Bills we tracked in the 2011 Florida Legislative Session
SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN “Fl. Safe Harbor Act”
HB535
This bill provides for short term housing for dependent children who have allegedly been sexual exploited. The act will require the Dept. of Children and Families to address child welfare needs as a component of their master plan. This bill is needed because runaway shelters or state-run group homes are not an appropriate placement for these victims. Their abuser can continue to psychologically manipulate them and they are at risk of returning to the control of their trafficker
BULLYING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN
HB669
This bill revises the current language in FL statutes to include emotional bullying as a component. This bill says that no student or school employee may be bullied or harassed by use on any computer, computer system, or computer network this is physically located on school property, regardless of ownership. This bill has become necessary as cyber-bullying has escalated.
“RACE TO THE TOP FOR SUCCESS ACT” “Student Success Act”
SB736
This bill revises provisions relating to the evaluation of teachers and administrators. DOE will be required to approve a districts evaluation system for measuring the growth of learning by students. It will also revise the provisions relating to compensation & salary schedules. The intent of this bill is to improve student achievement and reward high performing teachers. Currently, teacher compensation is based on degrees held and years teaching, and not the ability to increase student learning.
This Bill amends and revises provisions to allow development, construction, operation and permits for bio fuel or renewal energy generating facility is a valid and permitted land use. Additional provision for expedited permitting for inland multimodal facilities and commercial and industrial development projects that individually or collectively will create a minimum number of jobs. This bill would streamline state agency permitting and make doing business in Florida easier, leading to more jobs.
MEDICAID REFORM
HB7107
This bill asks that Florida be allowedto opt out of the Federal Medicaid program. It moves most patients into managed care programs, increasing payment to participating physicians, increases some co-pays, limits Medicaid eligibility to legal residents.
This bill would significantly decrease the cost of the Medicaid Program.
"PILL MILLS"
HB 1386
SB 818 / SB 1238
Unregistered “pain Management” clinic operators will be subject to the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act if found guilty, plead no contest, or have adjudication withheld.This will allow law enforcement to impound all assets of the so-called Pill Mill.One renames pain management clinics as “controlled-substance medical clinics.” These bills are intended to help control the pill mills in Florida.
TEXTING WHILE DRIVING
HB79
This will prohibit the use of wireless devices while driving.It also specifies the information that can be used in court, and provides for points to be levied against a license. It is unclear how many accidents are caused by texting. Some states that have laws against texting and driving have found an increase in accidents because drivers are looking in their laps to text to avoid detection. A better opting may be tougher penalties for distracted driving that leads to an accident.
FLORIDA WATER QUALITY
HB239
This proposed legislation directs that Florida water quality standards are sufficient and Florida should not need to adhere to problematic policies imposed by the EPA. Unreasonable water quality standards have been imposed by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
FLORIDA FEDERATION OF REPUBLICAN WOMEN (FFRW) Contact Information: Phone: 904-228-6048 Email:cindyfgraves@gmail.com