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 fifth week of
the Florida Legislative Session.
Dear Friends,
Week 5 of the 2025 Legislative Session marked a series of significant wins for our priority bills, each successfully navigating through crucial committees despite yet another week of substantial resistance from leftist opponents.
Our bill sponsors demonstrated exceptional resilience and leadership, steering us toward one of the most triumphant weeks to date as we near the midpoint of the session. As we come to the end of Week 5, it is that time of session that bills begin to die, and our team at Florida Family Voice is narrowing our agenda to best focus on the remaining priorities that have a chance at passage.
The two major victories this week came during a lively session on Thursday. The House floor was the stage for an intense debate over the Initiative Petitions for Constitutional Amendments Reform Act, spearheaded by Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka. This legislation, catalogued under HB 1205, proposed tighter controls on the process of amending the state constitution through citizen-led ballot initiatives. It called for enhanced signature verification, restricted petition circulator activities, and increased transparency to curb out-of-state influence and ensure that amendments truly represent the desires of Florida residents.
Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka gives closing debate on HB 1205
Rep. Persons-Mulicka skillfully navigated hours of rigorous questioning, numerous amendments, and substantial opposition to defend the bill’s objectives of bolstering the amendment process’s integrity and minimizing fraud and external manipulation. After a robust exchange, the House cast their votes, resulting in a 76-31 passage in favor of the bill, which was then forwarded to the Senate.
Shortly after, Rep. Nan Cobb presented the Surrendered Infants Procedures and Baby Box Act. This bill sought to enhance safe haven laws by extending the timeframe for legally surrendering newborns and introducing baby boxes for anonymous drop-offs. It also aimed to improve legal protections for parents and streamline the adoption process for surrendered infants. After a compelling presentation by Rep. Cobb and brief, supportive discussions across the aisle, the bill was put to a vote and passed unanimously, marking a significant step forward in child welfare and a moment of unity in the House.
Highlighted below are just a few of our key committee victories from this past week. For a deep dive into all our legislative successes, please CLICK HERE for our detailed Insider’s Agenda Report.
Committee Victories from Week 5
Parental Rights in Healthcare Act (HB 1505/SB 1288)
Sponsored by: Rep. Rachel Plakon and Sen. Erin Grall
Victory: On Monday, the House bill passed its first committee, while on Tuesday, the Senate version passed its second of three committees. The opposition completely ignored the blatant violations of parental rights that were highlighted in testimony, justifying their position based on the existence of bad and abusive parents, indirectly implying that all parents should be treated as abusive and harmful by default.
Bill Summary: 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.
FFV’s Aaron DiPietro testifying in committee in support of restoring
parental rights in healthcare.
Protecting Minors from Obscenity in Education Act (SB 1539)
Sponsored by: Rep. Doug Bankson
Victory: On Wednesday, the bill passed its first House committee despite misinformed opposition.
Bill Summary: 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.
The Unborn Child Parent’s Survivor Act (HB 1517/SB 1284)
Sponsored by: Sen. Erin Grall and Rep. Sam Greco
Victory: The Senate bill passed its second committee and heads to its last committee, while the House version passed its last committee and is heading to the House floor. Despite opposition from proabortion radicals—who fiercely opposed any attempt to compare unborn babies to children outside the womb—the bills passed with decent majorities, mostly along party lines. The exception was GOP Sen. Tom Leek, who voted no, not because he opposed the recognition of the unborn, but due to concerns about the language opening up the door for excessive frivolous lawsuits.
Bill Summary: This bill allows parents to file civil lawsuits for the wrongful death of an unborn child. It recognizes an unborn child as a separate legal entity and extends legal protections to ensure accountability in cases of negligent or intentional harm. The legislation creates new avenues for parents to seek damages for emotional and financial loss resulting from the wrongful death of their unborn child, further humanizing the unborn in state statute.
Office of Faith and Community Act (SB 820)
Sponsored by: Sen. Clay Yarborough
Victory: The bill passed its first Senate committee with only one no vote.
Bill Summary: This bill codifies the Gov. DeSantis-created Office of Faith and Community within the Executive Office of the Governor. The office exists to foster collaboration between faith-based organizations and state agencies, working tirelessly to remove bureaucratic obstacles that often prevent religious organizations from serving the most vulnerable in our state.
FFV’s Aaron DiPietro testifying in committee in support of codifying
the Office of Faith and Community
The Hope Florida Program Act (HB 1327/SB 1144)
Sponsored by: Sen. Danny Burgess and Rep. Anne Gerwig
Victory: Both bills passed their first committees on Tuesday, with only one no vote in the Senate Committee.
Bill Summary: This act codifies into law the premier initiative that First Lady Casey DeSantis has been pursuing, designed to expand the state’s initiative by connecting families in need with community-based support rather than relying solely on government intervention. The act establishes “Hope Navigators” who offer personalized assistance, linking individuals to a network of nonprofits, churches, and ministries that can help meet their needs. We are extremely excited to see this revolutionary approach to welfare that is already making a difference in our state.
FFV’s Aaron DiPietro testifying in committee in support of codifying the incredible work of the Hope Florida Program in revolutionizing the state welfare system by engaging private ministries, churches, and nonprofits in caring for those in need.
As I continue to report victories from the frontlines, I am reminded that the success we celebrate today is a direct result of the unwavering prayers and steadfast support from our dedicated friends and the work of so many who have gone before.
For those led to further standing with us financially, including as a monthly Faithful Friend, you can provide your support by clicking HERE.
Your involvement is crucial and truly transformative, and we could not do this without your support. In a world often mired in uncertainty and seeking direction, Florida Family Voice remains a voice standing for truth, for life, and for the family.
With gratitude,
Aaron DiPietro
Legislative Affairs Director
Florida Family Voice
This is the fifth week of Legislative Session 2025, and the Church Ambassador Network of Florida is over halfway completed with the Florida Capitol Project and connecting the ministers of Florida churches with the civic representatives of our state. This past week I had the joy of hosting a group of administrators and pastors from South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary, along with pastoral representation from Jacksonville. For the second time during this legislative session, we had to divide the group in order to effectively minister and distribute the personalized Bibles.
For perspective and context on what it means to have multiple groups, one must understand that previous Capitol Projects have kept the group together for TWO important reasons:
1) The ministry template which is taking place is important, and it has taken time to train and release those “veteran” pastors who can take the lead with new groups.
2) The ministry to our legislators is most effective in small groups due to the philosophy of ministry transparency, as well as the logistics of the office complex.
Our ability to divide into multiple groups is an encouraging sign that the quality of ministry, leadership ability, and numbers of attenders has been increasing. This is obviously a moment to rejoice that God has favored our efforts and faithfulness over the past 7 years.
As I reported on previous weeks, the excitement over the personalized, leather-bound Bibles has not ceased amongst our legislators. The reports of gratitude and amazement with regard to the quality of these Bibles keeps streaming to us. These Bibles have literally become “door-openers” with representatives and senators from both sides of the aisle. Of course, every individual is important and precious in the sight of the Lord, but to reach both representatives and legislative aides has been remarkable. The quality and impact of the 2025 Florida Capitol Project have been the strongest we have ever experienced. Clearly, the Church of Jesus Christ in Florida is God’s plan A for long-term, generational impact.
I know that there will be Christian people reading this report who have never supported Florida Family Voice. In fact, some may even be uncertain how their financial resources fit within the government sphere while holding to a biblical worldview. May I suggest that you begin to see government as a mission field which needs committed “missionaries” to spread the Gospel and disciple civic leaders according to the Scriptures. At FFV, and certainly most directly at the Church Ambassador Network, we see our work of advocating and ministering as a civic mission. We are taking the Gospel and the Great Commission and applying it to the civic arena. Missionaries need committed financial partners to continue the work.
Would you take this moment and join me in:
1) thanking God for the blessing of living in Florida and the amazing work which has both glorified God and caused Florida to be a national rudder for the rest of the nation.
2) praying that Philippians 1:6, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.”, would be the passion of FFV as we continue to do the work God has called us to.
3) seeking God’s direction if you are being asked by the Lord to release a financial gift in support of this work. It is the consistent, faithful gifts of our friends and partners which keep us on the civic mission field.
I am excited about week six, which is just around the corner, and having the honor of hosting our largest group of pastors and Christian leaders EVER in the history of FCP. God is doing a great work! I hope you will help us continue to grow and minister.
Thank you so much,
Kevin Baird, D.Min.
Executive Director
Church Ambassador Network of Florida
