Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any appearance forms? No appearance forms on the amendment.
• I have an appearance...
• There are appearance cards. I have 30 appearance cards. So we are going to try to limit your...
• There are appearance cards. I have 30 appearance cards.
• That wraps up our appearance forms. Mr.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1134, which would extend and clarify the use of qualified private providers and computer-based tools in the building permit and inspection process for residential solar energy systems. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce long delays in solar permitting and make the process faster and cheaper; Senator Pizzo questioned whether the problem was limited to specific local governments, and a late-filed amendment clarifying the word “application” was adopted. After brief testimony from an industry representative supporting the measure, the committee reported the bill favorably, with Senator Pizzo voting no. Next, the committee considered SB 784, dealing with issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers for plats and new development. The bill sets a 14-day timeframe, and an amendment was adopted that would allow use of a private provider if the deadline is missed and would bar fee collection if the local government fails to act within five business days. County representatives said they wanted to keep working on the bill and raised concerns about the private-provider language and the short deadlines, while several senators discussed whether the process should be handled earlier on the front end. The committee then reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1738 on transportation concurrency, which would let counties that previously opted out of concurrency opt back in by maintaining current levels of service. SB 1080, a local government land regulation bill, was described as a measure to speed development approvals by setting stricter timelines, limiting repeated information requests, and imposing penalties for noncompliance; local-government testimony opposed it as a loss of local control, while builders supported it. After debate, SB 1080 was reported favorably. SB 1260, which clarifies county constitutional officer budget procedures and creates an appeal process for clerks and supervisors of elections similar to sheriffs, was also reported favorably after members discussed possible adjustments to avoid burdening county budget negotiations. Finally, the committee took up SB 420, as amended by a strike-all, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from adopting or funding DEI-related ordinances, policies, programs, offices, or contracts, and would expose officials to misfeasance/malfeasance claims and local governments to lawsuits. The sponsor said the amendment removed retroactive language, delayed the effective date, and added definitions and contract-certification requirements, but many senators and public speakers argued the bill was overbroad, vague, and would chill local efforts such as Black History Month, women-owned business programs, minority contracting, and community outreach. Supporters said it would ensure merit-based government action and consistency with state standards. The amendment was adopted, but the bill drew extensive opposition testimony and debate over its scope and potential conflict with federal and state law.

Transcript Highlights:

• And part of it was the reason for it is initially, we weren't...
• And part of it was, uh, the reason for it is initially, we weren't as synchronized as we could because
• And so in those initial assignments were major crime scenes, traffic control...
• So one of the things, if you look to the next slide, which is the transition slide, initially, right?
• That's a brand-new initiative that we started this fall.

Bills: SB100

Keywords: burglary, aggravated burglary, dwelling, criminal law, property rights, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The ayes appear to have it.
• The eyes appear to opposed, nay. No. The eyes appear to have<00:16:02.920> it.
• The ayes appear to have it.
• The eyes appear to have it.
• The eyes appear to have it. The eyes appear to have it.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [APPLAUSE]. 120 Chair: Abraham Lopez, from the Ford Debate Initiative, wishing to appear in person.
• From—I hope I said this right—Maria McKinney, Florida Debate Initiative.
• From—I hope I said this right—Maria McKinney, Florida Debate Initiative.
• And also wishes to appear. He does not waive.
• Miss Elizabeth DeAngelis from the Autism Collier Charter School, wishing to appear.

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered two PCS bills. PCS for HB 1059, by Rep. Booth, would designate the first week of November as Florida Speech and Debate Week to recognize speech and debate programs and the educators, coaches, judges, and school districts that support them. Supporters, including students and advocates, testified that speech and debate builds critical thinking, civics knowledge, confidence, and respectful civil discourse, and several members praised the students’ testimony and the program’s value. The bill was reported favorably by a 14-0 vote. The committee then heard PCS for HB 851, by Rep. Long, which requires each school district’s professional learning system to include at least one annual autism-specific training opportunity for teachers and school-based administrators, developed with the Center for Autism and grounded in evidence-based practices. The sponsor said the bill is intended to give educators practical tools to support students with autism, while members asked questions about scope, virtual training, charter schools, and the relationship to existing law. Public testimony and member debate largely supported the bill, with speakers emphasizing the need for better educator preparation and inclusion for students with autism. The bill also passed unanimously, 14-0, and was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, members and the chair offered brief closing remarks thanking colleagues and staff and reflecting on the committee’s work, with the chair noting it may have been the committee’s last meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fifth request, which does not appear in this packet, is a rider request.
• Uh, the fifth request, which does not appear in this packet, uh, is a rider request.
• In addition to what's in this packet, there are 3 additional agency requests that do not appear in the
• We are moving forward with new initiatives, which I will outline more in just a moment.
• And then our broadband initiative is one that I will speak to a little bit more in a moment.

Bills: SB1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to review Article 8, regulatory agencies, and began Article 9, general provisions, before recessing for floor action. The committee first heard budget presentations from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). The PUC budget recommendation was about $5.07 billion in all funds, including an additional $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, plus funding for staffing and technology needs tied to contested cases, infrastructure resiliency, and outage mapping. PUC witnesses emphasized the agency’s growing workload, the need for more staff and modern systems, and oversight of the Texas Energy Fund. OPUC’s recommendation was about $6.9 million, with a reduction in authorized FTEs to better match actual staffing; the agency requested additional funding for salaries, expert witnesses, and budget flexibility, and members highlighted OPUC’s role representing residential and small commercial consumers in utility proceedings. The committee then heard from the Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), whose recommendation was just over $11.2 million. BHEC’s main requests included funding to fill vacant positions, money for continuous National Practitioner Data Bank queries, and a proposed Texas-owned psychology licensing exam in response to concerns about changes to the national exam. Agency leaders also discussed a rider request that would shift responsibility for certain judgments or settlements to the comptroller. Members asked about prior complaint backlogs, and BHEC said those backlogs had been cleared. The Board of Chiropractic Examiners followed, with a recommendation of just under $2.4 million; the board sought support for staffing, training, broadband, and salary retention, and described its work regulating chiropractors and workers’ compensation-related doctors. The Board of Dental Examiners was the last agency heard before the committee recessed. Its recommendation was just under $10 million, and it requested a 10% salary increase for eligible staff, three additional licensing staff, one staff member to handle required background checks, an additional attorney, and an executive director salary adjustment. Dental board witnesses said licensure growth, increased complaints, and low salaries were straining licensing and enforcement operations, even though the agency reported strong performance and high case completion rates. The chair ended the hearing early because the Senate had to return to the floor, and the committee remained in recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:37.680> And<00:02:38.560> I'm of what my initial ideas were.
• And I'm of what my initial ideas were.
• It appears the ayes have it. Um, thank you for coming.
• <00:09:16.000> It<00:09:16.160> appears All in favor? I oppose? No.
• It appears All in favor? I oppose? No.

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 14 January, 2026; 3:15 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and briefly treated the session as an organizational meeting after an earlier hearing that had been difficult to manage. The chair thanked witnesses for their efforts, noting that some had traveled long distances, including nursing students from Mississippi University for Women, a witness from Los Angeles, and another who had come after working overnight in the emergency room at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The chair also announced committee changes: Senator England and Senator Boyd were new members, Senator Boyd was absent, and Senator Parks was the new vice chair. The main policy discussion focused on anticipated committee work for the year. The chair said a previously passed certificate-of-need bill, vetoed by the governor over one provision, would likely be reintroduced without the objectionable section and sent to the governor early in the session. He also said he was cautious about co-legislation because of unintended consequences, but identified several areas that seemed likely to receive attention, including rural and small hospitals, dialysis, mental health care, and daycare availability as a workforce issue. On hospitals, the chair said small and rural hospitals were struggling because shorter stays and outpatient procedures had shifted revenue away from hospitals, and he suggested looking for ways to capture some of that revenue to support hospital operations. He expressed doubt that outpatient dialysis at small hospitals would be practical, but said the committee would likely consider it. He also said the committee was likely to look at mental health care and public welfare issues, especially daycare affordability and availability. No substantive votes were taken beyond a motion to rise and report, which passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyone wishing to speak before the committee should complete an appearance form and hand it to a member
• And so I did just want to take a minute to talk about our dark skies initiative.
• Launch capacity: we have secured more than 80 launches to deploy our initial constellation.
• Appearance card? Oh. We need all of our presenters. Oh, they haven't done them yet? Okay.
• Appearance card? Oh. We need all of our presenters. Oh, they haven't done them yet? Okay.

Summary: The committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and heard a series of presentations focused on Florida’s space and aerospace industry. Blue Origin’s Anna Spencer described the company’s Florida operations at Rocket Park, including New Glenn manufacturing and launch activities, Blue Moon lunar lander work, workforce development, and recent booster recovery and launch milestones. Amazon’s Beth Cooley presented an update on Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), outlining the satellite broadband network, customer terminals, dark skies mitigation efforts, Florida facilities and jobs, and launch plans; members asked about RV/mobile applications, satellite counts, and the role of fiber, but no action was taken. Starcatcher Industries CEO Andrew Rush then described his company’s effort to create an orbital energy grid that beams power to satellites to extend mission life and increase available power, citing demonstrations in Jacksonville and Cape Canaveral and plans for a first satellite launch next year. Space Florida CEO Rob Long gave a strategic update on the state’s aerospace sector, citing billions in private investment, hundreds of projects in the pipeline, the leverage of state spaceport funding, workforce and university programs, and the need for additional tools and infrastructure to keep Florida competitive. He emphasized growth in launch activity, manufacturing, research, and military support infrastructure, and said Space Florida would bring forward legislative proposals. Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro delivered the strongest policy message of the meeting, warning that KSC’s aging infrastructure and relatively smaller NASA budget share could cause Florida to lose aerospace leadership to states like Texas unless the state strengthens its partnership, research investment, and infrastructure support. Members questioned her about federal restrictions on commercial investment in common-use infrastructure, the need for more state-federal alignment, and how Florida can preserve its role as the launch capital of the world. After the presentations and questions, Senator Burgess moved to adjourn, there was no objection, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any appearance forms?
• We have several appearance forms.
• Any appearance forms?
• We do have some appearance forms.
• We do have one appearance form.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• top Ex-Im official, he was responsible for overseeing daily agency functions and executing key initiatives
• Do you agree that if confirmed, you will respond to the request to appear and testify before any duly
• Madeline Zofia, who turns out is one of the most. fashionable, if not the most fashionable, ever to appear
• Well you're gonna, you have a very hard job assuming you're confirmed for it and it appears that some
• From a distance, it appears often times that that means if the white person didn't get the job, there's

Transcript Highlights:

• We know we do have some people who do want appearance cards.
• So I know civics is an important initiative of the governor.
• Thank you for giving me the opportunity to appear before you today.
• It's too over the last one it was on the board does not appear to every school.
• Our appears to be obvious that everyone was aware of what those comments were.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time moved our appearance forms. We have again a large tech appearance forms Dr.
• We have any appearance forms. We have no appearance forms.
• We will move to appearance forms. Travis more >> Okay. We will move to appearance forms.
• We have a few appearance forms.
• That concludes our appearance forms.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Appears to be at this point obsolete.
• Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.
• Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.
• Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.
• The process is initiated with the permit.

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if someone does not appear, the bondsman has to pay the full amount of that bail.
• And so if they don't appear, then all the court has received is 10%, whereas if they had gone to a...
• whereas if they had gone to a bondsman and they don't appear, the bondsman has to pay the full amount
• What they're saying is true: you have to have that initial appearance within 72 hours.
• When I'm having the initial appearance with them, I tell them what the bond is and... them I tell them

Bills: SB210, SB225, HB280, HB287, HB94, HB88, SB157, HB7, HB8, HB42

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• After an initial review is completed, an evaluation is conducted.
• I don't see contributing to a broader policy initiative as part of the objectives on page two.
• So, I'm confused why that appears in the report and um how that can be an objective.
• So, I'm confused why that appears in the report and um how that can be an objective.
• I don't see policy initiative.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have one appearance card. Mr. Vice Chairman, you're recognized. Thank you very much, Mr.
• Mental health and safe schools initiatives have also been championed throughout his entire tenure.
• . initiatives that you'll see come through the budget.
• We do have one appearance card that appeared. Mr.
• And I know that they will be appearing before the subcommittees. ...be appearing before the subcommittees

Bills: S7010

Keywords: Roth contributions, deferred compensation, retirement savings, Florida Statutes, tax benefits

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met to take up SB 7010 by Senator Mayfield, which would authorize Roth post-tax contribution options in state and local deferred compensation plans. The bill was briefly explained, received one appearance in support, had no debate, and was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then heard a lengthy presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget on the governor’s recommended $117.4 billion “Floridians’ First Budget.” The presentation highlighted major spending areas including education, health care, public safety, transportation, environmental restoration, and economic development. Key proposals included increased FEFP funding for K-12 schools, teacher salary funding, higher education support, Everglades and water quality funding, emergency preparedness reserves, corrections staffing and pay increases, law enforcement recruitment bonuses, cybersecurity, and affordable housing and infrastructure investments. Members asked extensive questions about property tax reserve planning, litigation funding, emergency response fund balances and expenditures, the use of federal reimbursement for the Everglades detention facilities, the animal abuse hotline, Hope Florida, corrections staffing, and the proposed reduction in ADAP eligibility for HIV/AIDS medication assistance. A member of the public also testified at length about concerns that the ADAP changes would harm access to life-saving medications and alleged improper shifting of program funds. Committee members and the presenter acknowledged follow-up questions on several items, but no additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond the favorable report on SB 7010 and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, it appears to me that they've not only failed to acknowledge Prop. 36, but they've frustrating
• These increases do not appear to meet our office's high bar for proposed new spending in light of the
• The initial consultation was Boston Consulting Group. Boston Consulting Group?
• How many actions have been initiated to date against the federal government?
• Does it does it appear like we're on a faster clip at this juncture?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Initiatives Office of Connecticut State Initiatives Office of Connecticut State Comptroller, Comptroller
• <01:31:50.840> to building energy standards appear to building energy standards appear to
• The eyes appear to have it.
• Judiciary's day is a day initiative Judiciary's day is a day initiative changing<03:53:53.960>
• The ayes appear to have it.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first suspended the rules briefly to make announcements, including welcoming former representative Doug Gage to the gallery. It then returned to House Bill 211 on data brokers and personal information, where the Appropriations Committee explained a $50,000 appropriation to the Secretary of State for a consultant-led study on an accessible deletion mechanism for consumers to delete personal data held by data brokers, with interim and final reports due in 2027 and 2028. The committee reported a 9-0-2 vote in favor, and the House agreed to the Commerce and Economic Development Committee’s amendment and ordered third reading. Floor debate on H. 211 focused heavily on the bill’s deletion and exemption framework. Supporters argued the bill is needed to give Vermonters meaningful control over their data and to prevent data brokers from commingling information for unrelated uses. Opponents warned the bill could conflict with existing federal frameworks such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Gramm-Leach-Bliley, and the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, and could make credit, banking, insurance, fraud prevention, and identity verification harder. In response, the sponsor said the bill uses use-case-based exemptions rather than broad entity-level exemptions, noted testimony from banks, insurers, a data broker, a former data broker employee, and the Attorney General, and said no constitutional concerns were raised. The House ultimately adopted the amendment and advanced the bill. After H. 211, the House moved to House Bill 577, establishing the Vermont Prescription Drug Discount Card Program. Committee reports from Health Care, Ways and Means, and Appropriations were read into the record, and the Colchester member described the bill as a way to lower prescription drug costs by joining the multi-state Array Rx program. The bill would let any Vermont resident obtain a free discount card for FDA-approved prescription drugs, with claimed savings up to 80% on generics and 20% on brand-name drugs. The House then proceeded to second reading on H. 577.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Secretary, for making another appearance with us.
• Thank you, Secretary, for making another appearance with us.
• You will be seeing some initiatives, policy initiatives that will be rolling out in partnership with
• Our contract on that project brought a cost savings initiative and a time savings initiative to the department
• That initiative alone is $4 billion-plus, just for one project, one congestion relief initiative.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee heard an overview from FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue on the state’s transportation work program, with emphasis on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, major roadway projects, workforce needs, seaports, airports, spaceport infrastructure, and the role of MPOs/TPOs in planning. He said the $4 billion general revenue investment in Moving Florida Forward has been leveraged into a roughly $7 billion-plus program, with 20 projects underway and about 70% of the initiative expected to be under construction by year’s end. He highlighted I-4 as the centerpiece, describing a new procurement approach, phased delivery, and added lanes intended to provide congestion relief during construction. He also discussed a projected 38% growth in transportation workforce needs and proposed a Florida Transportation Academy and a research institute to support training and innovation. Tiffany King of the Florida Airports Council said Florida’s 128 public-use airports have about $5.7 billion in unfunded projects through 2029, and stressed that airport priorities include not only terminals and passenger capacity but also safety, security, gates, and environmental work. Michael Rubin of the Florida Ports Council said Florida’s 16 deepwater seaports now have a $195.9 billion economic impact, support about 1.2 million jobs, and generate $7.4 billion in state and local taxes; he noted that ports still have about $4 billion in project needs, including dredging and intermodal connections. Jeff Sheffield of the North Florida TPO described the value of regional, community-based planning and said his four-county TPO has helped align local priorities with FDOT funding. Members asked about whether the state is planning for advanced air mobility and “flying cars,” whether Moving Florida Forward bypassed MPOs, how long major projects take, cost escalation, regionalization of MPOs, port governance, airport governance, and the contractor qualification system. FDOT and the witnesses said the state is working on policy and planning for advanced air mobility, that Moving Florida Forward did not bypass MPOs because the projects were already locally prioritized, and that the main delay is funding rather than the planning process. They said long-range plans are updated regularly and can be amended when priorities change, and that regional MPO structures can improve coordination. The committee took no formal vote; the meeting concluded after questions and comments, including discussion of workforce training opportunities for incarcerated individuals and a motion to adjourn by the ranking member.

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyone wishing to speak before the committee should complete an appearance form and hand it to a member
• That is to initiate building a project at Lancaster Correctional Institution.
• Okay, we do have appearance forms.
• Okay, I have appearance forms. Correct.
• Are there any appearance forms on the bill? I do have.

Bills: S0054, S0156, S0296, S0298

Keywords: cognitive function, psychotropic drugs, violent offenders, autopsy procedures, medical records, school safety, public records, open government, sunshine law, victims of dating violence, domestic violence, address confidentiality program, confidential address, voter registration, voting records, elections, supervisor of elections, Department of State, Attorney General, privacy

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 public safety budget, which totals about $8.2 billion within a $117.4 billion overall state budget. Caitlin Dawkins of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget outlined funding and reductions across the public safety silo, including the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, FDLE, Legal Affairs, the courts, and related entities. Agency heads then presented their requests, with FDLE seeking funding for fentanyl enforcement, career offender registry staffing, alert system upgrades, alcohol testing equipment, officer mental health, criminal alien detection, and statutory staffing needs; DJJ requesting money for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential contract rate increases, a new Broward detention center, and facility maintenance; and DOC requesting major funding for correctional officer pay increases, 500 additional FTE, facility construction and maintenance, communications and security technology, offender information system modernization, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members discussed staffing shortages, prison conditions, immigration enforcement, public records burdens, mental health and substance use treatment, and the need for continued investment in corrections. A member of the public also testified about poor conditions in some prisons, including clothing, food, medical care, and maintenance issues. The committee then considered and passed CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, which would clarify that a person may not resist a law enforcement officer with violence when the officer is performing official duties and would increase penalties in cases involving violence against officers. The bill sponsor described the case of Officer Jason Rayner and said the measure was intended to prevent defendants from using claims about unlawful detention or arrest to justify violence. An amendment conforming the bill’s language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably after support was noted from several law enforcement and municipal groups. Next, the committee passed CS/SB 54, which addresses use of substances affecting cognitive function. An amendment narrowed the medical-records language to records relevant to investigations of violent offenders and clarified privacy protections. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also passed CS/SB 296, the Haven Act, which would direct a study of a secure web-based alert system for domestic violence victims so they can contact 911 without alerting an abuser, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to include dating violence victims. Testimony from survivors and advocates emphasized the danger victims face when trying to leave abusive situations. Finally, the committee passed CS/SB 298, the public-records companion bill, which extends confidentiality protections for participants in the Address Confidentiality Program to dating violence victims as well. All three bills were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can tell you that my name may appear in a...
• I can tell you that my name may appear in a file, yours may appear in a file.
• contact with the individual... the initial contact with the individual provided that the description
• is furnished within 72 hours of the initial contact.
• They wouldn't follow the guidelines of 72 hours from the initial contact. hours of initial contact.

Bills: HB493

Keywords: child advocacy centers, certification, funding allocation, Alabama Network, forensic evaluation, children's welfare, 1136, house, all