We have just passed the midway point of the Florida 2016 Legislative Session and would like to share what is happening to this date. A couple of bills that we support are moving through their respective committees, and we are looking for them to end up on the floor of both the House and the Senate for a vote. And one additional bill was just addressed in the Florida First District Court of Appeals. They are all as follows:
1. The Pastor Protection Bill, HB 43 and SB 110, provides pastors with protection from lawsuits regarding marriage.
Statues:
- House bill 43 has passed through all committees.
- Senate bill 110 will be heard in its final committee stop on Wednesday, February 17 at 4:00 p.m.
PRAY:
- For a vote on the House floor that approves this bill.
- For a favorable vote in the Senate committee this Wednesday.
- That this bill would end up becoming law in our state this year.
ACT: Thank Rep. Scott Plakon (R-District 29) and Sen. Aaron Bean (R-District 4) for sponsoring this bill.
2. Abortion Clinics, HB 233 and Termination of Pregnancies, SB 1722/HB 1411, provide that all abortion facilities shall be licensed under ACHA (Agency for Health Care Administration).
Statues:
- House bill 233 still has two more committee stops before going to the House floor.
- Senate bill 1722 will be heard in the second of three committee stops this Wednesday, February 17 at 10:00 a.m.
- House bill 1411 has passed its final committee.
PRAY:
- That House bill 233 will favorably continue through all of its committees and that HB 1411 will go to the House floor for a vote.
- That the Senate bill will be heard favorably this week on Wednesday and move on to the last committee.
- That this bill would become law in our state this year.
ACT: Thank Sen. Kelli Stargel (R-District 15) for sponsoring this bill. You can contact her here.
3. Informed Patient Consent, HB 633, requires a woman to meet in person with a physician at least 24 hours prior to having an abortion.
Statues: Last week the Florida First District Court of Appeals in Tallahassee heard the case brought by the ACLU concerning HB 633. Since our July 9, 2015, alert Attorney General Pam Bondi appealed the injunction, and a stay was issued. The ACLU then filed suit to have the stay lifted. Before Judge Francis could make a decision, all of his civil suits were moved to Judge Charles Dodson. Last Tuesday Judge Dodson heard the case in the First District Court of Appeals. A decision is expected within two to four weeks.
Pray: that the injunction would be lifted, and the law will stand. Also, that Judge Dodson will not send this back to the lower court.
Thank you in advance for your prayers and actions concerning these issues. Please pass this alert on to others so that they may pray and act as well along with us.