Florida Senator Dana Young Files Key Legislation to Address Citizen Concerns for the 2018 Legislative Session

In direct response to specific issues brought to light by her constituents, Florida Senator Dana Young (R-Tampa) today announced a list of three bills she has filed for the 2018 Legislative Session. These priorities include Senate Bill 564, relating to John M. McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities; Senate Bill 566, relating to Unlawful Detention by a Transient Occupant; and Senate Bill 568, relating to Telephone Solicitation.
“I am proud of the bills I have filed for the upcoming legislative session, and know the positive impact they will have on the Tampa Bay area and Florida in its entirety,” said Senator Young. “Many of these bills came to fruition after Floridians came to me seeking justice, fairness or answers for issues they’ve encountered. While all bills I file are important the ones specifically addressing issues raised by my constituents are particularly meaningful.”
“From improving landlord tenant laws, to updating Florida’s ‘Do Not Call’ list and guaranteeing our Florida students with special needs receive the best education possible, I am proud to do my part in ensuring we continue to better our great state,” said Senator Young.
SB 564, relating to John M. McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities: In Florida, students with severe physical or psychological disabilities that may be confined to hospital or homebound living requirements are provided an Individual Education Plan (IEP), with varying level of services. Such IEPs impact the matrix of services provided, which in turn impact the scholarship funding students are eligible for under the McKay and Gardiner Scholarship Programs. Often, hospital or homebound education is a much lower level of service than they would receive in a traditional school setting; and therefore, much less expensive. The “McKay Scholarship Fix” would allow parents to request their child’s IEP be evaluated and updated prior to applying for a scholarship, as the Gardiner Scholarship Program does, to reflect a full-time education plan when they transition back to a school setting.
SB 566, relating to Unlawful Detention by a Transient Occupant: Currently, Florida Statute 82.045 does not specify when a transient occupancy terminates and what rights a transient occupant has to retrieve property. This bill seeks to resolve a legal ambiguity that arises when a homeowner provides another adult with a temporary place to stay and then they refuse to leave when they are no longer welcome. This lack of clarification makes it difficult for law enforcement to determine whether someone is a tenant or a transient. SB 566 aims to eradicate the ambiguity regarding transient occupants and their belongings, which often arises when adult children move in with their parents for a period of time.
SB 568, relating to Telephone Solicitation: As solicitors have developed new technology that allows them to directly leave messages on a consumer’s mobile phone voicemail, this bill will modernize the “Do Not Call” list so these tactics can no longer be used against Florida consumers.
To read the bills Senator Young has filed in full, please visit FLSenate.gov/Senators/S18.