All of us at Florida Citizens’ Alliance commend and thank Governor DeSantis for calling this Special Legislative Session to fulfill the primary responsibility of government; securing the rights of the people. As the Declaration of Independence affirms, Americans form government to secure their rights. The Special session is now Nov 15-19: https://www.flgov.com/2021/10/29/governor-ron-desantis-announces-date-of-special-session-to-protect-florida-jobs/ By calling a special legislative session to strengthen parental rights and protect health care rights, our Governor is leading the nation in defending and preserving the rights of the people. When you send this Action Alert, it will go to your own legislators urging them to support the Governor’s Initiative It is time for your Florida House Representatives and Senators to prove they will aggressively support “Keep Florida Free”. We urge you to demand your legislators to join us in supporting the Governor’s initiative. There is no room for equivocation! Together, we can show people everywhere that Florida is a land of liberty where free people thrive. Together we can lead the nation through the uncertainty and chaos of our times to the bright future embodied by the resolve and resilience of the people of Florida. Let the bright sunshine of Florida banish the darkness of masks and mandates. When liberty is secured, hope is renewed! Tell your legislators to Vote yes on these 4 bills: SB 2B / HB 1B: REJECT COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATES Sponsored by Senator Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) and Representatives Erin Grall (R-Vero Beach) and Ralph Massullo (R-Lecanto), this comprehensive legislation protects students, parents, employees and employers in our state by creating a framework for employees to make the best decision for their health and affirming the rights of parents to make health care decisions for their children. What this bill does: Creates Options for Private-Sector Employers and Employees Specifically, the legislation prohibits employers from having a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for employees without providing at least the five following individual exemptions: 1. Medical reasons, as determined by a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant. Medical reasons include pregnancy or expectation of pregnancy. 2. Religious reasons, based on a sincerely held belief 3. Immunity based on prior COVID-19 infection, as documented by a lab test 4. Periodic testing, agreeing to comply with regular testing at no cost to the employee 5. Personal protective equipment (PPE), agreeing to comply with use of employer-provided PPE Prohibits Vaccine Mandates for Government and Education Employees The legislation builds on provisions of SB 2006, passed earlier this year, by affirming that no public educational institution or governmental entity may require COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. Protects Parents as the Sole Decision Makers for their Children The legislation makes it clear that parents and guardians have the sole discretion regarding whether their child will wear a mask in school and prohibits schools from requiring a COVID-19 vaccine. The legislation also prohibits quarantining of asymptomatic students and teachers to mitigate harm of learning loss. Enforces Measures with Fines and Parent Cause of Action If an employee is improperly denied an exemption, they can file a complaint with the Attorney General. Fines of up to $50,000 apply for employers who improperly terminate an employee, or the employer can reinstate the employee. If a public employee rights’ are violated, the Department of Health may fine per violation, not to exceed $5,000. Furthermore, parents and guardians have the right to sue to stop the mandate and can recover their attorney fees and court costs to help ensure that the above provisions regarding their children are not violated. SB 4B/ HB 3B: PROTECT PRIVATE HEALTH CARE AND RELIGIOUS INFORMATION Sponsored by Senator Burgess and Representatives Massullo and Grall, the legislation protects workers from undue retaliation by creating a public records exemption for certain information, such as personal medical information or information regarding an employee’s religious beliefs, contained in files created during an investigation of an employer that refuses to provide the individual exemptions or terminates an employee based on COVID-19 vaccination status. SB 6B/ HB 5B: BEGIN WITHDRAWING FROM OSHA Sponsored by Senator Travis Hutson (R-St. Augustine) and Representative Ardian Zika (R-Land O’Lakes), the legislation takes the first step toward developing a proposal to withdraw from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration and assert state jurisdiction over occupational safety and health issues. SB 8B/ HB 7B: REMOVE AUTHORITY OF STATE HEALTH OFFICER TO ORDER VACCINATIONS Sponsored by President Pro Tempore Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach) and Representative Alex Andrade (R-Pensacola), the legislation repeals provisions of existing law, which have never been used, that could allow the State Health Officer to force vaccinations on Floridians.
