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CHILDREN’S WEEK CELEBRATED AS ISSUES AFFECTING CHILDREN RECEIVE ATTENTION
On April 8th, child advocates from across the state joined to celebrate the 19th annual Children’s Week. More than 5,000 children, parents, teachers and advocates convened at the State Capitol to highlight the importance of children’s issues to state leaders and the legislature. The week was full of activities, including the annual awards dinner, youth forum, and the always powerful and amazing, Hanging of the Hands – an annual tradition that features more than 100,000 children’s artwork hands decorating the State Capitol Rotunda. The Children’s Trust Youth Advisory Committee met with several legislators on the plight of homeless youth: early learning and children’s health. Florida Youth Shine sent a powerful message regarding the importance of foster youth aging out of the child welfare system and how policymakers can help.
At The Children’s Week Business Leaders Luncheon, hosted by The Children’s Movement, The Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Council of 100, Florida TaxWatch, the Children’s Forum and United Way, nationally renowned neuroscientist Dr. Pat Levitt discussed early learning as a workforce development priority before Florida’s business and legislative leaders, including Governor Rick Scott. Governor Scott later addressed the group of more than 150 business leaders, stakeholders and agency directors at the luncheon, where he made a commitment to investing in early learning.
BUDGET
Senate Appropriations Chair Joe Negron (R-Stuart) predicted that the budget conference process, during which members will work to reconcile the differences between the Senate (SB 2500) and House budgets (HB 5001), would likely begin on April 21, following next week’s Easter/Passover break. The Senate has already appointed conferees, who will negotiate every difference between the two budgets in order to produce a final legislative budget, the 2014-15 General Appropriations Act. House conferees are expected to be announced shortly as soon as committee allocations are finalized.
CHILD WELFARE
A Senate bill bringing major policy changes to the state’s child welfare system was temporarily postponed to give legislators more time to iron out details. After being merged into a single comprehensive bill, the suite of child welfare reform bills (SB 1666, SB 1668, SB 1670) is now contained in SB 1666. Last week, the bill was amended in an attempt to emphasize that child safety is of paramount importance, as opposed to the policy of family preservation, at all costs. Many child advocates believe that while the bill does many good things, the success of the new policy will be contingent on whether the legislature also appropriates adequate funding for the increased services the bill will require. The bill’s companion, HB 7169 by the Healthy Families Committee, remains in the House Appropriations Committee, its only assignment.
SB 1666 “Child Abuse and Child Welfare Services” by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Sen. Sobel
Human Trafficking
On Thursday, April 10, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed a controversial bill dealing with human trafficking. A strike all amendment to the Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee’s SB 1724 removed all provisions for the “secure safe house” pilot program, which could have detained certain child victims of human trafficking against their will for up to 10 months. Several child advocates testified previously against this measure, citing that the policy would further victimize these children. The removal of the provision allowed for the unanimous passage of the bill, which now goes to the Senate floor.
The bill’s companion, HB 7141 by the House Healthy Families Committee, passed both the Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee Tuesday, April 8, and the Health and Human Services Committee on Thursday, April 10. As in the Senate, the bill was amended to remove the “secure safe house” provision. The legislation, which now goes to the House floor, still contains language to ensure that child trafficking victims in residential treatment facilities receive a variety of services, including:
Motor Vehicle Insurance and Driver Education for Children in Care
HB 977 by Rep. Ben Albritton (R-Bartow) was passed by both the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday, April 8, and the full Health and Human Services Committee on Thursday, April 10. A strike all amendment was added that would allow children 16 years of age to buy automotive insurance, but which stripped the bill of most of its other provisions and removed the $1.5 million appropriation to pay for insurance or drivers education. Chair Matt Hudson (R-Naples) and Rep. Albritton stated that these changes were necessary to keep the bill moving through the legislative process. It now goes to the floor of the full House, though it remains uncertain how the bill will be reconciled with the more comprehensive Senate version.
SB 744 by Sen. Nancy Detert (R-Venice) is still awaiting a hearing by its last committee, Senate Appropriations. The bill would establish a statewide pilot program to pay for the costs of drivers education, licensure, and the costs incidental to licensure, as well as motor vehicle insurance for a child in licensed out-of-home care.
Attorneys for Dependent Children with Disabilities
HB 561 by Rep. Fresen (R-Miami) was approved by the House Judiciary Committee on Friday, April 11. As this was its final committee of reference, it will now go to the floor of the House. The bill requires the appointment of an attorney to represent dependent children with disabilities. A strike all amendment was added to ensure that the opportunity for pro bono representation is still available, as well as to tighten the definition of children with disabilities. Its companion, SB 972 by Sen. Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton), is currently in the Senate Appropriations Committee, its final assignment.
Update on the Independent Living Program
Stephen Pennypacker, Assistant Secretary for Programs at DCF, appeared before the Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee to provide an update on the implementation of a 2013 bill that sought to give children aging out of foster care the opportunity to remain in care. The law, also known as the Nancy C. Detert Common Sense and Compassion Independent Living Act, went into effect in January. Mr. Pennypacker revealed that 162 young adults had already opted to enter Extended Foster Care during the first two months of 2014. In total, 58 percent of children aging out of foster care were taking advantage of the new option. He discussed the challenges DCF encountered during the rulemaking process on account of unclear aspects of the statute, including determining individual allowances for the young adults. Mr. Pennypacker briefly discussed other provisions of the law, including requiring campus liaisons and the department to create training videos for affected youth to educate them on the new law and teach them about life skills, nutrition, and other practical matters. To improve the program, he discussed the need for additional foster homes and parents, as well as the department’s efforts to improve the transfer of former foster care youths with disabilities to the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
KIDCARE/CHILDREN’S HEALTH
TAKE ACTION:
Two bills that would allow the children of legal immigrants, who have lived in the United States for less than five years, to be eligible for KidCare still need help to become law. Senator Garcia’s SB 282 passed the Senate Health Policy Committee two weeks ago, while Rep. Diaz’s HB 7 has not been heard since passing out of the Health Innovation Committee over one month ago. Time is running out for these vital bills, and more effort is needed to push them closer to the finish line.
Please call or email the chairs and other members of the committees below and ask them to support the bills.
| House Health and Human Services Committee | Senate Appropriations Committee |
| House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee | Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee |
Please call and thank Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, Sen. Rene Garcia (the bill sponsors) and Sen. Anitere Flores (the co-sponsor) who are also on these committees for their efforts.
Newborn Health Screening
SB 722 by Sen. Rene Garcia (R-Hialeah) was passed unanimously by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, April 8. It will now go the full Senate for a final vote. The bill will allow the State Public Health Laboratory to release the results of a newborn’s hearing and metabolic tests, or screenings to the newborn’s health care practitioner, a term which is expanded to include a physician or physician assistant, osteopathic physician or physician assistant, advanced registered nurse practitioner, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, midwife, speech-language pathologist or audiologist, or a dietician or nutritionist. Its companion, HB 591 by Rep. Gayle Harrell (R-Port St. Lucie), was passed on a 116 to 0 vote by the full House of Representatives on Tuesday, April 1.
JUVENILE JUSTICE
Juvenile Justice Education Programs
SB 598 by Sen. Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach) was passed unanimously by the Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday, April 9. The bill now goes to its final committee, the full Senate Appropriations Committee. Its companion, HB 173 by Rep. Janet Adkins (R-Fernandina Beach), was passed unanimously by the full House on March 12 and recently received committee assignments after passing through Messages to the Senate. These bills would enhance transition services by requiring that local school districts, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice reentry personnel and local workforce personnel be part of a youth’s transition planning. They would also require that school districts consider the needs of individual youth when they return to school, and enhance career and technical training. Additionally, these bills seek to improve accountability, enhance access to virtual education, and require state and federal education dollars to follow the youth who generate them.
Juvenile Justice, Chapter 985 Rewrite
HB 7055 by the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee and Rep. Ray Pilon (R-Sarasota) was passed by its final committee, House Judiciary, on Thursday, March 27. The bill is still on the calendar on Second Reading. It proposes a variety of changes to Chapter 985 of the Florida Statutes, relating to the Department of Juvenile Justice, its duties, and its programs. The bill will incorporate and align themes of the Roadmap to System Excellence into Chapter 985, by focusing on prevention and rehabilitation, and pivoting away from the idea of punishment, to consequence and care. Some specific provisions of the bill include:
The bill’s companion, SB 700 by Sen. Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island), still awaits a hearing in its final committee of reference, Senate Appropriations, after passing its last committee on March 19.
Juvenile Detention Costs
HB 5305 by the House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee and Rep. Charles McBurney (R-Jacksonville) passed the full House on a 100 to 11 vote on April 3. The bill deals with the Department of Juvenile Justice’s shared cost of detention for juveniles in detention centers with the counties. The proposed committee bill:
The bill’s companion, SB 1532 by Sen. Rob Bradley (R-Orange Park) is currently awaiting a hearing in its final committee, Senate Appropriations.
OTHER BILLS AFFECTING CHILDREN
Child Safety Devices in Motor Vehicles
After passing its final two committee last week, a bill that would revise booster seat requirements for children is still waiting to be heard on the House Floor. HB 225 by Rep. Keith Perry (R-Gainesville) proposes to require an approved child restraint device for all children less than 7 years of age, if the child is less than 4 feet 9 inches in height. According to the staff analysis, only Florida and South Dakota still allow the use of adult seat belts without a booster seat for children less than 5 years of age. The use of an adult belt without a booster seat (average cost less than $18) is not recommended as it fits these children improperly and upon impact, causes many fatalities as many have been ejected through the still fastened adult belt, while others have had their spleens or intestines ruptured. Its companion, SB 518 by Sen. Anitere Flores (R-Miami) was last heard on March 12, and is still waiting to be voted on by its last committee, Senate Appropriations.
TAKE ACTION:
As session is entering its final weeks, time is running out for the Senate bill. Please call or email the chair and other members of the Senate Appropriations Committee below and ask them to support SB 518 by Sen. Anitere Flores (R-Miami).
Resident Status for Tuition Purposes
A bill that would allow undocumented immigrant students to receive in-state tuition at state colleges and universities passed its third committee on Wednesday, April 9. SB 1400 by Sen. Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater) received an 8:5 vote by the Senate Education Appropriations Committee. The bill will be heard next in the Senate Appropriations Committee, its last committee. The bill’s future remains far from certain, with Senate President Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) having expressed reservations about the proposal earlier in session. However, Sen. Latvala remains confident that the bill has the support needed to pass the full Senate, if called for a vote.
The companion bill, HB 851 by Rep. Jeanette Nunez (R-Miami) passed the full House on March 20 on a bipartisan 81:33 vote. The bill will require undocumented students to have attended a Florida high school for at least 4 years. The strong support of Speaker Weatherford was considered a major reason for the bill’s surprisingly quick passage through the House. The bill now goes to the Senate, which can either vote on the House version or continue to work on its own legislation.
Special Districts: Chapter 189 Reorganization
HB 1237 by Rep. Larry Metz (R-Groveland) was passed by the House State Affairs Committee, on Friday, April 11. It now goes to House floor. The bill proposes to reorganize Chapter 189 of the Florida Statutes into eight parts, as well as:
Its companion, SB 1632 by Sen. Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland) is awaiting a hearing by its final committee assignment, Senate Appropriations.
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