After House Approval, Florida Senate Advances Fetal Wrongful Death Bill

After House Approval, Florida Senate Advances Fetal Wrongful Death Bill

Liv Caputo
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April 10, 2025
TALLAHASSEE—A Florida Senate panel approved a bill on Thursday allowing parents to be compensated for the wrongful death of their fetus at any stage of development, sparking debate over IVF and how claims would be litigated. The measure, SB 1284, was presented by Republican Sen. Colleen Burton in Thursday’s Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and […]
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Florida Bill Allowing Fetal Wrongful Death Suits Narrowly Advances Amid Bipartisan Backlash

Florida Bill Allowing Fetal Wrongful Death Suits Narrowly Advances Amid Bipartisan Backlash

Liv Caputo
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April 2, 2025
TALLAHASSEE—A Republican-led bill allowing Florida parents to collect damages if their fetus is killed faced bipartisan backlash during its first hearing on Tuesday, narrowly passing amid concerns of abortion restrictions and trivial lawsuits. SB 1284 by Sen. Erin Grall, the state Legislature’s leading pro-life advocate, expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to “unborn children,” which it […]
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Donate Life Florida Announces Statewide Initiative to Promote Organ Donations

Donate Life Florida Announces Statewide Initiative to Promote Organ Donations

Michael Costeines
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April 1, 2025
Donate Life Florida proudly announced its first-ever statewide organ donor registration initiative on Monday as more than 5,000 Floridians await hopeful life-saving transplants. The announcement comes during April's National Donate Life Month. Donate Life Florida's initiative seeks to increase the number of Floridians who become registered donors of organs, tissues, and eyes. “Life is such […]
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Pro-Life Florida Senator Refiles Controversial Fetal Wrongful Death Bill

Pro-Life Florida Senator Refiles Controversial Fetal Wrongful Death Bill

Liv Caputo
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February 26, 2025
The Florida Senate's leading pro-life advocate, Erin Grall, refiled a controversial bill on Wednesday that would expand the state's wrongful death statute to include fetuses, despite her claim last year that there was still "work to be done" before it could pass. Only—this bill is identical to last year's, which was killed before its final […]
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Rep. Lauren Melo Thanks Passidomo for SD 28 Endorsement

Rep. Lauren Melo Thanks Passidomo for SD 28 Endorsement

Michael Costeines
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February 25, 2025
House Republican Lauren Melo (R-Naples) thanked former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo after she endorsed Melo for her Senate District 28 on Saturday. "I am humbled by former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo’s endorsement of my candidacy for Senate District 28. She has served our community with strength, and leaves behind an impactful legacy. I am grateful […]
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Florida Legislature Overrides Governor's Veto for the First Time in 15 Years

Florida Legislature Overrides Governor's Veto for the First Time in 15 Years

Liv Caputo
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January 28, 2025
TALLAHASSEE—In a rare departure from party loyalty, the Republican-dominated Florida Legislature on Monday overrode the governor's veto for the first time in 15 years. Monday's nearly unanimous decision to restore $56 million of legislative funding after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed it in June came amid a rebellion from Republican leaders, who shut down his special […]
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Florida Democrats Rally Against Fine’s Flag Banning Effort

Florida Democrats Rally Against Fine’s Flag Banning Effort

Daniel Molina
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December 17, 2024
Some Republicans could back the ban before Senator Fine leaves off, but Florida Democrats are rallying against the flag banning effort.
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Senate President Ben Albritton names Shevrin Jones Vice Chair of Senate Rules Committee

Senate President Ben Albritton names Shevrin Jones Vice Chair of Senate Rules Committee

Michael Costeines
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November 21, 2024
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Bartow, recently announced that Sen. Shevrin "Shev" Jones, D-Miami Gardens, will serve as Vice Chair of the Senate Rules Committee for the 2025 Florida legislative session. "I thank Senate President @Sen_Albritton for trusting me to hold the Vice Chair position on the Rules Committee," Jones said. "The […]
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Senate President-designate Ben Albritton names Sen. Ileana Garcia chair of Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations

Senate President-designate Ben Albritton names Sen. Ileana Garcia chair of Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations

Michael Costeines
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November 15, 2024
MIAMI - Senate President-designate Ben Albritton, R-Bartow, recently announced that Sen. Ileana Garcia, R-Miami, will chair the Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations Committee for the upcoming 2025 Florida Legislative Session. "Sen. @IleanaGarciaUSA will chair Criminal & Civil Justice Approps. Without law and order, nothing else we do matters," Albritton said. "She is a passionate advocate […]
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Senate President-designate Ben Albritton names Sen. Bryan Avila chair of Finance & Tax Committee

Senate President-designate Ben Albritton names Sen. Bryan Avila chair of Finance & Tax Committee

Michael Costeines
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November 14, 2024
MIAMI SPRINGS, Fla. - Senate President-designate Ben Albritton, R-Bartow, recently announced that Sen. Bryan Avila, R-Miami Springs, will chair the Finance & Tax Committee for the upcoming 2025 Legislative session. "Sen. @BryanAvila will chair Finance & Tax. There is no question inflation has significantly impacted families across our state," Albritton said. "Senator Avila will be […]
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DeSantis Pressures Legislature for Special Session to Walk Back Florida's Pricey New Condo Laws

DeSantis Pressures Legislature for Special Session to Walk Back Florida's Pricey New Condo Laws

Liv Caputo
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September 19, 2024
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that he expects the Legislature to fix new condo safety laws that led to spiking fees and assessments before the end of the year, despite some Legislative leaders expressing no interest in reconvening before the regular session in March. "We're going to continue to solicit and get feedback, and we […]
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'The Big Enchilada': DeSantis Signs $116.5 Billion State Budget

'The Big Enchilada': DeSantis Signs $116.5 Billion State Budget

Liv Caputo
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June 13, 2024
TAMPA, FL—In its final form, Governor Ron DeSantis approved this year's $116.5 billion budget while vetoing around $1 billion in projects, touting a staggering $17 billion surplus. "This is a budget that shows it can be done," DeSantis said at the Tampa press conference, applauding his "great" budget as a "mark of good leadership". "We […]
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Safety Net Hospital Alliance Touts 721 New Physician Training Slots Amidst Doctor Shortage Crisis

Safety Net Hospital Alliance Touts 721 New Physician Training Slots Amidst Doctor Shortage Crisis

Liv Caputo
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April 23, 2024
TALLAHASSEE, FL—Prompted by Florida's dwindling medical workforce, a healthcare organization providing specialized training and care announced Tuesday the groundbreaking creation of 721 new graduate physician training slots. “Florida is one of the fastest growing states in the US and we have an urgent need for more doctors to care for our residents," said Safety Net […]
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Passidomo's Low-Profile Budget Item Provides Funding to Afterschool Charity Programs

Passidomo's Low-Profile Budget Item Provides Funding to Afterschool Charity Programs

Liv Caputo
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March 23, 2024
TALLAHASSEE, FL—An education priority of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo has gone mostly unnoticed in the state's budget, providing funding to afterschool programs allowing children to earn money for learned skills, and then donate the money to a charity of their choice. "It's special for the Senate President," Katie Betta, Passidomo's Communications Director, told The Floridian. "It's […]
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Last Squeeze?—3.21.2024—DeSantis Signs Massive Healthcare Package—More...

Last Squeeze?—3.21.2024—DeSantis Signs Massive Healthcare Package—More...

Liv Caputo
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March 21, 2024
DeSantis Signs Massive Healthcare Package Addressing Statewide Staffing Shortages Thursday afternoon Governor Ron DeSantis signed a series of healthcare-oriented bills as part of Florida's "Live Healthy" package, designed to broaden healthcare access and increase Florida's dwindling...READ MORE Attorney General Ashley Moody: "Seems like every day we are learning of new lows to Joe Biden’s failure […]
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DeSantis Signs Massive Healthcare Package Addressing Statewide Staffing Shortages

DeSantis Signs Massive Healthcare Package Addressing Statewide Staffing Shortages

Liv Caputo
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March 21, 2024
BONITA SPRINGS, FL—Thursday afternoon Governor Ron DeSantis signed a series of healthcare-oriented bills as part of Florida's "Live Healthy" package, designed to broaden healthcare access and increase Florida's dwindling medical workforce. Live Healthy, an initiative comprised of two Republican-led bills, was spearheaded by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo through and out of the Legislature. "We are […]
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DeSantis to Veto Republican-Led Social Media Ban for Kids

DeSantis to Veto Republican-Led Social Media Ban for Kids

Liv Caputo
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February 29, 2024
TALLAHASSEE, FL—Senate President Kathleen Passidomo told reporters that she believes Gov. DeSantis will veto Republicans' highly controversial social media ban for minors, and the Legislature will instead craft new language that the Governor agrees to. HB 1, sponsored by Republican Rep. Tyler Sirois and Republican Sen. Erin Grall, was passed by the Florida Legislature last […]
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Florida's Wrongful Death Bill to be Killed Before the Floor

Florida's Wrongful Death Bill to be Killed Before the Floor

Liv Caputo
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February 28, 2024
TALLAHASSEE, FL—At a press avail Wednesday, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo seemingly announced the death of a controversial bill that would have expanded Florida's Wrongful Death Act to unborn children. The bill had become a hot topic of debate for conversations involving abortion, IVF, and fetal personhood. "It needs more work," Passidomo, a Republican, told reporters […]
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