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House Judiciary Committee Approves Bill to Prevent Attacks Against Law Enforcement Officers

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The House Judiciary Committee today approved by voice vote the Protect and Serve Act of 2018 (H.R. 5698). This bill, authored by Congressman John Rutherford (R-Fla.), provides a significant deterrent for those seeking to attack police officers.

Attacks against police officers continue to rise across the country. For instance, in July 2016, police officers in Dallas, Texas were ambushed and fired upon, resulting in the death of five police officers and injuring another nine. Ten days later, six police officers were shot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Three officers died and three were hospitalized. And just last month, two sheriffs’ deputies were gunned down eating at a Chinese food restaurant in a suspected ambush in Gainesville, Florida. In 2016 alone, 64 police officers died in action and 21 in ambush style attacks – police ambush deaths were up 250%.

To combat attacks against police officers, the Protect and Serve Act allows for the federal prosecution of those who knowingly cause or attempt to cause significant bodily injury to any law enforcement officer. In order to qualify for federal prosecution, the victim must either be a federal law enforcement officer, or, if a state or local officer, there must be a nexus to interstate commerce.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Congressman Rutherford praised today’s approval of the bill in the statements below.

Chairman Goodlatte: “Every day, police officers across the country put their lives at risk to keep Americans safe. From routine duties to emergency responses, danger is always lurking for the men and women who wear the badge. Sadly, our nation has witnessed an increase in attacks against law enforcement officers in recent years and these attacks show no signs of stopping. We must do more to prevent attacks against our nation’s heroes. TheProtect and Serve Act provides a new tool to deter attacks on police officers by allowing for the federal prosecution of those who attack or seek to harm them. I applaud Representative John Rutherford for introducing the Protect and Serve Act and am pleased the House Judiciary Committee today approved this bill. I also want to thank Representative Ken Buck for his work on this issue, and his dedication to protecting and serving the men and women of law enforcement.”

Congressman Rutherford: “As a career law enforcement officer and sheriff of Jacksonville for 12 years, I know what officers go through every day when they put on their uniform, say goodbye to their families, and go out on the streets doing the important work of protecting our communities. With an uptick in ambush attacks on law enforcement, like we saw last month in Trenton, Florida, we must ensure that there are steep consequences for anyone who targets our law enforcement officers. The Protect and Serve Act will serve as a significant deterrent for anyone who deliberately targets officers with violence. I want to thank my friend, Congresswoman Val Demings for her leadership on this bill and for her support of law enforcement officers across the country.”

The Protect and Serve Act is supported by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Major Cities Chiefs Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, National Association of Police Organizations, National Sheriffs Association, National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, and Sergeants Benevolent Association NYPD.

CFO Jimmy Patronis Debunks Top Hurricane Insurance Myths

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During National Hurricane Preparedness Week’s “Get an Insurance Check Up” day, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis reminds Floridians that now, more than ever, is the time to prepare for the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season. In his continued efforts to ensure Floridians are well-prepared, CFO Patronis has debunked the top myths and most common insurance-related misunderstandings when preparing and recovering from a tropical weather event.

“The 2017 Hurricane Season impacted virtually every county in Florida, with Hurricane Irma resulting in more than $8.6 billion in insured losses,” said CFO Jimmy Patronis. “From property damage ranging from wind to flood, my office fielded more than 9,300 calls and received about 2,500 complaints stemming from the nearly 1 million insurance claims filed from Hurricane Irma alone. We recovered millions for Floridians, but found the majority of the complaints stemmed from a few common misunderstandings.”

MYTH 1: I already have homeowner’s insurance, so everything on my property is covered and I’m financially prepared for the storm season.
FACT: All homeowner’s insurance policies contain limitations and exclusions. Also, you may need a separate policy for windstorm or flood if these coverages are not included in your homeowner’s policy. It is important to review your policy to understand your coverages and exclusions.

MYTH 2: When an insurance company denies a claim, or provides an inadequate claim payment, I must pay out-of-pocket to cover any additional expenses from damages that occurred to my property.
FACT: You should always get a second opinion to verify the cause of loss and/or the cost to repair or replace the damage.

MYTH 3: When contractors offer to waive my insurance deductible to provide repairs at a discounted rate, this is simply a kind gesture. 
FACT: Waiving the deductible or providing a discounted rate directly to you is a form of insurance fraud.

MYTH 4: An Assignment of Benefits (AOB) agreement is the only way to get immediate assistance for Floridians who have damage to their property.
FACT: You do not need to sign an Assignment of Benefits to get your residence repaired, even for emergency repairs. You should make first contact with your insurance company by immediately reporting the claim.

MYTH 5: Insurance companies can take as long as they want to respond to an insurance claim filed by Floridians. 
FACT: Typically, insurance companies must acknowledge your insurance claim within 14 days from the date the claim was reported and they must pay undisputed amounts of your claim within 90 days from the date of damage.

MYTH 6: If my neighbor’s property is blown into my yard and damages my own property, my neighbor’s insurance will cover the cost of damage.
FACT: The damage to your property is covered by your own homeowner’s insurance policy, unless, you can prove your neighbor was negligent then the damage would be covered under their homeowner’s policy.

MYTH 7: My insurance agent is the only person I need to contact when filing an insurance claim.
FACT: While you may call your agent, you should immediately report the claim to your insurance company. Most insurance companies have a toll-free claim number to report your claim.

CFO Patronis oversees Florida’s Insurance Consumer Helpline (Helpline) which assists consumers with any insurance-related questions, concerns, or complaints they may have. Since taking office in July 1, 2017, CFO Patronis’ Helpline has recovered more than $37.9 million for Floridians with $10.7 million stemming directly from inquiries related to Hurricane Irma. These are funds the consumer would not have recovered from their insurance company had they not reached out to the Helpline for assistance.

Consumers who have questions about their insurance coverage and how to financially prepare for the upcoming hurricane season are encouraged to call CFO Patronis’ Helpline at 1-877-693-5236 or visit myfloridacfo.com/Division/Consumers. The Helpline also provides consumers with a place to obtain contact information for their insurance company, verify the license of an insurance agent or adjuster and much more. 

LeadingAge Florida promotes Dawn Jiménez to Vice President of Operations

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LeadingAge Florida, Florida’s only association representing the entire continuum of care for older adults, announced today the promotion of Dawn Jiménez to Vice President of Operations.

Ms. Jiménez joined LeadingAge Florida nearly four years ago as its Executive Operations Manager. In her new role, she is responsible for overseeing the association’s overall operations, as well as its continuing professional education and events, group purchasing, and event exhibits and sponsorships.

“Dawn has been a tremendous asset to me and to our association,” said Steve Bahmer, LeadingAge Florida President and CEO.  “I’m very excited to have her join our leadership team.  She is a terrific problem-solver, communicator and leader, and she will serve our members exceptionally well.”

Jiménez is a native of the San Francisco area, where she began her career in finance with the Ford Motor Company. She later moved up quickly at Triad Systems Corporation (now Epicor), where she was a National Account Manager and the Western Area Education Manager.

A graduate of St. Mary’s College in California, Jiménez earned a degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and was a member of the college’s first National Champion women’s soccer team. She lives in Tallahassee with her two daughters and her husband, Dr. Alexander Jiménez, an orchestral conductor and professor in the College of Music at Florida State University.

Established in 1963 as a Florida not-for-profit corporation, LeadingAge Florida is committed to assisting its members in achieving excellence as providers, businesses and employers. The Association provides up-to-date regulatory information, a wide variety of educational opportunities, representation before the Legislature and government agencies, group purchasing services, and opportunities for networking with peers. 

Gov. Scott Attends Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Memorial Service

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Governor Rick Scott today attended the annual Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Memorial Service to honor the officers who have died in the line of duty in Hillsborough County. At the ceremony, Gov. Scott emphasized the importance of supporting and thanking our law enforcement officers.

Governor Scott said, “I was proud to honor our law enforcement heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep others safe today. It’s important for us to honor their service, support their families and respect their legacies. Florida stands strongly behind those who serve.”

Mast Statement On Release of North Korean Prisoners

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U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) today released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced the release of three prisoners held in North Korea:

“Today’s announcement that President Trump and Secretary Pompeo have secured the release of three North Korean prisoners is incredible news.  It is a time of celebration for our nation, and most importantly, for those men and their families.

“North Koreans have a long history of promises made and then broken.  In the past, they’ve used the guise of denuclearization talks to buy time as they continue to build up their nuclear weapons, so we must be determined to break this cycle and not to repeat history.  That’s why, during my short time in Congress, we’ve prioritized ratcheting up sanctions on North Korea.  It is clear that this pressure is driving North Korea back to the negotiating table, and now we must continue to exert pressure so we do not make the same mistakes that past Administrations have made with North Korea and the same mistakes that President Obama made with Iran.”

Mayor Carlos Hernandez Endorses Diaz

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The Hialeah Mayor says Diaz’s strong record of accomplishment
in the House makes him the right choice for the Florida Senate.

The Manny Diaz Campaign today announced the endorsement of Hialeah Mayor Carlos Hernandez. Diaz has represented District 103 in the Florida House of Representatives since 2012 and is seeking the District 36 seat in the state senate.

“Manny Diaz is a proven leader and will be an outstanding senator,” said Hernandez. “Throughout his time in the Florida House, he has been a solid advocate for our community, and we need his forward-thinking leadership in the Senate. I look forward to continuing our strong working relationship as we work on a range of issues that make a difference in the lives of our constituents.”

Born in Cuba, Hernandez grew up in Hialeah, which he has served as Mayor since 2011. He has since been re-elected twice to the position. In 2005, he was first elected to the City Council and was chosen by his peers to serve as both Council Vice President and President. Prior to being elected to public office, he was a Hialeah police officer for 23 years.

“It is truly an honor to have Mayor Hernendez’s support,” said Diaz. “Throughout his entire career, he has been a model of distinguished public service, and I appreciate his vote of confidence in me. I look forward to continuing to work with him to make our community even stronger.”

ON THE WEB: votemannydiazjr.com

Paid by Manny Diaz Jr., Republican, for State Senator

CFO Jimmy Patronis’ Division of Investigative and Forensic Services Investigates Insurance Fraud in Williams Murder Case

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In light of the recent arrest of Denise Merrell Williams for her alleged involvement in the murder of Mike Williams following an investigation by state and local law enforcement partners, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis today announced he has directed his Division of Investigative and Forensic Services to investigate alleged life insurance fraud relating to Mike Williams’ disappearance nearly two decades ago.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said: “As a result of the recent findings surrounding Mike Williams’ death, I have directed my office to investigate whether or not his death was part of a scheme to fraudulently profit from his life insurance policies. As this case remains ongoing, we ask members of the community to come forward with any information they may have surrounding this case.”

Members of the community who believe they have information surrounding potential life insurance fraud as it relates to this case are encouraged to contact the CFO’s Fraud Tip Hotline by calling 1-800-378-0445. Callers can choose to remain anonymous and those who provide information that leads to a successful prosecution may be eligible for a cash reward.

Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers Bolsters Communications Efforts

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Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers (FCCC) announced today the addition of two communications professionals: Samadhi Jones, communications manager, and Matthew Forrest, digital communications strategist.

“These professionals will allow FCCC to further amplify the important role of Florida’s court clerks and comptrollers in our state,” commented Chief Communications Officer Molly Kellogg-Schmauch. “It is more important than ever to provide timely and accurate information to the public and we are positioning ourselves to do just that.”

Communications Manager Samadhi Jones has more than a decade of communications experience in state government, non-profit and the public sector. While serving in state government, Jones assisted in raising awareness for legislation relating to school zero tolerance policies, juvenile civil citations, and the human trafficking of youths, among other efforts. Her most recent public sector work focused on the state’s efforts to modernize Florida’s vehicle registration and driver license systems. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Bethune-Cookman University, and holds professional certification as a project manager. She serves on the board of the Tallahassee chapter of the American Advertising Federation.

Digital Communications Strategist Matthew Forrest originally joined FCCC in April 2017 as the digital media specialist and earned an associate degree in Graphics Design from Tallahassee Community College.

Established in 1969, the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers (FCCC) is a statewide, nonprofit member association comprised of the Florida Clerks of the Circuit Court and Comptrollers. FCCC provides local government support services, technical assistance and accreditation opportunities for all members of the association. For more information, visit www.flclerks.com.

Gov. Scott Attends Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Memorial Service

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Governor Rick Scott today attended the annual Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Memorial Service to honor the officers who have died in the line of duty in Pasco County. At the ceremony, Gov. Scott emphasized the importance of supporting and thanking our law enforcement officers.

Gov. Scott said, “Our law enforcement officers leave their families and go to work every day to protect others. We truly cannot thank these men and women enough for the life-saving work they do to protect the families in our state. We will never forget the sacrifice of all those brave men and women who have died in the line of duty.”

Rutherford, Demings Introduce Protect and Serve Act of 2018

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Bipartisan legislation to enhance federal
penalties for targeting law enforcement officers

Congressman and former sheriff of Jacksonville, John Rutherford (FL-04), together with Congresswoman and former chief of the Orlando Police Department, Val Demings (FL-10), introduced H.R. 5698, the Protect and Serve Act of 2018. This bipartisan bill would create federal penalties for individuals who deliberately target local, state, or federal law enforcement officers with violence.

This year alone, 87 officers have been shot in the line of duty, 28 of whom lost their lives. This is 75 percent higher than this time last year. These troubling numbers show a significant, growing trend of armed attacks on law enforcement officers, and steps need to be taken to deter these actions.

“As a career law enforcement officer and sheriff of Jacksonville for 12 years, I know what officers go through every day when they put on their uniform, say goodbye to their families, and go out on the streets doing the important work of protecting our communities,” said Congressman Rutherford. “With an uptick in ambush attacks on law enforcement, like we saw last month in Trenton, Florida, we must ensure that there are steep consequences for anyone who targets our law enforcement officers. The Protect and Serve Act will serve as a significant deterrent for anyone who deliberately targets officers with violence. I want to thank my friend, Congresswoman Val Demings for her leadership on this bill and for her support of law enforcement officers across the country.”

Congresswoman Demings said, “After 27 years in law enforcement, I believe that officers must hold themselves to the highest standards, be accountable to their communities, and perform their duties with honor and integrity. There has been a 75 percent increase in officers shot and killed this year. Ambush-style killings have taken numerous officers’ lives. Last month, two sheriff’s deputies here in Florida were assassinated while eating lunch. We must give our officers the tools, training, and protections needed to be safe on the job. I call on my colleagues in Congress to do our job so our officers can do theirs.”

The Protect and Serve Act has been endorsed by the National Association of Police Organizations, Major County Sheriffs, Sergeants Benevolent Association, and the National Fraternal Order of Police. The bill will now go to the House Committee on the Judiciary, where a full-committee markup will be held before sending the bill to the House floor for passage. The full text of the bill can be found here.