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Tallahassee, FL 32301-7715
phone: (850) 205-6820
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LIFE AND DEATH |
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| Issue | Bill(s) and Sponsor(s) | Summary | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abortion | ||||
| Abortion Clinic Regulations | SB 290 Flores CS/HB 277 Burgin |
Restricts the circumstances in which an abortion may be performed in the third trimester or after viability; requires written consent and information be provided and obtained 24 hours before abortion performed; provides that infant born alive after attempted abortion is entitled to same rights as other infants; prohibits unlawful advertisement on how to obtain abortion; requires clinic to be owned and operated by physician or corporation/ limited liability company of doctors with specified training. | Support | SB 290 - Favorable by Health Regulation (5-2); now in Criminal Justice; Budget; Failed on procedural vote to receive two-thirds required to be withdrawn from committee (23-16), died in committee HB 277 - Favorable by Health & Human Services Access Subcommittee (10-5); Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services Committee (12-6); House passed (78-33); Senate received, died in committee |
| Prenatal Non-Discrimination | SB 1702 Siplin HB 1327 Plakon |
"Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass Prenatal Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity for Life Act"; requires a person performing a termination of pregnancy to first sign an affidavit stating that he or she is not performing the termination of pregnancy because of the child's sex or race and has no knowledge that the pregnancy is being terminated because of the child's sex or race. | Support | SB 1702 - Referred to Health Regulation; Judiciary; Budget; Died in committee HB 1327 - Favorable by Health & Human Services Access Subcommittee (9-5); Favorable by Civil Justice Subcommittee (7-5); now in Health & Human Services Committee; Died in committee |
| Postfertilization Age of Unborn Child | CS/HB 839 Davis |
Requires physician performing or inducing abortion to first make determination of probable postfertilization age of unborn child; prohibits abortion if probable postfertilization age of unborn child is 20 or more weeks; provides exceptions. Provisions of the bill were amended to HB 277. |
Support | HB 839 - Favorable by Health & Human Services Access Subcommittee (9-5); Favorable with CS by Civil Justice Subcommittee (8-5); now in Health & Human Services Committee; Died in committee |
| Offenses Against Unborn Children | ||||
| Florida Unborn Victims of Violence Act | SB 234 Fasano CS/HB 137 Ahern |
Amends provisions relating to vehicular homicide; defines the term "unborn child" for specified purposes; revises terminology to refer to "unborn child" rather than "viable fetus"; provides that certain offenses relating to the killing of an unborn child by injury to the mother do not require specified knowledge or intent or death of the mother. | Support | SB 234 - Temporarily postponed by Criminal Justice; also referred to Transportation; Budget; Died in committee HB 137 - Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice Subcommittee (9-5); also referred to Judiciary; Died in committee |
| Death Penalty | ||||
| Sentencing In Capital Felonies | SB 772 Altman HB 29 Julien |
Requires that an advisory sentence of death be made by a unanimous recommendation of the jury after a defendant's conviction or adjudication of guilt for a capital felony or capital drug trafficking felony; requiring that the court enter a sentence notwithstanding the unanimous recommendation of the jury | Support | SB 772 - Referred to Criminal Justice; Judiciary; Budget; Died in committee HB 29 - Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Judiciary; Died in committee |
| Other | ||||
| Pregnancy Resource Centers | SB 1326 Fasano |
Commending the compassionate work of the volunteers and staff at Florida's pregnancy resource centers and recognizing January 2012 as "Pregnancy Resource Center Month" in Florida. | Support | SB 1326 - Adopted by Senate |
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SOCIAL CONCERNS |
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| Issue | Bill(s) and Sponsor(s) | Summary | Position | Status |
| Criminal Justice | ||||
| Sentencing of Juvenile Offenders | CS/SB 92 Joyner HB 635 Stafford |
Provides a juvenile offender who was 17 years of age or younger at the time of a nonhomicide offense and who is sentenced to 10 or more years may petition the sentencing court for a reduction or suspension of sentence at age 25 if he/she meets certain eligibility criteria. | Support | SB 92 - Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice (4-0); Temporarily Postponed by Budget Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations; also referred to Budget; Died in committee HB 635 - Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Justice Appropriations Subcommittee; Judiciary; Died in committee |
| Sentencing of Juvenile Offenders | CS/SB 212 Oelrich CS/HB 5 Weinstein |
Provides that juvenile offender who was less than 18 years of age at time of commission of nonhomicide offense and who is sentenced to life imprisonment is eligible to apply for a re-sentencing hearing if offender has been incarcerated for 25 years; provides criteria to determine whether offender has demonstrated maturity and reform; if denied relief, offender may re-apply to court after 7 years. A traveling amendment with CS/SB 212 allows qualified offenders incarcerated for 15 years to apply for re-sentencing hearing. |
Support | SB 212 - Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice (5-0); Favorable with 1 Amendment by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs (6-0); Withdrawn from Budget Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations; Budget; Died on Senate calendar HB 5 - Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice Subcommittee (6-5); Favorable by Judiciary Committee (15-2); House passed (104-12); Senate received, died in committee |
| Inmate Reentry | CS/CS/SB 448
Bogdanoff CS/CS/CS/ HB 177 Porth |
Directs Department of Corrections to develop and administer a reentry program for nonviolent offenders which is intended to divert nonviolent offenders from long periods of incarceration; directs the department to obtain approval from the sentencing court; requires the sentencing court to approve or disapprove the request within a specified period; directs the department to develop a system for tracking recidivism. | Support | SB 448 - Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice (4-0); Favorable with CS by Budget Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations (7-0); Withdrawn from Budget; Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 177 HB 177 - Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice Subcommittee (12-3); Favorable with CS by Rulemaking & Regulation Subcommittee (14-1); Favorable by Justice Appropriations Subcommittee (13-1); Favorable with CS by Judiciary Committee (15-3); House amended and passed (112-4); Senate passed (40-0); Vetoed by Governor |
| Restraint of Incarcerated Pregnant Women | SB 524 Joyner CS/CS/HB 367 Reed |
Cites act as "Healthy Pregnancies for Incarcerated Women Act"; prohibits use of restraints on prisoner known to be pregnant during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery unless corrections official makes determination that prisoner presents extraordinary circumstance requiring restraints; requires written findings as to extraordinary circumstance. | Support | SB 524 - Favorable by Criminal Justice (6-0); Senate passed (40-0); House amended and passed (114-1); Senate passed (40-0); Signed by Governor HB 367 - Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice Subcommittee (13-0); Favorable by Rulemaking & Regulation Subcommittee (15-0); Favorable by Justice Appropriations Subcommittee (14-0); Favorable with CS by Judiciary Committee (14-0); House Laid on Table, Refer to SB 524 |
| Human Trafficking | ||||
| Office of Statewide Prosecution | CS/SB 1880 Flores HB 7049 Snyder |
Providing additional jurisdiction for the Office of Statewide Prosecution relating to human trafficking; increasing the criminal penalty for a person who knowingly engages in human trafficking from second degree felony to first degree felony; increasing the criminal penalty for human smuggling from first degree misdemeanor to third degree felony; providing additional authorization for the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications. | Support | SB 1880 - Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice (6-0); Favorable by Budget (19-0); Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 7049 HB 7049 - Favorable by Appropriations Committee (19-0); House passed (111-0); Senate passed (38-0); Signed by Governor |
| Massage Establishments | SB 80 Joyner |
Requires operators of massage establishments to maintain valid work authorization documents on the premises for each employee who is not a United States citizen; prohibits the use of a massage establishment license for the purpose of lewdness, assignation, or prostitution. Language of this bill was amended to HB 7049 (Snyder). |
Support | SB 80 - Favorable by Health Regulation (5-0); Favorable by Criminal Justice (6-0); Favorable by Budget Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations (6-0); Favorable by Budget (21-0); Senate passed (39-0); Died in House messages |
| Sexual Exploitation | CS/CS/CS/ SB 202 Flores CS/CS/HB 99 Fresen |
"Florida Safe Harbor Act"; authorizes delivery of children alleged to be dependent and sexually exploited to short-term safe houses; provides for a presumption that placement of a child alleged to have been sexually exploited in a short-term safe house is necessary; requires assessment of certain children for placement in a safe house; provides requirements for safe houses receiving such children; requires circuits of the Department of Children and Family Services to address child welfare service needs of sexually exploited children as a component of their master plans | Support | SB 202 - Favorable with CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs (6-0); Favorable with CS by Budget Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations (7-0); Favorable with CS by Budget (20-0); Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 99 HB 99 - Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services Access Subcommittee (15-0); Favorable by Civil Justice Subcommittee (14-0); Favorable with CS by Health and Human Services Committee (17-0); House amended and passed (116-0); Senate passed (39-0); Signed by Governor |
| Homelessness | ||||
| Voluntary Contribution/ Prevention |
SB 1130 Storms CS/HB 531 Reed |
Requiring the motor vehicle registration form and driver license application form to include an option to make a voluntary contribution to aid the homeless; establishing a homelessness prevention grant program; requiring lead agencies for local homeless assistance continuums of care to track, monitor, and report on assisted families for a specified period of time; limiting the percentage of funding that lead agencies may spend on administrative costs. | Support | SB 1130 - Favorable with 1 amendment by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs (6-0); Favorable with 1 amendment by Transportation (10-0); also referred to Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Appropriations; Budget; Died in committee HB 531 - Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services Access Subcommittee (14-0); Favorable by Health & Human Services Committee (16-0); House amended and passed (119-0); Senate received, died in committee |
| Homeless Youth | CS/SB 1662 Latvala CS/HB 1351 Glorioso |
Provides that a minor who is certified homeless may obtain a certified copy of his or her birth certificate and other identification documents and shall have specified rights as long as they retain that status. | Support | SB 1662 - Favorable by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs (6-0); Favorable with CS by Judiciary (5-0); Laid on Table, Refer to HB 1351 HB 1351 - Favorable by Health & Human Services Access Subcommittee (15-0); Favorable with CS by Civil Justice Subcommittee (15-0); Favorable by Health & Human Services Committee (16-0); House passed (117-0); Senate passed (39-0); Signed by Governor |
| Children | ||||
| Prescription Drug Abuse and Newborns | CS/CS/SB 402 Negron CS/CS/HB 227 Stargel |
Creating the Statewide Task Force on Prescription Drug Abuse and Newborns; requiring that the Department of Legal Affairs provide the task force with necessary staff. | Support | SB 402 - Favorable with CS by Health Regulation (6-0); Favorable by Budget Subcommittee on Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations (7-0); Favorable with CS by Budget (19-1); Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 227 HB 227 - Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services Quality Subcommittee (11-0); Favorable with CS by Justice Appropriations Subcommittee (12-0); Favorable by Health & Human Services Committee (13-0); House passed (117-0); Senate passed (39-0); Signed by Governor |
| Child Pornography | SB 1618 Storms HB 1385 Trujillo |
Revises the definition of the term "child pornography" to include visual depictions in which it appears that a minor is engaging in sexual conduct; providing that proof of the identity of a minor is not required; defining the term "minor"; defining the terms "child pornography" and "minor"; including possession of child pornography within specified offenses; providing penalties. | Support | SB 1618 - Referred to Criminal Justice; Judiciary; Budget; Died in committee HB 1385 - Favorable by Criminal Justice Subcommittee (15-0); Favorable by Justice Appropriations Subcommittee (14-0); also referred to Judiciary; Died in committee |
| Individuals with Disabilities | ||||
| Service Animals | CS/CS/SB 1382 Bennett CS/CS/HB 1077 Kriseman |
Revises designation and duties of service animal; provides individuals with a disability who are accompanied by a service animal certain rights with regard to public or housing accommodations; provides penalty. | Support | SB 1382 - Favorable with CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs (5-0); Favorable with CS by Budget (21-0); Senate amended and passed (39-0); Died in House messages HB 1077- Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services Access Subcommittee (15-0); Favorable with CS by Civil Justice Subcommittee (13-0); Favorable by Health & Human Services Committee (16-0); Died on House Calendar |
| Immigration | ||||
| Postsecondary Student Fees | SB 106 Siplin HB 81 Bullard, D. |
Provides an exemption from payment of nonresident tuition at a state university or a Florida College System institution for an undocumented student who meets specified requirements; requiring that the Board of Governors of the State University System adopt regulations and the State Board of Education adopt rules. | Support | SB 106 - Unfavorable by Judiciary (3-4); Died in committee HB 81 - Now in K-20 Innovation Subcommittee; also referred to Rulemaking & Regulation Subcommittee; Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee; Education; Died in committee |
| Verification of Employment Eligibility | SB 1638 Altman HB 1315 Harrell |
Requires every employer to use the Employment Authorization Program to verify the employment eligibility of each new employee on or after a specified date; provides that a business that does not use the E-Verify system shall lose its license to do business in this state until the business has registered with the E-Verify system; requires every public employer to register with and participate in the E-Verify system for specified purposes. | Monitor | SB 1638 - Referred to Judiciary; Budget; Died in committee HB 1315 - Referred to Government Operations Subcommittee; Business & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee; Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee; State Affairs; Died in committee |
| Other | ||||
| Destination Casino Resorts | CS/SB 710 Bogdanoff HB 487 Fresen |
Provides for applications for a destination resort license; specifies conditions for the conduct of limited gaming by a resort licensee; establishes the Department of Gaming Control | Oppose | SB 710 - Favorable with CS by Regulated Industries (7-3); also referred to Budget; Rules; Died in committee HB 487 - Temporarily postponed by Business & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee; also referred to Finance & Tax Committee; Economic Affairs Committee; Died in committee |
| Wage Protection for Employees | SB 862 Simmons CS/HB 609 Goodson |
Prohibits county, municipality, or political subdivision from adopting or maintaining in effect law, ordinance, or rule that creates requirements, regulations, or processes for purpose of addressing wage theft; preempts such activities to state; defines term "wage theft." | Oppose | SB 862 - Favorable by Community Affairs (8-0); Temporarily Postponed by Judiciary; also referred to Governmental Oversight and Accountability; Died in committee HB 609 - Favorable by Civil Justice Subcommittee (12-2); Favorable by Community & Military Affairs Subcommittee (11-4); Favorable with CS by Judiciary Committee (12-6); House passed (77-38); Senate received, died in committee |
| Protection of Vulnerable Persons | CS/CS/SB 1816 Benacquisto CS/CS/CS/ HB 1355 Dorworth |
Revises language concerning child abuse reporting. | Monitor | SB 1816 - Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice (6-0); Favorable with CS by Budget Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations (4-2); Withdrawn from Budget; Senate Amended; Laid on Table, Refer to HB 1355 HB 1355 - Favorable with CS by Judiciary Committee (18-0); Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services Committee (18-0); Favorable with CS by Appropriations Committee (24-0); House passed (114-0); Senate amended and passed (35-4); House passed (117-0); Signed by Governor |
| Criminal Background Screening | CS/CS/SB 320 Storms CS/CS/CS HB 943 Holder |
Revises exemptions from background screening requirements for certain personnel. | Monitor | SB 320 - Favorable with CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs (6-0); Favorable with CS by Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Appropriations (7-0); Withdrawn from Budget; Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 0943 HB 943 - Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services Access Subcommittee (15-0); Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice Subcommittee (14-0); Favorable with CS by Health and Human Services Committee (18-0); House passed (114-0); Senate passed (39-0); Signed by Governor |
| Application of Foreign Law | SB 1360 Hays HB 1209 Holder |
Prohibits courts from considering certain provisions of foreign laws; does not prohibit any religious organization from adjudicating, ecclesiastical matters, including, but not limited to, the election, appointment, calling, discipline, dismissal, removal, or excommunication of a member. | Monitor | SB 1360 - Favorable by Judiciary (6-0); Favorable by Budget Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations (5-2); Withdrawn from Budget; Died on Senate calendar HB 1209 - Favorable by Civil Justice Subcommittee (13-0); Favorable by Judiciary Committee (14-1); House passed (92-24); Senate received, died in committee |
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HEALTH |
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| Issue | Bill(s) and Sponsor(s) | Summary | Position | Status |
| Access to Care | ||||
| Florida KidCare Program | CS/SB 510 Rich HB 849 Schwartz |
Removes the prohibition on children of state employees from participating in the KidCare program if they are otherwise eligible. Provisions of the measure were included in HB 5301, a budget conforming bill that passed both chambers and was signed by the governor. |
Support | SB 510 - Favorable with CS by Health Regulation (7-0); Favorable by Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Appropriations (7-0); Senate passed (37-0); Died in House messages HB 849 - Referred to Health & Human Services Access Subcommittee; Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee; Health & Human Services; Died in committee |
| Florida KidCare Program | CS/SB 1294 Garcia, R. |
Allows lower-income, legal immigrant children to participate in the KidCare program. | Support | SB 1294 - Favorable with CS by Health Regulation (5-0); also referred to Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Appropriations; Budget; Died in committee |
| Long Term Care | ||||
| Nursing Homes and Related Health Care Facilities | SB 482 Latvala CS/HB 621 Frishe |
Clarifyes the transfer and discharge of facility residents are governed by nursing home law; provides that a licensee must provide certain information relating to financial or ownership interests if requested by the Agency for Health Care Administration; revises provisions relating to respite care in a facility; deletes certain reporting requirements | Support | SB 482 - Favorable with 1 amendment by Health Regulation (7-0); also referred to Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Appropriations; Budget; Died in committee HB 621 - Favorable by Health and Human Services Quality Subcommittee (12-3); Favorable by Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee (13-1); Favorable with CS by Health and Human Services Committee (18-0); House passed (116-0); Senate received, died in committee |
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EDUCATION |
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| Issue | Bill(s) and Sponsor(s) | Summary | Position | Status |
| Scholarships/School Choice | ||||
| Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program | CS/SB 962 Benacquisto CS/CS/CS/ HB 859 Corcoran | Increases the tax credit cap from $175 million to $229 million; provides the Department of Education more authority to deal with schools that repeatedly violate regulations; allows scholarship schools to voluntarily administer the FCAT; eliminates the requirement that students in grades 2-5 have attended public school the prior year. | Support | SB 962 - Favorable with CS by Education Pre-K-12 (4-2); Favorable by Budget Subcommittee on Finance and Tax (5-0); Withdrawn from Budget; Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 859 HB 859 - Favorable with CS by Finance & Tax Committee (17-6); Favorable with CS by PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee (10-4); Favorable with CS by Education Committee (13-4); House passed (92-24); Senate passed (32-8); Signed by Governor |
| Athletics | ||||
| Youth Athletes | CS/CS/SB 256 Flores CS/HB 291 Renuart |
Requires independent sanctioning authority for youth athletic teams and FHSAA to adopt policies relating to nature and risk of concussion and head injury in youth athletes; requires informed consent for participation in practice or competition; requires removal from practice or competition under certain circumstances and written medical clearance to return. | Monitor | SB 256 - Favorable by Education Pre-K-12 (6-0); Favorable by Health Regulation (6-0); Favorable with CS by Budget Subcommittee on Education Pre-K-12 Appropriations (9-0); Favorable with CS by Budget (21-0); Senate Laid on Table, Refer to HB 291 HB 291 - Favorable by K-20 Innovation Subcommittee (11-1); Favorable with CS by Health and Human Services Access Subcommittee (13-1); Favorable by Education Committee (15-0); House passed (116-0); Senate passed (39-0); Signed by Governor |
| High School Athletics | CS/SB 1704 Wise CS/CS/CS/ HB 1403 Stargel |
Revises regulations and requirements related to recruitment and eligiblity of student athletes | Oppose | SB 1704 - Favorable with CS by Education Pre-K-12 (4-1); Withdrawn from Budget Subcommittee on Education Pre-K-12 Appropriations; Budget; Senate Amended; Laid on Table, Refer to HB 1403 HB 1403 - Favorable with CS by K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee (11-4); Favorable with CS by Rules & Calendar Committee (13-4); Favorable with CS by Education Committee (12-6); House amended and passed (78-34); Senate passed (21-18); Signed by Governor |
| Other | ||||
| Student Safety | CS/CS/SB 494 Negron HB 273 Kiar |
Requires emergency response agencies that are responsible for notifying school districts of emergenciesto to also notify private schools in school district under certain circumstances. The Senate bill authorizes public and private schools to purchase from a wholesale distributor and maintain in a secure location a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors; requires adoption of a protocol developed by a licensed physician; provides immunity from liability for public and private school employees for any injury arising from use of auto-injector by trained personnel. |
Support | SB 494 - Favorable with CS by Education Pre-K-12 (6-0); Favorable with CS by Military Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security (5-0); Withdrawn from Budget Subcommittee on Education Pre-K-12 Appropriations; Budget; Died on Senate calendar HB 273 - Favorable by K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee (12-0); Favorable by Community & Military Affairs Subcommittee (13-0); Favorable by Education Committee (16-0); House passed (119-0); Senate received, died in committee |
| Seclusion and Restraint on Students with Disabilities | SB 144 Flores HB 1467 Gonzalez |
In public schools, requires manual physical restraint be used only in an emergency when there is an imminent risk of serious injury or death to the student or others; provides restrictions on the use of manual physical restraint; prohibits school personnel from placing a student in seclusion. | Monitor | SB 144 - Favorable by Education Pre-K-12 (5-0); Temporarily Postponed by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; also referred to Budget; Died in committee HB 1467 - Referred to K-20 Innovation Subcommittee; PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee; Education; Died in committee |
| Catholic Schools Week | SB 932 Altman HB 9025 Kiar |
Resolution recognizing January 29 through February 5, 2012 as "Catholic Schools Week" in the State of Florida. | Support | SB 932 - Adopted by Senate HB 9025 - Adopted by House |
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D. Michael McCarron
Executive Director
(850) 205-6819
mccarron@flacathconf.org
Michael B. Sheedy
Associate Director for Health
(850) 205-6824
msheedy@flacathconf.org
Sheila S. Hopkins
Associate Director for Social
Concerns/
Respect Life
(850) 205-6826
shopkins@flacathconf.org
James B. Herzog
Associate Director for Education
(850) 205-6823
jherzog@flacathconf.org
Michele M. Taylor
Associate Director for Communications
(850) 205-6817
mtaylor@flacathconf.org
