Our weekly recap from Aaron DiPietro, Legislative Affairs Director, Florida Family Voice and Kevin Baird, Executive Director, Church Ambassador Network of Florida
FFV’s Aaron DiPietro provides a quick update on the second week of the Florida Legislative Session.
Dear Friends,
Week 2 of the 2025 Legislative Session in Tallahassee is finished, and our momentum continues to build as bill priorities advance to key committees.
In addition, this week, FFV’s VOICE CONFERENCE (formerly known as Pro-Life, Pro-Family Days) energized friends and allies from across the state with powerful presentations, outlining the incredible victories of the past, mission of the present, and vision for the future, while our legislative wins and challenges from Week 2 made clear that the fight for Biblical worldview principles and pro-life, pro-family values is alive and well.
Participants came from across Florida, from Miami to the Panhandle, for
“The Voice Conference at the Capitol.”
Conference Highlights
During this year’s Voice Conference at The Capitol, we took a deep dive into our past, present, and future under the theme “Where do we go from here?”
On Monday afternoon, Dr. Kevin Baird and I opened by celebrating our victories in both culture and the church. Immediately after, the conference featured dynamic presentations on how to engage as Christians in the civic arena from guest speakers Anila Lahiri, Patti Sullivan, and Zack Pruitt, along with Dr. Baird and myself. The evening concluded with a powerful evening keynote from Erik Dellenback, the Governor’s Liaison for Faith and Community, and an engaging panel moderated by Dr. Baird with Pastors Mike Matheny, Earl Glisson, and Zach Terry on the church’s role in civic engagement.
Tuesday’s morning keynotes by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Pastor William Rice set an inspiring tone, culminating in a robust day of lobbying that concluded in a time of prayer and fellowship with Rep. Doug Bankson on the House floor.
Attorney General James Uthmeier speaking at our Tuesday morning prayer breakfast.
Rep. Doug Bankson addressing participants in the Florida House Chambers.
Legislative Wins & Critical Challenges
Our legislative efforts are making significant strides. On Tuesday, the Surrendered Infants Procedures and Baby Box Act (HB 791) passed its first committee unanimously. This vital legislation expands safe haven laws by introducing innovative baby box drop-off options and streamlining the legal process to ensure that newborns receive immediate, life-saving care.
Equally significant is the Initiative Petitions for Constitutional Amendments Reform Act (SB 7016), sponsored by Sen. Don Gaetz. This bill tightens the process for citizen-led constitutional amendments by enforcing stricter signature verification, limiting petition circulator activities, and enhancing transparency to prevent undue out-of-state influence. However, during that committee, GOP Senator Jennifer Bradley introduced an amendment (which was adopted) that would prohibit the governor or any state agencies from spending state resources to message for or against ballot initiatives. While on the surface this sounds innocent, it would prohibit any current or future governor and state agencies from providing public service announcements educating the public against falsehoods or misinformation being perpetrated by out of state funded PACs in a ballot campaign, such as Gov. DeSantis did against the lies and deceptive ads in the battles over Amendment 3 on recreational marijuana and Amendment 4 regarding abortion on demand. We are very opposed to this amendment, ensuring these reforms are enshrined into state law without taking any steps back.
We are also closely monitoring the K‑12 Health Screening Act (SB 370). This bill permits certain medical procedures or screenings for minors under the premise that a “reasonable opportunity” is provided to obtain parental consent—a term that remains frustratingly vague. The bill introduces a “passive consent and notification” approach, which could allow loosely defined medical “screenings” to move forward without the direct, informed approval of a parent or legal guardian in a public-school setting. This could create a loophole for school administrators to go behind parents’ backs in the name of mental health care. While the Senate version has advanced to its second committee, we continue to stand against its vague language and potential erosion of parental rights.
For those eager to dive deeper into the details, a comprehensive PDF with in-depth bill progress updates is available HERE.
Upcoming Hearings on Our Top Priorities
The agenda for next week is full of our priority bills and your voice matters in these critical discussions. Below are the key bills set for upcoming hearings this week, with information on those able to testify to the committee:
Gender Identity Government Employment Practices Act (SB 440)
This act is designed to protect state and local government employees, as well as contractors and organizations receiving state funds, by ensuring they are not forced to comply with gender identity policies that conflict with their sincerely held beliefs. The bill prohibits mandates on pronoun usage and other practices that infringe on freedom of speech and religious expression.
Hearing: The Senate version is scheduled for next week in the Government Oversight Committee on Tuesday, March 18th at 3:30 pm in Room 110 in the Senate Office Building.
The Local Government DEI Policy Repeal Act (SB 420)
Aimed at rolling back local government mandates on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, this bill prevents counties and municipalities from enforcing DEI policies that conflict with state law. By nullifying local ordinances that create special rights, based on gender identity or sexual orientation, the act reinforces state standards and ensures local governments focus on serving their citizens instead of pushing leftist political agendas. Hearing: The Senate version is scheduled for next week in the Government Oversight Committee on Monday, March 17th at 4:00 pm in Room 37 in the Senate Office Building.
Protecting Minors from Obscenity in Education Act (SB 1692)
Focused on safeguarding our children, this proposal updates the standard adult-focused Miller test with a more rigorous, child-focused standard to regulate the exposure of sexually explicit material in educational settings. It aims to enhance transparency in school libraries and public venues, ensuring that only age-appropriate content is accessible to students.
Hearing: The Senate version is scheduled for next week in the Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday, March 18th at 3:30 pm in Room 37 in the Senate Office Building!
Parental Controls Over Minors’ Phone Applications Access Act (SB 1438)
This bill mandates that app store developers and device manufacturers build robust parental control features into their systems. It requires age verification at activation and insists on obtaining parental consent for minors under 16 before downloading apps. The act is designed to prevent data misuse and empower parents with effective oversight of their children’s digital activities.
Hearing: The Senate version is scheduled for next week in the Commerce and Tourism Committee on Monday, March 17th at 1:30 pm in Room 110 in the Senate Office Building.
I am truly privileged to be here in Tallahassee—meeting with legislators, testifying before committees, and serving as your dedicated advocate for our Biblical worldview and family values. Your continued prayers, passion, and support empower our efforts to advance these vital initiatives for Florida’s future.
For Liberty,
Aaron DiPietro
Legislative Affairs Director
Florida Family Voice
The second week of the 2025 Legislative Session was in full swing, and the Church Ambassador Network of Florida participated in the annual VOICE CONFERENCE at Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee. Pastors from around the state were in attendance as were the Church Ambassador Network’s Advisory Board members. Political activists, church congregants, and concerned residents from across Florida also joined those in attendance providing a wonderful cross-section of attendees that filled the banquet hall.
Early on Monday, the Church Ambassador Network’s Advisory Board met to discuss two important biblical and ethical challenges for Florida’s future. First, a Florida State Representative approached the network and asked if we might have a discussion concerning a comprehensive biblical blueprint for approaching affordable housing and homelessness. Second, we were asked to begin to formulate a biblical ethic on in vitro fertilization (IVF). Both topics provided fascinating input by the advisory board and the beginnings of statements which hopefully will not only be comprehensive and biblically accurate, but will also provide scriptural principles by which our civic representatives can best formulate public policy. Some important and exciting ideas and possibilities were explored in this meeting, and there will be more to come.
The conference began Monday afternoon and the theme was entitled, “Where Do We Go From Here?” The program focused on where we have been as a movement, the victories we can celebrate, the bills which are being debated currently, and a strategy for moving into the future to continue seeing progress in God-honoring legislation here in Florida.
The topics were relevant, inspiring, and focused on how the Church of Florida can continue to make a lasting impact on the public policy concerns in the future.
The conference ended with an amazing prayer breakfast and a trip to the state capitol to engage our elected leaders on various topics which are of concern to the Christian community. We ended the day on the chamber floor of the Florida House of Representatives for a prayer meeting and a spontaneous address by Representative (Pastor) Doug Bankson.
It was Jerry Falwell, a highly engaged pastor from the not-so-distant past who said, “One thing I have learned about Christians, having organized them for years – when they lose, they quit. And when they win, they quit. We are just quitters.”
Now is not the time to quit, but to engage together as the Church of Florida and be the VOICE that will make a difference today and for a better future. Would you also consider supporting Florida Family Voice and the Church Ambassador Network as we continue to speak and minister into the civic mission field? You can visit HERE to find out how you can become a partner and faithful friend in this great mission field of civic government.
Kevin Baird, D.Min. Executive Director, Church Ambassador Network of Florida
Participants gather for our annual group photo in the House Chambers.
20th Annual Dinner Gala
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Rosen Shingle Creek
Dinner & Program – 6:00 PM