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Legislators Convene for Start of 2018 Session; Governor Delivers State of the State
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On Tuesday morning, January 9, Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Florida Senate President Joe Negron called their respective chambers to order for the 2018 Florida Legislative Session.
To a joint session of the House and Senate, Governor Rick Scott delivered his final State of the State Address. Governor Scott who is at the end of his second term in office is term-limited. In his address, the governor touted the growth of Florida's economy and the state's low unemployment rate. He commended Floridians, and especially first responders, for their response to Hurricane Irma and the assistance the state has provided Puerto Ricans in the wake of Hurricane Maria. His goal is "that Florida be the most welcoming place for people displaced by the storm." He also addressed the issues of sexual harassment, the opioid epidemic and the role the state plays globally. Governor Scott concluded his speech by asking the office holders present to "fight together" to "secure Florida's future for every family." |
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Bishops Release Statement on 45th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
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In their annual statement marking the January 22 anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, the bishops of Florida lament that a mother's womb has become a place of vulnerability for the developing child rather than a place of safety and security.
The bishops confirm that all life issues are interconnected. Poverty, race and disability endanger the life of the unborn child and contribute to a great number of abortions in our country. "Abortion is a direct assault on human life; devaluing the poor, minorities and the disabled harms human dignity," said the bishops.
Read and print the statement in English | Spanish |
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Pregnancy Support Services Bill Passes House; Advances in Senate
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HB 41 (Toledo) passed the full House of Representatives (73-29) on Friday, January 12. Also this week, companion bill SB 444 (Bean) passed its second committee of reference, Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services (4-2). It will be heard in its last committee, Appropriations, on Thursday, January 18 at 4:00 pm.
The measure formalizes the Florida Pregnancy Care Network (FPCN) in Florida statutes. FPCN is a network of 106 pregnancy help centers that provides services such as counseling, referrals, material support, training, and pregnancy and childbirth education to pregnant mothers as they prepare to parent or place their babies for adoption. FPCN has been operating since 2005 and receives annual funding in the state budget. In 2016, the program was expanded to include women's wellness services.
FCCB has been supportive of this program since its inception. Establishing the program in statute will ensure continued annual funding.
Thank you to FLCAN members who responded to our call to action and expressed support for the bill in messages to their legislators. |
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House Passes Problematic "Sanctuary Cities" Bill
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The House passed (71-35) the so called "Sanctuary Cities" bill, HB 9 (Metz), on Friday, January 12. The bill requires local law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration policy without accompanying funding. As a result, local resources for preventing crime and protecting the public will be redirected to immigration enforcement. In a letter to the bill's sponsor, Executive Director Michael Sheedy outlined FCCB's concerns with the measure.
Ingrid Delgado (pictured above), FCCB associate for social concerns/respect life, provided remarks at a press conference organized by immigration advocates. "This deeply polarizing term is a misnomer and is usually misunderstood," said Delgado. "Commonly, the term has been utilized to refer to fictitious policies that prohibit criminal prosecution of undocumented migrants. In reality, criminal violations are investigated and prosecuted independent of a person's status; and local law enforcement already shares information with ICE."
The Senate companion, SB 308 (Bean), has not been heard by its committees of reference.
Thank you to our FLCAN members who took action to oppose HB 9 and contacted their representatives. |
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24-Hour Abortion Reflection Period Ruled Unconstitutional by Circuit Judge
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A 2015 state law requiring a 24-hour reflection period prior to an abortion was ruled unconstitutional this week by Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis. Judge Lewis' decision makes permanent a temporary injunction granted by the Florida Supreme Court last year after a Gainesville abortion clinic challenged the law as a violation of privacy rights under the state's Constitution.
The state argued that the reflection period aligns abortions with standard medical practice. Judge Lewis highlighted exceptions for other procedures that are not contemplated by the law, which played heavily into his decision.
The FCCB supported this bill through the legislative process. In an earlier appeal, it was joined by the Pellegrino Center for Bioethics at Georgetown, the National Catholic Bioethics Center and the Catholic Medical Association on an amicus curiae brief.
An appeal by the state is possible. Reflection periods are in effect in 27 states and have been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, but Florida's constitutional privacy provision prompts special considerations in the courts. |
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Make the Trip, Make a Difference: Catholic Days at the Capitol, January 30-31
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Because we are Catholic, we commit to live our faith in all areas of our lives, to pursue justice for our neighbors, and to protect and uphold the dignity of all human life. Each year during the legislative session, Catholics from Pensacola to Key West gather in Florida's capital city for an opportunity to fulfill these commitments. Join the bishops of Florida in Tallahassee for Catholic Days at the Capitol, January 30-31, 2018, and put your faith into action!
Activities include:
- A legislative briefing on policy issues
- Pre-scheduled meetings with lawmakers
- A luncheon for Catholic Days participants, Florida's bishops and legislators
- Group photos of diocesan delegations with their bishop
- Tours of the current and historic capitol buildings
- The opportunity to view the legislative process in action
- Annual Red Mass of the Holy Spirit
Learn more. Deadlines approaching, register today! Pre-Registration is required. |
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January 12, 2018
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2018 FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION
E-Update: Week 1
The 2018 Regular Session of the Florida Legislature began January 9 and is schedule to conclude March 9.
Each Friday during 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.
For the current status of FCCB priority bills, see our legislative bill report.
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