With Florida’s legislative session in full swing, it is important that students are aware of the bills that may impact them. As a student at Florida State University, the Florida Capitol is only a few miles from my school which is even more of a reason for me to follow legislation. Here are 10 bills that students should know about:
1. HB 7/ SB 300 Six-week abortion ban
In general terms, House Bill (HB) 7 bans access to an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. This bill provides exceptions for rape and incest up to 15 weeks of pregnancy if the pregnant person can present a police report, a restraining order, a medical document or a court order.
2. HB 191/ SB 1656 Financial aid for pregnant survivors of rape
This bill would provide grants to support pregnant survivors of rape who choose to carry a child to term. Grant recipients would be able to use the funds to pay for childcare and college tuition.
3. HB 543/ SB 150 Permitless concealed carry of a firearm
HB 543/Senate Bill (SB) 150 allows people to conceal carry a handgun without a permit. Currently, people must complete a background check, a training course and successfully shoot a handgun to obtain a permit. Under the new legislation, people could purchase a firearm and carry it with a valid form of photo I.D. Outlined in the bill are “gun-free zones” which include places like government buildings, schools and college campuses. The bill would also establish a “behavioral threat management operational process” under the Office of Safe Schools.
4. HB 579/ SB 1674 ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN
This bill would ban military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines. For the military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines that were purchased before the effective date, the bill would require certification. Finally, the bill would increase penalties for people who commit crimes with military-style assault weapons or large-capacity magazines.
5. HB 1521/ SB 1674 BATHROOM REQUIREMENTS
HB 1521/SB 1674 requires that people use the bathroom and changing room that correlates with the “sex that they were assigned at birth.” To deconstruct, this bill would criminalize transgender people from using the bathroom which correlates to the way in which they are presenting. This bill would also prohibit gender-inclusive bathrooms and changing rooms from being in schools, jails, public shelters and healthcare centers.
6. hb 163/ sb 874 identification card gender discrimination
This bill would revise the gender designation options on a driver’s license and Florida identification care from “male” or “female” to “male,” “female” or “nonbinary.”
7. HB 999/ SB 266 REVISIONS TO FLORIDA’S HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
Most notably, this bill will require public colleges and universities in the state of Florida to remove diversity, equity and inclusion (D.E.I.) from their strategic plans. Additionally, this bill would leave the power to hire and fire faculty to the school’s Board of Trustees and revises the reasons that constitute a post-tenure review. The House version of this bill would defund all programs, majors, and clubs that deal with topics related to D.E.I.
8. hb 39/ sb 542 emergency opioid antagonists
HB 39/SB 542 requires that all Florida College System institutions have emergency opioid antagonists (Narcan) in residence halls and dormitories. Coupled with this the bill outlines that employees and residence assistants have the training needed to properly administer the emergency opioid antagonist.
9. HB 1403/ SB 1580 THE ABILITY TO DENY A PATIENT CARE
This bill would allow health care providers and health care insurance providers to deny a patient services based on the provider’s religious, spiritual or ethical beliefs. To further explain, if this bill passes healthcare professionals and insurers will be able to refuse LGBTQ+ patients care if it “does not align with their personal beliefs.”
10. hb 907/ sb 894 healthcare transparency
Finally, HB 907/SB 894 makes it mandatory for healthcare providers to disclose any medical acts that they will refuse to perform prior to any services. The bill would also require that providers disclose this information to the Department of Health.
You can get involved with Students Demand Action or other organizations to make your voice heard on each of these issues.
Want to see more HCFSU? Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube and Pinterest!