TALLAHASSEE (FBW)-A bill on parental notification of parents of minors seeking an abortion quickly rose to the top of the agenda during the opening week of the 2004 Florida Legislative Session which began March 2. The parental notice measure was only one indication of the legislature's intent to move legislation with haste.

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Bill Bunkley, legislative consultant for the Florida Baptist Convention, said members of both chambers of the legislature "swiftly" got down to the business of passing bills of mutual interest.

"They appear to want to take care of the state's business in such a way as to be perceived as effectively marshalling the state's resources," Bunkley told Florida Baptist Witness, calling the action a departure from previous sessions, which have been marked regular stalemates between the House and Senate.

Although optimistic for now, Bunkley said, "that's not to say the remaining weeks won't have items of contention that may upset the current pace."

The House early in the week set aside a parental rights bill (HJR 159) sponsored by House Speaker Johnnie Byrd (R-Plant City), which would have sought to amend Florida's Constitution to ensure "parents have a fundamental right to raise, educate and care for their children."

Senate President Jim King (R-Jacksonville) had said he would not support the parental rights amendment, but would consider a narrower measure requiring notification of parents before an abortion is performed on their minor daughters.

The issue came to the forefront last July when the Florida Supreme Court ruled that a 1999 parental notification law violated a minor's constitutional right to privacy.

"There is some confusion over the process of deciding whether the appropriate thing is to pass the overall parental empowerment amendment or to go with the more restrictive parental notification measure," Bunkley said.

Friday, March 5 the broader measure stalled in the House while an amendment calling for judicial bypass in the case of "rape or incest or other criminal wrongdoing" was added.

"There is more of a tendency to acquiesce in the process of legislative compromise," said Bunkley, given this is an election year and several legislators will be involved in high-profile campaigns. "It's important they not appear to be bolting from core values on particular issues," he said.

Bunkley, who monitors bills which may be of interest to Florida Baptists, said this year's measures run the gamut from instant bingo to the regulation of abortion clinics.

A number of gambling initiatives, including cruises to nowhere, waivers to conduct high stakes nationally televised poker games and bills allowing video lottery machines are all being introduced "once again," according to Bunkley.

"Those opposed to those activities should remain exceptionally vigilant during the entire session," Bunkley warned. "As society becomes more and more permissive, they incrementally get closer and closer to trying to obtain their objectives."

Speaking specifically about "instant bingo," Bunkley said there can be a misconception that the practice is similar to other forms of bingo already allowed by state law. Instant bingo, however, does not include social interaction, Bunkley said, and should be viewed an attempt to expand gambling in Florida.

Problematic with this particular kind of legislation is that it is being promoted as a benefit to veteran's groups.

"In light of the war and the sacrifice given by Florida military members, the legislature seems to be of the mood to give the veteran's groups exactly what they are asking for," Bunkley said. "And because Florida Baptists tend to stand 100 percent behind their veterans and their organization, that makes it a little more difficult to oppose.

"But we have to be consistent in our opposition and our reasons for opposition," asserted Bunkley.

Other bills certain to surface in this year's session are related to abortion; faith-based planning and funding; equal rights; suicide; homosexuality and hate crimes; unborn child manslaughter; adoption; church day care centers; specialty license plates; adult entertainment; and nutrition and hydration.

In forthcoming issues, the Witness will report developments during the legislative session. Breaking news related to the 2004 Florida Legislative Session will be available by accessing the Witness Web site.

Contacting your legislators

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