The Florida House votes on HB 7055

The Hope Scholarship bill (HB 1/SB 1172) was heard in both House and Senate committees this week, while the House took up a larger education bill (HB 7055) which also includes the provision.  The House budget has a provision which would make the bulk of next year’s per-student school funding contingent on the passage of the education bill. After hours of floor debate on Thursday, the House passed HB 7055 in a 66-43 vote which was mostly party line (five moderate Republicans voted against the bill).  It remains to be seen what the Senate will do in response.  

With the close of the fifth week of Session, it is becoming clear where we stand for this year on a range of issues.  Any bill that has not yet been heard in either the House or the Senate is likely dead.  House subcommittees are no longer meeting and most committees will conclude their business in the next week (or possibly two).  In our report this week, we have made it clear which bills have not seen any action this Legislative Session so you can tell where any specific bill in the process is for the year.  

Rick Green of Patriot Academy works with homeschool  students to hold a mock committee meeting

Rick Green of Patriot Academy was at the Capitol this week as part of the Florida Parent Educator’s Association’s Day at the Capitol.  Rick Green had homeschooled students participate in activities which mirrored some of what Patriot Academy does during its summer programs.  Florida Family Policy Council partners with Patriot Academy to hold this event in Tallahassee. This year’s event will be held from June 11 to 13th.  We have a limited number of scholarships available for participants who have a parent who is in the military or is a first responder or military veteran.  

Now for the latest on our 2017 Legislative Agenda!

ADOPTION/FOSTER CARE

OPPOSE HB 357 / SB 576 Adoptee Birth Certificates
Sponsors: Rep. Richard Stark (D), Sen. Dennis Baxley (R)

This bill mandates opening up birth records to birth parents and adult adoptees (even without the consent of the birth parents in adoptions after July 1, 2018) by requiring the Florida Department of Health to issue noncertified copies of unaltered, original birth certificates to adoptees and birth parents.

Action: None this Session.  The House sponsor reached out to us this week with a proposal to amend the bill in a way which could potentially satisfy our concerns with the bill.  Rep. Stark has not yet introduced an amendment to the bill for our evaluation. 

ABORTION

SUPPORT HB 1429 / SB 1890 Dismemberment Abortion
Sponsors: Rep. Erin Grall (R), Rep. Joe Gruters (R), Sen. Debbie Mayfield (R)

Prohibits dismemberment abortion, where an unborn child is killed by an abortionist using instruments to cut or rip the child’s body apart piece by piece and then extracts the pieces from the mother.

Rep. Erin Grall (R-Vero Beach) gives closing remarks on HB 1429

Action: The House Judiciary Committee picked up the bill on Wednesday. Opponents argued that women should have access to an abortion no matter what, but they did not engage on the topic of the cruel and barbaric practice of killing an unborn child by dismembering it.  Supporters expressed their outrage that unborn children are being killed by having their limbs ripped from them and bleeding out and argued that we must remember our humanity in this session.  Rep. Gonzalez (R-Venice), who is both a doctor and a lawyer, was able to passionately articulate both the medical and legal arguments.  He concluded his debate by saying, “we have a compelling state interest to prevent inhumane actions which by all descriptions [of the procedure] is deeply and utterly inhumane.”  Shockingly, some members argued that the choice of how the baby is killed is the woman’s choice and one admitted that abortion was killing a child, but still opposed the bill.  The committee passed the bill in a 12-7 vote.  The House version has one more committee assignment before it can head to the floor for a vote by the full House.  The Senate has yet to hear the bill at all meaning the bill will likely die even if the full House passes it. 

OPPOSE HB 1273 / SB 1718 Contraception Mandate
Sponsors: Rep. Holly Raschein (R), Sen. Lauren Book (D)

Mandates employers provide insurance plans which pay for contraception, including abortion-inducing drugs.  The exemption for employers is limited to religious objections by religious nonprofits or small, privately-held companies and it requires notification of objection to providing coverage.  Insurance companies are still required to provide coverage of contraception to employees who work for an exempt organization.

Action: None this Session. 

OPPOSE HB 189 / SB 320 Abortion Clinics
Sponsors: Rep. Amy Mercado (D), Sen. Linda Stewart (D)

This bill prohibits anyone from interfering with women attempting to enter abortion clinics.  Sidewalk counselors or protestors could face fines, civil suits, and criminal penalties for simply calling out to a woman to not abort her baby.  This bill goes beyond prohibiting criminal and inappropriate interference with abortion facilities and limits free speech. 

Action: None this Session. 

CULTURE

SUPPORT HR 157 / SR 480 Declaring Pornography a Public Health Crisis
Sponsors: Rep. Ross Spano (R), Sen. Kelli Stargel (R)

Recognizes the public health crisis created by pornography and acknowledges the need for education, prevention, research, and policy change to protect Floridians.

Action: None this week.  The House has one remaining committee stop (which may hear it next week) while the resolution has not been heard at all in the Senate.  This bill is a resolution (rather than a new law) meaning that each chamber can independently pass the resolution without the approval of the other. 

SUPPORT HB 839 / SB 1158 Display of State Motto in Public Schools
Sponsors: Rep. Daniels (D), Rep. Ponder (R), Sen. Perry (R)

Requires each Florida school and each school district building to prominently display the state motto “In God We Trust.”

Action:  The House bill was heard by its final assigned committee, Education, on Wednesday where it passed in a 17-1 vote. The bill is now headed for the floor.  The Senate has yet to hear the bill in committee which means the bill is likely dead for the year. 

EDUCATION

SUPPORT HB 731 / SB 732 Home Education
Sponsors: Rep. Jennifer Sullivan (R), Sen. Dennis Baxley (R)

Clarifies that a home education program is not a school district program and parents who wish to homeschool their children must register with the district school superintendent only for the purpose of complying with the state’s attendance requirements.  It requires the district school superintendent to accept the parental notification and register the program upon receipt of the notice.  The school district cannot require any additional information unless the student chooses to participate in their programs or services.  The bill also stipulates that the content of a child’s portfolio shall be determined by the parent, not the school district.  Finally, it allows school districts to provide homeschool students access to career and vocational courses and requires that industry certifications, national assessments, and statewide, standardized assessments offered by the school district be available to homeschool students.  For homeschool students who are dual enrolled to earn college credit, the bill stipulates that course or program limitations may not exceed the limitations for other dually enrolled students.

Action: The House bill was heard Wednesday by the Education Committee (its final committee) and passed with no opposition in an 18-0 vote.  The House bill was amended in committee to remove an existing 8-hour cap on the number of courses a homeschooled, dual-enrolled student can take to receive college credit.  The Senate version was heard on Thursday by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K-12 Education passing unanimously 8-0.  It has one final committee stop, Appropriations, before heading to the Senate floor.

SUPPORT HB 1 / SB 1172 Hope Scholarship Program
Sponsors: Rep. Byron Donalds (R), Sen. Bill Galvano (R)

Establishes the Hope Scholarship for students after an incident of battery, harassment, hazing, bullying, kidnapping, robbery, sexual offenses, harassment, assault, threat or intimidation.  The student will have an opportunity to transfer to another public school or to apply for a scholarship to attend a private school.  Scholarship funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Sen. Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) presents SB 1172 in committee

Action: The House version was heard on Wednesday in the Education Committee, its final committee stop.  The Senate bill was heard by the Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K – 12 Education on Thursday.  A number of noncontroversial amendments were added to the Senate version.  During public testimony, opponents tried to argue that bullies exist everywhere and that victims shouldn’t just be allowed to go to another school.  Supporters are clear that it is the parents’ choice as to what environment would be best for their child – whether to stay in their current school, transfer to another public school, or obtain a scholarship for a private school.  It is also clear that schools who don’t handle problems with bullies in their school should face consequences.  Unfortunately, the issue has become very partisan and members who oppose the scholarship program are not typically supportive of school choice.  The House version passed its final committee 14-4 and the Senate version passed its second (of three) committee in a 6-2 vote.  

FREE SPEECH

SUPPORT HB 909 / SB 1234 Free Speech Zones on Campus
Sponsors: Rep. Rommel (R), Rep. Clemons (R), Sen. Baxley (R)

Protects the right of free speech outdoors on public campuses of higher education such as state colleges, universities, law schools, etc.  Prohibits a public college, university, law school, etc. from creating “free speech zones” or restricting free expression except in cases that are reasonable and content-neutral.  No student, faculty or staff member would be allowed to materially disrupt another individual or organization’s scheduled or reserved activities.  If a violation occurs, the Attorney General or the person whose rights were violated may take the violator to court within one year of the violation for reasonable compensation. 

Action: The Senate version was picked up by the Senate Education Committee Tuesday.  The bill was amended in committee by the sponsor to clarify the liability language for public institutions and add increased accountability for student governments in charge of funding student campus organizations. 

The bill was highly contested in committee and some senators questioned the need for the legislation.  The bill sponsor reminded the committee that restricting free speech to free speech zones or only allowing certain groups on public campuses sets a dangerous precedent.  Specifically, these actions silence or alienate those with differing views which ultimately leads to intolerance of any opinion or thought contrary to the official or mainstream perspective or worldview.  It also, of course, violates the First Amendment. 

One senator brought up KKK as a reason to have waiting periods or restrictions on speech on college campuses.  However, as one member of the public pointed out, as much as this form of speech is detestable to most of society, placing restrictions on any group and not on other groups is an unequal application of rules and is effectively content-based discrimination.  We would also point out that the best way to tackle these detestable attitudes and speech is by having civil discourse and thoughtful examination as to why it is inappropriate.  After further discussion, the bill was passed along party lines in a 7-4 vote.  The bill has one more assigned committee (Judiciary) before it heads to the Senate floor.

GAMBLING

OPPOSE HB 223 / SB 374 Fantasy Contests
Sponsors: Rep. Jason Brodeur (R), Sen. Dana Young (R)

Exempts fantasy gaming contests such as fantasy sports leagues from being subject to gambling penalties and regulations. In effect, legalizing fantasy gambling.

Action: None this week. 

OPPOSE SB 840 Legalizing Fantasy and Designated Player Games/Expanding Slot Machines
Sponsor: Sen. Travis Hutson (R)

In addition to exempting fantasy gaming from state gambling regulations, this bill would remove the requirement that greyhound, thoroughbred, quarter horse and harness horse permit holders conduct live racing at their pari-mutuel facilities in order to be eligible for or keep their slot machine and cardroom licenses.  This bill would allow these facilities to take wagers for intertrack races and simulcasts.  It would also legalize designated player games (playing against a designated player rather than the house). 

Action: None this week.  The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Finance and Tax is scheduled to hear the bill on Monday 2/12.

OPPOSE HB 1293 / SB 1802 Preview Games and Machines
Sponsor: Rep. Al Jacquet (D), Sen. Perry Thurston Jr. (D)

Legalizes preview or pre-reveal machines, slot machines which draw individuals in by revealing the prize before the game is started.  A Florida judge has already ruled the machines constitute gambling. 

Action: None this Session. 

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

SUPPORT HB 167 / SB 1044 Civil Action for Human Trafficking Victims
Sponsors: Rep. Ross Spano (R), Sen. Lauren Book (D)

Allows a victim of human trafficking to bring a civil cause of action against a human trafficker or facilitator (a person or business who aids in or turns a blind eye to human trafficking activities).  Under this provision, a victim of human trafficking could receive payment for medical bills, mental health services, repatriation, etc. as well as monetary damages for pain, loss, trauma, etc.  A trafficker or facilitator would also be liable under this section to provide an additional $100,000 in damages to the Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking (established by HB 169/SB 1046) and, in some cases, additional damages to law enforcement to aid in future human trafficking rescue efforts.  Punitive damages would be equally divided between the victim and the trust fund.

Action: The House bill was scheduled to be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday 2/1 but was postponed. The committee met again this week but did not hear the bill.  The Senate bill was not heard this week but will be heard in its first committee, Children, Family and Elder Affairs on Monday 2/12. 

SUPPORT HB 169 / SB 1046 Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking
Sponsors: Rep. Ross Spano (R), Sen. Lauren Book (D)

Creates the Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking and Prevention within the Department of Law Enforcement.  This fund would be funded by penalties and damages obtained under as referenced in HB 167 / SB 1044 and other sources, including funds appropriated by the Legislature.  The trust fund would be used to assist victims of human trafficking with medical and mental health exams and treatment, living expenses, lost wages and repatriation. The funds could also be used for a variety of education and prevention efforts, creating a survivor’s resource center, or for vacating convictions against trafficking victims incurred due to trafficking, etc.

Action: The House bill was scheduled to be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday 2/1 but was postponed. The committee met again this week but did not hear the bill.  The Senate bill was not heard this week but will be heard in its first committee, Children, Family and Elder Affairs on Monday 2/12. 

SUPPORT HB 7039 / SB 1502 Increased Penalties for Human Trafficking
Sponsors: House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, Rep. Ross Spano (R), Sen. Lauren Book (D)

Requires a 10-year minimum mandatory imprisonment sentence for any individual, who knowingly or recklessly without regards to the facts, engages in, attempts to engage in, or financially benefits from human trafficking.  Removes fees to expunge certain portions of criminal records for victims of human trafficking as it relates to their trafficking.  Redefines the term “Adult Entertainment Establishment” to include additional adult-style businesses.

Action: The House bill was considered by the House Justice Appropriations Committee on Tuesday and passed 10-0.  The bill must pass one final committee, Judiciary, to head to the floor.  There was no movement on the Senate bill this week.

LIFE 

SUPPORT HB 41 / SB 444 Pregnancy Support Services
Sponsors: Rep. Jackie Toledo (R), Sen. Aaron Bean (R)

Requires the Florida Department of Health to contract with the Florida Pregnancy Care Network (FPCN) to provide pregnancy support services for women who suspect or know they are pregnant.  FPCN would then provide support to pregnant women and address their wellness needs.  The bill requires FPCN subcontractors to promote and support childbirth only. All services provided must be voluntary and cannot include religious content.

Sen. Aaron Bean (R-Jacksonville) giving his closing argument on HB 41

Action: The full Senate considered the bill this week.  After a number of failed attempts by Democrats to amend the bill on Wednesday, the Senate took up the House version.  On Thursday, after one more attempt by Sen. Audrey Gibson to amend the bill, the Senate passed the bill 21-12 along party lines.  Once the presiding officers sign the bill, it will be sent to the governor. 

LGBT

OPPOSE HB 347 / SB 66 Creating Special Rights for LGBT Citizens or “Florida’s Competitive Workforce Act”
Sponsors: Rep. Ben Diamond (D), Rep. Rene Plasencia (R), Sen. Darryl Rouson (D)

The worst bill in the Florida Legislature because of its effect on public safety and freedom of conscience.  It adds sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to Florida’s Civil Rights Act of 1992 as impermissible grounds for discrimination. This bill provides a new way for LGBT individuals to sue employers and small businesses for discrimination.  Would allow men access to use women’s showers, locker rooms, and bathrooms.

A full list of House and Senate co-sponsors.

Action:  None this Session.

OPPOSE HB 717 / SB 696 Banning Conversion Therapy
Sponsors: Rep. Evan Jenne (D) / Sen. Jose Rodriguez (D)

This bill makes it unlawful for people in Florida who are licensed to provide professional counseling and others, like pastors who are licensed counselors, to counsel youth under the age of 18 struggling with their “sexual orientation and/or gender identity” to think and live in a heterosexual manner consistent with their biological gender, even if the child (as the patient) asks for their help to do so. 

Action: None this Session.  The bill sponsors with other legislators and in coordination with Equality Florida held a press conference this week in an attempt to draw attention to their proposed legislation.  The rhetoric on this bad bill was ratcheted up this week with one legislator calling so-called conversion therapy bullying and implying that the high suicide rates of youth identifying as LGBT were a result of Christians calling homosexuality a sin.  

MARRIAGE

SUPPORT HB 1323 / SB 1580 Florida Guide to a Healthy Marriage  
Sponsors: Rep. Clay Yarborough (R), Rep. Danny Burgess (R), Sen. Kelli Stargel (R)

Creates the Marriage Education Committee, which is tasked with developing the Florida Guide to a Healthy Marriage, which is required to include resources on conflict management, communication skills, family expectations, financial responsibilities and management, domestic violence, and parenting responsibilities; current information from marriage education and family advocates to assist in forming and maintaining a long-term marital relationship; and information regarding premarital education, marriage enrichment education, and resources that are available to help restore a marriage that is potentially moving toward dissolution.  Clerks will be responsible for posting the guide on their websites and individuals applying for a marriage certificate must certify that they have read it or similar resources.

Action: None this week. 

OPPOSE HB 130 / SB 6027 Same-Sex Marriage
Sponsors: Rep. David Richardson (D), Sen. Gary Farmer (D)

Removes the language in state statute which prohibited same-sex couples from marrying and the State of Florida from recognizing same-sex marriages from other states.

Action: None this Session.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

SUPPORT HB 871 / SB 1290 Free Enterprise Protection Act
Sponsors: Rep. Jay Fant (R), Sen. Dennis Baxley (R)

Prohibits any level of state government or individual acting on behalf of the state from discriminating against a business based upon their internal personnel or employee benefits policies or their exercise of free speech and religion as protected under the Florida and federal Constitutions. The state and its subdivisions would be prohibited from revoking tax exemptions and benefits; denying grants, certifications, licenses, etc.; and access and entitlement to property, facilities and speech forums, among other provisions.

Action: None this Session.

The post Legislative Insider’s Report from Tallahassee – Week 5 of 9 appeared first on FFV.

On Monday, Pro-Family Days attendees were trained on how to lobby and were briefed by policy experts Bill Bunkley of Florida Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission; Marco Paredes of Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops; Paul Seago of No Casinos; Amber Kelly of Florida Family Action; and FFPC President John Stemberger on important bills facing the Legislature during the 2018 Session. Some of the bill topics discussed included life, education, religious liberty, gambling, and LGBT issues.

Pastor Dean Inserra exhorts and prays for some of Florida’s pregnancy center directors as we honored them on Monday night.

Monday evening we had the distinct pleasure and incredible privilege of honoring pregnancy care center directors from across Florida in a special celebration of life on the infamous anniversary of Roe v. Wade. We are so grateful for the work these men and women do on a daily basis to love, support and care for these new mothers (and fathers) facing an unplanned pregnancy.

Al Laws, WIN Family Services, interviews our keynote speaker, Pam Tebow

On Tuesday, FFPC hosted a Legislative Prayer Breakfast attended by 250 people, including many elected officials. Guest speakers included Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam; House Speaker Richard Corcoran; Senator Kelli Stargel; Representative Jennifer Sullivan; and keynote speaker Pam Tebow, a homeschool pioneer, pro-life activist, and mother to Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow. Click here to watch the livestream from her keynote address (starting at 21:18) and sit-down interview with Al Laws of WIN Family Services.

During Pro-Family Days, attendees also met with their legislators; toured the Florida House of Representatives with House Speaker Richard Corcoran (R-Land O’ Lakes) and Rep. Chris Sprowls (R-Clearwater); and heard from Supreme Court Justice Ricky Polston at the Florida Supreme Court.

Visit our Facebook and Instagram pages for photos from this year’s event. More photos will continue to be added in the coming days. Tag yourself and share these photos with your friends and encourage them to join us next year for Pro-Family Days! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to continue to receive our most current updates on what’s happening around the state relating to the issues of life, marriage, family, and religious liberty. 

Constitution Revision Commission Update

CRC Commissioner John Stemberger presents Proposal 22

On Thursday, the CRC’s Declaration of Rights Committee passed out Proposal 22, the Florida Privacy Restoration Act. The proposed amendment will clarify that the privacy clause in Florida’s Constitution guarantees a right to informational privacy. Opinions by the Florida Supreme Court in recent years have not upheld a right to informational privacy, but have granted other rights, such as a right to abortion.  While abortion would remain constitutional under Roe v Wade if the Florida Privacy Restoration Act passes, it is possible that reasonable laws regulating abortion, such as parental consent for a minor to obtain an abortion, would now be ruled constitutional. This has angered groups like Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Florida chapter of the National Organization for Women. These groups attempted to scare commissioners into voting no by telling them that liberties we have enjoyed for decades will disappear. This is outrageous and patently false, but leftist groups will brook no limitation on abortion, no matter how reasonable. They demand that abortion be available any time, any place, for any woman who wants one.  

Commissioner Arthenia Joyner painted the judicial activism that has taken place as “progress” in the same way that women have been granted the right to vote and blacks were given civil rights. What Commissioner Joyner failed to mention was that the courts didn’t grant those rights, but rather a constitutional amendment and federal legislation did. Zach Jones, an FSU student, passionately testified that while he was pro-choice, the courts did not have the ability to grant a constitutional right to abortion and that if Floridians wanted a constitutional right to abortion, they would need to pass a constitutional amendment that said so. After nearly two hours, the Declaration of Rights Committee voted 4-3 to advance Proposal 22. It heads to the CRC’s Judiciary Committee next and will be heard on Thursday, February 1st.  

Now, for this week’s update on our legislative agenda! 

ADOPTION/FOSTER CARE

OPPOSE HB 357 / SB 576 Adoptee Birth Certificates
Sponsors: Rep. Richard Stark (D), Sen. Dennis Baxley (R)

This bill mandates opening up birth records to birth parents and adult adoptees (even without the consent of the birth parents in adoptions after July 1, 2018) by requiring the Florida Department of Health to issue noncertified copies of unaltered, original birth certificates to adoptees and birth parents.

Action: None.

ABORTION

SUPPORT HB 1429 / SB 1890 Dismemberment Abortion
Sponsors: Rep. Erin Grall (R), Rep. Joe Gruters (R), Sen. Debbie Mayfield (R)

Prohibits dismemberment abortion, where an unborn child is killed by an abortionist using instruments to cut or rip the child’s body apart piece by piece and then extracts the pieces from the mother.

Action: The House Health Quality Subcommittee heard the bill this week.  Florida Family Action’s Political and Communications Director, Amber Kelly, testified on the bill (her testimony can be seen from 1:18:15 1:20:24).  Amber spoke about the fact that while cruel and unusual punishment is prohibited in punishing criminals, the practice of dismemberment abortion is allowed which is cruel to the unborn child. The bill does not prevent a woman from choosing to have an abortion, but it does ensure that once a woman has chosen to have an abortion that a child is not killed brutally.  The bill passed its first committee stop in a 9-6 vote. 

OPPOSE HB 1273 / SB 1718 Contraception Mandate
Sponsors: Rep. Holly Raschein (R), Sen. Lauren Book (D)

Mandates employers provide insurance plans which pay for contraception, including abortion inducing drugs. The exemption for employers is limited to religious objections by religious nonprofits or small, privately-held companies and it requires notification of objection to providing coverage. Insurance companies are still required to provide coverage of contraception to employees who work for an exempt organization.

Action: None.

OPPOSE HB 189 / SB 320 Abortion Clinics
Sponsors: Rep. Amy Mercado (D), Sen. Linda Stewart (D)

This bill prohibits anyone from interfering with women attempting to enter abortion clinics. Sidewalk counselors or protestors could face fines, civil suits, and criminal penalties for simply calling out to a woman to not abort her baby. This bill goes beyond prohibiting criminal and inappropriate interference with abortion facilities and limits free speech. 

Action: None.

CULTURE

SUPPORT HR 157 / SR 480 Declaring Pornography a Public Health Crisis
Sponsors: Rep. Ross Spano (R), Sen. Kelli Stargel (R)

Recognizes the public health crisis created by pornography and acknowledges need for education, prevention, research, and policy change to protect Floridians.

Action: None.

SUPPORT HB 839 / SB 1158 Display of State Motto in Public Schools
Sponsors: Rep. Daniels (D), Rep. Ponder (R), Sen. Perry (R)

Requires each Florida school and each school district building to prominently display the state motto “In God We Trust.”

Action: The House PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee heard the bill on Tuesday and passed the bill unanimously.  It only has one more committee stop before it can head to the floor of the House for passage out of that chamber.  It has yet to be heard in the Senate.

EDUCATION

SUPPORT HB 731 / SB 732 Home Education
Sponsors: Rep. Jennifer Sullivan (R), Sen. Dennis Baxley (R)

Clarifies that a home education program is not a school district program and parents who wish to homeschool their children must register with the district school superintendent only for the purpose of complying with the state’s attendance requirements. It requires the district school superintendent to accept the parental notification and register the program upon receipt of the notice. The school district cannot require any additional information unless the student chooses to participate in their programs or services. The bill also stipulates that the content of a child’s portfolio shall be determined by the parent, not the school district.  Finally, it allows school districts to provide homeschool students access to career and vocational courses and requires that industry certifications, national assessments, and statewide, standardized assessments offered by the school district be available to homeschool students. For homeschool students who are dual enrolled to earn college credit, the bill stipulates that course or program limitations may not exceed the limitations for other dually enrolled students.

Action: After a couple of technical amendments and with no debate, the Senate version passed out of the Education committee unanimously on Monday.  It has two remaining committees.

SUPPORT HB 1 / SB 1172 Hope Scholarship Program
Sponsors: Rep. Byron Donalds (R), Sen. Bill Galvano (R)

Establishes the Hope Scholarship for students after an incident of battery, harassment, hazing, bullying, kidnapping, robbery, sexual offenses, harassment, assault, threat or intimidation. The student will have an opportunity to transfer to another public school or to apply for a scholarship to attend a private school. Scholarship funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Action: The Senate bill was taken up on Monday in the Education Committee. An amendment to the bill added additional language which allows a school principal to investigate allegations and establish the at-fault parties, the circumstances surrounding the incident, etc.  Opponents suggested that the offender should be penalized rather than removing the victim from a hostile environment.  The bill sponsor noted that there are already rules and consequences in place for those who harass, bully, or otherwise threaten or intimidate another. Some committee members suggested that they would like to see additional programs, like counseling, being included to help the victims. 

FREE SPEECH

SUPPORT HB 909 / SB 1234 Free Speech Zones on Campus
Sponsors: Rep. Rommel (R), Rep. Clemons (R), Sen. Baxley (R)

Protects the right of free speech outdoors on public campuses of higher education such as state colleges, universities, law schools, etc. Prohibits a public college, university, law school, etc. from creating “free speech zones” or restricting free expression except in cases that are reasonable and content-neutral. No student, faculty or staff member would be allowed to materially disrupt another individual or organization’s scheduled or reserved activities. If a violation occurs, the Attorney General or the person whose rights were violated may take the violator to court within one year of the violation for reasonable compensation. 

Action: The House Post-Secondary Education Subcommittee took up the bill on Tuesday and passed the bill in a 9-5 vote in a party line vote. The House version must pass two more committees.

GAMBLING

OPPOSE HB 223 / SB 374 Fantasy Contests
Sponsors: Rep. Jason Brodeur (R), Sen. Dana Young (R)

Exempts fantasy gaming contests such as fantasy sports leagues from being subject to gambling penalties and regulations. In effect, legalizing fantasy gambling.

Action: The House Tourism & Gaming Control Subcommittee heard the bill on Tuesday and passed it unanimously. The House bill still has two more committees.  The Senate Rules committee picked up its version on Thursday and passed it in a 9-2 vote, which means it is now headed to the Senate floor.

OPPOSE SB 840 Legalizing Fantasy and Designated Player Games/Expanding Slot Machines
Sponsor: Sen. Travis Hutson (R)

In addition to exempting fantasy gaming from state gambling regulations, this bill would remove the requirement that greyhound, thoroughbred, quarter horse and harness horse permit holders conduct live racing at their pari-mutuel facilities in order to be eligible for or keep their slot machine and cardroom licenses. This bill would allow these facilities to take wagers for intertrack races and simulcasts. It would also legalize designated player games (playing against a designated player rather than the house). 

Action: None.

OPPOSE HB 1293 / SB 1802 Preview Games and Machines
Sponsor: Rep. Al Jacquet (D), Sen. Perry Thurston Jr. (D)

Legalizes preview or pre-reveal machines, slot machines which draw individuals in by revealing the prize before the game is started. A Florida judge has already ruled the machines constitute gambling. 

Action: None.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

SUPPORT HB 167 / SB 1044 Civil Action for Human Trafficking Victims
Sponsors: Rep. Ross Spano (R), Sen. Lauren Book (D)

Allows a victim of human trafficking to bring a civil cause of action against a human trafficker or facilitator (a person or business who aids in or turns a blind eye to human trafficking activities). Under this provision, a victim of human trafficking could receive payment for medical bills, mental health services, repatriation, etc. as well as monetary damages for pain, loss, trauma, etc. A trafficker or facilitator would also be liable under this section to provide an additional $100,000 in damages to the Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking (established by HB 169/SB 1046) and, in some cases, additional damages to law enforcement to aid in future human trafficking rescue efforts. Punitive damages would be equally divided between the victim and the trust fund.

Action: None.

SUPPORT HB 169 / SB 1046 Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking
Sponsors: Rep. Ross Spano (R), Sen. Lauren Book (D)

Creates the Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking and Prevention within the Department of Law Enforcement. This fund would be funded by penalties and damages obtained under as referenced in   HB 167 / SB 1044 and other sources, including funds appropriated by the Legislature. The trust fund would be used to assist victims of human trafficking with medical and mental health exams and treatment, living expenses, lost wages and repatriation. The funds could also be used for a variety of education and prevention efforts, creating a survivor’s resource center, or for vacating convictions against trafficking victims incurred due to trafficking, etc.

Action: None.

SUPPORT HB 7039 / SB 1502 Increased Penalties for Human Trafficking
Sponsors: House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, Rep. Ross Spano (R), Sen. Lauren Book (D)

Requires a 10-year minimum mandatory imprisonment sentence for any individual, who knowingly or recklessly without regards to the facts, engages in, attempts to engage in, or financially benefits from human trafficking. Removes fees to expunge certain portions of criminal records for victims of human trafficking as it relates to their trafficking. Redefines the term “Adult Entertainment Establishment” to include additional adult-style businesses.

Action: None.

LIFE

SUPPORT HB 41 / SB 444 Pregnancy Support Services
Sponsors: Rep. Jackie Toledo (R), Sen. Aaron Bean (R)

Requires the Florida Department of Health to contract with the Florida Pregnancy Care Network (FPCN) to provide pregnancy support services for women who suspect or know they are pregnant. FPCN would then provide support to pregnant women and address their wellness needs. The bill requires FPCN subcontractors to promote and support childbirth only. All services provided must be voluntary and cannot include religious content.

Action: None.

LGBT

OPPOSE HB 347 / SB 66 Creating Special Rights for LGBT Citizens or “Florida’s Competitive Workforce Act”
Sponsors: Rep. Ben Diamond (D), Rep. Rene Plasencia (R), Sen. Darryl Rouson (D)

The worst bill in the Florida Legislature because of its effect on public safety and freedom of conscience. It adds sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to Florida’s Civil Rights Act of 1992 as impermissible grounds for discrimination. This bill provides a new way for LGBT individuals to sue employers and small businesses for discrimination. Would allow men access to use women’s showers, locker rooms, and bathrooms.

A full list of House and Senate co-sponsors.

Action:  None.

OPPOSE HB 717 / SB 696 Banning Conversion Therapy
Sponsors: Rep. Evan Jenne (D) / Sen. Jose Rodriguez (D)

This bill makes it unlawful for people in Florida who are licensed to provide professional counseling and others, like pastors who are licensed counselors, to counsel youth under the age of 18 struggling with their “sexual orientation and/or gender identity” to think and live in a heterosexual manner consistent with their biological gender, even if the child (as the patient) asks for their help to do so. 

Action: None.

MARRIAGE

SUPPORT HB 1323 / SB 1580 Florida Guide to a Healthy Marriage  
Sponsors: Rep. Clay Yarborough (R), Rep. Danny Burgess (R), Sen. Kelli Stargel (R)

Creates the Marriage Education Committee, which is tasked with developing the Florida Guide to a Healthy Marriage, which is required to include resources on conflict management, communication skills, family expectations, financial responsibilities and management, domestic violence, and parenting responsibilities; current information from marriage education and family advocates to assist in forming and maintaining a long-term marital relationship; and information regarding premarital education, marriage enrichment education, and resources that are available to help restore a marriage that is potentially moving toward dissolution. Clerks will be responsible for posting the guide on their websites and individuals applying for a marriage certificate must certify that they have read it or similar resources.

FFPC President John Stemberger, Bill Sponsor Rep. Clay Yarborough, and Richard Albertson of Live the Life

Action: The House Civil Justice and Claims picked up the bill this week. Florida Family Action President John Stemberger testified on the divorce problem that the state of Florida has.  Richard Albertson of Live the Life also testified on the economic impact of divorce on Florida taxpayers.  There was no opposition to the bill in public testimony; however, one member of the committee seemed to want to ensure that same-sex couples would be included in the guide. The bill passed out of committee, mostly along party lines, in a 10-4 vote.  The Senate version is scheduled to be heard next Tuesday afternoon.

OPPOSE HB 130 / SB 6027 Same-Sex Marriage
Sponsors: Rep. David Richardson (D), Sen. Gary Farmer (D)

Removes the language in state statute which prohibited same-sex couples from marrying and the State of Florida from recognizing same-sex marriages from other states.

Action: None.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

SUPPORT HB 871 / SB 1290 Free Enterprise Protection Act
Sponsors: Rep. Jay Fant (R), Sen. Dennis Baxley (R)

Prohibits any level of state government or individual acting on behalf of the state from discriminating against a business based upon their internal personnel or employee benefits policies or their exercise of free speech and religion as protected under the Florida and federal Constitutions. The state and its subdivisions would be prohibited from revoking tax exemptions and benefits; denying grants, certifications, licenses, etc.; and access and entitlement to property, facilities and speech forums, among other provisions.

Action: None.

The post Legislative Insider’s Report Week 3 of 9 appeared first on FFV.

If you have not had a chance to give to your Florida Family Policy Council TODAY for #GIVINGTUESDAY, won’t you please take a minute to do that now?   

Your gift to Florida Family Policy Council will be used to Protect and Defend Life, Marriage, Family, and Religious Liberty!

For more than 12 years your Florida Family Policy Council has been privileged to be your voice for your values:

Protecting the unborn, children and families by promoting pro-life initiatives and legislation which protect children and promote strong marriages and families, while preventing harmful legislation from passing.

Speaking truth to power in the legislature by educating legislators on the effects which proposed bills will have on Florida’s children, families and our religious liberty.   

Standing for God-honoring values in the media.  Your FFPC is often the only voice in radio, TV, newspaper and other media interviews promoting truth and God-honoring perspectives on current issues. 

Training and equipping pastors by hosting conferences for pastors and church leaders to educate them about challenges to religious liberty and how it could affect their church and related ministries. 

Investing in the next generation by hosting worldview training programs like the Patriot Academy and Summit for young people, also offering scholarships and a summer legal internship program.

This is a critical time of year for us as we need to be ready for attacks from the left that will come with the 2018 Legislative Session in January, which is just weeks from now.

Thank you for your faithful support!

The post appeared first on FFV.

At Christmas last year my extended family even had a contest with all my adult siblings to see who could best re-create the magical sauce just like Mom made when she was still alive and with us. And in a blind taste test by my own family members, Olivia won the contest for sauce “Most like Moms!” (original recipe at bottom)

It occurred to me as I was sharing this family tradition of Momma’s spaghetti sauce with our staff dinner guests that the recipe for this sauce was actually handed down by my mother from her mother, who learned how to make it as a little girl from my great grandmother in Italy. So for my children, this is at least a fourth generation tradition.

And as I began to think about this, suddenly what was just a really good spaghetti sauce, became the broader context of generations of people connected by families who pass on traditions, values, memories and simple but important truths about life itself.

What is truly sad on this Christmas is that an increasing percentage of our children, families and communities in Florida and across the country will have no life experiences with a family to relate any tradition, values or future generations to. Inner cities devastated by unwed moms with absent fathers; children whose lives were unexpectedly shattered through the tragedy of a divorce; the elderly who will in greater numbers pass on prematurely in loneliness with no one to care for them; and children who have never been to a wedding much less seen how a “marriage” operates in their little worlds, will have no vision of marriage or family to even consider for the future.

But this is why we fight. This is why we labor. This is why the Board and the staff of the Florida Family Policy Council will not rest until we have used every resource entrusted to us to see life protected, marriage defended and the family strengthened. Families are an amazing gift of common grace from God. This Christmas season, we who have any semblance of a family at all in this broken world, should be humbled and grateful for this great gift from our heavenly Father.

Marriage–and to some extent families– gives us a hint into the mystery of the nature and character of the triune God himself. Unity and diversity. Oneness and individuality. God the Father, sent his only begotten Son to the earth to be born into a humble family and raised until the time when he was to give the ultimate gift– himself. By taking the wrath of God upon himself, Christ takes upon himself the punishment for our sins. This is the great gift that Christmas gives us: The Gospel, the Good News, Emmanuel– God with us… And would that we never grow familiar with the amazing grace found in this truth.

May God grant us all the ability to see his grace everywhere we look — and to be continually amazed by it.

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

John Stemberger
President,
Florida Family Policy Council

1 basket of Roma tomatoes- (about 25+) (Roma is important)
Gently bring the tomatoes to a boil in a pot of water until the skins start popping open (about 20 min)
When tomatoes are boiled peel off and remove the skins of the tomatoes and discard skins
While tomatoes are boiling sauté in olive oil, one diced onion and 3-4 garlic cloves diced
Add a half cup of red wine
Place tomatoes in the sautéed onions and garlic
Add one 12ounce can of tomato paste
Add a ¼ cup of water to the paste and sauce
Add one table spoon dry oregano or 2 tablespoons fresh
Add half table spoon dried basil or 4-6 fresh leaves
Add 2 table spoons of salt and half table spoon of pepper
Add 3 table spoons of honey (or 1 heaping table spoon of sugar)
Add 2-3 table spoons of grated Romano cheese
Take all these ingredients and puree them together in a blender
Place sauce in a large pot and simmer uncovered on low heat for about 3 hours
Add cooked meatballs or sausage about 2 hours into cooking
(Don’t overcook meat as it will also cook some in the sauce)
Cooking will burn off water and make the sauce thick. Stir and watch during cooking process.
Serve with pasta of your choice.

The post Spaghetti Sauce, Family Traditions, Christmas, and the Amazing Grace of God… appeared first on FFV.

Who is Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr? 

First, in my view, Dr. Mohler is one of the brightest Christian voices alive today.  He would likely cringe at hearing this, but it’s true.  Even Time Magazine has called him the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.”

Second, Dr. Mohler has a critical leadership role as President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He was tasked with turning the seminary around from its theologically liberal-leaning direction years ago and strengthen is conservative foundation which saved that school from utter ruin.  Today, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary – the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention– is now one of the largest seminaries in the world.

Third, Dr. Mohler is the author of eight books, including a new book released yesterday entitled “We Cannot be Silent:  Speaking truth to a culture redefining sex, marriage, & the very meaning of right & wrong.” I have read an advance copy of the book and it is outstanding!  The book will be on sale at our dinner and is available online HERE.

Finally, Dr. Mohler publishes a simply remarkable daily audio news report called “The Briefing.” Dr. Mohler reads the top news stories from every English newspaper around the world and summarizes them in this audio recording which is available every morning by 7:00am EST by podcast or on the Internet.

Dr. Mohler’s The Briefing on the latest news and critical issues of the day is simply one of the finest and clearest daily news briefings available.  I listen to it and ask all the FFPC staff to listen to it as they begin their work day.  It is free of charge and in under 20 minutes each morning while I am exercising, getting dressed for work, or driving to the office, I can hear a brief and insightful analysis on the latest national and international news from a Christian worldview.  There is really nothing else like it.

No other resource provides me such reliable insight and analyses on a daily basis.  It is indispensable to me, and I believe it will be for you, as a supporter of life, marriage, family and liberty to understand and have insight into the cataclysmic social changes we are seeing every day.

“The Briefing” can be received in one of several ways:

• EMAIL:  Subscribe to receive The Briefing by email by clicking the envelope icon at  http://www.albertmohler.com/

• IPHONE APP:  If you own an Iphone or Ipad download the Podcast App and then search for “Albert Mohler.” 
• RSS FEED:  Sign up to receive the feed here: http://feeds.feedburner.com/AlbertMohlerTheBriefing
• ONLINE:  Visit the website and listen to the daily briefing online http://www.albertmohler.com/
• TWITTER:  Follow Dr. Mohler on Twitter as he tweets out the online link to The Briefing and a written transcript of the show.  https://twitter.com/albertmohler Twitter handle @AlbertMohler

The Briefing equips me as a father, a husband, and a citizen to guard against false philosophies of this world as we must always be on guard and equip ourselves to “think with a Biblical perspective.”

If you just listen to one news show, I think you will see why I think Dr. Mohler’s briefing is an indispensable tool for learning and engaging in active citizenship.

So to answer the original question, this is who Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. is, and why we are so excited to have him as our keynote speaker for our Tenth Anniversary Policy Awards Dinner on Saturday, November 14, 2015 in Orlando at the Rosen Centre Hotel from 6-9pm EST.  Tickets and table sales are available HERE.

I hope you can join us for the upcoming dinner, take a moment to listen to The Briefing and/or get a copy of Dr. Mohler’s new book We Cannot be Silent.

Sincerely,

John Stemberger

PS:  To purchase tickets to the 10^th Anniversary Awards Dinner and hear Dr. Mohler in person, click HERE.  This will be a night to remember, and I sincerely hope you can join us!

The post Who is Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr? appeared first on FFV.

Map and Directions | Register

Description:

Join us for the “God’s Design For Marriage” morning service in Titusville, Florida, on Sunday, September 13, 2015, from 9AM-2PM.

The event will be held at Trinity Community Church, 6750 S. Washington Avenue, Titusville, FL 32780.

The special speaker will be John Stemberger, President and General Counsel of the Florida Family Policy Council.

The event is free. Seating is limited, so please arrive early to guarantee a seat.

Directions:

Register

The post Titusville: God's Design For Marriage Service appeared first on FFV.

July 27, 2015 

FINAL DECISION BY BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA TO ALLOW OPENLY HOMOSEXUAL ADULT LEADERS PLACES SPONSORING CHURCHES AT GREATER LEGAL RISK

Memorandum Released by Former General Counsel for the Boy Scouts of America Explains Liability for Churches

(Orlando, FL) The pending final and binding decision today by the top leadership of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to allow openly homosexual adults and youth within the program reverses over a hundred years of tradition and values and alters years of the youth protection policy within the organization.

Trail Life USA is a Christian scouting program for boys focused on adventure, character, and leadership. John Stemberger, President of the Florida Family Policy Council, also serves as Chairman of the Board for Trail Life USA, and he issued the following statement regarding this decision:

We are greatly saddened by the BSA’s resolution which is expected to pass the National Executive Board on Monday, July 27, 2015.

This change in membership policy places the churches and religious institutions that sponsor BSA troops at greater legal risk, especially in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent Obergefell decision declaring same-sex marriage a “fundamental right” and homosexuality an “immutable” characteristic.

These Supreme Court holdings–coupled with BSA’s new membership policy changes–place the religious liberties of churches at even greater risk for legal attack and litigation.  Dissenting justices on the high court gave clear warnings that: “people of faith can take no comfort in the treatment they receive from the majority today.” (Justice Roberts); “has potentially ruinous consequences for religious liberty.” (Justice Thomas); and “will be used to vilify Americans who are unwilling to assent to the new orthodoxy.”  (Justice Alito).

Accordingly, public accommodation laws and non-discrimination laws are about to become major challenges as a result of the court’s rulings.  While the BSA may be well-meaning in its intent to create a local troop option for membership standards for churches, this decision will be unsustainable over time given the hostile nature of the courts and their “evolution” on issues related to gay rights and human sexuality.  Some courts have already declared the BSA to be a public accommodation, and such rulings are likely to increase. This could have a direct effect upon churches chartering troops in those jurisdictions if they were to face litigation over revoking the membership of the homosexual member who wears his uniform in the Gay Pride Parade, an adult who publicly marries his same-sex partner, or to the girl who believes she is actually a male.

Pastors and priests must also realize that the new local troop option only applies to adult members. Churches are still prohibited from denying any openly homosexual youth “membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference.”

Finally, the new resolution to be passed by the BSA clearly affirms that homosexual acts can be “moral, honorable, committed, and respectful.”  This opinion is wholly incompatible with historic Christian theology and ethics and will make it even more challenging for a church to integrate a BSA unit as part of a church’s ministry offerings.

Attorney Richard Mathews, who served as Legal Counsel for the Boy Scouts of America for 11 years and National General Counsel for the last three years, has authored a legal memorandum explaining the litigation risk that churches will undertake by continuing to charter BSA units or starting new ones.  Mathews currently serves as General Counsel to Trail Life USA.  That legal memo is available in PDF form HERE.

For More Information on Trail Life see TrailLifeUSA.com

For More Information or Media Interviews Contact:
Nandi Randolph at 407-251-1957
or Media@TrailLifeUSA.com

The post Final Decision By Boy Scouts Of America To Allow Openly Homosexual Adult Leaders Places Sponsoring Churches At Greater Legal Risk appeared first on FFV.

Marriage privatization would devastate society.

By John Stemberger
Published on July 5, 2015, Stream.org.

At first glance, it sounds nice to say we should “get government out of the marriage business.” Marriage, as far as the state is concerned, would be merely a private relationship contract, with no reference to the lasting features of natural marriage between a man and woman, and its connection to the bearing and raising of children.

Many libertarians, including Rand Paul, and now even some conservatives, claim that this will solve the same-sex marriage controversy. Few understand the logical implications of their argument. There are at least seven reasons why “marriage privatization,” if really achieved, would profoundly harm citizens and society.

(1) Private “relationship contracts” would immediately legitimize and permit polygamy, group marriages, incest and other aberrant relationships.

Anthropologist Stanley Kurtz notes that even if marriage is “privatized,” government “still has to decide what sort of private unions merit benefits … under this privatization scheme.” We would end up with the “same quarrels over social recognition that we got before privatization.” Government will have to deal with polygamous, polyamorous, and incestuous relationships also attempting to obtain contracts under the new scheme as well as attempts by heterosexual acquaintances to make “marriages of convenience” to obtain things such as spousal medical insurance. Legitimizing these aberrant relationships would only further dilute the meaning of natural marriage as a norm in society.

(2) It would increase the sexual exploitation of children through human sex-trafficking.

Marriage laws that currently regulate the age at which a person can be married protect children from sex-slavery and even from desperate parents from certain impoverished countries who may seek to exploit or manipulate minor children into “arranged” marriages for financial gain. News in London now reports 15 and 16 year old girls are being duped into “marrying” ISIS operatives and are running away from home. This would be easy in the U.S. if marriage were a private contract.

(3) It would overburden courts and side-step legal protections for children and abandoned spouses, replacing them with court ordered damages, penalties and state-coerced action.

If a legislature repealed marriage statutes and did nothing to define or regulate the creation and or dissolution of marriages, then by default, parties would be left only with legal contracts to address child custody, visitation, alimony and property rights. If the parties breached these private contracts, litigation would ensue regarding the intent, interpretation, and enforcement of those agreements — many of which would likely be drafted by non-lawyers with vague and confusing terms. Courts would issue penalties, damages and would have to order private parties to enforce contracts, often with draconian results. Real-life economic and practical hardships would befall untold thousands of single mothers were men to abandon their families – or even take forcible physical custody of small children — where no such contract was in place.

The creation of plural marriage and group marriage contracts would create the legal equivalent of the “Wild-Wild-West.” These “prenuptial-like” marriage contracts would also further undermine the idea of marriage as a lasting, life-long covenant. Instead of keeping government out of the marriage business, this move would do just the opposite. The great irony of marriage privatization is that it would only increase the state’s involvement in the lives of its citizens.

(4) It ignores what’s best for children.

Arguments to privatize marriage, whether made by scholars or politicians, tend to ignore what is best for children. Economist Jennifer Roback Morse, who has strong libertarian credentials, argues that marriage privatization would come “at the expense of children,” and “is a concept developed by adults that will benefit only adults.”

In the common law, whenever children are involved in divorce, custody disputes, adoption or dependency proceedings, the legal standard has always been is the best interest of children involved. With the redefinition of marriage to include same-sex unions, “adult desires” have been allowed to trump what’s best for children. Dissolving marriage law would have the same effect. When men divorce the mothers of their children without these private agreements, single mothers would be left with no laws to protect or support their children.

(5) It would create more social maladies, broken families, and human suffering.

Throughout history, marriage has always been regulated in some way. In small and cohesive societies, this was usually done through strong social mores and religious institutions. In larger, more diverse and modern societies, marriage has also been regulated through law and public policy. This is part of what separates civil societies from more primitive ones. For this reason, completely privatizing marriage could be a sociological disaster.

Today’s inner cities are “Exhibit A” to the poverty, crime, fatherlessness and devastation that emerges when marriage and family structures are weak, fragmented or nonexistent. This measured collapse in inner cities would move even faster into every area of communities if marriage is legally abolished and reduced to private contracts.

(6) It would cost taxpayer’s big-time.

Maggie Gallagher has called marriage privatization a “fantasy” since “there is scarcely a dollar that state and federal government spends on social programs that is not driven in large part by family fragmentation: crime, poverty, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, school failure, mental and physical health problems.” A study by the Institute for American Values concluded that the cost to U.S. taxpayers from family fragmentation as a result of divorce and unwed childbearing was $112 billion annually.

Sadly, the political left in America feeds on divorce, broken families, and unwed childbearing. Strong marriages and families help break the grip of an ever-growing administrative state, freeing her citizens from poverty to reach their fullest economic potential as creators of wealth rather than being chronic recipients of distributed wealth.

(7) It would grow government.

Government has a compelling interest in defining, regulating, and promoting marriage because of the self-governance it creates when children are socialized in this environment. At the most basic level, marriages — and the families they create — produce social order in homes, neighborhoods, states and nations. Marriage channels masculine energy in socially productive ways, protects women, and increases almost every category of human flourishing. Research is clear that a married biological mother and father is objectively the optimal context for rearing children. Marriage benefits not just those in the relationships, but the businesses, economies, and communities around them. Marriages, and the families that flow from them, tend to produce more productive citizens who create wealth and contribute to society.

The failure of marriages and families has caused the rapid expansion of the welfare state, dramatic tax increases, and has helped increase the national debt. Jennifer Roback Morse argues that “it is simply not possible to have a minimum government and a society with no social or legal norms about family structure, sexual behavior, and childrearing. The state will have to provide support for people with loose or nonexistent ties to their families. The state will have to sanction truly destructive behavior, as always. The destructive behavior will be more common because the culture of impartiality destroys the informal system of enforcing social norms. … A free society needs marriage.”

Marriage is not merely a private, religious institution; it is also a public institution deserving of public recognition and protection, quite apart from any religious or theological argument. Marriage serves not only people of faith but also the common good of society. “Family is built on marriage,” argues Princeton’s Robert George, “and government — the state — has a profound interest in the integrity and well-being of marriage, and to write it off as if it were purely a religiously significant action and not an institution and action that has a profound public significance, would be a terrible mistake.”

Removing the legal recognition of marriage would devastate not just marriage and family, but civil society as a whole.

John Stemberger is an Orlando Attorney who is President of the Florida Family Policy Council. 

© 2015 The Stream. All Rights Reserved.

PDF: Seven Reasons Why Getting Government Out of the Marriage Business Won’t Work

Link to Original Article Published July 5, 2015 on Stream.org: https://stream.org/seven-reasons-getting-government-marriage-business-wont-work/

The post Seven Reasons Why “Getting Government Out of the Marriage Business” Won’t Work appeared first on FFV.