Capitol Connection
2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Welcome back! Last week marked the first week of interim committee weeks for the 2022 legislative session. As you may know during the 2022 legislative session both the House of Representatives and Senate will be focused on the once-a-decade process of redistricting. Both chambers have appointed their redistricting committees in what is sure to be an arduous and lengthy process. 

In addition to redistricting, committee meetings were held with presentations made by multiple agencies outlining their 2022 legislative budget requests or providing an overview of the implementation of bills from the 2021 legislative session. Two presentations made throughout the week that may be of interest was a presentation by the Florida Department of Children and Families to the Senate, Children, and Elder Affairs Committee on the implementation of SB 80 and SB96 and the presentation made by the Department of Education to the Early Learning & Elementary Education Subcommittee on the implementation of HB 7011.

Lastly, bills are beginning to be filed that affect Florida’s children and families and are available below.

Until next time!

Sincerely,
The Florida Children’s Council
Healthy Development
HB 135 - Florida Kidcare Program Eligibility
Rep. Bartleman
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This bill increases income eligibility threshold for coverage under Florida Kidcare program and requires applicants seeking coverage under the program to provide specified documentation under certain circumstances. It also requires the Agency for Healthcare Administration to examine graduated family contribution rates for newly qualifying families under program; requires agency to increase income eligibility threshold for coverage under program each fiscal year until meeting a specified income threshold; authorizes agency to seek federal waiver approval or submit state plan amendments as necessary.
HB 15 - Children with Developmental Delays
Rep. Tant
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SB 1019 - Children with Developmental Delays
Sen. Jones
These identical bills ​​revise the definition of the term “exceptional student” to include additional students with developmental delays.
Juvenile Justice
These identical bills require the Department of Law Enforcement to expunge the nonjudicial arrest record of certain minors who successfully complete a diversion program for specified felony offenses, rather than only for misdemeanor offenses; authorizing a minor who successfully completes a diversion program for any offense, rather than only for a first-time misdemeanor offense.