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 third week of the Florida Legislative Session.
Dear Friends,
Week 3 of the 2025 Legislative Session in Tallahassee has concluded with remarkable momentum, as many of our top priorities successfully advanced to the next critical stage. This past week our team held strategic meetings with legislative champions and key allies—strengthening support for our priority bills while proactively working to amend or defeat harmful legislation on our watch list. Additionally, I was able to testify in multiple committees in defense of our agenda, with incredible victories as our bills moved forward. As the dust has settled from the fast pace of Weeks 1 and 2, the paths forward for our core initiatives have become clearer, allowing us to strategically plan for the upcoming weeks. With momentum on our side, we remain committed to seeing this fight through to the end.
Legislative Wins & Critical Challenges
The week kicked off on Monday with the Local Government DEI Policy Repeal Act (SB 420) clearing its first committee. Authored by Sen. Clay Yarborough, this measure strips away local government DEI mandates that conflict with state law and prohibits ordinances granting special rights based on gender identity or sexual orientation—reinforcing uniform statewide standards and refocusing municipalities on core services over political agendas.
On Tuesday, the Protecting Minors from Obscenity in Education Act (SB 1692) advanced despite fierce criticism from leftist opponents crying “book ban.” Sponsored by Sen. Stan McClain, the legislation tightens state law to a child‑focused standard on obscenity, mandates age‑appropriate review processes for school libraries and increases transparency so parents can trust that students are shielded from pornographic content.
The Fetal Development Educational Awareness Act (HB 1255) moved forward, led by Rep. Dana Trabulsy’s tireless advocacy. Although it faced vocal resistance from critics who labeled it politically motivated, the bill requires age-appropriate instruction with parental consent on fetal development in public schools—an important step toward nurturing respect for life in the classroom.
On Wednesday morning, the Protecting Faith‑Based Content in BIP Counseling Programs Act (SB 894) passed its committee thanks to Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez’s leadership. By restoring faith‑centered counseling options within state‑approved batterers’ intervention programs, the bill ensures proven, spiritually based providers remain available to participants seeking rehabilitation.
FFV’s Aaron DiPietro testifying in committee in support of restoring faith-based BIP programs.
The Parental Controls Over Minors’ Social Media Use Act (HB 743) passed its committee unanimously. Spearheaded by Rep. Michelle Salzman, the measure demands robust age verification, strong parental-control features, and meaningful penalties for platforms that fail to protect children from harmful content and online exploitation.
Our week concluded on Thursday with the Unborn Child Parent’s Survivor Act (HB 1517) passing its first committee by a 13-3 margin, despite significant pushback from pro-abortion advocates. Championed by Rep. Sam Greco, this bill establishes unborn children as distinct legal entities, allowing parents to pursue wrongful-death claims and recover damages for emotional and financial loss, affirming accountability for harm to the unborn and strengthening legal protections for the most vulnerable.
FFV’s Aaron DiPietro testifying in committee in support of the Unborn Child Parent’s Survivor Act
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 some of the key bills set for upcoming hearings this week, with information on those able to testify to the committee:
1. Surrendered Infants Procedures and Baby Box Act (HB 791/SB 1690) These bills expand Florida’s safe-haven law by extending the timeframe during which a newborn may be legally surrendered at designated locations, including secure baby box drop-off stations. It provides robust legal protections for parents who choose safe surrender, ensures immediate medical evaluation for surrendered infants, and streamlines placement and adoption procedures to minimize delays. Hearing: The Senate version is scheduled for next week in the Health Policy Committee on Tuesday, March 25th at 1:30 pm in Room 412 in the Knott Building! The House version is scheduled for next week in the Health and Human Services Committee on Monday, March 24th at 4:00 pm in Room 17 in the House Office Building.
2. Gender Identity Government Employment Practices Act (SB 440) This act protects state and local government employees, 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 25th at 1:30 pm in Room 110 in the Senate Office Building.
3. 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 Tuesday, March 25th at 8:30 am in Room 110 in the Senate Office Building.
4. Parental Controls Over Minors’ Social Media Use Act (SB 868) Authored by Sen. Ingoglia, this bill mandates robust age verification processes and built-in parental controls on all social media platforms to protect minors from harmful content and online exploitation. It establishes penalties for non-compliant companies, empowering parents with essential oversight tools. Hearing: The Senate version is scheduled for next week in the Commerce and Tourism Committee on Tuesday, March 25th at 8:30 am in Room 110 in the Senate Office Building.
5. Government Flag Reform Act (SB 100) This act codifies which flags may be displayed on government property, limiting official displays to U.S., Florida, and municipal flags. It prohibits ideological or politically divisive banners—such as pride flags—from being flown at state or local government facilities, ensuring government neutrality. Hearing: The Senate version is scheduled for next week in the Community Affairs Committee on Tuesday, March 25th at 11:00 am in Room 37 in the Senate Office Building.
6. Parental Rights in Education and Healthcare Act (SB 1288) Sponsored by Sen. Grall, this legislation reinforces parental authority by requiring schools to notify parents of any changes to their child’s educational or medical records, banning biometric tracking systems without consent, and strengthening consent requirements for school surveys and medical treatments. It ensures parents remain fully informed and involved in all decisions affecting their minor children. Hearing: The Senate version is scheduled for next week in the Pre-K-12 Education Committee on Tuesday, March 25th at 11:00 am in Room 412 in the Knott Building.
7. Prostitution and Human Trafficking Enforcement Act (SB 1660) This legislation strengthens Florida’s anti-prostitution and human-trafficking statutes by increasing criminal penalties for solicitation, facilitation, and operation of commercial sex venues. It directs additional resources to law enforcement for dismantling trafficking networks and expands survivor support programs to ensure comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration services.
Hearing: The Senate version is scheduled for next week in the Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday, March 25th at 1:30 pm in Room 37 in the Senate Office Building.
8. Gambling Controls Act (SB 1404) This bill tightens oversight of Florida’s gambling industry by enforcing stricter licensing requirements for operators, enhancing penalties for illegal gaming, and instituting stronger consumer protections against fraud and predatory practices. It aims to curb unregulated gambling activity and protect vulnerable Floridians from exploitation. Hearing: The Senate version is scheduled for next week in the Regulated Industries Committee on Tuesday, March 25th at 4:00 pm in Room 412 in the Knott Building.
Week after week, as the session continues, I am uplifted by the encouragement and support that you all continue to give as I lobby policymakers, testify in committee, and serve as a voice for the Florida family. Our team is continually grateful for your prayers and support which allows us to be on the frontlines for Florida’s future. I am truly looking forward to a strong finish for the 2025 Florida Legislative Session!
For Truth,
Aaron DiPietro
Legislative Affairs Director, Florida Family Voice
This is the third week of Legislative Session 2025, and the Church Ambassador Network of Florida was on site to begin delivering personalized leather-bound, large-print Bibles to the 120 state representatives and 40 state senators serving our state in the legislative branch. We are praying for God’s direction and wisdom in their work (I Timothy 2:1). Created as mementos, the Bibles are personally engraved with the legislator’s name, district of service, and the state seal to commemorate their time in office. More importantly, these Bibles offer a reminder of Isaiah 9:6, “… the government shall be upon his shoulder…”, as well as Hebrews 1:3, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.” We will be presenting these Bibles all throughout the legislative session and the early responses have been amazing as members from BOTH sides of the aisle have received the gift gratefully. Hearts are opening to the Word of God and whenever God’s Word is sent forth, it will never return void. We pray for a harvest of fruit from these efforts.
We were also pleased to deliver eight magnificent leather-bound copies of the Founders’ Bible to the Governor’s Faith and Community Initiative staff as a gift for their amazing service to our state and to the most vulnerable amongst us. All of these Bibles were made available through the financial gifts and support of generous donors who have caught the vision of reaching the civic mission field with the Gospel.
As I have mentioned in previous updates, this is the seventh year of the Florida Capitol Project. I cannot begin to describe the difference in reception from year 1 compared to now in year 7. As I introduce myself and the CAN network to legislative aides or lawmakers, the response is no longer, “Who are you all and what are you doing?” but rather, “I know who you are. Please stop by as soon as you can to pray for us.” Our presence in the state capitol has become an institution of God’s work and blessing.
Registrations from pastors and Christian ministry leaders are streaming to me regularly, but there is still room for more. If you haven’t taken the time to check out our website, please take a moment to see what we are doing HERE.
As I mentioned at our recent VOICE CONFERENCE, here at Florida Family Voice and in particular the Church Ambassador Network, we consider ourselves your civic missionaries. Our purpose is to give voice to the values and principles of God’s Word, as well as minister to the needs of our elected leaders through the power of the Gospel. This is why our invitation to you to help financially support our work is done so unapologetically. Your tax-deductible gift of any size is used to honor God in the legislative process here in Florida.
It was Hudson Taylor, a notable missionary on foreign soil who once said, “God’s Will done God’s way will never lack God’s resource. Where God guides, He will provide”. Rev. Taylor was of course, correct; however, that resource is released when people sense the Spirit of the Lord prompting them to partner and give. As you give that one-time gift or become a faithful friend to this ministry, your gift will be carefully stewarded and used to impact the civic mission field.
Thanks for your prayers and support.
Kevin Baird, D.Min. Executive Director, Church Ambassador Network of Florida
20th Annual Dinner Gala
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Rosen Shingle Creek
Dinner & Program – 6:00 PM