Week Five Marks Midpoint of 2008 Legislative Session -- This week marks the midpoint of the 2008 Legislative Session.  As the week draws to a close, budget committees are finalizing their recommendations and preparing for a floor vote next week. The big news is the House has acquiesced to the Governor's suggestion to use some trust funds and reserves to blunt the affects of proposed reductions in spending, particularly in health and human services. We expect floor debate to be along partisan lines, with Democrats speaking against many of the proposed budget cuts.

Several bills of interest to FAHSA members were heard in committee or by the full Senate this week.  Most notably, CS/CS/CS SB 2216 by Senator Ronda Storms was heard in the Senate yesterday. A vote was delayed until today because of debate about criminal background checks and the cost and complexity of the process that a convicted felon must use to obtain a clearance to work in a long-term care facility. Legislators were especially concerned about one-time offenders who paid their dues to society and who are currently employed by a nursing home or ALF and were grandfathered when background screening first took affect.  Senator Storms agreed to work on a couple of amendments to address the issue. The amendments were offered this afternoon. The bill, which passed the Senate today, contains favorable changes made for FAHSA and others.  Many of our proposed amendments are now part of the bill, but we still have a few concerns.

Another controversial bill, SB 1668 by Senator Dennis Jones, was scheduled for its first committee meeting this week.  The definitions in this bill could increase the legal exposure of individuals and entities that are affiliated with a nursing home or ALF.  Because of lengthy debate and a long list of opponents and proponents who wanted to testify, the committee ran out of time, postponing action on the bill until next week. 

The next couple of weeks will be fast paced as legislators scramble to get bills through remaining committees of reference so they are positioned for a floor vote.

If you have not registered for our legislative workshop on 4/15 & 4/16, this is not the time to stay home. Please register now - early bird registration has been extended.

Stetson College of Law Invites Local Seniors to Learn More About End of Life Issues on April 16 -- As part of the American Bar Association and AARP's "National Healthcare Decisions Day," Stetson University College of Law invites local seniors to attend a free seminar about preparing to face end of life issues on April 16 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. in the Sebring Courtroom on the Gulfport Campus at 1401 61st St., South, St. Petersburg.  Stetson law students, under the supervision of a local elder law attorney Lee Carr, will be assisting in the drafting of Florida Bar approved living wills and designation of health care surrogate documents free-of-charge for all attendees. Light refreshments will be served. Seminar attendees may be dropped off in the Horseshoe drive off of 61st St., South across from the campus library.  For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Casey Stoutamire at cstoutam@law.stetson.edu.