Florida House passes bills on technical education, pet insurance, sex offenders, more
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida House of Representatives passes several bills Wednesday relating to career and technical education, pet insurance, sexual offenders and more.
HB 917 – Career and Technical Education
Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, the sponsor of the bill, explained the bill conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the current career and technical education opportunities that are provided in the state.
He added the bill also, in limited circumstances, allows or 16 and 17-year-olds to gain experience in residential construction settings.
Snyder’s bill passed 84-30.
Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, expressed concerns about employers taking advantage of minors and requiring them to participate in dangerous working conditions with the threat of firing the students.
Snyder explained that there were a variety of ways, including human resources at the state level, that could help victims who potentially felt threatened while on the job.
The House passed three amendments that consisted of repealing the state’s Talent Development Council. Snyder argued the council was unnecessary and only duplicated bureaucratic operations.
SB 460 is the Senate version of the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee. The bill has completed all of its committee stops and is awaiting Senate approval.
HB 1465 – Pet Insurance and Wellness Programs
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Kaylee Tuck, R-Lake Placid, provides regulatory framework for pet insurance programs in the state.
Rep. Robin Bartleman, D-Weston, thanked Tuck for filing the legislation.
The bill passed unanimously, 115-0.
Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-St. Petersburg, filed the Senate companion bill, SB 1338, which is currently awaiting approval in its committee stops.
HB 1235 – Sexual Offenders and Sexual Predators
Rep. Jessica Baker, R-Jacksonville, said that her bill seeks to amend the Sexual Offender and Predator Act to improve public safety by easing accessibility for individuals on the state’s sex offender registry to updates to their information relating to vehicle ownership and residency.
The legislation allows for offenders to update their information online instead of in-person.
Baker’s bill passed unanimously, 116-0.
SB 1230, sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, is the Senate version of the legislation. It has completed all of its committee stops and is awaiting Senate chamber approval.
HB 1171 – Schemes to Defraud
The legislation by Rep. Kevin Steele, R-Dade City, defines punishments for organized defrauding schemes that individuals partake in.
It also increases the penalties of schemes conducted against minors, senior citizens, and mentally disabled individuals.
Steele’s bill passed 104-8 on the House floor.
Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, filed the Senate companion legislation, SB 1220, which has completed all of its committee stops and awaits the chamber’s full approval.
HB 293 – Hurricane Protections for Homeowners Associations
The bill, sponsored by Reps. Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island, and Kimberly Daniels, D-Jacksonville, requires homeowners associations to adopt hurricane hardening standards.
The legislation passed unanimously, 115-0.
SB 600 by Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, is the Senate version of the bill. It still awaits a vote by the upper body, following its approval in each committee stop.
