Upcoming Laws to Watch – Faith in Florida Holds Pastors Meeting to Create Political Awareness

Rep. Patricia Williams and Clergy Leaders Call on Residents to Unite and Vote #PompanoStrong

By Kristen Hernandez

Pompano Beach – Over 20 pastors attended an “all hands on deck” meeting, hosted by Reverend Tim Griffith of Faith in Florida, with state Rep. Patricia Williams, D, as special guest speaker at Word of the Living God Church, located at 149 NW 26th Avenue in Pompano Beach. The room had a hushed urgency as community reverends, pastors, ministers, and preachers settled in for an update on some disturbing House and Senate Bills scheduled to become law later this year.

“I don’t owe anyone anything except the people who voted me into this seat,” said Rep. Williams, during the meeting. “I’m here because these laws matter. So do your votes.”

The current division and discord within both major political parties has led to mistrust among Black voters, and for some, the belief that voting is pointless.

“They just don’t want to vote anymore,” said Pastor Terrance Kearney, of Abyssinian Baptist Church. “People feel their vote don’t matter. Citizens need to be re-educated on voting, so they know – their vote matters.”

Bills to Watch

Senate Bill 1264 (SB 1264) – History of Communism – Law will require instruction in schools for students in Pre-K through 12th grade on the history of communism. It also requires the legislature to construct a museum dedicated to the history of communism. The law goes into effect July 1, 2024.

“Why do 5th and 6th graders need to be learning about communism but not black history?” said Rev. Griffith, during the meeting. “Why are our children required to learn this, but not our Black history?”

HB1365/SB1530 – Unauthorized Public Camping/Public Sleeping – Bans any type of public sleeping on any public property within the state of Florida. Republican Senator Jonathan Martin sponsored the bill, which only reshuffles the growing unhoused population. The law goes into effect October 1, 2024.

“For them [policymakers], it’s just another bill,” said Rep. Williams, a Pompano Beach native. “For us, I know the true effect on the people in my community.”

SB1596- Employment for Minors – This bill will allow employers to schedule 16- and 17-year-olds unlimited hours, allowing them to work up until midnight. It’ll also require schools to provide

Careers Education Program Basic Skills classes for as early as 2nd grade. The law goes into effect July 1, 2024.

Florida’s Don’t Say Gay Law – Amendment 25 – Amendment 25 of Florida’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law will ban “classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity” through the 8th grade, expanding from the initial limit of 3rd grade. It will severely limit discussion in high schools, where gender discussions are allowed in an “age appropriate or developmentally appropriate” manner. It will also prohibit instructors from addressing transgender students by their preferred pronoun.

“I’m extremely concerned for our Black and brown LGBTQI+ community,” Pastor Kearney said. “Many of our queer Black residents are afraid to come forward.”

Currently, there are dozens of bills slated to become law sometime this year. With so many bills to track, visit Faith in Florida’s website for updates. Reverand Griffith has also offered to bring any resident that wishes to watch Florida’s once-yearly law-making process, in person on a trip.

“We’re going to charter a bus and take anyone who’s never attended an active legislative session to Tallahassee,” Griffith said. “We’re going #PompanoStrong and witness how laws are passed. Let’s unite and have our community voice heard.”