The Florida Catholic Conference is the nonpartisan public policy voice of the Catholic Bishops of Florida.
 

2009 Legislative Report
 Florida Legislative Session
 March 3 – May 8, 2009

 Final Post-Session: June 25, 2009

This report identifies priority bills closely followed by the Florida Catholic Conference and is updated daily with activity taken by the legislature. In addition to the priority bills listed here, the Conference monitors other bills of concern. Further information on the Conference's public policy advocacy can be found at www.flacathconf.org. For complete text of any bill listed on this report, please visit the websites of The Florida Senate or The Florida House of Representatives. For definitions of legislative jargon, charts of how an idea becomes a law and other helpful information, click here. 

 

LIFE AND DEATH        SOCIAL CONCERNS        HEALTH        EDUCATION        CONTACTS
CLICK ON THE TOPICS ABOVE TO ACCESS YOUR AREA(S) OF INTEREST

Recent and scheduled activity - red
Passage in senate or house chamber - green
Failure in senate or house chamber - blue
Action taken by governor - purple

LIFE AND DEATH

Issue

Bill(s) and 
Sponsor(s)

Summary/Comments

Position

Bill Status
ABORTION
Ultrasound      SB 1854      Gardiner

 CS/HB 983 Flores

Requires ultrasound be performed and reviewed with patient prior to an abortion unless woman is exempted or opts out of review. Support SB 1854 - Died in Senate Health Regulation Committee
HB 983 - Died in House Health & Family Services Policy Council
CHOOSE LIFE

Choose Life License Plate

 CS/CS/SB 1560 Baker

CS/CS/HB 239
Glorioso		 Revises the annual use fee for the Choose Life license plate. Revises provisions for distribution of such use fees.

 		 Support

SB 1560 - Died on Senate calendar
HB 239 - Passed House (88-39); Died in Senate Committee on Transportation

ORGAN DONATION

Anatomical Gifts

 CS/CS/SB 766 Oelrich

CS/CS/HB 209 Schwartz		 Expands definition of “anatomical gift” to incorporate wider range of uses and increases flexibility for procurers seeking authorization for a gift.  Monitor SB 766- Passed Senate (38-0); Passed House (117-0); Signed by Governor
HB 209 - House Laid on Table, Refer to SB 766

Conveyance of Bodies Into or Out of the State

CS/SB 414
Crist

CS/CS/CS/HB 125
Nehr		 Authorizes an entity accredited by the American Association of Museums or certified by the Association of Science and Technology Centers to convey plastinated bodies into, within, or out of the state for exhibition and educational purposes. Requires that the entity provide prior notification and documentation to the state anatomical board.

The Conference seeks to ensure that exhibited bodies were obtained with informed consent of the deceased and ensure respect for the remains of the dead.

 Monitor SB 414 -  Passed Senate (39-0); Passed House (116-0); Signed by Governor
HB 125 - House Laid on Table, Refer to SB 414
 


SOCIAL CONCERNS

Issue

Bill(s)
Sponsor(s)

Summary/Comments

Position

Bill Status
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Affordable Housing CS/CS/SB 1040 Bennett


CS/CS/SB 1042
Bennett

CS/CS/HB 161 Aubuchon

Revises and provides provisions relating to affordable housing; provides for assessment of property receiving low-income housing tax credit; defines term "community land trust".

 Monitor

SB 1040 - Died in Senate Committee on Finance and Tax
SB 1042 - Died in Senate Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means
HB 161 - Died in Senate Messages
HOMELESS

Homelessness

 CS/SB 1054
Crist

CS/HB 597
Reed		 Increases and revises membership on the Council on Homelessness. Creates the Housing First program and provides components of the program. Provides that local continuums of care that adopt the program be given funding priority. Directs the State Office on Homelessness to develop procedures for identifying and giving priority. Provides legislative findings and intent relating to young adults leaving foster care. Support SB 1054 - Senate Laid on Table, refer to HB 597
HB 597 -  Passed House (118-0); Passed Senate (39-0); Signed by Governor
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/JUVENILE JUSTICE
Second Chance for Children in Prison CS/SB 1430
King, Jr.

CS/HB 757 Weinstein

 Provides that a child 15 years of age or younger who is sentenced to life or more than 10 years in prison is eligible for parole under certain circumstances. Support

SB 1430 - Died in Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations
HB 757 - Died in House in Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Statewide Task Force

 CS/CS/SB 168 Joyner

 CS/HB 811 Thompson, (G)		 Creates within the Executive Office of the Governor the Florida Statewide Task Force on Human Trafficking. Requires that the task force prepare a final report by a specified date. Provides duties of the Florida State University Center for the Advancement of Human Rights. Support SB 168 -  Passed Senate (40-0); Passed House (118-0); Signed by Governor
HB 811 - Died in House State Universities & Private Colleges Policy Committee
IMMIGRATION

Human Smuggling

 CS/SB 502
Dockery

 CS/HB 123
Snyder		 Provides that a person commits a third degree felony if he or she transports an individual into this state and knows, or should know, that the individual is illegally entering the United States. Provides criminal penalties. Monitor SB 502 -Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 123
HB 123 - Passed House (111-0); Passed Senate (37-0); Signed by Governor
CHILDREN
Court Actions Involving Families CS/CS/SB 878 Rich

CS/CS/HB 523 Planas		 Provides additional purposes relating to implementing a unified family court program in the circuit courts. Support SB 878 - Died in Senate in Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations
HB 523 - Died In Senate Messages
DISABLED
Autism CS/CS/SB 308
Ring

 CS/HB 89 Precourt		 Requires physician to refer minor to appropriate specialist for screening for autism spectrum disorder under certain circumstances; defines terms "appropriate specialist" and "neuropsychologist." Support SB 308 - Passed Senate (40-0); Died in House Insurance, Business, & Financial Affairs Committee
HB 89 - Died in House Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee
Community Residential Homes SB 1124
Altman

CS/CS/HB 371 Stargel		 Provides that community residential homes with six or fewer residents in planned residential communities are not required to obtain local government approval regardless of their proximity to each other. Support SB 1124 -  Passed Senate (40-0); Died on House calendar
HB 371 - House Laid on Table, Refer to SB 1124

Clinical, Counseling, and Psychotherapy Services

 SB 498
Baker

HB 109
Bembry		 Provides for a waiver of confidentiality and privileged communications when, in the clinical judgment of a person licensed or certified under the laws covering said services, there is a clear and immediate probability of certain harm. Monitor SB 498 - Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 109
HB 109 - Passed House (114-0); Passed Senate (39-0); Signed by Governor
ELDERLY
Area Agencies on Aging CS/CS/SB 770 Fasano

CS/CS/CS/HB 935 Bogdanoff

 Revises provisions relating to the Department of Elderly Affairs. Deletes references to the boards of area agencies on aging. Extends the period of designation as a lead agency. Requires that each area agency on aging, rather than the department, develop request for proposals for a community care for the elderly lead agency, etc. Support SB  770 - Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 935
HB 935 - Passed House (118-0); Passed Senate (39-0); Signed by Governor
MARRIAGE
Premarital Preparation SB 2310
Storms

HB 1185
Plakon		 Provides for additional marriage license fee & distribution of proceeds; provides for refund of this additional fee for completion of premarital preparation course; increases minimum number of hours of premarital preparation course; specifies that use of premarital inventory may be part of premarital preparation course. Support SB 2310 - Died in Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations
HB 1185 -Died in House Finance & Tax Council
Marriage Education Trust Fund CS/SB 2306 Storms

HB 1187
Plakon

 Creates the Marriage Education Trust Fund within the Executive Office of the Governor. Provides for administration of the trust fund and use of moneys therein. Provides for future review and termination or re-creation of the trust fund. Support SB 2306 - Died in Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations
HB 1187 - Died in House Finance & Tax Council
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Injunction for Protection SB 434
Fasano

HB 79
Long

 Adds circumstances that violate an injunction for protection against repeat violence, sexual violence, or dating violence. Support SB 434 - Died in Senate  Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations
HB 79 -  Passed House (118-0); Died In Senate Messages
Injunctions for Protection/Violence SB 510
Hill

HB 829
Jones (M)		 Requires the sheriff or other law enforcement officer who serves injunctions for protection against domestic violence, repeat violence, sexual violence, or dating violence upon a respondent to notify the petitioner within a specified period that the respondent has been served if the petitioner has requested notification and has registered a telephone number or e-mail address with the sheriff. Provides for the content of the notice. Monitor SB 510 - Died in Senate Judiciary
HB 829 - Died in House Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
Unemployment Compensation CS/SB 516
 Hill

HB 1333
Rader
 

 Redefines the term "base period." Requires an employer to provide wage information to support an individual's eligibility for benefits. Provides for an alternative base period after a certain date. Defines the term "alternative base period." Authorizes the Agency for Workforce Innovation to accept an affidavit from the claimant to support eligibility for benefits, etc.
 		 Support SB 516 - Died in Senate Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means
HB 1333 - Died in House  Economic Development Policy Committee
DISASTERS
Insurance CS/CS/SB 1950
Richter

CS/CS/CS/HB 1495
Nelson		 Extends application of provisions relating to temporary increase in coverage limit operations for Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund; defines term "actuarially sound rates" for purposes of coverage by Citizens Property Insurance Corporation; requires corporation to implement specified rate increases each year; provides for termination of such rate increase implementation; requires My Safe Florida Home Program to use specified funds for mitigation grants. Support SB 1950 - Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 1495
HB 1495 - Passed Senate (32-6); Passed House (80-35); Signed by Governor


HEALTH

Issue

Bill(s) 
Sponsor(s)

Summary/Comments

Position

Bill Status
HEALTH POLICY

Workgroup on Forensic Mental Health

CS/CS/CS/SB 1180 Wise

CS/CS/CS/CS/HB 349
Adkins

 Provides for creation of a workgroup to review state policy and budgeting issues affecting adults with serious mental illness who also have involvement with the state criminal justice system. Authorizes use of outside research organizations.

Support

 SB 1180 -Died in Senate Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means
HB 349 - Died in House Full Appropriations Council on General Government & Health Care 

Cigarette User Fees

CS/SB 1840 Deutch

HB 887
Zapata 		Increases state cigarette user fees and proposes formula for distribution of funds.  Monitor

SB 1840 - Passed Senate (39-0); House amended and passed (117-0); Passed Senate (40-0); Passed House (85-30);  Signed by Governor
HB 887 - Died in House Finance & Tax Council

CHILDREN'S HEALTH

Florida Kidcare Program

CS/CS/SB 918
Rich

HB 1329 Patronis

 Clarifies the application of the Florida Kidcare program to include all eligible uninsured, low-income children. Removes a restriction on participation in the Florida Healthy Kids program. Authorizes certain enrollees to opt out of the Children's Medical Services network. Deletes provisions that place a limit on enrollment in Medikids and the Florida Healthy Kids full-pay program, etc. Support

SB 918 - Passed Senate (40-0); Passed House (116-0); Signed by Governor
HB 1329 - Died in House Health Care Services Policy Committee
MEDICAID POLICIES
Medicaid Buy-in Program/
Persons with Disabilities		 CS/SB 348 Crist Provides for Medicaid eligibility for certain persons with disabilities under a Medicaid buy-in program, subject to specific federal authorization. Requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to seek amendments to specified Medicaid waivers for certain persons with disabilities. Support Died in Senate Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means
Medicaid Program/Low-Income Pool CS/CS/SB 556 Gaetz

CS/HB 285 Patronis

These bills have been amended to change composition of the LIP Council, which remains intact. Key stakeholders will continue to be represented.

 		 Monitor SB 556 -  Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 285
HB 285 -  Passed House (117-0); Passed Senate (37-0); Signed by Governor
VACCINATION
Childhood Vaccinations CS/SB 242
Ring

CS/HB 33
Ambler		 Requires that health care providers document giving information about childhood vaccinations to a minor's parent or legal guardian before vaccinating the minor and outlines the process. Monitor SB 242 - Died in Senate Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means
HB 33 - Died in House PreK-12 Policy Committee
LONG TERM CARE
Nursing Homes Inspection CS/SB 1562 (Bennett)

HB 1387 (Roberson)

 Streamlines nursing home regulation by eliminating duplicative requirements and regulations. Support SB 1562 -Died in Senate   Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
HB 1387 - Died in House Health Care Regulation Policy Committee


EDUCATION

Issue

Bill(s)
Sponsor(s)

Summary/Comments

Position

Bill Status

SCHOLARSHIPS/VOUCHERS/SCHOOL CHOICE
Tax Credits for Contributions to Nonprofit Scholarship
-funding Organizations

CS/CS/SB 1310 Gardiner

CS/CS/HB 453 Weatherford

 Expands Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarship Program to include insurance premium tax credits. Support SB 1310 -Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 453
HB 453 - Passed House (94-23); Passed Senate (26 -11) ; Signed by Governor
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program CS/SB 1364 Pruitt

CS/CS/HB 719 Stargel

 The bill requires full-time students funded in the 2009-10 academic year and thereafter to complete at least 24 semester hours or the equivalent per academic year for renewal of the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship. If a student fails to earn the minimum number of hours required to renew the scholarship, the student loses his or her eligibility for renewal for a period equivalent to 1 academic year. Monitor SB 1364 - Died in Senate   Higher Education Appropriations
HB 719 - Died on House Calendar

TEACHER CERTIFICATION/CREDENTIALS
Public School Athletic Coaches/Certification CS/CS/SB 2066 Haridopolos

CS/CS/HB 1539 Fresen

 Provides that completion of a sports safety course shall meet certain certification requirements. Requires the sports safety course to be approved by the Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors and to meet specified requirements. Monitor SB 2066 - Senate Laid on Table; refer to HB 1539
HB 1539 - Passed House (113-0); Passed Senate (38-0); Signed by Governor

 OTHER
Public Schools/Human Sexuality Education SB 220
Deutch

HB 265 Fitzgerald		 Creates the "Florida Health Teens Act" and establishes for all school districts uniform guidelines in sex education that fail to include teaching abstinence as the expected standard for all school aged children. Oppose SB 220 - Died on Senate Education Pre-K - 12 Committee
HB 265 - Died in House PreK-12 Policy Committee
Sexual Misconduct with Students by Authority Figures CS/SB 1892
Crist

CS/HB 659 Stargel

 Provides for reclassification of specified sexual offenses committed against students by an authority figure or an offender that is acting in such manner as to lead victim to reasonably believe that offender is such an authority figure. Monitor SB 1892 - Died in Senate Education Pre-K - 12 Committee
HB 659 - Passed House (110-3); Died In Senate messages


CONTACTS

For questions regarding bills listed on this report or other proposed legislation, please contact the appropriate staff member listed below:

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, marriage, environment, disabled, farmworkers, incarcerated, abortion and death penalty, shopkins@flacathconf.org

James B. Herzog, Associate Director for Education - Florida Catholic Conference accreditation program for K-8 schools in the seven dioceses of Florida and the Diocese of Savannah, Georgia, rights of Catholic school children in state and federal education programs, scholarships/vouchers, jherzog@flacathconf.org

Michele M. Taylor, Associate Director for Communications - Florida Catholic Conference Advocacy Network, media relations, Conference publications and Web site, mtaylor@flacathconf.org

D. Michael McCarron, Executive Director - church and state issues, tax exemption, miscellaneous, mccarron@flacathconf.org

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