After passing the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee by a 12-7 vote earlier in the week, SB 300 (Grall) was introduced on second reading in the Senate. Bill sponsor, Senator Erin Grall, answered numerous questions about the bill from members, and it was rolled to third reading.
Michael Barrett, associate for education, testified in support of HB 1421 (Fine) before the House Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday. "We deeply sympathize with anyone who experiences gender dysphoria and recognize that it can be intensely difficult," said Barrett. "Therefore, it is important to recognize that so-called gender-affirming protocols lack long-term evidence of their efficacy and result in irreversible physical damage to the patient."
FCCB has indicated opposition to this legislation, which would weaken safeguards around the application of the death penalty, a process that should be as fair and reliable as possible.
HB 1267 (Fernandez-Barquin) and SB 580 (Gruters) would create an increase of interest rates by between 6% and 18% on what are already generally high cost installment loans for low-income consumers who are often in acute financial distress. It would drastically raise the cost of these chapter 516 loans for the consumer, despite consumer protection advocates that have long worked to keep the current cap at 30%.
The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) applauds today’s approval of HB 1 by Governor Ron DeSantis. The bill’s expansion of school choice and the creation of Education Savings Accounts will empower all parents to choose the educational environment and services that best meet the needs of their children.
HB 7 (Persons-Mulicka) passed its first stop in the House on Thursday when the Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee found it favorable on a 13-5 vote. Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director, sent a letter in support of the bill, and Christie Arnold, associate for social concerns and respect life, testified on behalf of the FCCB.
On Monday, FCCB's Mike Barrett, associate for education, testified in support of SB 246 before the Senate Committee on Health Policy. "Everyone needs access to healthcare," said Barrett. "This bill extends coverage to a vulnerable population and is a positive step in providing all Floridians with access to the healthcare they need."
HB 555 (Jacques) and SB 450 (Ingoglia) would repeal current law that requires a jury to be unanimous in recommending a death sentence. The measure instead requires that a recommendation by only 8 of 12 jurors is necessary for a sentence of death to be imposed.
HB 1 (Tuck) and SB 202 (Simon) will expand state scholarship programs so that education savings accounts (ESAs) are available to all students eligible to attend a public school in Florida, including homeschool students.
These bills unfairly target the immigrant community in Florida as well as those who devote themselves to assisting them. Criminalizing the mere transport of undocumented people within Florida will have far-reaching negative consequences in the business and church communities.
SB 254 (Yarborough) and HB 1421 (Fine) 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 48th Annual Red Mass of the Holy Spirit took place on the evening of March 8 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More. All eight bishops of Florida were present to celebrate the Mass, which is held annually in conjunction with Catholic Days at the Capitol. The bishops were pleased to welcome numerous state legislators, justices, judges and other elected and appointed officials to the Mass, which is offered on their behalf, requesting wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit as they carry out their roles as public servants.
At a breakfast held March 8, 2023, Florida’s Catholic bishops presented two recipients with the Thomas A. Horkan, Jr. Distinguished Catholic Leader Award. The event was attended by all eight Catholic bishops of Florida and nearly 300 Catholic faithful from across the state who were in Tallahassee to participate in Catholic Days at the Capitol.
More than 300 Catholic faithful from all seven dioceses in Florida and all eight bishops were present in Tallahassee for Catholic Days at the Capitol, March 7-8. The event is an opportunity for participants to meet with their elected officials and use their voice as constituents and faithful Catholics to advocate for several key legislative issues.
Donald Dillbeck is scheduled to be executed by the State of Florida on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. for the murder of Faye Vann. Catholic faithful and members of the community plan to gather at the following times and locations to pray for Mr. Dillbeck, his victim and their families...
The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) has written to Gov. Ron DeSantis urging him to stay the execution of Donald Dillbeck and commute his sentence to life without parole.
The Florida Supreme Court agreed this week to take up a lawsuit filed by several pro-abortion organizations challenging the state's 15-week abortion ban and denied a motion to temporarily block the law while the case continues. The ban on abortion after 15 weeks gestation was passed by the legislature during last year's regular session and signed into law by Gov. DeSantis in April 2022.
Taking Mr. Dillbeck's life is unnecessary to keep society safe and perpetuates the cycle of violence. Be on the lookout for an FLCAN action alert requesting Gov. DeSantis to spare Mr. Dillbeck’s life.
HB 1, sponsored by Rep. Kaylee Tuck, R-Lake Placid, would establish scholarships in the form of education savings accounts (ESA) for any student that is a Florida resident and eligible to enroll in K-12 in a public school. The ESA would be state-funded and eligible uses include tuition and fees at a private school...
