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SB 582 (Rodrigues, R.) and HB 241 (Grall) place proper educational and medical decision-making authority with the family, rather than the government. These bills ensure that the right of parents of public-school children to review instructional materials and curriculum is transparent and forthcoming. They also establish parental consent requirements for medical care provided to, and medical drug prescriptions written for, a minor child. Having access to information about their rights allows parents to make informed decisions and better direct their child's education and health care. You can read more about this legislation in a letter to the bill sponsor. On March 17, HB 241 was passed (14-7) by the House Judiciary Committee, its second committee of reference. 

In a letter to bill sponsor, Rep. Kaylee Tuck (R-Sebring), the FCCB outlined its support for HB 1475. This important bill protects the rights of female athletes and promotes equality in women's sports by recognizing key biological differences between men and women and requiring separate sex-specific athletic teams or sports. Laws and policies that affirm gender identities not aligned with biological sex overlook the potential for serious, and often irreversible, physical harm to gender dysphoric individuals. HB 1475 passed the House Secondary Education and Career Development Subcommittee (13-4) on March 17. Its companion in the Senate, SB 2012 by Sen. Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland), is on the agenda for its first committee of reference, Senate Education, on March 23.

HB 133 (Harding/Beltran), supported by the FCCB, authorizes the installation of newborn safety devices or "baby boxes" to accept surrendered newborn infants at the same locations where newborns may now be surrendered under current law. The boxes would be installed through an exterior wall, with an access door on the inside of the building. An alarm notifies emergency personnel that someone has placed an infant inside the box. The bill also increases the allowable age of surrender from seven days old to 30 days. HB 133 was passed by the full House (108-11) on March 18. The Senate companion, SB 122 (Baxley), is waiting to be heard in its final committee of reference, Appropriations.

Our faith tradition teaches that exploiting people who live in poverty is theft and that usurious practices are the equivalent of indirect homicide (Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 2409 & 2269). Currently, lenders that provide "installment loans" in Florida can require borrowers to pay back the loan in one lump sum, rather than allowing payment installments. Borrowers are often unable to pay back the borrowed amount in one lump sum and are forced to re-borrow the same principal amount for additional interest and fees, leading to a cycle of debt. Many borrowers then lose the family vehicle on which they depend when used as collateral. In an effort to protect vulnerable consumers, the FCCB supported SB 1478, filed by Senator Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville), in the Banking and Insurance Committee where it passed unanimously on March 16. This bill requires a six-month loan term with no prepayment penalty, striking a balance between providing enough time for the borrower to reasonably pay off a loan but not such a long term that the borrower pays an excessive amount of interest.

During a committee meeting on March 15, FCCB indicated its support for SB 1954 (Rodrigues, R.), which establishes the Resilient Florida Program. The program includes spending up to $100 million a year on projects to address flooding and sea-level rise and creates a grant program for local governments to develop resilience plans. The bill passed Senate Environment and Natural Resources, its first committee of reference, unanimously. The House companion, HB 7019, is awaiting placement on the agenda of the House State Affairs Committee.

In a recent episode of Catholics Across the Aisle, FCCB Executive Director Michael Sheedy talks with Ingrid Delgado, associate director for social concerns/respect life; Ken Kniepmann, associate for health; and Mike Barrett, associate for education. During these discussions, the associates highlight key topics and bills for the 2021 legislative session in their respective areas of work. Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher. 

The bishops are deeply appreciative of the service rendered by all members of the legislature, and they recognize special and notable achievements in the public square. This year, they are pleased to present the Defensor Vitae / Defender of Life Award to The Honorable Erin Grall, Florida House of Representatives, District 54, Vero Beach.

Tallahassee, FL (February 4, 2021) – While deeply appreciative of the service rendered by all members of the legislature, the bishops of Florida recognize special and notable achievements in the public square. This year, they are pleased to present the Defensor Vitae / Defender of Life Award to The Honorable Erin Grall, Florida House of Representatives, District 54, Vero Beach.

On June 30, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision in the case of Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, upholding a tax-credit scholarship program in Montana. The Montana Supreme Court invalidated the program as a violation of the "Blaine Amendment" against aid to religious schools in its state constitution, because families benefiting include those who choose to send their children to religiously-affiliated schools.

The U.S. Department of Justice has scheduled three executions to take place over a five-day span beginning on July 13. A fourth has been scheduled for the end of August. The four men scheduled to be executed are: Daniel Lee on July 13; Wesley Purkey on July 15; Dustin Honken on July 17; and Keith Nelson on Aug. 28.

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops thanks Governor Ron DeSantis for signing into law today SB 404, a bill that requires parental consent before a minor has an abortion. This common-sense measure simply holds abortion to the same consent requirements as most every other medical decision involving a child, including simple interventions such as taking an aspirin or getting ears pierced.

Governor Ron DeSantis has signed into law several bills engaged by the FCCB during the 2020 legislative session:

Governor Ron DeSantis has until the end of June to sign the state budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The budget was passed by the legislature in an extended session that concluded on March 19. Due to the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, significant line item vetoes by Governor DeSantis are anticipated. The FCCB has sent the governor correspondence urging budgeted allocations be maintained for the following three key areas:

As the COVID-19 pandemic ramps up, the State of Florida has been providing Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami with meals ready to eat (MREs), in order to augment food distribution programs already in place. The state's Emergency Management Operations Center has released MREs normally allocated for natural disasters to be given to families in need at the behest of the emergency management specialist of the Florida Catholic Conference.

Pope Francis has invited Christians throughout the world to join him in prayer in response to the coronavirus pandemic. "Let us remain united. Let us make our closeness felt toward those persons who are the most lonely and tried," said the Holy Father after the March 22, Sunday Angelus.

In the final days of the legislative session, bills are either being taken up and passed by the chambers or are dying. The session is scheduled to end March 13. However, Senate President Bill Galvano and House Speaker Jose Oliva said earlier this week that they expected the session to extend into the third week of March because of delays in negotiating the budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. Passing a state budget is a constitutionally required duty of the legislature.

On Friday, March 6, the full House took up HB 7067 (Education), and Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, chair of the House Education Committee, answered questions on the bill. The proposal would accelerate growth of the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) program, which provides scholarships for nearly 18,000 students from low-income families to attend non-public schools this year. In addition to boosting the formula that increases the number of students allowed to participate in the program each year, the bill removes the requirement to attend public school the year prior to participation for students in grades 1 and 2. It also allows students to take up to two Florida Virtual School courses per school year without reducing their basic FES scholarship amounts.

On second reading in the House, HB 7103 (Education), was amended with an FCCB supported measure that provides dual enrollment equity for private school students. Public and home-school students currently do not have to pay for dual enrollment courses at nearby colleges. The provision would make college more affordable for Florida families by increasing access to dual enrollment courses at state colleges and universities for private high school students. Certain courses would be made available without requiring payment by the family or the student's school. HB 7103 was placed on third reading for Monday, March 9.

The Distinguished Catholic Leader Award is presented to a Catholic Floridian whose life and work have deepened respect for life and increased appreciation for the human dignity of the people of Florida. The award is named for and was first presented in 1995 to Thomas A. Horkan, Jr., founding executive director of the Florida Catholic Conference. Ferré is the ninth recipient since the award’s inception.

The Florida House and Senate formally called the 2020 legislative session to order on Tuesday, January 14. For the next nine weeks, lawmakers will work to pass the 2020-2021 state budget and consider a wide variety of bills that will affect communities across Florida.