Capitol Connection

2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION: WEEK 8

Senator Doug Broxson (R-Pensacola) and Representative Thomas "Tom" Leek (R-Daytona Beach)

Last week marked the eighth week of the 2024 Regular Legislative Session. Both chambers continued to move substantive legislation in each chamber’s respective sessions throughout the week. Additionally, committee budget conferences took place this week culminating in full appropriations budget conferences taking place throughout the weekend. All budget materials from the Florida House may be found here and similarly, all budget materials from the Florida Senate may be found here. All budget negotiations must be completed by Tuesday, March 5^th in order for the 2024 Regular Legislative Session to “Sine Die” on Friday, March 8^th the 60^th day of session.

On Monday, February 26^th, the Senate Committee on Rules took up HB 49 Employment and Curfew of Minors by Representative Linda Chaney, (R- Pinellas) setting it up for a vote on the Senate floor.

On Tuesday, February 27^th, the Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy heard the following bills; SB 436 Pregnancy and Parenting Resources Website by Senator Erin Grall, (R- Ft. Pierce), SB 536 Community-based Child Welfare Agencies by Senator Ileana Garcia, (R- Miami), and SB 1486 Permanency for Children by Senator Jay Collins, (R- Tampa), which were all reported favorably.

On Wednesday, February 28^th, the House substituted HB 7039 Education by Representative Alex Rizo, (R-Miami) for SB 7002 Deregulation of Public Schools/School District Finance and Budgets, Facilities, and Administration and Oversight by Senator Travis Hutson (R- Palm Coast) and sent the bill back to the Senate in returning messages. The Senate also took up SB 864 Autism Spectrum Disorder Training for Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers by Senator Jay Collins, (R- Sarasota) where it is now in House messages.

On Thursday, February 29^th, the House substituted HB 7025 Education by Representative Dana Trabulsy, (R- St. Lucie) for SB 7004 Deregulation of Public Schools/Assessment and Accountability, Instruction, and Education Choice by Senator Rosalind Osgood, (D- Tamarac) and sent the bill back to the Senate in returning messages. The Senate heard SB 274 Child Water Safety Requirements by Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez, (R- Doral), SB 168 Congenital Cytomegalovirus Screenings by Senator Tina Polsky, (D- Boca Raton), SB 536 Community-based Child Welfare Agencies by Senator Ileana Garcia, (R- Miami), and SB 1224 Protection of Children and Victims of Crime by Senator Colleen Burton, (R- Lakeland).

On Friday, March 1^st, the House took up on third reading HB 1083 Permanency for Children by Representative Dana Trabulsy, (R- St. Lucie). The following bills were also placed on special order calendar; HB 499 Congenital Cytomegalovirus Screenings by Representative Lauren Melo, (R- Naples), HB 185 Dependent Children by Representative Dana Trabulsy, (R- St. Lucie), and HB 1061 Community-based Child Welfare Agencies by Representative Fiona McFarland, (R- Sarasota).

This Sunday the 55^th day rule went into effect which states: No House bills on second reading may be taken up and considered by the House.

As always, we look forward to bringing you all the information from the 2024 Regular Legislative Session.

Until next time!

Sincerely,

The Children's Trust

Voted Favorably By Committee

Did Not Pass Committee Vote

Temporarily Postponed in Committee

Referred to Committee but Not Yet Heard

Bill has not yet been referred to committees

Healthy Development

These identical bills require the Department of Health to work in conjunction with the Department of Children and Families and the Agency for Health Care Administration to maintain a website that provides information and links to pregnancy and parenting resources.

These identical bills establish the Florida State Maternity Housing Grant Program within the Department of Health.

These similar and comparable bills require social media platforms to develop and implement protocols for user age verification, content moderation, and parental control settings. Social media platforms must provide resources, measures, and disclaimers and prohibit certain schools from requiring students to register, enroll, or participate in social media.

These identical bills require hospitals to administer congenital cytomegalovirus screenings on newborns admitted to the hospital under specific circumstances. Provides for Medicaid coverage for screening, management, treatment, and follow-up services.

Early Learning

These identical bills revise provisions of the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program related to instructor requirements, screening and progress monitoring, instructional support, and administrative spending by early learning coalitions.

These similar bills revise positions related to tax credits for corporations providing or paying for child care; licensing standards for child care facilities; child care personnel; minimum standards; child care regulation; & large family child care homes.

These identical bills revise the methods used to determine the annual allocation for the school readiness program as well as the determination of parent co-payments for participants in the school readiness program.

K-12 Education

These identical bills provide requirements for school districts regarding care coordination of a mental health and treatment support system for specified children.

This bill updates school personnel initial and continuing requirements and modifies how school districts may recruit, hire, manage, pay, and evaluate teachers.

This bill revises and removes requirements on school districts to allow for efficient administrative processes, enhancement of facilities management, and simplification of financial requirements.

This bill provides school districts additional authority related to prekindergarten programs, retention and graduation, assessments, school improvement, instructional materials, and reporting.

Children with Disabilities

These similar bills require officers to be trained regarding individuals with autism spectrum disorder as a condition of employment.

Out of School Time

These comparable bills revise the age at which employment restrictions apply and remove certain employment restrictions for minors 16 & 17 years of age.

Child Protection

These similar bills revise provisions related to guardian and attorney ad litem access for dependent children, modifies out-of-home case plan requirements, and authorizes the Pathway to Prosperity program to provide grants to youth and young adults aging out of foster care.

These similar bills revise and create requirements relating to dependent children including adoption services, access to confidential records, placement of children, and the Guardianship Assistance Program.

These similar bills revise requirements for contracts the Department of Children and Families has with community-based care lead agencies.

These similar bills create a program within the Department of Health to offer vouchers for swimming lessons to qualifying families. The bills require the Department of Health to establish eligibility criteria, a method for applying for vouchers, and a network of swimming lesson vendors.

Juvenile Justice

These identical bills revise penalties for minors committing firearms violations.

Economic Self-Sufficiency

These similar bills revise various components of the TANF, SNAP, and School Readiness program to address benefits cliffs.

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For more information, contact: Natalia Zea, Chief Public Policy and Engagement Officer at natalia@thechildrenstrust.org.

The Children's Trust