APD's > Legislative > Digest

Volume II Issue 8 April 25, 2008

• Monday, April 28, 2008
  All Senate Bills Are Immediately Certified. Senate Conference Committee Reports Require Only One Reading
  
  • 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
    Senate Session
• Tuesday, April 29, 2008
  • 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    Senate Session
• Wednesday, April 30, 2008
  • 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    Senate Session
• Thursday, May 1, 2008
  • 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    Senate Session
• Friday, May 2, 2008
  60th Day - Last Day of Regular Session
  
  • 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    Senate Session

Senate

The Senate met in session several times during the week and took up the following bills. Senate Bill 856, sponsored by Senate Education Pre-K – 12 and introduced by Senator Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey), requires that district school boards designate the first two weeks in October each year as "Disability History and Awareness Weeks." District school boards would provide disability history and awareness instruction in all K-12 public schools. The bill was read the third time andpassed on a 39-0 vote. The bill is now in House messages.

A companion bill, House Bill 91, sponsored by Representative Curtis Richardson (D-Tallahassee), has been referred to the House calendar.

Senate Bill 2654, sponsored by Senator Steven Geller (D-Hallendale Beach), requires large group health insurance plans to provide coverage for diagnostic screening, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Benefits and coverage must be provided to eligible persons who are under 18 years of age or who are in high school. The bill passed with no opposition and is now in House messages.

House

The House met in session several times this week and took up the following bills.

• Senate Bill 2216, sponsored by the Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee and introduced by Senator Ronda Storms (R– Brandon) addresses adult protection and care. The bill adds protections for the elderly by providing the Department of Children and Families (DCF) with access to records of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to be used to conduct protective investigations. The bill originally expanded the types of crimes that are classified as disqualifying offenses for employment purposes in long-term care facilities. However, the bill was amended, removing the new offenses.
  The bill originally required long-term facilities to conduct a search of the Department of Law Enforcement's sexual offender database for each prospective resident before admission or immediately after admission. The facility must maintain verification that all residents have been screened. The information obtained may be used by the facility to assess the needs of the resident and to provide adequate and appropriate health care and protective and support services in accordance with this part. The information obtained may be disclosed to other residents. The bill was amended, removing this requirement.
  The bill requires that reports of abuse by someone other than a relative caregiver or household member would be immediately transferred to the appropriate county sheriff's office. The Senate passed this bill on April 3, and the House substituted it for their companion bill, House Bill 1401. The bill, as amended, was passed by the House on April 25. It will now be sent back to the Senate.
• House Bill 233, sponsored by Representative Tom Anderson (R-Holiday), reclassifies the offense of aggravated abuse of an elderly person or a disabled adult from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony. The bill also requires certified law enforcement officers to complete training in identifying and investigating elder abuse and neglect. The bill was read the second time on the House floor on April 25.
  An identical bill, Senate Bill 366, was passed by the Senate on April 16 and is now in House messages

Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Appropriations

The committee met on April 22 and considered Senate Bill 688, by Senator Victor Crist (R-Tampa). The bill amends sections 393.12, and 393.13, Florida Statutes, relating to guardian advocacy. It revises how guardian advocates are selected and the procedures that must be followed. The bill was reported favorable. The Senate took up the bill on second reading on April 24, and placed it on special order for April 18.

A companion bill, House Bill 739, sponsored by Representative Kevin Ambler (R-Tampa), was taken up on special order in the House on April 25. The bill was amended to be consistent with Senate Bill 688.

Senate Committee on Criminal Justice

The Committee met on April 21, and considered Senate Bill 1950, sponsored by Senator Nan Rich (D-Sunrise) at the request of APD. The bill makes substantive changes to Chapter 916 relating to forensic services. The bill was reported favorable. The next stop for the bill is the Senate Committee on Judiciary.

A companion bill, House Bill 7075, sponsored by the Healthcare Council and introduced by Representative Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton), was passed by the House on April 19 and has been received by the Senate.

Budget Conference

Issues Reaching Agreement:

• $11.2 million to replace non-recurring waiver funds
• Picked up FTE to allow agency to administer CDC+ program
• Transferred personal care assistance services for children to Medicaid state plan
• Rejected Senate proposed $150,000 cap for tier 1
• $3.1 million to complete assessments on all waiver enrollees by June 30, 2009
• ransfers another 60 individuals to community setting from Gulf Coast Center per Brown v Bush

Pending (Bump) Issues:

• Povider rate reduction (House = 3%, $23.4 million; Senate = 5%, $43.5 million)

Legislative Farewell

As we approach the end of the 2008 Legislative Session, APD would like to acknowledge those legislators serving in their last session. These individuals have given of themselves in order to make Florida a better place to live. As we say farewell to these public servants, we also send a very big thank you to them for their efforts. We also want to thank the families of these legislators for their sacrifices and support that allowed these legislators to serve.

FAREWELL AND THANK YOU

Friday, May 2

Day 60 — Last Day of Regular Session

Article III, Section 3 (d), Constitution:
LENGTH OF SESSIONS. A regular session of the legislature shall not exceed sixty consecutive days, and a special session shall not exceed twenty consecutive days, unless extended beyond such limit by a three-fifths vote of each house. During such an extension no new business may be taken up in either house without the consent of two-thirds of its membership.