The Melo Minute
April 2nd, 2021 — Easter Edition

Team Melo wishes you and your families a wonderful Easter!

The Latest in Tallahassee

Governor DeSantis Signed SB 72 Into Law

Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 72 into law on Monday, March 29th. The bill, entitled Civil Liability for Damages Relating to COVID-19, works to ensure that businesses have certain protections from litigation against them as a result of the pandemic.

For instance, SB 72 makes it so that if a plaintiff attempts to argue that a business did not adequately act in good faith — regarding the health and safety of their employees and customers — then the burden of proof is on the plaintiff to show that failure.

SB 72 appeared before the House last week and I voted in favor of its passage. I have filed similar legislation that works to protect businesses during the pandemic — HB 579. We need to ensure the prosperity of our businesses that are still reeling from COVID.


HB 1637 – Immokalee Water and Sewage District

This bill provides clarity on how Immokalee’s District Board of Commissioners is constituted. Historically, Board members have continued to serve past the expiration of their terms until a successor is appointed. HB 1637 amends the charter of the Immokalee Water and Sewer District by clarifying that members of the Board serve until the Governor appoints their successor.

By clarifying this process, HB 1637 will eliminate any confusion going forward when Immokalee attempts to secure federal grant funds to address local water and sewer issues.

When this bill came before the its final committee, the State Affairs Committee, it was unanimously voted on with 21 members in support of its passage.


Local Happenings

Immokalee Community Park is having an extravagant Easter celebration with an egg hunt, various fun activities, and the Easter Bunny appearing as a special guest. It’s from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Kids should have their own basket for collecting eggs. The address for the event is 321 N. First St., Immokalee. For more information click here!

What We’re Reading…

FGCU, FWC Team up to Restore Lake Trafford Using Eelgrass

WINK News

Collier County Hires a New County Manager
Lynn Alexander

Vaccine Information

Florida Department of Health data reported that Collier County has vaccinated over 119,000 individuals and Hendry County has vaccinated over 5,700. Keep in mind that, according to U.S. census data from 2019, 33% of Collier County’s population are 65 years of age or older and that 14% of Hendry County’s population are 65 years of age or older.

If you or someone you know still needs to get a vaccine, here are some resources you can utilize:
You can pre-register for a vaccine through the State’s system by going to myvaccine.fl.gov, or by calling (866) 201-4885 if you’re in Collier County or (866) 201-6745 if you’re in Hendry County.
CVS website for scheduling an appointment.
Publix website for scheduling a vaccination.
Homebound seniors can get a vaccine by sending an email to HomeboundVaccine@em.myflorida.com

Check Out My Social Media!

Q&A’s

I have a great team here in HD80. We are always ready to help out.
If you have a question you would like for my team and I to address within The Melo Minute feel free to send an email to:

HDIST080@myfloridahouse.gov

Representative Lauren Melo
Florida House District 80

Bill of the Week:
HB 1231 – Domestic Violence

The Fight Against Violence

This week I had the honor of presenting HB 1231 to the House Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee. This is a great bill that’s Co-sponsored by Representative David Borrero. If you click on the image you will be able to watch the entire committee meeting. I present my bill at the 24:40 minute mark!

HB 1231 works to ensure that better funding and fiscal management occurs for our domestic violence centers and reestablishes a standardized batterers’ intervention program in our state.

Under this bill, certified domestic violence centers may carry up to 8 percent of their funding from one fiscal year to the next — whereas current law requires that all of the funds are reabsorbed by the Government. The ability to retain these funds makes it less likely that reckless end of the year spending occurs; thus, increasing the likelihood that funds are used wisely. This type of policy is nothing new, as the Legislature already has this method of funding allocation in place for child welfare community-based agencies.

The bill also makes needed updates to language that brings it to the 21st Century by updating service provision terminology and acknowledging the state’s commitment to addressing the needs of survivors and their dependents. For instance, the bill makes it a point to include that Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy be an available option for survivors, whereas previous language did not have such a specified method of mental health aid.

One of the most integral aspects of the bill is that it reestablishes DCF as the agency that certifies and monitors batterers’ intervention programs statewide. These programs serve as a coordinated response to hold perpetrators of domestic violence accountable, effectuate behavior change, and prevent future domestic violence. Domestic violence advocates, prosecutors, survivors, and BIP providers have raised significant concerns about these programs being localized as the lack of statewide certification and monitoring diminishes the quality of the programs. DCF being the central entity that certifies and monitors BIPs statewide would restore confidence that certified are working to prevent domestic violence.

When I presented the bill to the House Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee on March 8th , it passed unanimously 17-0.

Another Great Bill from Great Colleagues

Serena’s Bill

Here is another great piece of Legislation that is working to end abuse from two great colleagues of mine in the House!

Representatives Jenna Persons-Mulicka and Robin Bartleman have put forward a phenomenal bill. HB 1229, Serena’s Law, closes a current loophole in Florida Law by requiring that the names of persons against whom injunctions to protect minors have been issued show up in online court records so that this information may be captured in background checks. The bill is entitled Serena’s Law after a victim who discovered that their abuser was volunteering at a local youth organization.

In an effort to ensure that these individuals are not able to so freely be around children in our communities, this bill makes it so that it is required by Florida Statute for the county’s clerk of courts and/or the county recorders to include this information on their websites.

Thank you Representative Persons-Mulicka and Representative Bartleman for introducing such great legislation to ensure the safety of our children.

New Vaccine Information

· CVS has begun to have appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine here in Florida. Click here to access their site for scheduling an appointment.

· The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has made it’s way to Florida! 175,000 of their vaccine is currently being distributed throughout the state.

· Florida has launched a new way to help homebound seniors get vaccinated. Send a request to this email: HomeboundVaccine@em.myflorida.com

· The Governor plans to set the age required to get a vaccine 55 years-old or older this month. Eligibility will be lowered to 60+ by Monday, March 15th.

· It is anticipated that 3 million seniors will have been vaccinated in Florida by the end of the week!