An amendment filed by Senator Jason Pizzo would have funded an HLARC (Hormonal Long-acting Reversible Contraceptive) Program. Christie Arnold, associate for social concerns & respect life, testified in opposition to the amendment on behalf of the FCCB. HLARCs have detrimental effects on a woman's health and have abortifacient effects as they prevent embryos from implanting in the womb.
The bill unnecessarily expands the public records exemption shielding entities and people involved in distributing, manufacturing and supplying drugs used in lethal injections. In carrying out a death sentence, this could allow the state to utilize drugs from manufacturers that expressly prohibit their use in executions without the manufacturer's knowledge.
HB 741 (McClure) which would disincentivize renewable energy development through changes in reimbursement rates and additional fees, continues to advance in the legislature.
HB 1505 (Trabulsy) and SB 1830 (Brodeur) would streamline the state government background screening system. These bills will benefit numerous organizations and industries throughout Florida, including Catholic dioceses, parishes and schools, while keeping children and vulnerable adults safe.
FCCB opposes HB 1355 (Snyder) and SB 1808 (Bean) that would prohibit commercial airlines and busing companies from transporting unaccompanied migrant children into Florida.
After nearly six hours of debate, the Florida House passed HB 5 (Grall) shortly after midnight on February 17. House members went back and forth sharing opposing perspectives and often emotional stories of how abortion has impacted their lives. The bill, which would prohibit abortion after 15-weeks of pregnancy, was passed with a 78-39 vote largely along party lines.
"We oppose this bill because it unnecessarily expands the public records exemption shielding entities and people involved in distributing, manufacturing, and supplying drugs used in lethal injections," said Arnold.
FCCB opposes HB 1355 (Snyder) and SB 1808 (Bean) that would prohibit commercial airlines and busing companies from transporting unaccompanied migrant children into Florida.
HB 1505 (Trabulsy) and SB 1830 (Brodeur) would streamline the state government background screening system. These bills will benefit numerous organizations and industries throughout Florida, including Catholic dioceses, parishes and schools.
The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops was happy to sign on as a sponsor of 2022 Children's Week, which took place at the Capitol the first week of February.
HB 5 (Grall) was passed by the House Health & Human Services Committee on a 14-7 vote on February 10. Christie Arnold, associate for social concerns and respect life, testified in support of the bill on behalf of the FCCB. The bill has been placed on the House Special Order Calendar for February 15.
SB 1204 (Broxson) and HB 873 (Maney) would provide an exemption from public records requirements for information that could identify any person or entity that participates in an execution, including the manufacturer of drugs that are used for lethal injection.
The State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) and State Housing Initiatives Partnerships (SHIP) are both part of the Sadowski Programs, which have aided in the construction of affordable homes, rental development and down payment assistance since 1992.
Ken Kniepmann, associate for health, writes, "...we seek to protect our common home and ensure the preservation of our environment, which sustains life through its natural resources. As Florida allocates hundreds of millions of dollars to sea level resilience and Everglades restoration, it is contradictory for SB 1024 to unnecessarily hamper the growth of renewable technologies through changes in reimbursement rates and additional charges and fees."
Catholics from across Florida converged in Tallahassee from February 1-2 to attend Catholic Days at the Capitol. The event began on Tuesday afternoon with a briefing for participants to learn the details of four initiatives currently being considered by the Florida legislature. Early Wednesday morning, bishops and lawmakers joined Catholic Days pilgrims for an awards breakfast. At the breakfast Senators Jeff Brandes and Debbie Mayfield were honored with Defensor Dignitatis (Defender of Dignity) Awards in grateful appreciation for their efforts to protect human dignity.
The Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee was a sight to behold on Wednesday evening; not only because of the newly renovated sanctuary, but the presence of hundreds of Catholics from all across Florida who filled the pews for the 47th annual celebration of the Red Mass of the Holy Spirit. The Mass is offered to invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit upon the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government, members of the legal profession and all who are tasked with leading the state of Florida.
At the invitation of Representative Chip LaMarca, Fr. Ryan Saunders offered the opening prayer for the House Session on Wednesday. Fr. Saunders, Parochial Vicar of Epiphany Catholic Church in Miami, was in Tallahassee for Catholic Days at the Capitol and the Red Mass.
SB 146 (Stargel) was found favorable by the Senate Health Policy Committee on Wednesday by a 6-4 vote. HB 5 and SB 146 (Stargel) were filed on the first day of the legislative session, proposing to protect women and limit the harm of abortion in Florida. The bills would prohibit abortion after 15 weeks gestation, shrinking the window of time in which an abortion is able to be legally obtained
The House Criminal Justice & Public Safety Subcommittee passed HB 1355 (Snyder) on a 13-5 vote. HB 1355 and its companion SB 1808 (Bean) would hinder the ability of Florida child-caring and child-placing organizations to serve unaccompanied migrant children. Catholic ministries have long cared for these vulnerable children fleeing oppression.
Christie Arnold, associate for social concerns and respect life with the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, testified in support of HB 5 (Grall) before members of the House Professions and Public Health Subcommittee on Thursday. "We support HB 5 because we support strengthening and increasing protections for women and children, specifically unborn children," said Arnold. "It is encouraging that the bill narrows the window of time in which a woman can obtain an abortion to 15 weeks gestation. This is a good step in the right direction to limit the harm of abortion and further protect unborn children."
