S 362 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION by Margolis (see also H 8001)
Equal Rights for Men and Women; Ratifies the proposed amendment to the
United States Constitution relating to equal rights for men and women, etc.

S 572 GENERAL BILL by Deutch
Civil Rights/Sexual Orientation & Familial Status; Includes sexual orientation
and familial status as impermissible grounds for discrimination under the Florida Civil Rights Act and in public lodging and food services establishments. Includes sexual orientation, familial status, and marital status as impermissible grounds for discrimination under the Fair Housing Act. Defines “disability,” deletes the definition of “handicap,” and conforms terminology, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

H 8001 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION by Planas; (CO–SPONSORS)
Kiar; Porth (Identical S 0362)
Equal Rights for Men and Women; Ratifies the proposed amendment to the United States Constitution relating to equal rights for men and women, etc.

S 768 GENERAL BILL by Bullard
Public Display of a Noose; Prohibits a person from placing a noose in a public place, on the property of another without written permission of the owner or occupier of the property, or in an exhibit of any kind with the intention of intimidating another person. Provides that the prohibition applies only if the person placed or exhibited the noose with specified intentions including, but not limited to, injuring, intimidating, or interfering with another person, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 826 GENERAL BILL by Hill
Juneteenth Independence Day/The End of Slavery; Renames Juneteenth
Day as “Juneteenth Independence Day.” Requires the Governor to annually
issue a proclamation designating June 19th as said day, recognizing the end of slavery in the United States and the contributions that individuals of African descent have made, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 1066 RESOLUTION by Joyner
Women’s History Month; Recognizes the month of March as “Women’s History
Month,” etc.

S 1460 RESOLUTION by Wilson
Go Red For Women Day; Recognizes March 19, 2008, as “Go Red For Women
Day” and encourages all residents to show their support for women and the
fight against cardiovascular diseases by commemorating this day with the
wearing of the color red, etc.

Criminal Justice

H 85 GENERAL BILL by Kravitz
Lewd or Lascivious Molestation/Victim Under Twelve; Requires life sentences
for second or subsequent offenses of lewd or lascivious molestation committed
by offenders 18 years of age or older against victims less than 12 years of age,
etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

H 103 GENERAL BILL by Harrell
Criminal Conduct/Child Abuse and Neglect; Defines “mental injury”. Exempts
acts protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution or s. 4, Art. I
of the State Constitution from prohibitions on child abuse, aggravated child
abuse, and neglect. Redefines the term “crime” for purposes of crime victims
compensation to include felonies or misdemeanors committed by an adult or
juvenile which result in psychiatric or psychological injury to a person of less
than 18 years of age, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

H 133 GENERAL BILL by Porth
Sexual Battery Involving Minor Victims/Prosecution; Revises the time limitations for prosecution of second degree felony sexual battery offenses involving
victims under 18 years of age at the time the offense was committed, etc. Effective
Date: 10/01/2008.

S 144 GENERAL BILL by Wilson
Female Inmates Who are Parents of Minor Children; Provides legislative intent
that each female inmate in the state correctional system be assigned,
whenever possible, to a correctional facility that is located in close proximity to the residence of the inmate’s minor children so that she can maintain contact through visitation. Requires the Department of Corrections to collect information
concerning the minor children of female inmates, etc. Effective Date: 10/01/2008.

S 224 GENERAL BILL by Fasano
Luring or Enticing a Child; Increases the age limit of a victim from under the
age of 12 to under the age of 18 with regard to the criminal offense of luring
or enticing a child, etc. Effective Date: 10/01/2008.

H 307 GENERAL BILL by G. Thompson; (CO–SPONSORS) Waldman
Hate Crimes; Provides that the intentional display of an object or symbol to a
victim during the course of an offense creates a presumption that the felony or misdemeanor evidences prejudice, etc. Effective Date: 10/01/2008.

H 313 GENERAL BILL by Kelly
Dating Violence; Cites this act as the “Barwick–Ruschak Act.” Revises provisions
relating to dating violence incidents to provide requirements for investigations,
notice to victims, and reporting similar to those for incidents of domestic
violence and to apply certain immunity provisions thereto. Provides that a
willful violation of the conditions of pretrial release when the original arrest
was for an act of dating violence is a first degree misdemeanor, etc. Effective
Date: 10/01/2008.

S 328 GENERAL BILL by Aronberg
Video Voyeurism; Provides that it is a third–degree felony for persons 18 years of age or older who are responsible for the welfare of a child younger than 16 years of age to commit the offense of video voyeurism, video voyeurism dissemination, or commercial video voyeurism dissemination against
that child. Provides that it is a third–degree felony for persons 18 years of age
or older who are employed at schools to commit such offenses against a student,
etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 350 GENERAL BILL by Ring
Repeat Sexual Offenders/Electronic Monitoring; Requires that a person designated as a repeat sexual offender be electronically monitored for the duration of the person’s supervision following conditional release. Requires that
a sexual predator or repeat sexual offender be monitored by an electronic monitoring system meeting certain designated specifications following release on probation, community control, or conditional release, etc. Effective
Date: 07/01/2008.

S 424 GENERAL BILL by Haridopolos
Human Smuggling; Prohibits transporting into the state an individual who the person knows is illegally entering the United States or has illegally entered or remained in the United States. Provides enhanced penalties for specified violations, etc. Effective Date: 10/01/2008.

S 496 GENERAL BILL by Dockery
Lewd or Lascivious Molestation/Victim Under Twelve; Requires life sentences
for second or subsequent offenses of lewd or lascivious molestation
committed by offenders 18 years of age or older against victims less than 12
years of age, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 528 GENERAL BILL by Aronberg
Sexual Battery Involving Minor Victims/Prosecution; Revises the time limitations for prosecution of second degree felony sexual battery offenses involving
victims under 18 years of age at the time the offense was committed, etc.
Effective Date: 10/01/2008.

S 538 GENERAL BILL by Baker
Sexual Predators/Fees/Supervision and Registration; Requires the Department
of Law Enforcement to set and charge a fee to sexual predators who are financially able to pay for all or part of the costs of supervision. Authorizesa sheriff to charge a fee to a sexual predator to help defray the expense of registering the sexual predator at the sheriff’s office, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 622 GENERAL BILL by Dockery
Orders of No Contact With Victims of Crimes; Requires that offenders convicted
of specified violent offenses, including, but not limited to, arson, sexual
battery, robbery, kidnapping, aggravated child abuse, aggravated abuse of
an elderly person or disabled adult, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon,
murder, manslaughter, or aggravated stalking be prohibited from having
any contact with the victim for the duration of the sentence imposed, etc. Effective
Date: 10/01/2008.

S 638 GENERAL BILL by Jones (See also H 271)
Sexual Battery/Termination of Parental Rights [SPCC]; Provides grounds for
terminating parental rights when the parent has pled guilty or nolo contendere
to, or is convicted of, a sexual battery, which results in the victim giving
birth to a child. Provides that if a child is conceived as a result of a sexual
battery, the court may order the defendant to pay restitution to the victim
for the monetary expenses related to the support of the child, etc. Effective
Date: 07/01/2008.

S 650 GENERAL BILL by Lynn
Sex Trafficking; Requires that an offender who pleads guilty to or who is convicted
of sex trafficking and sentenced to a term of imprisonment serve not
less than two–thirds of the term of incarceration. Encourages the Supreme
Court, The Florida Bar, relevant state agencies, and sheriffs to implement
training programs in order that judges, attorneys, law enforcement personnel,
investigators, and others are able to identify sex traffickers, etc. Effective
Date: 07/01/2008.

S 680 GENERAL BILL by Bullard
Cellular Telephones in School Zones; Prohibits the use of cellular telephones
while operating a motor vehicle in a school zone. Provides that a violation is
punishable as a nonmoving violation and the fine shall be doubled, etc. Effective
Date: 07/01/2008.

S 718 GENERAL BILL by Fasano (See also H 323)
Data Theft; Provides that the knowing or negligent transfer of data from one
computer to another without the written consent of the owner in the course
of providing computer maintenance or support is an offense against intellectual
property, a third degree felony. Provides for civil liability of the person
performing the maintenance or support and his or her employer, etc. Effective
Date: 07/01/2008.

S 814 GENERAL BILL by Lynn
DNA Testing of Arrested Persons; Requires that persons who are arrested for
any offense or attempted offense including, but not limited to, sexual battery,
lewdness, indecent exposure, murder, aggravated battery, or burglary to undergo
blood or other biological specimen testing for DNA analysis. Requires
that the arresting agency secure and transmit the blood or other biological
specimens to the Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), etc. Effective
Date: 10/01/2008.

H 867 GENERAL BILL by Gibbons
Stalking; Redefines “harass,” “credible threat,” and “cyberstalk” and defines
“electronic communication,” “electronic communication device,” and “immediate
family.” Provides for reclassification of criminal penalties for certain offenses,
etc. Effective Date: 10/01/2008.


S 872 GENERAL BILL by Fasano (See also S 328)
Video Voyeurism; Provides that it is a third–degree felony to commit the offense
of video voyeurism, video voyeurism dissemination, or commercial video
voyeurism dissemination against a child younger than 16 years of age.
Provides that it is a second–degree felony for a person who has previously
been convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for said offenses to commit a subsequent
offense, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 1194 GENERAL BILL by Ring
Sexual Battery on a Minor [LPCC]; Provides for the time period for commencing
a civil action based upon an act that constitutes sexual battery upon a
minor to be tolled until the victim becomes 18 years of age or during any period
of time in which it is determined by a licensed medical practitioner, or a
mental health professional otherwise licensed in this state for the treatment
of mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders, that it is medically inadvisable,
etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 1442 GENERAL BILL by Dockery (See also H 605, S 1280)
Exploited Children; Provides specified protections to victims in any civil or
criminal proceeding involving the production, possession, or promotion of child pornography where the victim depicted in the image or images is a party to the case or a witness in the case. Permits use of a pseudonym to designate the victim of any crime involving a victim of production, possession, or
promotion of child pornography, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

Economic Security

H 291 GENERAL BILL by Soto
Unemployment Compensation; Defines the term “alternative base period” as
the last four completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the first day of an individual’s benefit year. Provides that wages used in a base period to establish a monetarily eligible benefit year may not be applied to establish monetary
eligibility in any succeeding benefit year. Provides for unemployment compensation benefits eligibility determination based on an affidavit, etc. Effective Date: 10/01/2008.
 
S 860 GENERAL BILL by Fasano
Employee Leave; Provides for up to 24 hours of leave annually for employees
to attend medical appointments or school conferences. Prohibits an employer
from taking retaliatory action against an employee for requesting or taking
leave. Requires public schools to provide 3 days’ written notice to parents of
a school conference and written confirmation of attendance if requested, etc.
Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 994 GENERAL BILL by Fasano (See also H 489)
Employee Leave/Victims of Sexual Violence [SPCC]; Provides up to 3 working
days of leave in any 12–month period to employees who are victims of sexual
violence or who have a family or household member who is a victim of sexual
violence, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 1408 GENERAL BILL by Rich; (CO–INTRODUCERS) Fasano
Residential Tenancies/Domestic and Sexual Violence; Prohibits a landlord
from terminating, failing to renew, or refusing to enter into a residential
rental agreement because the tenant, applicant, or family or household member
is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, repeat violence, or sexual
violence, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

Education

S 88 GENERAL BILL by Baker
School Safety/Bullying and Harassment; Cites this act as the “Jeffrey Johnson
Stand Up for All Students Act” which prohibits bullying or harassment during education programs or activities, on school buses, or through use of data or computer software accessed through computer systems of certain education institutions. Defines “bullying” as systematically and chronically inflicting
physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students, etc. Effective Date: Upon becoming law.

H 91 GENERAL BILL by Richardson
Schools/Disability History & Awareness Instruction; Requires each district
school board to provide disability history and awareness instruction to students
in all K–12 public schools during the first 2 weeks in October of each year. Requires school boards to designate these two weeks as “Disability History and Awareness Weeks.” Encourages state postsecondary institutions to conduct and promote activities related to disability history and awareness, etc. Effective
Date: 07/01/2008.

S 104 GENERAL BILL by Wilson
School Wellness and Physical Education Policies; Requires that each school
district shall set school wellness and physical education policies in an effort to enable students to establish good health and nutrition habits. Provides policy guidelines re nutrition education, physical activity, school–based activities, and nutritional guidelines for food and beverages sold or served on campuses or in the school district, etc Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 112 GENERAL BILL by Fasano
Student Voter Education Program; Encourages each district school board and county supervisor of elections to cooperate in providing voter education to high school students who are in grade 12. The voter education shall be in the form of a presentation and is voluntary for public and nonpublic high
schools. Requires the program to provide students with the opportunity and
sufficient information and time to submit a voter registration application to the Supervisor of Elections, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 128 GENERAL BILL by Wilson
AIDS Education Grants in Public Schools; Requires the Department of Education
to award grants to public school districts to implement school–based AIDS educational activities. Requires each school district that receives a grant to file an annual report with the Department of Education, etc. Effective
Date: 07/01/2008.

S 158 GENERAL BILL by Wilson
Public Schools/Reading Lab for Grades 1–3; Requires each student who is entering
kindergarten through third grade to be assessed in reading proficiency
and, if reading below grade level, be placed into an intensive reading lab. Requires
that each student be reassessed in the middle and at the end of each school year. Encourages the principal to ask for donations of funds or materials for the lab. Requires the principal to hire teachers, or secure training for
teachers, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

H 185 GENERAL BILL by Heller
School/Multiple Birth Siblings/Classroom Placement; Defines “multiple birth
siblings” as twins, triplets, quadruplets, or other siblings resulting from a multiple
birth. Gives parents the right to request the same or separate classrooms
in the same grade level for said siblings. Specifies that the provisions of this
bill do not apply to the rights or obligations of exceptional or disabled students
or the removal of students pursuant to discipline policies, etc. Effective Date:
07/01/2008.

S 210 RESOLUTION by Wilson
stop Day/April 18, 2008; Realizes the importance of stopping violence in
schools and recognizes April 18, 2008, as “stop Day” in the State of Florida.

S 234 GENERAL BILL by Wise
Governor’s School for Science and Technology; Establishes the school within
the Florida K–20 public education system with administrative offices in the Department of Education. Provides advanced educational classes in the areas of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology in a residential setting for qualified students who are selected through a statewide application and qualification system, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 242 GENERAL BILL by Wise
Schools/Single–gender Classes; Authorizes district school boards to establish
and maintain a school, class, or program limited to pupils of a single–gender
if the school district makes available a coeducational and other gender school,
class, or program that has substantially equal academic standards. Provides
that participation is voluntary, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 292 GENERAL BILL by Wilson
School Grading System; Removes letter grades from the performance grade
categories by which schools must be identified in the Commissioner of Education’s
annual report of the results of the statewide assessment program, etc.
Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

H 297 GENERAL BILL by Legg
Gifted/Academically Talented Student Education; Requires the Department of
Education to develop, and district school boards to implement, procedures for
screening students for identification as gifted or academically talented students.
Requires students participating in a gifted or academically talented student
education program to be evaluated at least every 3 years to determine whether the student is benefiting from, and continues to be eligible to participate in, the program, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

H 335 GENERAL BILL by Bullard (Identical S 0302)
Public School Dress Requirements; Prohibits students from wearing and exposing
below–waist underwear in a specified manner while on the grounds of a public school, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.


H 393 GENERAL BILL by McBurney
Civics Education; Requires that the 2008 curriculum standards revision for social
studies include civics education at all grade levels. Specifies that civics
standards must be included in state testing provisions and assessments with
an emphasis on student application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Requires
that the assessment of social studies be administered at least once at
the elementary, middle, and high school levels, etc. Effective Date: Upon becoming
law.

S 436 GENERAL BILL by Margolis
High School Graduation/Diploma Requirements/Voting; Requires that, as a
prerequisite to graduate or receive a high school equivalency diploma, a high school student or candidate for the equivalency diploma register or pre–register to vote if qualified to do so. Provides that with a written request from the candidate’s parent or guardian, or if the candidate is 18 years of age
or older, or an emancipated minor, he or she shall be excused from this requirement,
etc. Effective Date: Upon becoming law.

S 440 GENERAL BILL by Justice (See also H 265)
High School Graduation Requirements/Health Ed.; Provides for a mandatory
one–half credit in health education, independent of physical education credit
requirements, for all high school students beginning with those entering the
first year of high school in 2007–2008. Provides a waiver for students who request
to take and successfully complete a health assessment created by the Department of Education. Reduces, by one–half credit, the number of elective courses chosen by students, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 462 GENERAL BILL by Ring
Prevention of Harassment/Public K–12 Schools; Requires school districts to
adopt a policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation, or bullying of students
by August 1, 2008. Requires the Commissioner of Education to adopt a model
policy that school districts may adopt to meet the minimum criteria by December
1, 2008. Requires each school district to include a notice of the policy
in each district publication of rules, procedures, and conduct standards, and
in any student handbook, etc. Effective Date: Upon becoming law.

S 514 GENERAL BILL by Fasano
Schools/Disability History & Awareness Instruction; Requires each district
school board to provide disability history and awareness instruction to students
in all K–12 public schools during the first 2 weeks in October of each
year. Requires school boards to designate these 2 weeks as “Disability History
and Awareness Weeks.” Encourages state postsecondary institutions to
conduct and promote activities related to disability history and awareness,
etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 526 GENERAL BILL by Wise
Private School Students/Interscholastic Activities; Provides that a private
school student may participate in interscholastic extracurricular activities at
a public school to which the student would normally be assigned. Provides that the private school student may Provides that a private school student may participate in a public school sport if the private school in which
the student is enrolled does not offer the interscholastic sport, etc. Effective
Date: 07/01/2008.

S 610 GENERAL BILL by Constantine
Physical Education/Grades 6–8; Requires district school boards to provide
225 minutes of physical education each week for students in grade 6 through grade 8, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

H 231 GENERAL BILL by Ambler
Sure Futures Postgraduate Scholarship Program; Creates the Sure Futures
Postgraduate Scholarship Program to match private–sector businesses with
students who are seeking advanced degrees and employment. Provides for a better–educated workforce by offering students greater access to advanced degrees
and recruiting and retaining the best and brightest graduate students by offering them comprehensive financial assistance and employment, etc. Appropriation:
$200,000. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 642 GENERAL BILL by Siplin
School/Multiple Birth Siblings/Classroom Placement; Defines “multiple birth siblings” as twins, triplets, quadruplets, or other siblings resulting from a multiple birth. Gives parents the right to request the same or separate
classrooms in the same grade level for said siblings. Specifies that the provisions
of this bill do not apply to the rights or obligations of exceptional or disabled
students or the removal of students pursuant to discipline policies, etc.
Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 676 GENERAL BILL by Fasano
Publicly Funded Facilities for Children; Revises the provisions concerning
establishment of the market rate for daily, weekly, or monthly child care services.
Requires that a school–year prekindergarten program delivered by a
private provider must comprise up to 720 instructional hours or the same
number of instructional hours provided to a student in kindergarten and first
grade, if the provider provides instruction in kindergarten and first grade,
etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.


 

S 690 JOINT RESOLUTION by Wise
School District Division; Proposes an amendment to the State Constitution
to provide that counties, having 45,000 or more students, may be divided into
two or more school districts as provided by law; to provide for the creation of
a commission, by special law, to draw school district boundary lines, allocate
assets, and provide for the contractual obligations, debts, and bonded indebtedness
of the school district, etc.

S 702 GENERAL BILL by Rich
Prekindergarten Education; Makes mandatory the requirements for increasedlevels of education for prekindergarten instructors in future years, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.


S 790 GENERAL BILL by Baker
School Safety/Bullying and Harassment; Cites this act as the “Jeffrey Johnson Stand Up for All Students Act” which prohibits bullying or harassment during education programs or activities, in school buses, or through use of data or computer software accessed through computer systems of certain education institutions. Defines “bullying” as systematically and chronically inflicting
physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students, etc. Effective Date: Upon becoming law.

S 848 GENERAL BILL by Deutch
Public Schools/Human Sexuality Education; Creates the “Florida Healthy Teens Act.” Requires that any public school that receives state funding, directly or indirectly, and that provides information, offers programs, or contracts with third parties to provide information or offer programs regarding
family planning, pregnancy, or sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and AIDS, shall provide comprehensive, medically accurate, and factual information, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 1238 GENERAL BILL by Deutch (See also H 529)
Driver Licenses/Minors [EPCC]; Provides that a minor is disqualified from
operating a motor vehicle when the minor drops out of a public, nonpublic,
or home education program. Provides that if the minor enrolls in an educational
program or certain study course and satisfies relevant attendance requirements
within 5 business days, he or she shall remain eligible for driving
privileges, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 1458 GENERAL BILL by Wise (See also H623)
School Breakfast Programs; Requires the expansion of school district breakfast
programs to middle and high schools. Specifies requirements for the provision of universal free school breakfast. Provides procedures for school breakfast programs and requires information to be communicated to students
and parents. Authorizes the Department of Education to develop an incentive program to encourage student participation, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 1662 GENERAL BILL by Aronberg
School Bus Safety; Cites act as the “Diana Kautz Student Safety Sponsors
Act.” Provides for district school boards to adopt policies for private sponsorship
of described seat belt assemblies or other safety equipment on school buses, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

Elder Issues

S 122 GENERAL BILL by Fasano
Personal Identification Information/Criminal Use; Provides an enhanced
penalty for certain fraudulent uses of personal identification information
concerning an individual 65 years of age or older without first obtaining the
consent of the individual. Deletes fraudulent intent as an element of certain
offenses involving use, possession, or creation of personal identification information,
etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 188 GENERAL BILL by Fasano
Elderly or Disabled/Criminal Offenses Against; Cites this act as “The Seniors’
Safety Act.” Provides for reclassification of felonies committed against
the elderly or disabled and for misdemeanors committed against persons 65
years of age or older. Provides for a mandatory term of imprisonment for certain
thefts against persons 65 years of age or older. Provides a mandatory
term of imprisonment for certain acts of exploitation against an elderly person
or disabled adult, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 348 GENERAL BILL by Ring
Stalking; Redefines “harass,” “credible threat,” and “cyberstalk.” Defines
“electronic communication,” “electronic communication device,” and “immediate
family.” Provides that a person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly
follows, harasses, or cyberstalks a person 65 years of age or older commits
the offense of aggravated stalking, a felony of the second degree, etc. Effective
Date: 07/01/2008.

S 366 GENERAL BILL by Margolis (See also H 233)
Elderly Persons & Disabled Adults/Abuse & Neglect; Reclassifies the offense of aggravated abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult from a second– degree felony to a first–degree felony. Requires certified law enforcement officers to complete training in identifying and investigating elder abuse and neglect before June 30, 2011, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.


Family Law

S 96 GENERAL BILL by Aronberg
Marital Assets and Liabilities; Defines “barrier to remarriage” to mean, without limitation and not exclusively, any religious, secular, or conscientious restraint or inhibition of which the spouse is aware, which is imposed on the
other spouse, and which exists by reason of the spouse’s commission or withholding
of any voluntary act. Authorizes the court to take into consideration the failure or refusal of one spouse to remove a barrier to the remarriage, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 628 GENERAL BILL by Rich
Court Actions Involving Families [SPCC]; Provides legislative intent with respect
to implementing a unified family court program. Revises qualifications for guardians ad litem to include a citizen affiliated with a not–for–profit le-
gal aid organization after he or she has completed a positive security background
investigation, etc. Effective Date: Upon becoming law.

S 636 GENERAL BILL by Fasano
Domestic Violence/Injunction for Protection [LPCC]; Adds circumstances that violate an injunction for protection against repeat violence, sexual violence, or dating violence, including but not limited to, being within 500 feet of the petitioner’s residence, defacing or destroying the petitioner’s personal property, or refusing to surrender firearms or ammunition if ordered to do so by the court, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 714 GENERAL BILL by Wilson (See also H 361)
Registry for Companions; Creates the “Florida Companion Registry Act.” Defines “state–registered companions” as two adults who meet the requirements for valid state–registered companion status and who have been issued
a certificate of state–registered companions by the Secretary of State. Provides eligibility requirements for such companion status including, but not limited to, both persons must inhabit the same residence of common, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 726 GENERAL BILL by Crist
Temporary Child Support/Alleged Father; Provides an additional limitation on when a court may order an alleged father to pay temporary child support. Provides that upon motion by a party, the court shall issue a temporary order
for child support pending an administrative or judicial determination of paternity, if there is clear and convincing evidence of paternity based on genetic testing or if the alleged father has voluntarily signed the child’s birth certificate,
etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 870 PUBLIC RECORDS/GENERAL BILL by Fasano
Pub. Rec./Injunction/Domestic Violence; Provides an exemption from public records requirements for a petition for an injunction for protection against domestic violence until the petition is personally served on the respondent. Provides for future legislative review and repeal under the Open Government Sunset Review Act, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 7004 PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL for Consideration by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
OGSR/Foster Parents/DCFS; Revises the public–records exemption provided
for information held by the Department of Children and Family Services regarding
foster parent applicants, foster parents, and persons providing character
or neighbor references regarding such applicants or parents. Removes
an exemption provided for social security numbers, etc. Effective Date:
07/01/2008.

Health and Safety
 
H 3 GENERAL BILL by Bendross–Mindingall; (CO–SPONSORS)
Galvano Children’s Zones; Provides a process whereby local governments may apply to
the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, Inc. to designate an area as a children’s zone for revitalizing a disadvantaged area through programs and services for children and families living within its boundaries. Requires adoption
of a resolution, a planning team, development of a strategic community plan, and creation of a nonprofit corporation. Creates a 10–year pilot project, etc. Appropriation:
$3,628,362. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

H 7 GENERAL BILL by Jordan
Bicycle Safety/Helmets; Revises safety standard requirements for bicycle helmets
for riders or passengers who are under 16 years of age. Provides for enforcement
of nighttime bicycle equipment requirements, etc. Effective Date:
10/01/2008.

H 25 GENERAL BILL by Homan
Alcohol Abuse/Expectant Mothers; Directs DOH to develop a public education program to provide information regarding fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Directs DOH in conjunction with DCFS to develop and maintain a Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Disorders Prevention Network. Provides for voluntary and involuntary
admission of an expectant mother for alcohol abuse treatment services. Specifies who may request emergency admission, petition the court for involuntary assessment, etc. Appropriation: $17,663,000. Effective Date: 07/01/2008
except as otherwise provided.

H 89 GENERAL BILL by Kriseman
Pedestrian Safety/Roadway Intersections; Requires a driver to stop at intersections
with traffic control signals, or crosswalks so indicated with signage, to allow a pedestrian to cross a roadway when the pedestrian is in the crosswalk. Directs that an additional $60 fine for failure to yield to a pedestrian, or to allow
a pedestrian to cross at a crosswalk, shall be used by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to educate the public about pedestrian safety, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 94 GENERAL BILL by Rich (see also H 11)
Safety Belt Law Enforcement; Cites this act as the Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law. Provides for primary enforcement of the Safety Belt Law, etc. Effective Date: 06/30/2008.

S 168 RESOLUTION by Wilson
Minority Cancer Awareness Week; Recognizes April 13–19, 2008, as “Minority Cancer Awareness Week” and urges all Floridians to work with cancer– education providers, such as the American Cancer Society, to increase
awareness of the disparities that minority populations face in the fight against cancer, etc.

S 174 GENERAL BILL by Wilson
Infant Eye Care/Mandatory Examinations; Requires every baby born in a hospital to receive, prior to being discharged from the hospital, an eye examination using an ophthalmoscope and dilation of the pupils for detection of pediatric congenital and ocular abnormalities. Provides an exception to eye examinations when parents file a written objection, etc. Effective Date:
07/01/2008.

S 176 GENERAL BILL by Wilson
School Nurse Services; Creates the “One School, One Nurse Act” to provide for funding of a nurse in every public school. Provides matching funds in those communities where interest in school health services is evidenced by the participation of public or private entities in the funding or delivery of school nurse services. Encourages the development of those programs that offer potential for promoting the health of students, etc. Appropriation: $75,000. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

H 249 GENERAL BILL by H. Gibson (Identical S 0382)
School Zone Signs; Requires that “speeding fines are doubled in school zones”
be printed on any school zone sign erected on or after July 1, 2008, etc. Effective
Date: 07/01/2008.

H 257 GENERAL BILL by Traviesa
Abortion; Clarifies the requirement that third trimester abortions be performed
in a hospital. Specifies that the health exception to restrictions on performing
third trimester abortions relates to physical health. Requires that an
ultrasound be performed on any woman obtaining an abortion and that the live
ultrasoud images be reviewed and explained to the woman prior to her giving
informed consent to having an abortion procedure performed, etc. Effective
Date: 07/01/2008.

S 266 GENERAL BILL by Wilson
Cellular Telephones/Use in a Motor Vehicle; Prohibits the use of a cellular
phone while dialing, sending a call, texting, listening, or speaking while operating
a motor vehicle without using a headset or hands–free device. Exempts
the use for safety or by law enforcement if approved by the Department of
Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

H 319 GENERAL BILL by Adams
Public K–12 Students/Hazardous Walking Conditions; Requires that school transportation should be provided to K–12 public school students who are subject to hazardous walking conditions. Revises the criteria of a hazardous walkway to include roads in a 35 miles per hour zone, roads that have six or more lanes, and roads that include residents that are designated sexual predators and sexual offenders, who are required to register with the FDLE and whose
victims include a minor, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 446 GENERAL BILL by Bullard
Bicycle Safety; Revises safety standard requirements for bicycle helmets for
riders or passengers who are under 16 years of age. Provides for enforcement
of nighttime bicycle equipment requirements, etc. Effective Date: 10/01/2008.

H 411 GENERAL BILL by Ambler (Compare S 0354)
Internet Predator Awareness and Online Safety Act; Requires online dating
service providers to offer Florida members a safety–awareness notification containing,
at a minimum, information that includes a list and description of safety measures designed to increase awareness of safer dating practices. Provides that if a provider does not conduct criminal background screenings on its communicating members, the provider shall disclose, this information, etc. Effective
Date: 07/01/2008.

S 448 GENERAL BILL by Joyner (See also H 363)
Breast Cancer/Lymph Node Dissection Coverage; Cites this act as the “Mary
B. Hooks Act.” Includes lymph node dissections under the provisions prescribing
the length of a hospital stay relating to a mastectomy and the outpatient
postsurgical followup care that any group, blanket, or franchise accident
or health insurance policies, and HMOs must cover, etc. Effective Date:
07/01/2008.

S 450 RESOLUTION by Wilson
Internet Sexual Solicitation of Youth; Encourages the education of parents
and children regarding the dangers of sexual solicitation and the abuse of
youth over the Internet, etc.

S 504 GENERAL BILL by Baker
Motor Vehicles/Wireless Communications Devices; Prohibits a person who
has not attained 18 years of age from using an electronic wireless communications
device while operating a motor vehicle. Provides that this offense must be a secondary action when a driver has been detained for a violation
of another noncriminal traffic infraction. Provides that the driver shall receive a one point assessment against their driver’s license, etc. Effective Date:
10/01/2008.

S 510 GENERAL BILL by Wilson
School–entry/Vision Examinations; Requires that children who are entering
school present evidence of having received a comprehensive vision examination
which was performed within one year of their enrollment in school. Allows
each district school board, and the governing authority of each private
school, to establish a policy that permits a student up to 120 school days to
present a certification of the vision exam, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008 except
as otherwise provided.

H 521 GENERAL BILL by G. Thompson; (CO–SPONSORS) Jenne
Medicaid/Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment; Authorizes Medicaid reimbursement
for medical assistance provided to certain persons for treatment of
breast or cervical cancer. Revises eligibility standards for certain Medicaid optional
medical assistance, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 658 GENERAL BILL by Bennett
Road Rage and Aggressive Careless Driving; Creates the “Highway Safety Act” to reduce road rage and aggressive careless driving, reduce the incidence of drivers’ interfering with the movement of traffic, minimize crashes, and
promote the orderly, free flow of traffic on state roads and highways. Requires a driver to yield the left lane when being overtaken by a motor vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed on roads, streets, or highways with two or
more lanes, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 668 GENERAL BILL by Posey
Child–restraint Requirements; Changes the age requirement of children from 5 to 7 years of age or younger who must use a crash–tested, federally approved child restraint device that is appropriate for the height and weight
of the child. Adds a child booster seat as part of the requirements for children aged 4 through 7. Provides that the court shall dismiss a first violation against a motor vehicle operator upon proof of purchase of a restraint device,
etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008 except as otherwise provided.

S 886 GENERAL BILL by Justice
Children’s Toys Safety Act; Requires toy manufacturers to certify that their
toys are in compliance with safety standards set by the United States Consumer
Product Safety Commission. Requires an independent third–party
testing and certification of a toy’s safety. Requires retailers to erect signs in
each aisle identifying which unsafe toys the retailer is selling, etc. Effective
Date: 07/01/2008.

S 1344 GENERAL BILL by Siplin
Health Care for Children; Creates the Universal Health Access Plan for Children to be administered by the Department of Health. Establishes a single, publicly funded statewide program to provide comprehensive health care services for all medically necessary health services for all children of the state without cost to the child or his or her family, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 1536 GENERAL BILL by Storms
Internet Predator Awareness and Online Safety Act; Requires online dating service providers to offer Florida members a safety–awareness notification containing, at a minimum, information that includes a list and description
of safety measures designed to increase awareness of safer dating practices.
Provides that if a provider does not conduct criminal background screenings
on its communicating members, the provider shall disclose this information,
etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 7008 PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL
for Consideration by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Child Welfare; Authorizes the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to adopt rules providing for locating and recovering missing children who are involved with the DCFS. Requires that the DCFS, the community–
based care provider, or the sheriff’s office file a report following a determination
that a child involved with the DCFS is missing, etc. Effective Date:
07/01/2008.

Hurricane/Emergency Measures

S 86 GENERAL BILL by Baker (see also H 111)
Sales Tax Exemption/Hurricane Preparedness Items; Provides an exemption from the sales and use tax for sales of certain tangible personal property related to hurricane preparedness from June 1, 2008, through June 12, 2008,
with exceptions being made for sales within public lodging establishments, theme parks, entertainment complexes, or airports. Appropriation: $289,100. Effective Date: Upon becoming law.

H 245 GENERAL BILL by Sands; (CO–SPONSORS) Kiar (Identical S0644)
My Safe Florida Home Program/Grant Eligibility; Provides that persons who filed an application for hurricane mitigation inspections prior to May 1, 2007, are eligible for a grant under the My Safe Florida Home Program. Provides that eligibility for such grant requires the persons’ residential property to be granted a homestead exemption, to be a dwelling that has an insured value of
$500,000 or less, and to have undergone an acceptable wind certification and hurricane mitigation inspection, etc. Effective Date: 07/01/2008.

S 754 GENERAL BILL by Baker
Hurricane Preparedness and Insurance; Creates the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (CPIC) Mission Review Task Force to analyze and compile data and to develop a report setting forth the statutory and operational changes relating to the CPIC. Requires the Chief Financial Officer to provide a report on the economic impact on the state of a 1–in–250–year hurricane by March 1 of each year, etc. Appropriation: $250,000. Effective Date: Uponbecoming law.


 

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Florida Commission on the Status of Women
Office of the Attorney General
The Capitol, PL-01
Tallahassee, FL
32399-1050
Phone: 850-414-3300
Fax: 850-921-4131