Capitol Connection 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

As 2021 continues to fly by it is hard to believe that we are already coming to the end of October. This month saw committee weeks take place the weeks of October 11th and October 18th marking the halfway point. During this month we continued to see bills being filed bringing the current statewide total to 776. As committees continued to meet there were presentations and panels on child welfare, reading improvement, early learning, and fetal and infant mortality. Links to these presentations are available below. Senate Committee of Children, Families and Elder Affairs Child Welfare Panel  Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education Reading Improvement Panel  House Early Learning and Elementary Education Subcommittee Early Learning Panel House Professions and Public Health Subcommittee Presentations on Infant Mortality Additionally, on October 21, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis called for a Special Session of the Florida Legislature to Protect Jobs. This Special Session will take place the week of November 15th to coincide with an already scheduled committee week. The text of Governor DeSantis’ signed proclamation is available here. Governor DeSantis’ letter to President Wilton Simpson and Speaker Chris Sprowls is available here.  Until next time! Sincerely, The Florida Children’s Council

Healthy Development

HB 135 - Florida Kidcare Program Eligibility Rep. Bartleman ❶❷❸

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 419 - Florida Kidcare Program Income Eligibility Rep. LaMarca SB 640 - Florida Kidcare Program Income Eligibility Sen. Hooper

These identical bills ​​establish a tiered system of family premiums for Title XXI coverage under the Florida Kidcare program beginning with a specified fiscal year and authorizes the Agency for Health Care Administration to seek federal waiver approval or submit any state plan amendments as necessary; provides for future expiration; increases the income eligibility threshold for coverage under the program to conform to changes made by the act; and provides for reversion of certain provisions.

HB 15 - Children with Developmental Delays Rep. Tant ❶❷❸ 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.

HB 235 - Restraint of Students with Disabilities in Public Schools Rep. Plascencia ❶❷❸ SB 390 - Restraint of Students with Disabilities in Public Schools Sen. Book ❶❷❸

These identical bills ​​prohibit school personnel from using mechanical restraint on students with disabilities.

Juvenile Justice

HB 195 - Juvenile Diversion Program Expunction Rep. Smith ❶❷❸ SB 342 - Juvenile Diversion Program Expunction Sen. Perry

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.

HB 257 - Elimination of Court-related Financial Obligations for Juveniles Rep. Duran ❶❷❸ SB 428 - Elimination of Court-related Financial Obligations for Juveniles Sen. Book ❶❷❸

These identical bills remove juveniles from numerous provisions relating to court fees; provides that fees & court-ordered costs previously ordered to be paid are unenforceable & uncollectable; and provides for reinstatement of driver licenses suspended for failure to make specified payments.

HB 197 - Public Records/Nonjudicial Record of the Arrest of a Minor Rep. Smith ❶❷❸ SB 344 - Public Records/Nonjudicial Record of the Arrest of a Minor Sen. Perry ❶❷❸

These identical bills provide an exemption from public records requirements for a nonjudicial record of the arrest of a minor who has successfully completed a diversion program; provide for retroactive application; provide for future legislative review and repeal of the exemption; and provide a statement of public necessity. HB 195 or its companion will have to pass in order for HB 197 or SB 344 to take effect.

K-12

HB 125 - Compulsory School Attendance Rep. Chambliss ❶❷❸ SB 616 - Compulsory School Attendance Sen. Jones

These identical bills revise the required age for compulsory school attendance from 16 to 18 years of age; removes requirement that student's parent sign declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment; and removes requirement that school district notify student's parent upon receipt of such declaration.

Equity

HB 221 - Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Rep. Davis ❶❷❸ SB 388 - Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Sen. Berman ❶❷❸

These identical bills establish the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion within EOG. They provide for appointment of Chief Diversity Officer, prescribe minimum qualifications for Chief Diversity Officer, and provide duties & responsibilities of Chief Diversity Officer.

Economic Self-Sufficiency

SB 234 - Working Floridians Tax Rebate Program Sen. Jones ❶❷❸

This bill creates the Working Floridians Tax Rebate Program within the Department of Revenue for a certain purpose; grants specified people and households certain state funds if they received the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and meet certain criteria; prohibits receipt of the rebate from being used in certain program eligibility determinations.

Children's Trust of Alachua County

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