pre-K-12; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Education
Pre-K-12 Appropriations. |
Scholarships
/Vouchers |
SB 2470 (Wise) |
McKay Scholarship/Continuing Participation:
Authorizes students who, due to their disability, are not able to
maintain regular and direct contact with private school they are
attending on scholarship to continue to participate in McKay
Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program. |
Support |
Conference supports legislation that restores McKay
Scholarship Program eligibility to students who have been
disenfranchised from the program because they can't meet attendance
requirements. Referred to
Education Pre-K-12; Education Pre-K-12 Appropriations. |
Scholarships
/Vouchers |
SB 2600
(King, Jr.) |
Transition
Program/Students with Disabilities: Provides continuity in education of
students with disabilities who formerly received scholarships under McKay
Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program; provides eligibility
criteria for students and private schools to participate in program;
requires DOE notify parents of program; provides eligibility requirements
for private schools that participate in program. |
Support |
Conference supports legislation that restores McKay
Scholarship Program eligibility to students who are unable to meet
attendance requirements for a minimum of 170 days in a classroom.
Temporarily postponed by Education Pre-K-12; also referred to Governmental Operations; Finance and Tax; Education
Pre-K - 12 Appropriations. |
|
Scholarships for Students in Failing Schools |
SB 2380 (Webster) |
Education/Failing Schools:
Expresses intent of Legislature to create program to enhance failing
schools; clarifies that tax credit program applies to students in
families having limited financial resources; prescribes obligations
of school districts to inform parents about failing schools;
authorizes students at such schools to attend high-performing school
in same district; establishes eligibility for nonpublic school
participation. |
Monitor |
Favorable with Committee Substitute
by Education Pre-K-12; favorable with
Committee Substitute by Finance and Tax;
bill discussed during Office of EDR's
Revenue Impact Conference (no votes taken);
withdrawn from Education Pre-K-12 Appropriations; Senate
amendment(s) adopted; laid on table; refer to HB 7145. |
|
Background Screening |
SB 106 (Hill) |
Child Care Facilities/Screening: Provides that employment screening for good moral character is valid for 1
year; requires child care personnel to be rescreened using level 2 standards
for screening. |
Monitor |
Conference supports level 2 screening for childcare facility
employees.
Bill does not specify process for childcare personnel to comply with
electronic background screening requirements. SB 106-Favorable with Committee Substitute
by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs;
favorable with Committee Substitute by Criminal Justice;
now in Health and Human Services Appropriations. |
|
Background Screening |
SB 988 (Argenziano) |
High-risk Offenders:
Revises background screening requirements for certain non-instructional
school district employees and contractors as an extension of the Jessica
Lunsford Act. |
Monitor |
Conference is monitoring this legislation to
determine public and private requirements as relating to level of
background screenings and how volunteers, employees and contractors
are defined. Favorable
with 2 Amendments by Education Pre-K; favorable
with 1 Amendment by Governmental Operations;
withdrawn from Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations; Senate
amendment(s) adopted; bill passed (39-0);
House substituted for HB 7103; passed
(115-1); ordered enrolled. |
|
Nonpublic School
Teachers |
SB 1816 (Posey) |
Critical Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program:
Expands program to include nonpublic school teachers who are state certified
and teach in a critical teacher area as defined by the State Board of
Education. |
Support |
Catholic school teachers would be eligible to have their college
loans forgiven on an equitable basis with their public school
counterparts. Legislation creates incentives for teachers to remain
in nonpublic schools, allowing these schools to teach more students.
For every child in a private school, the state saves minimally
$7,000. Favorable by Education Pre-K-12
Committee;
now in Higher Education Appropriations. |
|
School Health |
SB 418 (Wilson) |
School Health Services: Cites act
as "One School, One Nurse Act"; grants certain persons sovereign immunity
when rendering school health services; creates provision re public-private
partnerships for provision of school nurse services. |
Monitor |
Conference supports expanding this bill to include nonpublic
schools. Favorable with
Committee Substitute by Health Policy;
temporarily postponed by
Education Pre-K-12 Committee;
also referred to Judiciary; Health and Human Services
Appropriations. |
|
Mandatory Vaccinations |
HB 561 (Homan)
SB 660 (Fasano) |
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)/Schools:
Requires public
and
private middle schools in state to provide to certain students
and
their parents or guardians information re HPV, its vaccine,
and
cervical cancer; prohibits certain students from admission into school
without providing evidence of vaccination for HPV. |
Monitor |
Conference has issued a position paper
HPV Vaccine Legislation and sent
correspondence to Rep. Homan. HB 561-
Favorable with Council Substitute by Schools and Learning Council;
now in Policy and
Budget Council. SB 660-Favorable with
Committee Substitute by Education Pre-K-12;
withdrawn from Health Policy;
now in Education Pre-K-12
Appropriations. |
|
Abstinence Instruction |
HB 663 (Randolph)
SB 162 (Geller) |
Schools/Abstinence-only Instruction:
Provides
parental right to know re abstinence-only instruction; requires
certain school principals to mail notice to parents re provision of
abstinence-only instruction and right to review abstinence-only
curriculum; authorizes excuse from such instruction under certain
conditions. |
Oppose |
Legislation undermines abstinence-only sexual education.
HB 663-Referred
to Committee on K-12; Schools and Learning Council; Policy and
Budget Council.
SB 162-Favorable with Committee Substitute by Education Pre-K-12;
favorable by
Health Policy; withdrawn from Education Pre-K-12
Appropriations; on Senate calendar, second reading. |
|
School Year |
SB 148 (Posey) |
Opening of Schools/Labor Day: Provides
exception to requirement that school may not open earlier than 14 days
before Labor Day. |
Monitor |
Indirectly impacts Catholic and other nonpublic schools.
Unfavorable by Education Pre-K-12,
laid on Table. |
|
School Attendance |
HB 277
(Thompson, G.) |
Students/School Attendance: Revises
eligibility requirements for driving privileges; revises age for compulsory
school attendance.
|
Monitor |
Compulsory school
attendance laws apply to all children between 6 and 18 years of age
and both public and private schools. A student who attains the age
of 18 during the school year has the right to file a formal
declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment.
Temporarily postponed by Committee on 21st Century
Competitiveness;
also referred to Schools and Learning
Council; Policy and Budget Council. |
|
K-8 virtual schools funding |
HB 7081
(Schools and Learning Council) |
Education Funding: For the 2007-08 school year, funding
models indicate K-8 virtual schools will receive between $5,900 and
$5,940 per FTE. The per FTE state
average funding in the 2006-07 FEFP is $6,840, which is a savings of
about $900 for each K-8 virtual school student. Students enrolled in
a K-8 virtual school would also
generate a savings in capital outlay expenditures because these
students receive services in their homes
and would not require a
classroom. In addition to the FEFP funding, this bill would allow
K-8 virtual schools to receive funding through grants and
donations. This legislation received favorable passage in the House
Schools and Learning Council. |
Monitor |
Conference is
monitoring this legislation to compare funding for online home
education in contrast to funding for scholarships directed at
schools with physical sites. Submitted as a
committee bill. |
|
Bullying |
HB 575 (Thompson, N) |
Bullying/Harassment/Public K-12 Schools:
Cites act as "Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act";
prohibits bullying and harassment of any student or employee of
public K-12 educational institution; requires DOE approval of school
district's policy and school district compliance with reporting
procedures as prerequisites to receipt of safe schools funds. |
Monitor |
House passed (110 -1); in Senate
Messages. |
|
Drug Testing |
HB 461 (Llorente) |
High School Athletics/Drug Testing:
Requires Florida High School Athletic Assoc. to facilitate 1-year drug
testing program to randomly test certain students for anabolic steroid use. |
Monitor |
Catholic schools are members of the
FHSAA. Favorable with
Committee Substitute by Education Innovation and Career Preparation;
favorable with Committee Substitute by Schools and Learning Council;
favorable by Policy and
Budget Council; House amendment(s)
adopted; passed (119-0); Senate
substituted for SB 2200; amendment(s)
adopted; passed (39-0); House refused to concur; Senate
amendment receded; passed (39-0); ordered enrolled. |
|
Parental Information |
SB 2850
(Diaz de la Portilla) |
Exceptional Student Evaluation/Parent Information:
Requires that parents be provided full information re student
evaluation and treatment before giving consent; redefines term
"psychotropic medication". |
Monitor |
Referred to Education Pre-K-12;
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Education Pre-K-12
Appropriations. |
|
Child
Care Rating
Requirements |
HB 1107 (Ausley)
SB 2226 (Rich) |
Child
Care/Quality Rating System: Establishes Florida's Sunshine State
Stars Quality Rating System, a voluntary rating system; provides
quality rating requirements for early learning programs, child care
facilities, and facilities participating in Voluntary
Prekindergarten Education Program; establishes voluntary pilot
program in specified counties; provides financial incentives for
advancement in quality rating. |
Monitor |
Conference is
tracking this legislation to determine if the Quality Rating System
is a mandated state system of accreditation.
HB 1107-Favorable with 1 Amendment by Committee on K-12;
favorable with Committee Substitute by
Schools and Learning Council; favorable by Policy and Budget
Council; placed on House calendar, on second
reading.
SB 2226-Favorable with 1 Amendment
by Education Pre-K; now in Children, Families, and Elder Affairs;
also referred to
Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations. |
HEALTH
|
Issue |
Bill(s) and Sponsor(s) |
Description |
Conference Position |
Comments |
|
Children’s Health Insurance
|
SB 930 (Dawson)
SB 2334 (Wilson)SB 7008
(Health Policy) |
Florida Kidcare Program: Streamlines program to ease enrollment and
improve administration and retention. |
Support |
See Conference position paper
Children's Health.
Conference seeks statewide application of components.
Significant amendments to legislation are expected. HB
930-Favorable with Committee Substitute by Health Policy;
favorable with Committee Substitute by
Governmental Operations; Favorable with Committee
Substitute by Health and Human Services Appropriations. SB 2334-Referred to Health
Policy; Health and Human Services Appropriations. SB 7008-Workshopped
by Health Policy. |
|
Disabled Persons |
SB 1826 (Gaetz)
HB 1597 (Ford) |
Home/Community-Based Waiver Project:
Requires
Agency for Persons with Disabilities
and AHCA to establish pilot project for certain clients who are
currently served through federal waivers for Medicaid home and
community-based services and family and supported living services. |
Monitor |
Conference is requesting a meeting to discuss how the
provisions in federal waivers for Medicaid can effectively benefit
people with developmental delays. SB 1826-Favorable
with Committee Substitute by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs;
now in Health Policy;
also referred to Health and
Human Services Appropriations. HB 1597-Referred to Healthcare
Council; Policy and Budget Council. |
|
Freedom to Serve |
SB 1156 (Rich)
HB 1191 (Roberson) |
Prevention First Act: Promotes Contraceptive
education via Web through schools; incorporates language requiring
health providers to treat victims in a way affirming very early
abortion in violation of religious/moral conscience. |
Oppose |
See Conference position paper
Care for Victims of Sexual Assault. SB 1156-Favorable
by
Health Policy Committee;
withdrawn from Education Pre-K-12; now
in Education Pre-K-12
Appropriations; also referred to Health and Human Services Appropriations. HB
1191-Referred to Health Quality by Healthcare Council. |
|
Organ Donation |
HB 455 (Cretul)
SB 1350 (Oelrich) |
Organ and Tissue Donation: Reorganizes
organ and tissue donation registry and provides funding source aimed
at increasing organization. |
Monitor |
Conference views organization
positively, so long as appropriate ethical safeguards are adhered
to. HB 455-Favorable
with 1 Amendment by Health Innovation;
favorable with Committee Substitute by Healthcare Council;
favorable with Committee Substitute by Policy and Budget Council;
House passed (108-0); Senate substituted for SB 1350;
passed (38-0);
ordered enrolled.
SB 1350-Favorable with Committee Substitute by Health Policy;
favorable with 1 amendment by Transportation; favorable with
Committee Substitute by Governmental Operations;
favorable by Transportation and Economic Development
Appropriations; Senate laid on table, refer to HB 455. |
Larry D. Keough,
Associate Director for Education – rights of Catholic school
children in state and federal education programs, scholarships/vouchers,
teacher certification, testing and school health services,
lkeough@flacathconf.org
Michael B. Sheedy, Associate Director for Health - health care
accessibility, stem cell policy, end-of-life care, and general health care,
msheedy@flacathconf.org
Sheila S. Hopkins, Associate Director for Social Concerns/Respect Life
- children and families, adoption, immigrants, domestic violence, affordable
housing, homeless, elderly, environment, disabled, farmworkers,
incarcerated, abortion and death penalty,
shopkins@flacathconf.org
Michele M. Taylor, Associate for Communications – FCC Advocacy
Network, media relations, Web site,
mtaylor@flacathconf.org
D. Michael McCarron, Executive Director - church and state
issues, tax exemption, miscellaneous,
mccarron@flacathconf.org
|
