At the end of each week of the 60-day session, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) provides a summary of activity on priority bills and other items of interest at the capitol. Previous summaries are available on our website. The full text of bills and all legislative actions can be found on the websites of the Florida House and Florida Senate.
Rep. Kaylee Tuck (R-Sebring) closes on HB 1475 prior its passage by the House.
On April 14, HB 1475 (Tuck) passed the full House (77-40). The measure protects the rights of female athletes and promotes equality in women's sports by recognizing key biological differences between men and women and requiring separate sex-specific athletic teams. Laws and policies that affirm gender identities not aligned with biological sex often overlook the potential for serious, and often irreversible, physical harm to gender dysphoric individuals, especially minors, who attempt to "transition." In a letter to Rep. Tuck, the FCCB outlined its support for HB 1475. The Senate companion, SB 2012 (Stargel), includes an exception for "persons who transition from male to female" if they meet certain conditions, such as specified testosterone levels. SB 2012 was temporarily postponed this week by the Senate Rules Committee but is scheduled for a hearing on April 20.
On April 15, the full Senate passed HB 1 (23-17). In response to recent riots, the bill purports to address public disorder by creating new riot-related crimes and enhancing penalties on existing offenses. The FCCB opposes the bill as it is unnecessary and potentially harmful. Any violence committed during a riot, or at any time, is already prosecutable, and it is unnecessary to raise penalties for those crimes. Additionally, some broad terms in the bill could potentially criminalize some of our ministries' public activities such as praying in front of an abortion facility, sidewalk counseling, and prayer vigils to end the use of the death penalty. FCCB's concerns with the measure are further outlined in a letter. The proposal passed the House (76-39) on March 26. A top priority of Governor Ron DeSantis, the measure will be sent to him for his signature.
Rep. Cord Byrd (R-Neptune Beach) introduces the proposed committee bill to the House Judiciary Committee.
As on alternative to HB 1, FCCB offered other approaches to civil unrest including collecting data on use-of-force, de-escalation training, and limiting chokeholds. A bill with these provisions and others, HB 7051, was filed and passed unanimously by two House committees this week. Additionally, the measure prohibits a child younger than seven years of age from being arrested, charged, or adjudicated delinquent, unless the violation of law is a forcible felony. The measure has been placed on the House calendar on second reading.
On April 15, four bills supported by the FCCB were reported favorably by the House Education & Employment Committee:
Early Learning and Early Grade Success HB 419 (Grall) streamlines agency oversight of the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Program, reasonably and effectively increases accountability for VPK providers, and provides more useful and accurate assessments to monitor student progress. The bill passed (20-1). The Senate companion, SB 1282 (Harrell), waits to be heard by its final committee of reference, Appropriations.
Educator Preparation and Certification HB 1159 (Busatta Cabrera) revises provisions relating to state-approved teacher preparation, career and professional development programs. The bill passed unanimously. Its companion, SB 934 (Wright), waits to be heard by its final committee of reference, Appropriations.
Reproductive Health and Disease Education HB 545 (Chaney) requires school districts to make sex education curriculum and instructional materials available to parents via a link on the district website. It also requires district school boards to annually approve all instructional materials used to teach reproductive health in an open, noticed public meeting. The bill passed (18-2). The companion, SB 410 (Rodriguez, A.), waits to be heard by its final committee of reference, Rules.
Purple Star Campuses HB 429 (Learned) requires the Department of Education to establish a Purple Star Campus Program to assist students from military families as they transition to new schools. The bill passed unanimously. The companion, SB 938 (Wright), waits to be heard its final committee of reference, Appropriations.
The Hyde Amendment, contained in the federal government's annual appropriations legislation, prohibits federal funding of domestic abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. It is a bipartisan provision that has been part of federal appropriations for 45 years (since 1976). In addition to being widely supported by Americans, it saves lives and respects the consciences of Americans. However, it is now under grave threat.
Stop your tax dollars from going to abortion. Visit NoTaxpayerAbortion.com to sign the petition to Congress.
