Healthy Food Financing Initiative Program - FAILED (AARP Supported) Senate Bill 292, by Senator Jones (Companion House Bill 307, by Representative Bartleman). Let legislation would have renamed section 596 and amended sections 500.81 and 595.801, Florida Statues. In 2016, the Florida Legislature directed the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to establish a Healthy Food Financing Initiative Program to provide financial assistance for the rehabilitation or expansion of grocery retail outlets located in underserved or low-income communities. This legislation would have changed the definition of “underserved community” to “a low-income community where a substantial number of residents have low access to a full-service supermarket or grocery store” and would have revised the requirements for the administration, participation, and eligibility in the Healthy Food Financing Initiative program. The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) would have been asked to review the program and to collect data for the Legislature. During the legislative session, the following votes were taken: Senate Agriculture (3/6); Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government (3/14).
Bills noticed and monitored by AARP, votes were not tracked
Physician Certifications for the Medical Use of Marijuana - PASSED House Bill 387, by Representative Roach (companion Senate Bill 344, by Senator Brodeur). The legislation amends section 381.986, Florida Statutes, effective July 1, 2023. Under current law, to obtain medical marijuana a qualified patient must have a physician certification from a qualified physician and an identification card from the Department of Health (DOH). A qualified physician must be physically present in the same room when conducting the examination and must conduct an examination before the initial certification and any subsequent renewal certifications. This legislation allows for qualified physicians to conduct an examination for the renewal of a physician certification for medical marijuana to occur via telehealth, so long as the physician has also performed a previous, initial, in-person examination of the patient. Telephone Solicitation - PASSED House Bill 761, by Representative Fabricio (companion Senate Bill 1308, by Senator Yarborough). The legislation amends section 501.059, Florida Statutes, effective upon becoming law. Florida law prohibits telephonic sales calls that use an automated system for the selection or dialing of telephone numbers or the playing of recorded messages (robocall) without the prior express written consent of the called party, with some exceptions. This legislation clarifies the notice requirements prior to obtaining consent for telephone calls, text messages, or the transmission of prerecorded voicemails, including specifying that the requirements apply to use of an automated system for the selection and dialing of telephone numbers. It allows the signature needed to establish prior written consent for telephonic sales calls to include an electronic or digital signature, as provided under current law, or an act that demonstrates express consent, which includes but is not limited to checking a box indicating consent or responding affirmatively to receiving text messages, to an advertising campaign, or to an e-mail solicitation. Background Screenings - PASSED Senate Bill 676, by Senator Grall (companion House Bill 249, by Representative Trabulsy). This legislation amends several sections of 435, 943 and 1012, Florida Statutes, effective July 1, 2024. This legislation expands the background screening requirements for individuals who work or volunteer with vulnerable persons or children. It includes a search of state-specific sexual predator or sexual offender registries for any state in which the individual has resided during the previous five years. It also clarifies the ongoing reporting obligations of employers to keep an employee’s information and employment status current with the “Care Provider Background Clearinghouse”, a single data source for employment background screening for positions involving services to children and vulnerable adults.
Senate Votes on SB 292
Albritton
Y Burton
Hutson Ingoglia
Powell
Avila
Calatayud
Rodriguez
Y
Baxley Berman
Y
Collins
Y
Jones Martin
Rouson Simon
Y Y
Y Y Davis
Book Boyd
DiCeglie
Y Mayfield Y Osgood
Y Y Stewart
Y
Y Y Garcia
Y Thompson Y
Bradley Brodeur Broxson Burgess
Grall
Y Y Passidomo
Torres
Y Gruters
Y Perry
Trumbull
Y
Harrell Hooper
Pizzo
Wright
Polsky
Y Yarborough
82
83
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