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Senator Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) and Representative Hillary Cassel (R-Hollywood)
Welcome to Capitol Connection week 8. This week marked the end of committee weeks, and the 55-day rule took effect on Sunday, April 27th which states that the Special-Order Calendar shall be published in one Calendar of the House and may be taken up on the day the Calendar is published. After the 55th day of a regular session: no House bills on second reading may be taken up and considered by the House meaning that the path to passage for many outstanding sustentative bills is dwindling. Additionally, the budget process is still in negotiations with budget conferences yet to convene signaling an extension to the 60-day regular.
On Tuesday, April 22nd the House Commerce Committee took up a series of bills including HB 743 Social Media Use by Minors by Representative Michelle Salzman, (R- Cantonment) and HB 1225 Employment by Representative Monique Miller, (R- Palm Bay) passing their final committee stop. The House Health and Human Services Committee heard HB 531 Public Education of Background Screening Requirements by Representative Christine Hunschofsky, (D- Coconut Creek) and HB 1085 Children’s Medical Services Program by Representative Vanessa Oliver, (R-Punta Gorda) passing their final committee stop. Lastly, the Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy took up SB 524 Newborn Screenings by Senator Gayle Harrell, (R-Stuart); SB 614 Public Education of Background Screening Requirements by Senator Tina Polsky, (D- Boca Raton); SB 1382 Access to School Readiness Programs for Economically Disadvantaged Households by Senator Alexis Calatayud, (R- Miami); and SB 1490 Children’s Medical Services Program by Senator Gayle Harrell, (R-Stuart) passing their final committee stop.
On Wednesday, April 23rd the House took up and passed a series of bills during its floor session including HB 1267 Education by Representative Demi Busatta, (R- Coral Gables); HB 1255 Education by Representative Dana Trabulsy, (R- Ft. Pierce); HB 1089 Newborn Screenings by Representative Erika Booth, (R-Orlando) which are all in Senate messages. The Senate also took up and passed a series of bills during its floor session including SB 738 Child Care and Early Learning Providers by Senator Collen Burton (R- Winter Haven); SB 584 Young Adult Housing Support by Senator Ileanna Garcia, (R- Miami); and SB 508 Family Empowerment Scholarship Program by Senator Shev Jones, (D-Miami Gardens)which are now all in House messages.
On Thursday, April 24th the Senate during its floor session took up a number of bills including SB 868 Social Media Use by Minors by Senator Blaise Ingoglia, (R- Spring Hill); SB 1314 Juvenile Justice by Senator Corey Simon, (R- Quincy); SB 1102 School Readiness Program by Senator Alexis Calatayud, (R-Miami);and SB 1490 Children’s Medical Services Program by Senator Gayle Harrell, (R-Stuart) which all passed favorably and are in House messages. Additionally, a series of Senate education bills were temporarily postponed including SB 1618 Education by Senator Alexis Calatayud, (R-Miami) and SB 1590 Educator Preparation by Danny Burgess, (R- Zephyrhills). Finally, HB 969 Reporting of Student Mental Health Outcomes by Representative Hillary Cassel, (R-Hillary) was passed out of the Senate and was ordered enrolled. In the House floor session the agenda included HB 859 School Readiness Program by Representative Chase Tramont (R- Port Orange) and HB 1539 Materials Harmful to Minors by Representative Doug Bankson, (R- Apopka) which are now in Senate messages. Additionally, two bills were temporarily postponed including HB 879 Young Adults who are Homeless or were in the Child Welfare System by Representative Alex Rizzo, (R- Hialeah) and HB 1405 Juvenile Justice by Representative Berny Jacques, (R- Clearwater).
On Friday, April 25th the House floor session took up HB 1225 Employment by Representative Monique Miller, (R- Palm Bay) and HB 531 Public Education of Background Screening Requirements by Representative Christine Hunschofsky, (D- Coconut Creek) which passed and are now in Senate messages.
As always, we look forward to bringing you all the information from the 2025 Regular Legislative Session.
Until next time!
Sincerely,
The Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils & Trusts
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