To kick off Florida's 2022 Legislative Session, Senate Bill 732, known as the "Heat Illness Prevention Bill," unanimously passes the Senate Agriculture hearing. While it was a major victory for SB 732 to pass this committee, unfortunately, the bill was not heard in its two other Senate committees – Health Policy, which subsequently meant it could not be heard in the third committee, Rules. The House refused the hear HB 887 by Rep. Chambliss (D) and Rep. Mooney (R) - SB 732's House equivalent – so the legislation was not heard on either chamber's main floor and did not become law. This bill seeks to protect Florida's outdoor workers from heat-related health conditions through education and prevention strategies. Watch the bipartisan discussion here.

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SNEAK PEEK: "... 'In yesterday’s budget, I put in $8 million for us to be able to transport people here illegally out of the state of Florida,' DeSantis announced in [a] press conference Friday. 'It’s somewhat tongue in cheek, but it is true, if you sent them to Delaware or Martha’s Vineyard or some of these places, that border would be secure the next day'..."

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Anti-immigrant bill, SB 1808, entitled Immigration Enforcement, is signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 16th, 2022. SB 1808, championed by Senator Bean targets private companies that transport unaccompanied children traveling through the state of Florida to seek shelter with faith-based organizations. Discussion from conservative lawmakers favored taking a firm stance on illegal immigration, reasoning that restricting access to the State of Florida is integral in reducing violent crime rates – ignorantly reasoning that immigrants are the most common perpetrators of illegal activity. 

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Read Florida's faith leaders' letter of opposition here.

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WeCount! is a Florida-based grassroots organization that consists of low-wage immigrant workers and families, fighting against causes such as wage theft and gender-based against low-wage workers and working toward heat illness prevention and a more humane immigration system. ¡Qué Calor! is a worker-led campaign rallying to prevent heat related illnesses from devastating Florida's outdoor workers. Read more about WeCount!'s labor-justice movement. 

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The Farmworker's Association of Florida, a long-standing advocate for social and environmental change, is always looking to pioneer and support proactive legislation for Florida's citizens. Using their community-based research methods, they are able to utilize substantive, well-developed educational tools to advance policy and further assist the community. Read about it here. 

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Fourteen law students share a transformative experience brought to you by The Farmworkers Association of Florida, one of our long standing partners. 

 

On March 11, 2022, fourteen Florida State University law students traveled to the Farmworker Association of Florida in Apopka. Alternative Spring Break is without fail a highlight of many students’ law school experience. A phrase repeated in all fourteen individual reflections was “life changing.” What makes the program so special? Four things set this trip apart: (1) the freedom from ignorance that comes from listening to the hard numbers and legislation in workshops, (2) sharing of intimate and powerful testimony, (3) hands-on work experience, and (4) deep bonding through conversation and reflection on difficult topics.

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