Our weekly recap from Aaron DiPietro, Legislative Affairs Director,
Florida Family Voice
FFV’s Aaron DiPietro provides a quick update on the eighth week of
the Florida Legislative Session.
Dear Friends,
As we enter the final stretch of the 2025 Legislative Session, Week 8 has been a strong and eventful one for Florida Family Voice. Several key bills we’ve championed are moving forward in both the House and Senate. With committee meetings now concluded, our full attention turns to floor votes in the final days ahead.
In a notable political shift, Senate Democratic Minority Leader Jason Pizzo announced his departure from the Democratic Party to become a No Party Affiliation (NPA), a move that could reshape future legislative negotiations.
Challenges remain, particularly with the state budget negotiations stalled between the House and Senate. While this issue doesn’t directly affect our priorities, it does impact the legislative climate—making our vigilance in Week 9 more crucial than ever.
Despite the hurdles, Week 8 has brought major wins for FFV. The coming days will determine the fate of much of our legislative agenda. As we press forward, your prayers and support are essential. Whether through a one-time gift or by becoming a monthly supporter, your partnership makes all the difference.
Visit HERE to contribute and help power our efforts through the final days of the 2025 Session.
FFV’s Aaron DiPietro in the House gallery during House proceedings.
Below we have listed the top 5 victories from this past week. For the full list of this week’s victories, click on the link below.
Parental Rights in Healthcare Act (SB 1288/HB 1505)
Victory!
On Monday, the Senate version of the Parental Rights in Healthcare Act, led by Sen. Erin Grall, passed its final committee (Rules) with a 13-9 vote. The following day, the House bill cleared its final committee (Education & Employment) by a vote of 16-5.
This landmark legislation strengthens parental authority by guaranteeing parents full access to their minor children’s medical records, prohibiting the use of biometric medical feedback systems in schools without parental consent, and reinforcing consent requirements for school surveys and medical treatments that have been occurring without parental knowledge. It ensures that parents remain fully informed and involved in all healthcare decisions affecting their children.
On Friday, Reps. Rachel Plakon and Kim Kendall successfully defended the House version, which passed 80-28. The bill now awaits a final vote in the Senate.
FFV’s Aaron DiPietro with bill sponsors Reps. Rachel Plakon and Kim Kendall and
Parental Rights Florida’s Patti Sullivan.
Protecting Minors from Obscenity in Education Act (HB 1539)
Victory!
On Thursday, the Protecting Minors from Obscenity in Education Act passed the full House floor. Bill sponsor Rep. Doug Bankson effectively presented the legislation, emphasizing its mission to safeguard children by updating the definition of obscenity to a stricter, child-centered standard, shielding students from exposure to sexually explicit material in educational settings.
Fellow representatives delivered powerful testimony underscoring the urgent need for the bill, with many speaking out strongly in support. The bill passed with a vote of 81-29 and now moves to the Senate!
Bill sponsor Rep. Doug Bankson defending HB 1539 on the House floor.
Office of Faith and Community Act (SB 820)
VICTORY!
On Thursday, the Senate passed this important bill, sponsored by Sen. Clay Yarborough, by a vote of 27-9, despite last-minute efforts to block it. The legislation formally establishes the Office of Faith and Community—originally created by Governor DeSantis—within the Executive Office of the Governor.
This office is dedicated to strengthening partnerships between faith-based organizations and state agencies by eliminating bureaucratic barriers that hinder religious groups from serving vulnerable populations. All that remains is a final vote in the House
Fetal Development Educational Act (HB 1255)
VICTORY!
On Wednesday, the House passed this powerful bill, sponsored by Rep. Dana Trabulsy, with a strong 86-27 vote! The bill revises multiple education policies to protect students and foster a more positive learning environment—including restricting the use of taxpayer funds for political activism and enhancing discipline standards. Most notably, it requires that 6th–12th graders (with parental consent) receive comprehensive fetal development education through high-definition videos, helping students better understand and respect the miracle of human life.
Despite intense opposition focused almost exclusively on this provision, the bill prevailed and now awaits a final vote in the Senate before heading to the Governor’s desk!
Protecting Faith-Based Content in BIP Counseling Programs Act (HB 391)
VICTORY!
This critical bill, sponsored by Rep. Omar Blanco, ensures that faith-based content is permitted within state-approved Batterers’ Intervention Programs (BIP). Previously, career bureaucrats at the Department of Children and Families restricted these programs to secular-only content, excluding several faith-based providers—even those with outstanding success and low recidivism rates.
This legislation corrects that injustice by amending statutes to explicitly allow faith-based counseling options. On Tuesday, the bill passed its final committee, Health and Human Services, unanimously, and on Friday, it passed the full House by an overwhelming 109-1 vote! It now advances to the Senate for consideration.
FFV’s Aaron DiPietro and Rep. Omar Blanco, sponsor of HB 391.
For the full list of this week’s victories and details on the bills, click on the link below.
The end of the session is in sight, and as you can see, we are on the verge of a full slate of incredible victories for life, family, parental rights, and religious freedom! Please continue to keep our team in your prayers as we push full steam ahead toward the finish of the 2025 Florida Legislative Session. God bless!
For the Florida Family,
Aaron DiPietro
Legislative Affairs Director, Florida Family Voice
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