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ANSWERS TO OBJECTIONS
The Florida legislature won't be in regular session again
until March of 2005. Nothing can be done before then.
If the votes are lined up to pass the Florida Starvation and Dehydration of
Persons with Disabilities Prevention Act, a special session of the
legislature could be called while Terri Schindler-Shiavo still lives. In
fact, "Terri's Law I" was passed at a special session, and a special session
is currently scheduled for after the election to deal with pre-kindergarden
education. We don't want to ask for a special session until we can count the
votes (or very nearly), but the fact that it can be called means legislators
should not refrain from commiting to the bill.
SB 692 is from the last session; it's dead. You have to have a new bill
number before asking for commitments.
SB 692 is the number that was given to the Florida Starvation and
Dehydration of Persons with Disabilities Act when introduced by Senator
Stephen Wise during the regular 2004 session. It is true that, technically,
it would have to be re-introduced with a new number after a special session
was called. (Florida rules prevent any legislator who is opposed for
re-election to introduce bills at this stage.) However, that is a pure
technicality. We identify the bill by its 2004 session number, by which it
may be easily accessed on the Florida governmental website, myflorida.com,
so it will be clear to every legislator what we
are seeking. The mechanics of the exact bill number can be easily handled
once there is a commitment by a majority of Senators and Representatives to
support it.
The Florida Supreme Court has ruled. Nothing more can be done.
The Florida Starvation and Dehydration of Persons
with Disabilities Prevention Act would be a legislative
response to the Florida Supreme ruling, see
Questions and Answers.
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