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Florida Legislature 2005 (click for ongoing coverage)

THE LATEST Man gets $2M for 22 years he lost Mystery: Who left money faucet on? Many hurricane relief measures get blown away Dramatic proposal, cautious response Legislature doesn't act on minimum wage deal For open-government cause: 'a mixed bag'

Juvenile offenders would get a leg up on finding jobs

Today is Day 24 of the 60-day session of the Florida Legislature.

High-risk juvenile offenders nearing the end of their sentences could be able to return to their community for up to three days to interview for jobs or enroll in school under a bill approved Wednesday by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.

"What we're trying to do is provide ... an opportunity to make a transition back into the community," said Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa. The temporary release would require a judge's approval.

The measure (SB 1978) would also allow judges to sentence juvenile offenders to day treatment programs - a change proposed in several bills this year. It also creates a juvenile sex offender task force and provider certification task force.

Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Indialantic, voted against the bill and said he was concerned it could allow potentially violent offenders back out on the street too soon.

But Crist said the steps were important to help juveniles assimilate after their sentences.

"Punishment is part of the process, but a larger part of the process is the rehabilitation programs," Crist said.

A bill that would free individuals from paying alimony to a former spouse who is living with another person, even if they are not married, moved ahead.

The Senate proposal (SB 152) would authorize courts to modify or terminate alimony if there is proof a former spouse is cohabiting with a person of the opposite sex without being legally married.

Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, is proposing the legislation.

A companion measure (HB 1181) is moving through House committees.

Another legislative committee has endorsed the idea of giving state lawmakers the opportunity to stay in office up to 12 years.

Term limits approved by voters in 1992 limit legislators now to eight years in the same office.

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the proposal (CS-SJR 1210) to give lawmakers another four years.

To take effect, the change would have to be approved by voters. It would not apply to current lawmakers.

Sen. Jim Sebesta, R-St. Petersburg, sponsor of the measure, said eight is an arbitrary figure and it would be better to keep experienced legislators in office.

A proposal that would ban lobbyists from serving on the state's Commission on Ethics or any commission member from lobbying state or local government officials is headed for a final vote in the Senate.

The measure (SB 1856), sponsored by Majority Leader J. Alex Villalobos, R-Miami, and backed by President Tom Lee, would exempt those currently holding such positions until their term is up.

There is no companion bill in the House, so this one would have to pass there as well, in addition to winning the signature of Gov. Jeb Bush.

Lee, however, expects no strenuous opposition.

"The House recognizes what my priorities are and where the House has priorities I recognize what they are," Lee said. "I don't know about them, but I'm leaving here with mine and that's the way it's going to be."

People who want to change the state Constitution would have to get more votes and could tackle fewer issues under a package of proposed changes that cleared its last Senate committee.

Changing the citizen initiative process has been a top goal for the Legislature for a couple of years.

The changes are heading to the Senate floor after approval in the Judiciary Committee. If ultimately approved by the Legislature, the final say would be up to voters in November 2006.

One change would require 60 percent of the votes for any proposed constitutional amendment to be approved.

Another would limit the issues that could be handled by citizen initiative to basic rights of people, the fundamental structure of government and existing provisions.

A third would require two-thirds, or about 67 percent, approval for any citizen initiative that would have a "significant" fiscal impact on the state - one-tenth of 1 percent or more of the state budget. The threshold for that is about $60-million now.

For information about legislation, call 1-800-342-1827 toll-free or (850) 488-4371 during business hours.

The Legislature's official Web site: www.leg.state.fl.us

Capitol Update, a half-hour TV program on the day's legislative highlights, airs weeknights on public stations. Some government access channels offer live daytime coverage of some floor sessions and committee meetings. Check TV schedules for times.

[Last modified March 31, 2005, 01:27:20]