Legislators strip local governments of ability to regulate home-based businesses Mary Ellen Klas, The Miami Herald
May 1 TALLAHASSEE A bill that sent one of the strongest shudders through city and county governments because it prevents them from imposing new regulations on home-based businesses was passed Friday after the Florida Senate narrowly approved it on a botched vote on the final day of the legislative session.
A priority of House Speaker Chris Sprowls, SB 403 requires local governments to regulate home-based businesses the same way they approach other commercial enterprises. Critics warn that it will dismantle local zoning laws and leave neighborhoods unprotected against unwanted commercial activity, unless they have a homeowners association.
Florida lawmakers send lifeline to families with brain-damaged children Daniel Chang and Carol Marbin Miller, The Miami Herald
Apr. 30 After a dramatic and emotional 72 hours in Tallahassee, Florida lawmakers late Thursday approved a sweeping overhaul of the state s controversial compensation program for catastrophically brain-damaged newborns, agreeing to a package of reforms meant to improve the lives of struggling families.
The legislation revamping the Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association, or NICA, delivers new benefits and protections for 215 families in the program, including mental health services, representation on the board of directors and retroactive compensation of $150,000.
The bill now goes to the desk of Gov. Ron DeSantis. If he signs the legislation, the new provisions will take effect immediately.
Florida lawmakers send lifeline to families with brain-damaged newborns
The weekâs drama heralds a new reality for hundreds of families scattered throughout the state.
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Delaina Parrish is today able to communicate because of a machine that translates her eye movements into words. The machine came from the manufacturer, not from Floridaâs Birth-related Neurological Injury Compensation Association, or NICA. She recently graduated from the University of Florida. [ EMILY MICHOT | Miami Herald ]
By Daniel Chang and Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald
Published Yesterday
Updated Yesterday
After a dramatic and emotional 72 hours in Tallahassee, Florida lawmakers late Thursday approved a sweeping overhaul of the stateâs controversial compensation program for catastrophically brain-damaged newborns â agreeing to a package of reforms meant to improve the lives of struggling families.