The 2014 Florida Legislative Session ended late Friday evening, after the Senate and House passed the 2014 budget bill.  Some good bills passed and are on their way to the Governor to sign including: reforms to the state's child welfare system; increased support for victims of human trafficking; and in-state tuition for children of undocumented immigrants.  And some good bills failed, including two United Way priorities: removal of the five year ban on KidCare enrollment for children of lawfully-residing immigrants; and expanded heath and safety requirements for early learning programs.

 

In the final hours of the 2014 Session, the Senate heard CS/CS/HB 7069, the early learning and child care regulation bill addressing health and safety standards. The Senate added several unrelated amendments, which then required approval from the House. Unfortunately, the session ended before the House could vote on the bill as amended and so it died. It is anticipated that the health and safety issues in the bill will be revisited in next year's legislative session.