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

 

2010 Legislative Report
Florida Legislative Session
March 2 – April 30, 2010

March
12, 2010

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        OTHER
CLICK ON THE TOPICS ABOVE TO ACCESS YOUR AREAS 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
Parental Notice of Abortion SB 2446
Gardiner

HB 1449
Stargel
Revises notice requirements relating to the termination of a pregnancy of a minor. Provides exceptions to the notice requirements. Revises procedure for judicial waiver of notice. Provides that in a hearing relating to waiving the requirement for parental notice, the court consider certain additional factors, including whether the minor's decision to terminate her pregnancy was due to undue influence. Requires mandatory reporting of child abuse. Support SB 2446 - Referred to Health Regulation; Judiciary
HB 1449 - Referred to Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council; Policy Council
UNBORN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE

Florida Unborn Victims of Violence Act

SB 290
Fasano

HB 141
Poppell
Defines the term "unborn child" for purposes of vehicular homicide. Revises terminology to refer to "unborn child" rather than "viable fetus." Provides that certain offenses relating to the killing of an unborn child by injury to the mother do not require specified knowledge or intent. Support SB 290 - Temporarily postponed by Criminal Justice; also referred to Judiciary; Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations
HB 141 - Now in Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee; also referred to Policy Council; Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council
 


SOCIAL CONCERNS

Issue

Bill(s)
Sponsor(s)

Summary/Comments

Position

Bill Status

AFFORDABLE HOUSING
State Housing Trust Fund SB 262
Bennett

HB 665 Aubuchon

Provides housing finance authority with additional purpose for which it may exercise its power to borrow; removes limitation on amount of proceeds from excise taxes on documents to be deposited in State Housing Trust Fund each fiscal year; provides additional policy guidelines under state housing strategy for development of programs for housing production or rehabilitation; includes needs of persons with special needs in strategy's periodic review and report; removes provision requiring Florida Housing Finance Corporation to transfer certain funds to General Revenue Fund; prohibits funds from State Housing Trust Fund or Local Government Housing Trust Fund that are appropriated for specified programs from being used for certain purposes.

Support

SB 262 - On Committee agenda - Community Affairs, 03/17/10, 3:15 pm; also referred to Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations; Rules
HB 665 -
Favorable with CS by Military & Local Affairs Policy Committee (12-0); Now in Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development; also referred to Economic Development & Community Affairs Policy Council

JUVENILE JUSTICE
Parole for Adolescent Offenders SB 184
Joyner

HB 23
Weinstein

Provides that an adolescent offender who was 15 years of age or younger when the offense was committed and who is sentenced to life or more than 10 years in prison is eligible for parole if the offender has been incarcerated for a minimum period and has not previously been convicted or adjudicated delinquent of or had adjudication withheld for certain offenses. Provides for retroactive application.

Support

SB 184 - Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice (6-1); also referred to Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations
HB 23 - Favorable with CS by Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee (13-0); Now in Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations Committee; Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council

CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Evidence of Crimes SB 2522
Joyner

HB 1323
Randolph

Provides that governmental entities are required to maintain physical evidence for potential DNA testing only for serious crimes. Provides that only the portion of a piece of evidence that is likely to contain biological evidence must be retained and other portions of that piece of evidence may be disposed of when the physical evidence is of such a size, bulk, or physical character as to render retention impracticable

Support

SB 2522 - Referred to Criminal Justice; Judiciary; Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations
HB 1323 - Referred to Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee; Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations Committee; Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council

HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Human Trafficking SB 966
Joyner

HB 633
Burgin
Revises the requirements for the license and the identification card that are issued to massage therapists. Requires criminal background checks for persons, firms, or corporations applying for a massage establishment license. Requires any person, firm, or corporation that operates a cosmetology salon or specialty salon that offers massage services to obtain a massage establishment license. Monitor

SB 966 - Referred to Health Regulation; Criminal Justice; Regulated Industries; Health and Human Services Appropriations
HB 633 -
Favorable with CS by Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee (13-0); also referred to Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development; General Government Policy Council

Sexual Exploitation of Children SB 1700
Ring

HB 535
Fresen
Designates "Florida Safe Harbor Act"; provides for presumption that placement of child alleged to have been sexually exploited in short-term safe house is necessary; provides requirements for safe houses receiving such children; provides requirements relating to appropriations for safe houses; provides presumption against filing delinquency petition for certain prostitution-related offenses in certain circumstances. Support

SB 1700 - Referred to Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Criminal Justice; Health and Human Services Appropriations
HB 535 - Now in Health Care Services Policy Committee; also referred to Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee; Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development; Health & Family Services Policy Council

IMMIGRATION
Verification of Citizenship or Legal Presence SB 856
Baker

HB 421
Adkins
Requires Lottery Department to verify citizenship or legal presence of certain prize winners; prohibits local ordinances relating to undocumented; requires public employer verification of work status of new hires; requires driver's license applicants to show proof of citizenship or lawful presence; requires verification of lawful presence of certain public benefit applicants; prohibits certain acts by persons providing immigration assistance services; prohibits transporting or harboring undocumented; prohibits attending public educational programs or institutions unless citizen or lawfully present; requires student seeking state financial aid to show citizenship or lawful presence. Monitor

SB 856 - Referred to Regulated Industries; Community Affairs; Criminal Justice; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Education Pre-K - 12; Agriculture; Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means
HB 421 - Now in Governmental Affairs Policy Committee; also referred to Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development; Economic Development & Community Affairs Policy Council

ENVIRONMENT

Tax on Sales, Use, and Other Transactions

SB 152
Lynn

HB 167
Rehwinkel Vasilinda 
Deletes exemption for sales of drinking water in containers. Support SB 152 - Referred to Commerce; Finance and Tax; Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means
HB 167 - Now in Finance & Tax Council; also referred to Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development
Limestone Mining SB 1338
Dean

HB 617
Bembry
Eliminates criteria for determining the ratio of mitigation-to-wetlands loss relating to limestone and sand mining. Provides that financial responsibility for mitigation for wetlands and other surface waters required by a permit for activities associated with the extraction of limestone is subject to approval by the Department of Environmental Protection as part of permit application review. Monitor

SB 1338 - Referred to Environmental Preservation and Conservation; Community Affairs; General Government Appropriations
HB 617 -
Favorable with CS by Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Committee (13-0); Favorable with CS by Natural Resources Appropriations Committee (12-0); Favorable with CS by General Government Policy Council (15-0)

OTHER
Premarital Preparation SB 2438
Storms

HB 1413
Murzin
Provides for the creation and revision of the Florida Marriage Handbook. Creates the Marriage Education Committee. Provides for membership on the committee. Specifies the content for Parts A and B of the handbook. Requires the committee to be reconstituted once every 10 years for the purpose of reviewing and updating the content in the handbook. Requires the committee to submit a report to the Legislature by a specified date. Support

SB 2438 - Referred to Judiciary; Governmental Oversight and Accountability; Health and Human Services Appropriations
HB 1413 -
Now in Civil Justice & Courts Policy Committee; also referred to Health Care Appropriations Committee; Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council

Unemployment Compensation
SB 2294
Hill

HB 741
Rader
Defines terms "alternative base period," "good cause," and "member of the individual's immediate family"; redefines term "base period"; revises requirements for eligibility to receive benefits. Monitor

SB 2294 - Referred to Commerce; Finance and Tax; Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations; Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means
HB 741 - Now in Economic Development Policy Committee; also referred to Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Committee; Economic Development & Community Affairs Policy Council


HEALTH

Issue

Bill(s) 
Sponsor(s)

Summary/Comments

Position

Bill Status

Reproductive Health Services/Rape Survivors
Prevention First Act SB 652
Rich

HB 517
Gibson
Provides duties of licensed health care practitioners and facilities relating to the treatment of rape survivors. Requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to provide for enforcement and impose penalties. Requires licensed pharmacies to dispense certain forms of contraception without delay. Specifies conditions under which a pharmacy may refuse to provide a contraceptive

Oppose

SB 652 - Referred to Health Regulation; Judiciary; Health and Human Services Appropriations
HB 517 - Now in Health Care Regulation Policy Committee; also referred to Health Care Appropriations Committee; Health & Family Services Policy Council
Public School Education/Human Sexuality
Florida Healthy Teens Act SB 1502
Deutch

HB 169
Fitzgerald
Requires public schools that provide certain information or programs to students concerning human sexuality to provide information that meets specified criteria. Provides an exemption for certain students. Provides a process to review compliance with such requirements. Authorizes parents and guardians to seek review of a school's compliance. Oppose

SB 1502 - Referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Health Regulation; Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations
HB 169 - Now in PreK-12 Policy Committee; also referred to Health Care Services Policy Committee; PreK-12 Appropriations Committee; Education Policy Council


EDUCATION

Issue

Bill(s)
Sponsor(s)

Summary/Comments

Position

Bill Status

SCHOLARSHIPS/VOUCHERS/SCHOOL CHOICE

Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program SB 2126
Negron

HB 1009
Weatherford


 

Incrementally increases over 4 years the value of the scholarship up to 80% of unweighted funding received by students attending public schools. Allows new financial sources to fund the scholarships, to include the existing corporate income taxes, and proposing new credits for gas severance taxes, alcoholic beverage excise taxes and direct pay sales and use taxes. Schools serving 30 or more FTC students in grades 3-10 will be required to participate in certain norm-referenced tests and report learning gains; any school with at least $250,000 in scholarship funds the previous year requires a financial report from a certified accountant each year for.
 

During the 2008-2009 school year, the program served 2,700 students attending Catholic elementary and secondary schools. A March 2009 report by the State determined that the program saves Florida nearly $40 million per year.
Support SB 2126 - On Committee agenda - Finance and Tax, 03/16/10, 9:00 am; also referred to Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations; Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means
HB 1009
- Now in Finance & Tax Council; also referred to PreK-12 Appropriations Committee; Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development
John M. McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program SB 2746
Gardiner


HB 1505

Flores

Revises student eligibility requirements for participation in scholarship program; authorizes students who are eligible to enter kindergarten to receive John M. McKay Scholarship; provides eligibility requirements for student identified with developmental delay; authorizes students who were enrolled and reported by school district for funding during any prior year FEFP surveys to receive scholarship; authorizes Commissioner of Education to deny, suspend, or revoke private school's participation in program for certain acts or omissions by owner or operator; permits students to receive instruction and services at site other than physical location of private school under specified conditions.

Monitor SB 2746 - Referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Commerce; Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations
HB 1505 -
Now in PreK-12 Policy Committee; also referred to PreK-12 Appropriations Committee; Education Policy Council
 

Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program

Teacher Certification SB 848
Rich

HB 383
Long
Provides that prekindergarten instructors in school-year prekindergarten programs delivered by private providers and public schools must meet new professional credentialing requirements beginning July 1, 2013. Monitor SB 848 - Referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations; Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means
HB 383 - Now in Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee; also referred to Policy Council; PreK-12 Appropriations Committee; General Government Policy Council

OTHER

Sales Tax Exemption/Books
/Clothing/School Supplies
SB 160
Baker

SB 514
Fasano

HB 469
Flores
Specifies a period during which the sale of books, clothing, and school supplies is exempt from the tax on sales, use, and other transactions. Support SB 160 - Referred to Finance and Tax; Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means
SB 514 - Referred to Finance and Tax; Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means
HB 469 - Now in Finance & Tax Council; also referred to Economic Development & Community Affairs Policy Council
Student Voter Education SB 524
Fasano

HB 407
Brisé

Requires each district school board and county supervisor of elections to jointly provide voter-education program to high school students who are eligible to register or preregister to vote; requires presentation to be made available to nonpublic high schools upon request; provides guidelines for program content. Support SB 524 - Referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Ethics and Elections; Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations
HB 407 - Workshopped by
Governmental Affairs Policy Committee; also referred to PreK-12 Policy Committee; PreK-12 Appropriations Committee; Economic Development & Community Affairs Policy Council

OTHER

Issue

Bill(s) 
Sponsor(s)

Summary/Comments

Position

Bill Status

MISCELLANEOUS

Religious Freedom Act

SJR 2550
Altman


HJR 1399
Precourt

Proposes amendment to s. 3, Art. I of State Constitution to provide that an individual may not be barred from participating in any public program because of choosing to use public benefits at a religious provider and to delete a prohibition against using public revenues in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination or any sectarian
institution.

Support

SB 2550 - Referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Judiciary; Rules
HB 1399 -
Now in Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council; also referred to Rules & Calendar Council
Statute of Limitations Sexual Battery SB 870
Aronberg

HB 525
Dorworth
Eliminates statutes of limitations for criminal or civil actions relating to sexual battery of a child if the victim is under 16 years of age at the time of the offense.

The Conference has no objection to elimination of criminal or civil statutes of limitation limited to actual perpetrators; however, a severe disadvantage is created by requiring employers of public and private organizations to defend against complaints with no time limits that may have occurred decades ago.

Oppose SB 870 - Favorable by Criminal Justice (7-0); now in Judiciary; also referred to Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations
HB 525 - Favorable by Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee (12-0); Now in Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations Committee; also referred to Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council


CONTACTS

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

D. Michael McCarron, Executive Director - (850) 205-6819, mccarron@flacathconf.org
Michael B. Sheedy, Associate Director for Health - (850) 205-6824, msheedy@flacathconf.org
Sheila S. Hopkins, Associate Director for Social Concerns/Respect Life
- (850) 205-6826, shopkins@flacathconf.org
James B. Herzog, Associate Director for Education
- (850) 224-7906, jherzog@flacathconf.org
Michele M. Taylor, Associate Director for Communications
- (850) 205-6817, mtaylor@flacathconf.org


FLORIDA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
201 W. Park Avenue
Tallahassee, FL 32301-7760
(850) 222-3830
 www.flacathconf.org  

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