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Tallahassee, FL 32301-7760
phone: (850) 205-6820
fax: (850) 205-6849
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LIFE AND DEATH |
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| Issue | Bill(s) and Sponsor(s) | Summary | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abortion | ||||
| Abortion/ Public Funding/ Construction of Rights |
CS/CS/SJR 1538 Flores CS/HJR 1179 Baxley |
Proposes amendments to the State Constitution to prohibit public funding of abortions and prohibit the State Constitution from being interpreted to create broader rights to an abortion than those contained in the United States Constitution. | Support | SJR 1538 - Favorable by Health Regulation (8-4); Favorable with CS by Judiciary (4-2); Withdrawn from Budget; Favorable with CS by Rules (9-3); Senate Laid on Table; refer to HB 1179 HJR 1179 - Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services Committee (12-6); Favorable by Judiciary (12-4); House passed (82-35); Senate amended and passed (27-12); House passed (79-34); Signed by Officers and filed with Secretary of State To be on 2012 General Election ballot |
| Ultrasound Before Abortion | CS/SB 1744 Storms CS/HB 1127 Porter |
Requires that ultrasound be performed and reviewed with patient before woman gives informed consent for abortion procedure; requires that woman certify in writing that she declined to review ultrasound and did so of her own free will without undue influence; provides exemption from requirement to view ultrasound for women who are victims of rape, incest, domestic violence, or human trafficking or for women who have serious medical condition necessitating abortion. | Support | SB 1744 - Favorable with CS by Health Regulation (7-5); Withdrawn from Budget and Rules; Senate Laid on the Table; refer to HB 1127 HB 1127 - Favorable by Health & Human Services Quality (10-4); Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services (11-5); House passed (81-37); Senate passed (24-15); Signed by Governor |
| Parental Notice of Abortion | SB 1770 Hays HB 1247 Stargel |
Revises procedure for judicial waiver of notice relating to termination of pregnancy of minor; provides for minor to petition for hearing within specified time; provides that court consider certain additional factors, including whether minor's decision to terminate her pregnancy was due to undue influence; provides procedure for appeal if judicial waiver of notice is not granted. | Support | SB 1770 - Favorable by Health Regulation (9-3); Favorable with 1 Amendment by Judiciary (5-2); Withdrawn from Budget; Senate Laid on Table; refer to HB 1247 HB 1247 - Favorable by Civil Justice (9-5); Favorable by Judiciary (13-4); House amended and passed (82-35); Senate passed (26-12); Signed by Governor |
| Abortion Regulation | CS/SB 1748 Flores CS/CS/HB 1397 Burgin |
Restricts the circumstances in which an abortion may be performed in the third trimester or after viability. Requires an abortion clinic to provide conspicuous notice that the abortion clinic is prohibited from performing abortions in the third trimester of after viability. Prohibits a termination of pregnancy from being performed in a location other than a validly licensed hospital, abortion clinic, or physicians office. | Support | SB 1748 - Favorable with CS by Health Regulation (7-4); withdrawn from Criminal Justice and Budget; Died on Senate calendar HB 1397 - Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services Quality (9-3); Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services (11-5); House amended and passed (79-36); Died in messages |
| Assistance for Pregnant Women | ||||
| Choose Life License Plates | CS/CS/SB 196 Fasano HB 501 Baxley |
Provides for the annual use fees to be distributed to Choose Life, Inc., rather than counties, for redistribution to nongovernmental, not-for-profit agencies that assist certain pregnant women. Authorizes Choose Life, Inc. to use a portion of the funds to administer and promote the Choose Life license plate program. | Support | SB 196 - Favorable with 1 Amendment by Transportation (5-2); Favorable with CS by Community Affairs (7-2); Favorable with CS by Budget (15-4); Senate Laid on Table; refer to HB 501 HB 501 - Favorable by Transportation & Highway Safety 10-5; Favorable by Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations (11-4); Favorable by Economic Affairs (12-6); House passed (82-35); Senate amended and passed (28-10); House passed (83-33;) Signed by Governor |
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SOCIAL CONCERNS |
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| Issue | Bill(s) and Sponsor(s) | Summary | Position | Status |
| Criminal Justice | ||||
| Treatment-Based Drug Court Programs | CS/SB 400 Wise CS/HB 81 Rouson |
Provides that a court has the discretion to allow offenders with prior violent felony offenses into postadjudicatory treatment-based drug court programs on a case-by-case basis. Increases the number of Criminal Punishment Code scoresheet total sentence points that a defendant may have and be eligible for such a program. | Support | SB 400 - Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice (4-0); Favorable by Judiciary (7-0); Favorable by Budget (21-0); Senate passed (39-0); House passed (117-1); Signed by Governor HB 81 - Favorable by Criminal Justice (13-1); Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services Access (14-0); Favorable by Justice Appropriations (12-1); Favorable by Judiciary (17-1); House Laid on Table, Refer to SB 400 |
| Sentencing of Inmates | CS/SB 1334 Bogdanoff CS/HB 917 Porth |
Removes all references to imposing mandatory minimum sentences for defendants convicted of trafficking in controlled substances. Directs the Department of Corrections to develop and administer a reentry program for nonviolent offenders which is intended to divert nonviolent offenders from long periods of incarceration. | Support | SB 1334 - Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice (5-0); Favorable by Judiciary (5-2); Withdrawn from Budget; Died on Senate calendar HB 917 - Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice (12-0); Favorable by Rulemaking & Regulation (12-2); now in Justice Appropriations; also referred to Judiciary; Died in committee |
| Eyewitness Identification | SB 1398 Bogdanoff CS/CS/HB 821 Thurston, Jr. |
Requires law enforcement agencies that conduct lineups to follow certain specified procedures. Requires the eyewitness to sign an acknowledgement that he or she received the instructions about the lineup procedures. Provisions of CS/CS/SB 1206 (Negron) were amended to SB 1398 (Bogdanoff.) |
Support | SB 1398 - Senate amended and passed (33-3); Died in messages HB 821 - Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice (12-2); Favorable with CS by Judiciary (16-2); Died on Calendar |
| Juvenile Civil Citations | CS/SB 1300 (Storms) CS/HB 997 (Pilon) |
Requires first-time misdemeanor, juvenile offenders to participate in local civil citation diversion program rather than serve a term of incarceration. | Support | SB 1300 - Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice (5-0); Favorable by Judiciary (6-0); Favorable by Budget (19-0); Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 997 HB 997 - Favorable by Criminal Justice (12-0); Favorable with CS by Justice Appropriations (11-0); Favorable by Judiciary (18-0); House Passed (119-0); Senate passed (38-0); Signed by Governor |
| Children | ||||
| School Nutrition Programs | CS/CS/SB 1312 Siplin CS/CS/HB 7219 State Affairs McKeel |
Transfers responsibilities for the administration of the school food and nutrition programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to conduct, supervise, and administer all school food and nutrition programs | Support | SB 1312 - Favorable with CS by Agriculture (4-0); Favorable by General Government Appropriations (7-0); Favorable with CS by Budget (19-0); Favorable by Rules (9-3); Senate amended and passed (37-0); House passed (115-0); Signed by Governor HB 7219 - Favorable with CS by Education Committee (15-0); Favorable with CS by Appropriations (22-0); House Laid on Table, refer to SB 1312 |
| Immigration | ||||
| Unauthorized Immigrants | CS/SB 2040 Judiciary |
Requires every employer to use the federal E-Verify program to verify employment eligibility of each new employee hired. Provides exception if employees present specified documents to the employer. | Monitor | SB 2040 - Favorable with CS by Judiciary (5-2); Withdrawn from Budget; Senate amended and passed (23-16); Died in messages |
| Enforcement of Laws | CS/HB 7089 Judiciary Snyder |
Requires every employer to use federal E-Verify system; authorizes law enforcement officers to determine immigration status; provides additional instance for warrantless arrests; provides for enhanced maximum criminal penalties when offense committed by unlawfully present alien. | Oppose | HB 7089 - Favorable with CS by Economic Affairs (11-7); Died in committee |
| Postsecondary Student Fees for Undocumented Students | CS/SB 318 Siplin HB 55 Bullard (D) |
Provides an exemption from payment of nonresident tuition at a state university or a Florida College System institution for an undocumented student who meets specified requirements. | Support | SB 318 - Favorable with CS by Judiciary (7-0); now in Higher Education; also referred to Criminal Justice; Budget; Died in committee HB 55 - Now in K-20 Innovation; also referred to Rulemaking & Regulation; Higher Education Appropriations; Judiciary; Education; Died in committee |
| Human Trafficking | ||||
| Massage Services | CS/SB 246 Joyner HB 477 Burgin |
Specifies documents that must be possessed by each person providing or offering to provide massage services in certain circumstances. Requires presentation of such documents upon request of a law enforcement officer. Requires massage establishments to maintain valid work authorization documents on the premises for each employee who is not a U.S. citizen. | Support | SB 246 - Favorable with CS by Health Regulation (12-0); Favorable by Criminal Justice (5-0); Favorable by Budget (21-0); Senate passed (39-0); Died in messages HB 477 - Favorable by Criminal Justice (13-0); Now in Business & Consumer Affairs; also referred to Justice Appropriations; Judiciary; Died in committee |
| Florida Safe Harbor Act | SB 718 Ring CS/CS/CS/HB 1277 Glorioso |
Provides for presumption that placement of child alleged to have been sexually exploited in short-term safe house is necessary; provides for training for law enforcement officials; allows victim compensation. These provisions in CS/HB 145 (Fresen) were amended to CS/CS/HB 1277 in Judiciary. | Support | SB 718 - Referred to Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Criminal Justice; Budget; Died in committee HB 1277 - Favorable with CS by Judiciary (17-0); House Passed (117-0); Died in messages |
| Affordable Housing | ||||
| Housing Trust Fund | SB 912 Bennett HB 639 Aubuchon |
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 912 - Favorable by Community Affairs (9-0); Favorable by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs (4-0); Withdrawn from Budget; Senate Laid on Table, refer to HB 639 HB 639 - Favorable by Community & Military Affairs Subcommittee (15-0); Favorable by Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations (11-0); Favorable by Economic Affairs (16-0); House passed (117-0); Senate passed (37-2); Signed by Governor |
| Housing Trust Fund | SB 2154 Budget |
Deletes provisions on the distributions of documentary stamp tax revenues to the State Housing Trust Fund and the Local Government Housing Trust Fund. | Oppose | SB 2154 - Formerly HB 7200; Senate passed (33-6); House amended and passed (118-0); Senate passed conference committee report (33-5); House passed (118-0); Signed by Governor |
| Other | ||||
| Faith-based and Community-based Advisory Council | SB 898 Bennett HB 4167 Ford |
Deletes provision that would abolish Florida Faith-based and Community-based Advisory Council in 2011. | Support | SB 898 - Favorable by Governmental Oversight and Accountability (11-0); Favorable by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs (5-0); withdrawan from Community Affairs; Senate amended and passed (39-0); House passed (118-0;) Signed by Governor HB 4167 - Favorable by Government Operations (12-0); now in Health & Human Services; also referred to State Affairs; Died in committee |
| Temporary Assistance for Needy Families | CS/CS/SB 556 Oelrich CS/CS/CS/CS/HB 353 Smith, J. |
Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to perform a drug test on individuals who apply for benefits funded by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF). Makes individuals responsible for bearing the cost of drug testing. | Oppose | SB 556 - Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice (4-0); Favorable by Health and Human Services Appropriations (5-2); Favorable with CS by Budget (12-7); Senate Laid on Table, refer to HB 353 HB 353 - Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services Access (12-3); Favorable with CS by Rulemaking & Regulation (9-6); Favorable with CS by Judiciary Committee (13-5); Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services Committee (12-6);House amended and passed (78-38); Senate passed (26-11); Signed by Governor |
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HEALTH |
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| Issue | Bill(s) and Sponsor(s) | Summary | Position | Status |
| Health Care Reform | ||||
| Elective Abortion Coverage | CS/CS/SB 1414 Wise CS/HB 97 Gaetz (M) |
Applies key provision of the "Hyde amendment" to Florida's health insurance exchange established in health reform by precluding purchase of elective abortion coverage when public funds are used. | Support | SB 1414 - Favorable by Health Regulation (8-4); Favorable with CS by Banking and Insurance (6-4);Favorable with CS by Budget (14-4); Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 97 HB 97 - Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services Access (10-5); Favorable by Insurance & Banking (10-4); Favorable by Health & Human Services (11-5); House passed (80-37); Senate amended and passed (28-11); House passed (80-35); Signed by Governor |
| Insurance Mandates | SJR 2 Haridopolos CS/CS/HJR 1 Plakon |
Allows voters to amend the Florida Constitution to prohibit mandates to purchase health insurance challenging a key provision of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed in 2010. Nearly identical resolutions passed last session, but were stricken from the ballot by the Florida Supreme Court because of ballot summary concerns that are addressed in current resolutions. | Monitor | SJR 2 - Favorable by Health Regulation (9-2); Favorable by Judiciary (5-1); Favorable with CS by Budget (16-4); Senate Passed (29-10); House Passed (80-37); To be on 2012 General Election ballot HJR 1 - Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services Quality (10-4); Favorable by State Affairs Committee (13-5); Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services (9-6); House Laid on Table, Refer to SJR 2 |
| Access to Care | ||||
| Medicaid Managed Care | CS/CS/SB 1972 Negron CS/HB 7107 Schenck |
Expands managed care in Florida's Medicaid program. | Monitor | SB 1972 - Favorable with CS by Health Regulation (11-0); Favorable with CS by Health and Human Services Appropriations (4-2); Favorable with CS by Budget (17-4); Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 7107 HB 7107 - Favorable with CS by Appropriations (12-8); House amended and passed (80-38); Senate amended and passed (28-11); House passed (79-39); Signed by Governor |
| Biomedical Research | ||||
| Funding | CS/SB 720 Gaetz (D) HB 377 Coley |
Revises the Florida biomedical research funding mechanism. | Monitor | SB 720 - Favorable by Health Regulation (12-0); Favorable with CS by Higher Education (3-0); Favorable by Budget (20-0); Senate passed (39-0); Died in messages HB 377 - Now in Health & Human Services Quality; also referred to Rulemaking & Regulation; Health Care Appropriations; Health & Human Services; Died in committee |
| Umbilical Cord Blood Banking | SB 702 Flores CS/HB 471 Nuñez |
Increases awareness of cord blood banking option. | Monitor | SB 702 - Favorable by Health Regulation (11-0); Favorable by Judiciary (7-0); Favorable by Budget (21-0); Senate passed (39-0); House amended and passed (117-0); Senate passed (34-0); Signed by Governor HB 471 - Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services Quality (14-0); Favorable by Health & Human Services (15-0); House Laid on Table, refer to SB 702 |
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EDUCATION |
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| Issue | Bill(s) and Sponsor(s) | Summary | Position | Status |
| Scholarships/School Choice | ||||
| McKay Scholarships/ Students With Disabilities |
CS/SB 1656 Wise CS/HB 1329 Bileca |
Makes McKay Scholarships available to students with disabilities who have a 504 accommodation plan issued under s. 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act. | Support | SB 1656 - Favorable with CS by Education Pre-K-12 (3-0); Favorable by Budget (14-5); Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 1329 HB 1329 - Favorable with CS by K-20 Innovation (14-0); Favorable by Pre-K-12 Appropriations (11-3); Favorable by Education (11-3); House passed (98-17); Senate passed (28-9); Signed by Governor |
| Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program | CS/SB 1388 Flores CS/CS/HB 965 Horner |
Deletes a limitation on the amount of tax credit allowable for contributions. Revises provisions relating to carryforward and rescindment of tax credit under Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program. | Support | SB 1388 - Favorable with CS by Education Pre-K-12 (2-1); Withdrawn from Budget and Rules; Senate Laid on Table, refer ro HB 965 HB 965 - Favorable with CS by Finance & Tax (20-3); Favorable by State Affairs (12-3); Favorable with CS by Appropriations Committee (18-4); House amended and passed (96-18); Senate passed (34-5); Signed by Governor |
| Opportunity Scholarship Program | SB 1822 Benacquisto CS/HB 1331 Bileca |
Revises legislative intent and eligibility requirements for participation in the Opportunity Scholarship Program. Deletes provisions that authorize an opportunity scholarship for attendance at a private school. | Monitor | SB 1822 - Favorable by Education Pre-K-12 (2-1); Favorable by Budget (17-1); Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 1331 HB 1331 - Favorable by K-20 Innovation (13-0); Favorable with CS by PreK-12 Appropriations (13-0); Favorable by Education (10-5); House passed (84-30); Senate passed (32-4); Signed by Governor |
| Instruction | ||||
| K-12 Educational Instruction | CS/SB 1620 Flores CS/CS/HB 7197 K-20 Innovation Stargel |
Adds statewide virtual providers to the list of public school choices. Authorizes the creation and provides for funding of a virtual charter school. Provides for a blended-learning charter school. Provides that home education students may enroll in certain virtual education courses or courses offered in the school district in which they reside. | Monitor | SB 1620 - Favorable by Education Pre-K-12 (3-0); Favorable with 1 Amendment by Budget (16-5); Favorable with CS by Rules (9-0); Senate Laid on Table, refer to HB 7197 HB 7197 - Favorable with CS by Appropriations (21-1); Favorable with CS by Education (14-4); House passed (98-19); Senate passed (27-12); Signed by Governor |
| Other | ||||
| Student Safety | SB 588 Flores CS/HB 481 Kiar |
Requires district school board policies that specify emergency procedures to identity the agency that is responsible for notifying the school district of an occurrence that threatens the safety of students. Requires the agency to notify private schools in the school district. | Support | SB 588 - Referred to Education Pre-K-12; Military Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security; Budget; Died in committee HB 481 - Favorable with CS by K-20 Competitiveness (12-0); Favorable by Community & Military Affairs (12-0); Favorable by Education (18-0); House passed (116-0); Died in messages |
| Student Athletes | CS/SB 730 Flores CS/CS/HB 301 Renuart |
Requires independent sanctioning authority for youth athletic teams and the Florida High School Athletic Association to adopt policies to inform athletes and their parents of the nature and risk of certain head injuries. Requires a signed consent form be obtained before the youth participates in athletic practices or competitions. Requires that a youth athlete be immediately removed following a suspected head injury. | Monitor | SB 730 - Favorable with CS by Education Pre-K-12 (3-0); Favorable by Health Regulation (10-2); Withdrawn from Rules; Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 301 HB 301 - Favorable with CS by K-20 Innovation (14-0); Favorable by Health & Human Services Access (11-1); Favorable with CS by Education (13-2); House amended and passed (118-0); Senate amended and passed (37-0); Died in messages |
| Postsecondary Education Funding | SB 2150 Budget HB 5201 Higher Education Appropriations O'Toole |
Conforms various provisions relating to postsecondary education funding; revises provisions relating to Florida Distance Learning Consortium, admissions application for transient students, fees for postsecondary education, Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, tuition assistance programs, funding for workforce education programs. | Monitor | SB 2150 - Senate passed (31-7); House amended and passed (82-36); Senate passed conference committee report (35-3); House passed (89-29); Signed by Governor HB 5201 - Favorable by Appropriations (19-4); House laid on table; refer to SB 2150 |
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OTHER |
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| Issue | Bill(s) and Sponsor(s) | Summary | Position | Status |
| Religious Freedom | SJR 1218 Altman CS/HJR 1471 Plakon |
Proposes an amendment to the 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 | SJR 1218 - Favorable by Judiciary (5-2); Withdrawn from Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, Education Pre-K-12 and Budget; Senate Laid on Table, refer to HB 1471 HJR 1471 - Favorable by Civil Justice (8-4); Favorable with CS by Judiciary (12-4); House passed (81-35); Senate passed (26-10); Signed by Officers and filed with Secretary of State To be on 2012 General Election ballot |
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) 205-6823
jherzog@flacathconf.org
Michele M. Taylor
Associate Director for Communications
(850) 205-6817
mtaylor@flacathconf.org
