On Tuesday, January 11, Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, and House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, opened the 2022 Florida legislative session. The Florida Legislature meets in session every year for 60 consecutive days, convening in January in even-numbered years, and March in odd-numbered years. Throughout the session, the FCCB will provide a summary of legislative activity on priority bills and other items of interest at the Capitol. Information on the Bishops' 2022 public policy priorities can be found on the FCCB website.
All bill texts and legislative actions on bills filed for the 2022 legislative session can be found on the websites of the Florida House and Florida Senate.
The Senate and House convened in a joint session on Tuesday, January 11, to receive the Governor's 2022 State of the State Address.
DeSantis began by touting his commitment to safe-guarding the rights of Florida's residents and spotlighting a positive outlook for the economy leading into the new year. The Governor shared some of his achievements and priorities for the state's education system, and called attention to the Parents' Bill of Rights enacted in 2021.
The Governor shared comments on the topic of immigration, which caused the FCCB some concern. He also spoke about supporting law enforcement, stewarding the state's natural resources and defending the unborn.
"Finally, we have an opportunity to strengthen protections for the right to life, without which the other rights mean little," DeSantis said. "Protecting life does not end with the unborn. It must also include continued efforts to promote adoption and foster care so that all Floridians have a fair chance in life."
On the first day of the legislative session, two bills emerged to protect women and limit the harm of abortion in Florida. SB 146 (Stargel) and HB 5 (Grall) would prohibit abortion after 15 weeks gestation, shrinking the window of time in which an abortion is able to be legally obtained. Current state law bans abortions when a child is viable, or able to survive outside of the womb. Prohibiting abortion after 15 weeks would align with research demonstrating that unborn children have the capacity of feeling pain at this point of development.
A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is expected by June 2022 in the Mississippi case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization addressing whether banning abortions after 15 weeks gestation is constitutional. There is the potential that states will no longer be prevented by federal case law from prohibiting pre-viability abortions if Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey is overturned or greatly diminish by the ruling.
Exceptions to the bills' 15-week abortion ban are allowed for saving the life of the mother, for avoiding an irreversible and substantial impairment of a major bodily function of the mother, and for fatal fetal abnormality. These align with the Mississippi law at issue in the Dobbs case.
The bills also protect unborn children from tobacco exposure by requiring that pregnant women and women who may become pregnant be educated about the health risks of tobacco; requiring the creation of review committees to study fetal and infant mortality in Florida; and requiring monthly mandatory reporting of the number of medication abortions.
Encouraged by the oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court in the Mississippi abortion case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, yet in somber recognition of the millions of lives lost to abortion, Florida's Catholic bishops have released a joint statement marking the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Additionally, in Catholic dioceses in the U.S., January 22 is observed annually as a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.
"The Catholic Church stands emphatically and unreservedly for the rights of the unborn. We look forward with the hope that God will soon bring our nation to a profound awareness of the dignity of human life and a recognition that all lives deserve protection under the law," said the bishops. "Even while we recommit to highlighting the great good in embracing life so that abortion is unthinkable, may the Lord continually renew our collective passion to advocate for the protection of unborn children from harm."
The full statement is available to print and read online in both English and Spanish.
Join the bishops of Florida and Catholics from across the state as they gather in Florida's capital city during the legislative session to put their faith and civic responsibility into action. Participants will be informed and well-prepared to advocate on issues of abortion, the death penalty, conscience protections for health care providers, and early education. No experience is necessary.
2022 Catholic Days at the Capitol activities include:
A legislative briefing on policy issues affecting human life and dignity
Pre-scheduled meetings with lawmakers
An awards breakfast for Catholic Days participants, Florida's bishops and legislators
Group photos of each diocesan delegation with their bishop
The opportunity to view the legislative process in action
Annual Red Mass of the Holy Spirit concelebrated by the bishops of Florida to pray for those working in the legislative, judicial and executive branches of government
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