Section III. Summaries of Other Bills of Interest That Were Not Selected for Vote Recording
Health and Supportive Services Department of Health:
prohibits discrimination based on race, creed, color, sex, physical disability, or national origin in the areas of education, employment, housing, and public accommodation. CS/SB 220, by Senator Thompson, FAILED. The companion bill was, CS/HB 105, by Representative Berman. AARP worked to obtain withdrawal of an unfriendly amendment to SB 220. The amendment would have drastically limited compensatory damages for all protected classes, including the elderly and disabled. • This legislation sought to amend FCRA by prohibiting discrimination against pregnant women. • Victims of employee discrimination in the workplace would have been forced to file a lawsuit within 90 days after the close of the 180-day investigation period. That would have negatively impacted the ability of potential plaintiffs to obtain appropriate legal counsel in a timely fashion. Livable Communities Supportive Housing for the Elderly: Supportive Housing for the Elderly is a federal program administered through the states. SM 576, by Senator Abruzzo, FAILED. The companion bill was, HM 925, by Representative Pafford. AARP supported this legislation. • This proposed memorial would have urged Congress to provide sufficient funding for the Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program. Gas Stations: CS/CS/HB 7005, by Transportation & Highway Safety Subcommittee and Representative Artiles, PASSED. The legislation is now Chapter No. 2014- 216, Laws of Florida, effective July 1, 2014. The bill contained language from CS/CS/CS/HB 185, by Representative Danish, and the companion bill, CS/ CS/SB 1184, by Senator Brandes. AARP monitored this legislation. • This legislation stipulates that a telephone number must be uniformly displayed on gas pumps so consumers, especially the disabled, may request fueling assistance. • This bill requires that, by July 1, 2016, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirm that the required decal is placed on each self-service pump.
CS/CS/CS/HB 819, by Representative Pigman, FAILED. The companion bill was, CS/CS/SB 1066, by Senator Grimsley. AARP monitored this legislation. • The legislation would have required that rates charged for the reproduction of electronic or printed medical records be the same. • The medical records language was removed from the House bill and was never added to Senate version. Consumer Protections Water and Wastewater Utility Systems: CS/HB 357 by Representative Santiago, FAILED. The companion bill was CS/CS/SB 1050 by Senator Hays. AARP monitored this legislation. The legislation would have: • Provided a way in rate cases to identify and potentially resolve issues related to secondary water standards (e.g., standards related to odor, taste, and corrosiveness). • Provided for recovery of prudently incurred costs (without hearing) to rectify deficiencies in secondary water standards. The PSC would have had the authority to review water utilities’ actions and to correct allowed cost recoveries. Medical Examiners: Nineteen (19) of 24 medical examiner districts charge fees to determine cause of death when a body is to be cremated, dissected, or buried at sea. The fees vary between districts and between counties. For example, ten counties charge no fee for cremation determinations while the other 57 counties charge up to $63. CS/HB 301, by Representative Spano, FAILED. The companion bill was, SB 548, by Senator Lee. AARP supported this legislation. The legislation would have: • Prohibited district medical examiners from charging a fee to determine the cause of death. • Narrowed the circumstances under which district medical examiners would have been required to determine cause of death. Florida Civil Rights: Currently, the Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA)
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