    Florida Senate Passes Heartbeat Protection Act; Vote Expected in the House 
On Monday, the Florida Senate passed the Heartbeat Protection Act, SB 300 (Grall), by a 26-13 vote. 
"For fifty years the killing of innocent children has been legal," said bill sponsor Senator Erin Grall during her closing speech. "Legal does not equate to right. Those children were never given an opportunity to walk into this capitol and fight for their right to life. We are here and are able to do that for them." 
The bill passed mostly along party lines with two Republican Senators, Corey Simon and Alexis Calatayud, joining with Senate democrats to vote against the bill. 
SB 300 would limit when abortions can take place in Florida to the first six weeks of pregnancy - the stage in development when a heartbeat is first detectable. Exceptions to the six-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, for fatal fetal abnormalities up to the third trimester, and for rape, incest or human trafficking up to 15 weeks gestation. Additionally, the measure prohibits state funding from assisting women traveling out of state to obtain abortion services and prohibits telehealth from being used to provide abortion services. While imperfect, the bill would be a tremendous improvement over current law and is strongly supported by the FCCB.
The bill also includes an increase from $4 million to $25 million to provide pregnancy and parenting support to women and their families.
The companion measure, HB 7 (Persons-Mulicka), has been placed on the House calendar on second reading. A vote is expected as early as next week. 
Action Alert: Urge your Florida House member to vote "yes" on HB 7.

    Bill to Protect Minors from Gender Transition Procedures Passes in Senate
On Tuesday, the Florida Senate voted to pass SB 254 (Yarborough), a bill that would prohibit physicians from performing gender transition procedures on minors and require physicians to obtain informed written consent before performing such procedures on adults. The legislation would require that a physician’s license be revoked if he or she violates any of the sections of the bill.
"As lawmakers, we do have to draw the line when drastic life-altering treatments and surgeries are being prescribed for children, sometimes very young children," said bill sponsor Senator Clay Yarborough during his closing statement. "I believe we need to let kids be kids and our laws need to set appropriate boundaries to respect the rights and responsibilities of parents, while protecting children from the very serious health and safety concerns associated with these treatments." 
SB 254 was approved by a 27-12 vote. The companion bill HB 1421 (Fine) is on second reading in the House. 

    Bishops Urge Governor DeSantis to Spare the Life of Louis Gaskin 
The FCCB has requested that Gov. Ron DeSantis stay the execution of Louis Gaskin and commute his sentence to life without parole. Gaskin is scheduled to be executed on April 12, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. for the 1989 murders of married couple Georgette and Robert Sturmfels, in Palm Coast, Florida. 

In a March 31 letter to DeSantis on behalf of the bishops of Florida, Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director, recognized the irreversible harm caused by Gaskin’s actions and the immense suffering of the victims’ families, loved ones and communities.  

“However, taking the life of Mr. Gaskin will not restore the victims’ lives,” said Sheedy. “Rather, premeditated, state-sanctioned killing disrespects the sacredness of all human life and perpetuates the cycle of violence and vengeance. Intentionally ending Mr. Gaskin’s life is unnecessary. The alternative to the death penalty of life-long incarceration without parole is a very severe punishment which keeps society safe.”
Sheedy concluded by stating that a stay of execution by DeSantis would have the support of the many Floridians who back alternatives to the death penalty. Prior to Gaskin's scheduled execution, Floridians will gather across the state to pray for the victims of violent crimes, the condemned on death row, and for an end to the use of the death penalty. 
Action Alert: Urge Governor DeSantis to Spare the Life of Louis Gaskin
On Monday, Governor DeSantis signed yet another death warrant. Daryl Barrwick's execution is scheduled for Wednesday, May 3. An additional action alert for Barrwick will be forthcoming. 

    Medical Conscience Protection Act Heard in House and Senate Committees
HB 1403 (Rudman) and SB 1580 (Trumbull) provide health care providers and payors with the right to opt out of participation in, or payment for, any health care service on the basis of conscience. The bill also creates whistleblower protections for health care providers and payors who provide information regarding violations of medical conscience protections. 
The bill also includes a cause of action for violations of medical conscience protections and a free speech component that protects individuals from disciplinary actions by medical boards or associations for speaking or writing publicly about a health care service provided that the individual’s speech is not medical advice or treatment provided to a specific patient. The FCCB has long supported the conscience provisions of the bill.
On Monday, HB 1403 was found favorable by the House Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee by a 12-5 vote. SB 1580 was approved by the Senate Health Policy Committee by a 9-3 vote on Tuesday. 

    FCCB Wishes all a Blessed Holy Week and Happy Easter
This week the legislative session wraps up on Wednesday afternoon, allowing lawmakers to travel home to be with their families to observe religious holidays and the weekend ahead. We wish all of our subscribers and network advocates a blessed Holy Week and happy Easter as we celebrate and reflect on the summit of the liturgical year: the events of Christ's passion, death and resurrection. 