Politics

Johanna López wants to make sure violence victims aren’t evicted

Published

23 hours ago

February 14, 2025

A newly proposed measure would provide victims of violence and stalking additional protection and increased safeguards if passed.

Orlando Democrat Rep. Johanna López filed the bill (HB 619), which aims to protect tenants from having their rental agreements terminated after being victimized in incidents related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence or stalking.

Landlords would be prohibited from ending tenancy agreements if their tenants or the tenant’s minor child are victims of actual or threatened violence or stalking and are not perpetrators, to ensure that victims have a secure and stable place to live.

Furthermore, a rental agreement would be prohibited from containing any provisions that penalize the tenant for terminating the agreement due to these factors. Victims would be able to terminate their agreements with landlords without penalty when they provide written notice and any other required documentation.

This would include verification that the tenant or their child is the victim of domestic, dating or sexual violence, such as a protection order, a copy of a no-contact order, a law enforcement report or a criminal conviction of an individual charged with crimes relating to violence committed against the tenant or the tenant’s child.

All information provided to the landlord from the tenant about their situation and their victim status would be required to be kept confidential, including the tenant’s forwarding address if they leave. Also under these circumstances, tenants would not forfeit any money deposits or advanced payments of rent.

Landlords would be required to change the locks when it is requested by the tenant. If the landlord fails to change the locks within 24 hours of receiving the request, the tenant would be allowed to change the locks on their own if they first notify their landlord of their intentions and provide them with a key to the premises.

Tenants who have rental agreements terminated would be able to file a civil action against a landlord for violations, of which the landlord could be liable for damages and court costs, while the bill notes provisions within the legislation cannot be waived or modified by a rental agreement.

If passed, the bill would come into effect July 1.

Post Views: 0

Source link

Politics

FDEM’s ‘Hurricane Awareness Machine’ gears up for Daytona race

Published

41 minutes ago

February 15, 2025

May Greene

The car will remind Floridians to get ready for storm season.

Storm preparation is getting showcased again during Florida’s biggest auto racing weekend.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management will roll out its Hurricane Awareness Machine car at Saturday afternoon’s United Rentals 300.

The race, featuring 38 cars, is a prelude to Sunday’s Daytona 500.

The Hurricane Awareness Machine is in its third year in the field, showcasing an ongoing partnership with FDEM’s partnership with Mike Boylan from Mike’s Weather Page and FIRMAN Power Equipment.

“Just as racecar drivers need to make split-second decisions to stay ahead, Floridians must act quickly to prepare before a storm hits,” said FDEM Executive Director Kevin Guthrie. “Hurricane preparedness is a year-round process, and thanks to Mike and FIRMAN Power Equipment, we have the unique opportunity to drive that message home and remind residents to have their essentials ready, their plans updated and complete any necessary home projects.”

Boylan likewise is “excited to have the Hurricane car back at Daytona with Firman and FDEM.”

“Bringing awareness to Hurricane Season means so much to me as this event allows us to talk about weather with thousands, prepare for the year ahead, and reflect on the incredibly busy 2024 we just had,” he added.

Meanwhile, FIRMAN Power Equipment Director of Brand Development Jason Sutton is excited about “working with NASCAR driver Patrick Emerling as he takes the wheel of the #7 Hurricane Awareness Machine, bringing his skill and determination to the track.”

Post Views: 0

Source link

Politics

Dianne Hart advocates for children’s rights when they face prosecution as adults

Published

2 hours ago

February 15, 2025

May Greene

Hart wants a new measure adopted that would protect the rights of children who are facing prosecution as an adult.

A new measure would protect children who have been accused of committing criminal offenses from being prosecuted as adults.

Tampa Democrat Rep. Dianne Hart filed the bill (HB 613) which aims to safeguard children’s rights and ensure a fair and thorough evaluation process before they are prosecuted as adults.

The bill would require a court to advise a child and their parent or legal guardian of the child’s right to a due process evidentiary hearing before transferring the child to adult court. It also would eliminate the discretion of state attorneys to transfer and certify children for prosecution as adults without first conducting a due process court hearing.

The hearing would be required to be held within 30 days after a request. A child’s attorney would be able to request a delay for good cause, while courts would be required to take into consideration a child’s maturity and history, including prior contacts with law enforcement, and the nature of the offense during the due process hearing.

A good cause for delay would include medical emergencies or serious illness of the party requesting the delay or a close family member; unforeseen circumstances such as a natural disaster; or the need for additional time to gather evidence, prepare a case or consult with an attorney.

If the bill passes, children facing a potential prosecution would be prohibited from being held in an adult jail, or any other facility intended for the use of adults, before a hearing to determine whether the child would be prosecuted as an adult has been conducted. However, the child would be able to waive their rights to having a hearing.

Children would be housed separately from adult inmates to prohibit the child from having regular contact with other inmates. This is defined as sight and sound contact. The receiving jail would be required to provide adequate staff to supervise and monitor to child’s activities at all times. Physical checks would be required at least every 10 minutes.

Adult court would retain jurisdiction over the child unless certain findings are made — determinants would include whether the alleged offence was committed in an aggressive or premeditated manner, and if there could be a risk to public safety.

If passed, the bill would take effect July 1.

Post Views: 0

Source link

Politics

Disability awareness could become part of Florida’s school curriculum

Published

2 hours ago

February 15, 2025

May Greene

Florida school students could be given instruction on disabilities as part of their curriculum if a new bill intended to raise awareness is passed in the upcoming Legislative Session.

The bill (SB 540) was filed by Tampa Republican Sen. Jay Collins and is titled the “Evin B. Hartsell Act.” The bill aims to amend current legislation to require, rather than authorize, disability history and awareness instruction to students in public K-12 schools.

If passed, the bill would mandate a specific two-week period each year during which students would receive intensive instruction to expand their knowledge, understanding, and awareness of individuals with disabilities, the history of disability, and the disability rights movement.

Students would receive specific instruction on several topics relating to disabilities through the course of each grade. District school boards would be authorized to consult with the Evin B. Hartsell Foundation to help with the development of the curriculum.

Disability history could include the events, timelines, development, and evolution of services, the civil rights of individuals with disabilities, the contributions of specific individuals with disabilities, and contributions made by national leaders.

Instruction for grades K-3 would include conversations around bullying — including what a student should do if they are being bullied, what they should do if they witness someone else being bullied, and what bullying looks like and its different types. Instruction could also incorporate the school’s own anti-bullying policy.

Activities teaching about physical disabilities would also be in the instruction for K-3, including having students try to complete tasks using only one hand, taking turns using a wheelchair, or having students’ complete tasks while blindfolded with other students acting as their guides.

Grades 4-6 would have instruction focused on learning about autism spectrum disorder, which would include activities that require students to communicate to each other without speaking.

Students in grades 7-9 would be provided information on hearing impairment and what life is like for a person living with such a disability. Reading each other’s lips, attempting to listen to a teacher while loud music is playing, or wearing ear plugs could be included in teaching activities.

For high school students in grades 10-12, instruction would include the different types of learning and intellectual disabilities — with learning activities that demonstrate what life is like living with a learning or intellectual disability, including having students attempt to read sentences backwards.