Legislative Update
Special Edition
This Legislative Update is a companion to the Emergency Budget Storm Bulletin issued on Friday, April 12. Thank you to our many, many readers who wrote or called thanking our Campaign CEO Roy Miller for his remarks.
As is true every year at this time, legislative activity is proceeding at an accelerated pace. Councils are holding very long meetings and moving bills and considering amendments.
As we detailed on Friday, the legislature is preparing a horrific budget for children, caught in the trap of reductions that total $5-billion from the budget approved last year. Programs like Healthy Start, Healthy Families, Children’s Medical Services, Independent Living, School Readiness, Girls Advocacy Project, Juvenile Assessment Centers and more are not fat to be trimmed.
As child advocates, we must continue to address substantive legislation while also standing guard on the budget process. We simply can’t ignore one activity for the other. That is the duty and the plight of the watchdog. Everything that moves must be considered.
Budget Conference Committee Members Announced:
Budget Conference - At Large
Senate Members: Senators Carlton (Chair), Atwater (Vice Chair), King, Geller, Webster
House Members: Sansom (Chair), Ambler, Bogdanoff, Bowen, Cretul, Cusack, Flores, Gelber, Hasner, Rivera, Sands, Saunders, Seiler, Simmons, Zapata
Budget Conference - Criminal & Civil Justice / Safety & Security
Senate Members: Crist, (Chair), Joyner, Dawson, Dean, Villalobos
House Members: Kravitz (Chair), Ross, Adams, Gibson (A), Kelly, Llorente, Needelman, Planas, Sachs, Taylor, Thompson (N), Thurston
Budget Conference - Education Pre-K - 12 / Schools & Learning
Senate Members: Wise (Chair), Siplin, Bullard, Constantine, Dockery, Garcia
House Members: Pickens (Chair), Traviesa, Altman, Bendross-Mindingall, Coley, Culp, Kiar, Kriseman, Legg, McBurney, McKeel, Vana
Budget Conference - General Government / Environment & Natural Resources
Senate Members: Alexander (Chair), Lawson, Aronberg, Baker, Bennett, Haridopolos, Jones
House Members: Mayfield (Chair), Troutman, Boyd, Brandenburg, Glorioso, Grimsley, Kendrick, Kreegel, Precourt, Randolph, Sasso, Williams
Budget Conference - General Government / Government Efficiency & Accountability
Senate Members: Alexander (Chair), Lawson, Aronberg, Baker, Bennett, Haridopolos, Jones
House Members: Cannon (Chair), Hukill, Aubuchon, Bucher, Evers, Fitzgerald, Glorioso, Patterson, Proctor, Reed, Scionti, Weatherford
Budget Conference - General Government / Jobs & Entrepreneurship
Senate Members: Alexander (Chair), Lawson, Aronberg, Baker, Bennett, Haridopolos, Jones
House Members: Reagan (Chair), Poppell, Brise, Carroll, Chestnut, Dorworth, Long, Murzin, Richardson, Richter, Robaina, Schultz
Budget Conference - Health & Human Services / Healthcare
Senate Members: Peaden (Chair), Rich, Gaetz, Saunders, Wilson
House Members: Bean (Chair), Gibson (H), Ausley, Galvano, Garcia (R), Harrell, Hays, Hudson, Patronis. Roberson, Skidmore, Waldman
Budget Conference - Higher Education / Schools & Learning
Senate Members: Lynn (Chair), Ring, Justice, King, Oelrich;
House Members: Pickens (Chair), Traviesa, Altman, Bendross-Mindingall, Coley, Culp, Kiar, Kriseman, Legg, McBurney, McKeel, Vana
Budget Conference - Transportation & Economic Development / Economic Expansion & Infrastructure
Senate Members: Fasano (Chair), Margolis, Diaz de la Portilla, Hill, Webster
House Members: Cannon (Chair), Hukill, Aubuchon, Bucher, Evers, Fitzgerald, Glorioso, Patterson, Proctor, Reed, Scionti, Weatherford
Budget Conference - Transportation & Economic Development / Government Efficiency & Accountability
Senate Members: Fasano (Chair), Margolis, Diaz de la Portilla, Hill, Webster
House Members: Attkisson (Chair), Grant, Ambler, Domino, Gardiner, Gibbons, Homan, Lopez-Cantera, Meadows, Schenck, Soto, Thompson (G)
On each of the Five Promises, this Legislative Update completes the picture sketched in last week's update.
Promise 1 - Health Care:
No Consensus on KidCare Bills
Florida ’s S-CHIP program, Florida KidCare, was the subject of Senate committee action last week. Senator Dawson, Chair of the Senate Health Policy Committee, introduced her own proposal on KidCare, SB 888, on April 8. The bill, which aims to provide a major reorganization of the program within the Department of Health, was reported out of committee by a vote of 6 to 0. Senator Dawson introduced a similar proposal last year. Once again, her effort to reorganize the program does not enjoy widespread support. In related action, Sen. Dawson would not promote either SB 2472 (Rich) or SB 2032 (Fasano). Both these bills which extend and ease the use of KidCare for working families are facing a steep uphill climb to get out of committee.
Rep. Garcia’s KidCare bill, HB 1457, similar to SB 2032, has been the subject of collaborative modifications prior to consideration by the Healthcare Council. However, as the House and Senate bills differ greatly, hope is fading quickly for enactment of meaningful KidCare legislation this year. While work continues, resolution would need a major breakthrough.
The one bright spot of note in the entire budget is the expansion of slots for KidCare. Last year, the Children’s Campaign urged the legislature to expand access to healthcare for Florida’s uninsured children by authorizing and funding more children to the rolls of KidCare. Florida has been returning unused federal dollars for the past several years, and Florida’s children were left in the lurch. The Governor picked this up in his proposed budget and we are so pleased to report that the legislature has finally heard our pleas. We look forward to 34,417 more children to be eligible for KidCare funding in the coming year.
Autism Action
SB 2654 (Geller) was unanimously reported out of the Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee on April 10. The bill, titled the "Window of Opportunity Act," requires health insurance plans to provide coverage for screening, diagnosis, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder in some children. It also protects those with Autism from the denial of insurance coverage
Promise 2 - Child Protection:
Shelter & Foster Care Education Assistance
HB 0769 (Kelly), legislation to assist children with disabilities in making educational decisions, was readied for a vote of the full House through a second reading on April 8. The bill aims to empower surrogate parents for children in foster care or shelter care to assist with key decisions.
Missing Children
The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Children’s Health and Human Services passed SB 1048 ( Lynn) unanimously on April 9. The proposal authorizes the Department of Children and Family Services to adopt rules assisting in the location and recovery of missing children who are involved with the DCF. The bill requires a criminal history check of persons being considered for placement of a child among its other provisions. Since that time the bill has been further prepared for consideration by the full Senate.
Suicide Prevention
Senator Fasano’s bill (SB 2564) to provide suicide prevention training and service to school administrators and teachers passed the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee unanimously on April 8. The bill is now pending before the Education Appropriations Subcommittee.
Child Abuse SB 1280 is moving along, having been scheduled in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on April 16 th. The House companion bill is on the floor for second reading.
April: Child Abuse Prevention Month
Every Child Matters Education Fund is delivering a strong message on child abuse in April, which is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The numbers are on their side. Prevent Child Abuse America recently released a study which draws a startling conclusion: “investments in the prevention of child abuse and neglect can save the nation over $100 billion per year.” You can review the report, Total Estimated Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States .
T. Wayne Davis, Chairman of the Board of the Ounce of Prevention Fund, published a letter to the editor calling on legislators to understand the budget nightmare caused by cutting abuse prevention services. Now more than ever, the message that saving children saves money needs to be delivered to Tallahassee.
Promise 3 - Early Learning:
Fact-Based Advocacy
Children’s Campaign, Inc. is spearheading the drive behind degreed teachers providing quality pre-k experiences. As detailed in last week’s Promise 3 Front Burner, efforts to provide solid data and the building of coalitions continue to lead the way. We have proof - Florida has the capacity to employ a fully degreed teacher in every pre-k classroom by 2013. Legislation to this effect, SB 702 (Rich) and HB 741 (Long) is being supported by a growing coalition of legislators, advocates, educators and colleges.
Promise 4 - After School:
Children’s Zones
HB 3 (Bendross-Mindingall), legislation to bring Children’s Zones to Florida,was approved by the House policy and Budget Council unanimously on April 10. The companion bill, SB 500 (Bullard), also saw action, passing unanimously in the Committee on Community Affairs on April 12. This readies SB 500 for further consideration by the Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs. The $3.6-million proposal would allow local governments to establish special areas to coordinate governmental programs while providing mentoring and other support to children. The bill is modeled on a New York program.
Supporting After School in Washington
Children’s Advocates are rallying behind the Afterschool Alliance’s Afterschool for All Challenge in Washington D.C. on May 13 and 14. This year the event coincides with the National League of Cities’ National City Afterschool Summit where city officials, superintendents, school board members and afterschool providers will network and build coalitions. More information is available through www.afterschoolalliance.org/challenge_2008.cfm. You can contact the alliance at challenge@afterschoolalliance.org or 202-347-2030.
Promise 5 - Juvenile Justice:
Blueprint Commission Recommendation on Detention Reform Being Ignored
Former state representative Cindy Lerner, a Children’s Campaign Citizen Leader, testified in strong opposition to SB 792 (companion to HB 273) on April 8. Lerner was joined by Amanda Ghaffari of the Florida Association of Counties, who also vigorously testified in opposition to the bill. The proposal runs directly counter to the recommendations of the Blueprint Commission on Juvenile Justice regarding detention reform and takes placement decisions for committed youth away from the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Blueprint Recommendations Packages Make Progress
While SB 792 and HB 273 ignore the work of the Blueprint Commission, a preliminary package of Blueprint Commission recommendations are making progress in both the House and Senate. HB 7087 (Needelman) and SB 700 (Crist) are showing signs of life and are moving along. HB 7087 was unanimously reported out of the Policy and Budget Council on April 15. SB 700 saw action to prepare it for further consideration by the Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee.
Both of these proposals provide new alternatives to detention and make other Blueprint Commission-recommended improvements to our juvenile justice system. They protect the rights of youthful arrestees and help provide offenders with the medical care and treatment they need.
Legislators clearing the path for enactment for these proposals deserve applause and acknowledgement from advocates, parents, teachers, and all concerned about Florida’s young people. Senator Crist and Representative Needelman, sponsors of the bills, deserve special recognition.
Enactment of these bills would give a number of Blueprint Commission recommendations the force of law. But only a small number of the Blueprint recommendations overall are contained in these bills. There will still be more work to be done. Other proposals to codify best practices in juvenile justice reform will have to be brought forward to the legislature in future years. Now and going forward, the Children’s Campaign will continue to support the work of the Blueprint Commission.
Bullying Bill Moves Forward
Legislation to prevent in-school bullying, SB 790 (Baker), was passed by the Criminal Justice Committee unanimously on April 9. During its consideration Sen. Aronberg asked if the bill addresses sexual orientation. Sen. Baker responded that, while no specific targets of bullying are identified by the bill, it does. The bill defines "bullying" as systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students.
Next Steps
Stay tuned to the Children’s Campaign’s Legislative Updates and www.iamforkids.org as the budget and legislative processes continue. We will keep you informed. Thank you for your dedication to Florida’s children.
To read bills for each of the Promise areas simply click on the Promise of interest:
1. Promise 1 - Pre-natal, Infant, and Child Health Care
2. Promise 2 - Safety, Permanence, and Services to Children in Out-of-Home Settings
3. Promise 3 - High Quality Pre-K, Child Care, and Early Learning Opportunities
4. Promise 4 - Safe and Enriching Before and After-School Experience
5. Promise 5 - Delinquency Prevention Programs and Services to Treat Children with Problem
Legislative Update was brought to you by:
Roy Miller, President
Christen Smiley, Communications Coordinator
Amanda Ostrander, Editor, Legislative Update
We acknowledge the entire Legislative Team of Children’s Campaign, Inc. who work tirelessly during legislative session on behalf of Florida’s children.