Florida Legislature

The Florida Legislature balked this year at a bill that would decriminalize fentanyl test devices, which remain illegal in about half of the states under drug paraphernalia laws adopted decades ago, drug policy experts say.

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently weighing the future of a Mississippi law that inspired the Florida bills.

A measure aimed at improving tenant safety after a college student was slain in her Orlando apartment is advancing in the Legislature.

The Supreme Court last week left in place a Texas law that bars abortions after the first six weeks of pregnancy. Now, pro-choice advocates say the ruling may bolster similar efforts in other states, including Florida.

In a joint motion, attorneys for the parents and the DeSantis administration said the case was moot because of a law passed during a special session this month.

Sen. Elizabeth Fetterhoff reintroduced her bill, saying she opposes vaccine mandates for first responders because of the potential for mass resignations that threaten public safety.

During Tuesday's media briefing, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre asked, "why are these legislators, these Republicans ... getting in the way of saving lives,"

The question was raised at a recent school board meeting. Could the special session end with a way to remove members who defy state rules? Scott Stephens, a Stetson law professor, offers perspective.

COVID-19 has highlighted how older Americans are cared for, the special vulnerabilities they face, and the challenges families have to confront when making caregiving decisions.

The state, which continues to wait for FDA approval, expects to import drugs to treat asthma, COPD, diabetes, hepatitis C, HIV and AIDS, and mental health conditions.

We spoke with Mary Ziegler, author of "Abortion and the Law in America: Roe v. Wade to the Present," about the implications of a bill proposed for the next legislative session.

House Appropriations Chairman Jay Trumbull pointed to the decision to reopen Florida’s economy while other states remained on pandemic lockdown as a reason Florida's budget is in "great shape."