In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis has quietly signed over 20 new laws. These laws cover different topics, but two important ones are about schools and adopting kids. Even though it wasn’t in the news much, these laws are a big deal for Florida. They’ll affect lots of people’s lives. So, let’s take a closer look at what these laws mean for schools and families in the Sunshine State.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Signature Touches 20+ Laws, Impacting Education And Adoption
Over the weekend, while tornadoes in Tallahassee grabbed the spotlight, Governor Ron DeSantis quietly approved more than 20 bills into law. Among them are several education-related policies. One of these laws allocates millions of dollars to support students through the use of artificial intelligence.
Another law reduces the waiting time for parents seeking funds under the new universal school voucher program. Additionally, there are two new laws aimed at deregulating public schools, although lawmakers made some last-minute adjustments.
These changes remove significant reforms regarding teacher contracts and graduation tests. Instead, the focus shifts to implementing new guidelines for high school equivalency exams, handling retention of young students, and easing reporting requirements for school districts.
The sponsor of the bill continued to express support for the final version of the legislation but acknowledged that further effort was necessary.
“I believe we’ve found a good compromise for the time being,” stated Senator Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee). “While there will inevitably be both winners and losers, there are still aspects I feel strongly about that require additional attention. We’ll revisit those areas and strive to ensure that every child, whether attending public or private schools, has the chance to thrive.”
Additional new laws encompass enhanced background checks for families seeking adoption and extended newborn screenings for a virus associated with hearing impairment. Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) successfully garnered support for her legislation mandating law enforcement to preserve sexual assault test kits for 50 years.
NEW: Gov. Ron DeSantis signs legislation helping to make it easier for families to adopt
Filed by Reps. @DanaTrabulsy, @ShaneAbbottFL and Sen. @JayCollinsFL https://t.co/RiaMDyaowV
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) May 13, 2024
“All kits will be securely stored, ensuring accessibility for future investigation,” explained Stewart. “I trust this measure will greatly assist law enforcement in identifying perpetrators of sexual assault, providing a valuable tool for advancing justice.”
Meanwhile, Florida Democrats convened a virtual press conference on Monday to denounce one of the state’s latest enactments: the six-week abortion prohibition. During the event, a gathering of mothers and daughters cautioned that minorities and low-income families are particularly impacted by the new regulations.
“I am deeply dismayed that a group of lawmakers believes they have the authority or boldness to interfere in matters that should be left to healthcare professionals,” remarked Hedder Pierre of the Haitian-American Democratic Caucus of Florida.
The coalition advocated for the approval of Amendment 4 in the upcoming November elections. This ballot measure aims to safeguard abortion rights until viability, typically around 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Critics characterize this proposed alteration as far-reaching, arguing that it could nullify nearly all existing abortion legislation except for parental notification requirements. Securing passage of the constitutional amendment will necessitate the backing of a minimum 60% supermajority of voters.
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