Sixth Week of the Florida Legislative Session

The Regular Session of the Florida Legislature officially began on Tuesday, January 9. The annual session is scheduled to run for sixty days and conclude on Friday, March 8. Florida Catholic Advocacy Network subscribers will receive end-of-week summaries for the 9-week session. All summaries are also available on the FCCB website.

Senate Committee Advances Civil Action for Wrongful Death of an Unborn Child

SB 476 (Grall) was approved by the Senate Fiscal Policy committee on Thursday by a 10-6 vote. FCCB indicated its support for the bill, which would allow parents to file a lawsuit under Florida's wrongful death statute with the purpose of recovering damages for the wrongful death of their unborn child. Forty-three other states allow parents recourse to civil suits following the wrongful death of their unborn infant. Both SB 476 and its companion in the House, HB 651 (Persons-Mulicka) prohibit legal action being taken against a mother for the death of her own unborn child. 

HB 651 has one remaining committee of reference, while SB 476 is now in the Rules Committee. 

'Live Healthy' Initiative Passes Last House Committee  

On Thursday, the House Health & Human Services Committee unanimously passed HB 1549 (Grant), a comprehensive health care reform known as “Live Healthy.” This bill seeks to expand access to health care by recruiting and retaining a highly skilled workforce, increasing the use of preventive services and primary care, and incentivizing more providers to serve the poor. The Committee adopted two amendments to bring HB 1549 into closer alignment with SB 7016, its Senate companion. The FCCB expressed its support for 'Live Healthy' during the Committee’s discussion of the bill.

Since this was the final House committee to hear HB 1549, the legislation is now ready for consideration by the full House. The Senate passed SB 7016 on January 18. Both chambers must ultimately negotiate and resolve the remaining differences between the two bills prior to the end of the legislative session on March 8.    

FCCB Seeking Amendment to Consumer Loan Bill

This week Tammy Fecci, associate for life and dignity, indicated in committee that the FCCB is seeking an amendment on SB 1436 (Burton) and HB 1347 (Brackett) that would make new rate caps on consumer finance loans "all-inclusive" of  interest, fees, other charges, and ancillary products made in connection with the consumer's transaction. SB 1436 passed the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government by an 8-2 vote on Tuesday. HB 1347 unanimously passed the Commerce Committee on Thursday.

Senate Committee Advances Bill to Establish Maternity Housing Program

On Tuesday, FCCB indicated support for SB 1442 (Grall) before the Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services. SB 1442 would establish the Florida State Maternity Housing Grant Program within the Department of Children and Families. The program would provide housing for pregnant women and their families who have inadequate financial resources to meet residential costs. Stable housing has been identified as one of the most important predictors of health as housing instability diminishes overall well-being and reduces opportunities to receive health care. Access to prenatal care is especially crucial for the health of pregnant mothers and unborn infants. The committee unanimously voted to advance the bill, which must now be heard by one final committee before it can be taken up by the full Senate. The companion bill in the House, HB 1609 (Stevenson), has also passed its first two committees of reference with one remaining.  

House Passes Bill to Create Pregnancy and Parenting Resource Website

On Thursday, HB 415 (Jacques) received final passage in the Florida House by an 83-33 vote. 

"This bill will go a long way towards providing key resources to pregnant women, expecting parents, fathers...to make sure that pregnancy is never a burden here in the State of Florida," said House sponsor Representative Berny Jacques. 

The bill requires the state to work with a third party vendor to establish and maintain a website, managed by the Department of Health, where pregnant women and families can find vital information and support throughout their pregnancy and parenting journeys. The site will offer access to maternal health services, including information on prenatal care, child development, and parenting techniques. The platform will also educate parents about financial assistance programs, adoption services, and opportunities designed for fathers to foster stronger family bonds. 

Companion bill in the Senate, SB 436 (Grall) has one remaining committee of reference. 

Senate Committee Approves Amendment to Combine Bills Restricting Minors' Access to Social Media 

On Thursday, the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee approved (12-5) an amendment that combines HB 1 and HB 3. HB 1 prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from having social media accounts on platforms that use addictive technologies. Governor DeSantis has expressed concerns that the bill may not withstand certain legal challenges and several members have lamented that the bill infringes on parental rights. However, research on the effects of social media on minors has demonstrated negative effects on mental health, especially for girls. 

The substance of HB 3, requiring pornography websites to conduct age verification to ensure that users are at least 18 years old, remains intact in the combined bill. The bill remains one of the Speaker’s top priorities and will be heard on the Senate floor on Wednesday, February 21. 

2024 Catholic Days at the Capitol and Red Mass Photos

Pictures from the 2024 Catholic Days at the Capitol, Red Mass and Diocesan group photos are available on the FCCB website. 

Thank you to Derek Diamond, Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, for photographing this year's events.