Rep. Lindsay Cross

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 6043, titled "Recreational Customary Use of Beaches," proposes to repeal existing legal provisions related to establishing public recreational customary use of beaches. This means the bill would remove the current legal framework that defines how the public can establish a right to use certain beach areas based on long-standing recreational practices. If enacted, it would directly affect beachgoers and property owners by altering the legal basis for public access and use of beachfront property.

Sampling of Beach Waters and Public Bathing Spaces; Revises provisions related to bacteriological sampling of beach waters & public bathing places, including rule adoption & enforcement; issuance of health advisories; closure of beach waters & public bathing places; & notification & signage requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of State Road A1A in twelve Florida counties as the "Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway." To mark this change, the state Department of Transportation is required to install appropriate signage along the road by August 30, 2024. The legislation applies only to the named highway and does not alter any existing traffic rules or funding allocations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new section in Florida law that officially defines the term "antisemitism" using the working definition adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in 2016. The legislation provides specific contemporary examples of antisemitism, such as denying the Holocaust, holding Jewish people collectively responsible for actions by Israel, or applying double standards to the State of Israel compared to other nations. It explicitly states that criticizing Israel in a manner similar to how other countries are criticized does not count as antisemitism under this definition. The law aims to help monitor and report hate crimes while ensuring it does not infringe on First Amendment rights or conflict with existing antidiscrimination laws.

Dozier School for Boys and Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program; Establishes Dozier School for Boys & Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program within DLA; requires DLA to provide specified notice & accept & process applications for payment of compensation claims; requires DLA to pay specified compensation amount to approved applicants; limits compensation applicant may receive; authorizes Commissioner of Education to award standard high school diploma to specified persons. APPROPRIATION: $20,000,000

Pub. Rec./Dozier School for Boys and Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program; Provides exemption from public records requirements for personal identifying information in an application submitted to DLA by person seeking compensation through Dozier School for Boys & Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program; creates exceptions; provides for future legislative review & repeal of exemption; provides statement of public necessity.

Veterinary Practices; Authorizing licensed veterinarians to practice veterinary telehealth in accordance with specified criteria; specifying the powers of the Board of Veterinary Medicine related to the practice of telehealth; providing that the practice of veterinary medicine is deemed to occur under specified circumstances; specifying the drugs that a veterinarian practicing telehealth may not provide unless specified conditions are met; providing specific authorizations for cases in which the patient is a food-producing species, etc.

Veterans; Revises provisions related to veterans including veterans' history program, Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., Veterans Employment & Training Services Program, grants, workforce training & recruitment, exemption from fees, advisory council on brain & spinal cord injuries, & required instruction on Veterans' Day & Memorial Day. APPROPRIATION: $91,207

Coverage for Biomarker Testing; Requires DMS to provide coverage of biomarker testing for specified purposes for state employees' state group health insurance plan policies; authorizes AHCA to pay for biomarker testing under Medicaid program for specified purposes, subject to specific appropriations; requires managed care plans under contract with agency in Medicaid program to provide coverage for biomarker testing for Medicaid recipients in certain manner; specifies circumstances under which such coverage may be provided; requires clear, convenient, & readily accessible process for authorization requests for biomarker testing.

Supported Decisionmaking Authority; Requires court to consider needs & abilities of person with developmental disability when determining whether to appoint guardian advocate; provides requirements for petition to appoint guardian advocate; authorizes agent acting for principal to grant supported decisionmaking agreement; prohibits such agreement from acting as durable power of attorney; provides certain communications shall be recognized as communication of principal; provides requirements for examining committee member when determining incapacitated person's ability to exercise his or her rights.