2023 Florida Legislature

"It’s not done until it’s done," says Stephanie Pineiro, executive director at Florida Access Network.

The 19-0 vote by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee moves the legislation to a vote by the full state Senate. The House will also vote on a matching bill.

The bill passed a Senate committee after emotional testimony from both sides. It will next go before the Senate floor on Thursday.

The Senate Health Policy Committee approved the bill, while the House Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee is slated to take up its version on Tuesday.

A Jacksonville nurse told a state House panel that the bill would give her more tools to use when dealing with misbehaving patients and gave examples.

The House version of the proposal would extend the ban to children already receiving treatments. It would also stop insurance companies from covering gender-affirming surgeries for transgender adults.

The GOP-controlled Committee on Health Policy approved the Senate version of the bill after listening to people on both sides of the debate.

Bill sponsor Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka says the bill “promotes life” and supports families. Bill opponent Rep. Christine Hunschofsky describes it as a “de facto abortion ban.” A Senate panel considers the bill Monday.

Daniel Perea has served kratom behind the bar of Mai Kai for nearly four years. He said the kratom community in Gainesville has grown throughout his time, where more people come regularly to hang out or do work on their laptops.

Republican State Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, the bill's sponsor, says he hopes the measure would make the process of opening a portable kitchen more accessible for business owners.