The 2022 60-day legislative session opened on Tuesday, January 11th. House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, and Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, spoke to both chambers followed by the State of the State address by Governor Ron DeSantis.
Speaker Sprowls challenged his chamber asking “What are you willing to risk?” stating:
“This Session, in this House, we are going to be looking at the risk portfolio of our state. Some risks are concrete and specific, like the deficiencies in our state's cybersecurity infrastructure. Some risks are massive and omnipresent, like the array of problems created by the threat of hurricanes. Some risks are more existential, like what our shared values and beliefs are as Floridians.”
Read the Speaker’s full opening remarks here.
President Simpson’s remarks focused on children stating:
“ My grandchildren have also lit a fire of urgency in me to do all I can to provide them with a solid foundation for their futures.
To me, that’s the true measure of success. Not just taking care of today, but also focusing on tomorrow and the world we will leave to future generations. Last year, I talked a lot about sowing and reaping: The basic law of farming. I had high hopes we would pass laws and make investments that would endure beyond our years in Tallahassee.”
The President also outlined a list of changes he would like to see to better support Florida’s child welfare system.
Read the President’s full opening remarks here.
Governor Desantis stated that “Education represents a major pillar of Florida’s future. I’m happy to note that Florida is again ranked number three for K-12 achievement in the latest Education Week Quality Counts rankings. We have worked hard to keep schools open, increase teacher compensation, promote workforce education and protect the rights of parents.”
Read the Governor’s full State of the State address here.
Legislative committees also met this week to continue taking up bills. On Tuesday, January 11, the Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs passed SB 948 by Senator Lauren Book, D- Plantation, out of its first committee stop. This bill creates a statewide Office of Child Representation and renames an existing section of Florida Statute as the “Guardians Ad-Litem, Guardian Advocates, and Attorney for the Child”. On Wednesday, January 12, the House Criminal Justice & Public Safety Subcommittee passed HB 195 and 197 by Represntative David Smith, R- Winter Springs, out of its first committee stop. These bills must be passed together in order to take effect and require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to expunge nonjudicial arrest records of minors who successfully complete diversion program for specified felony offenses. Lastly, on Thursday, January 13, the House Early Learning & Elementary Education Subcommittee passed HB 235 by Representative Rene Plasencia, R- Titusville, out of its first committee stop. This bill prohibits school personnel from using mechanical restraint on students with disabilities.
As always, we are excited to continue to work alongside our communities, stakeholders, and elected leaders to ensure effective policy is passed that best support our children and families. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
The Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils & Trusts
