Florida

AARP Florida Supports House Bill 9: Protection Against Vaccine Fraud

Published

5 years ago

January 24, 2021

Seniors are the targets of COVID-19 vaccine scams, and Florida lawmakers filed House Bill 9 to curtail it. Image: Mary O'Connell/Pexels (screen capture).

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – As the nation looks to the new vaccines as a way back to normalcy, AARP Florida is supporting House Bill 9, which is aimed at stopping COVID-19 vaccine fraud. The Federal Trade Commission warns that scammers and identity thieves are using the vaccine as a new way to gain monetary profits or personal information.

AARP FL State Director Jeff Johnson said, “…Many view the vaccine as the key to relief. Florida ranks second in the nation for fraud, and House Bill 9 is a step in the right direction, allowing our state to take swift action to stop and prosecute scammers looking to take advantage of others during a pandemic.”

How are Scammers Targeting Consumers?

In a recent phone interview, AARP Associate State Director for Advocacy Zayne Smith said they are using every trick in the book, including:

Telephone
Text messages
Email
Snail mail
Fake websites
Social media
Marketing materials directing you to a fake website or phone number

In some cases, the scammers are seeking payment for getting on a vaccine registry or jumping to the front of the line; while in others, they are asking for personal information.

Why House Bill 9?

Current law covers some fraud, but not all, and there are no specific vaccine-related laws. House Bill 9 would change that. The bill partially reads: “protecting consumers against fraud during a pandemic; creating s. 817.504, F.S.; prohibiting dissemination of false or misleading vaccine information in certain circumstances with specified intent; providing criminal penalties; authorizing a state attorney or the statewide prosecutor to prosecute a violation; authorizing the Attorney General to seek civil remedies.”

These actions would now become a third-degree felony for the first offense, and the Attorney General would have the ability to immediately shut down these operations through an injunction or other civil means.

Where is the bill now?

State Representative Ardian Zika introduced the bill on January 7, 2021. It was presented to the House Pandemics and Public Emergencies Committee and later passed that committee by a vote of 16 to 0 with two missed votes on January 14. The bill was also referred to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Subcommittee and the Judiciary Committee on the January 17.

The bill now is being reviewed by the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Subcommittee. Once approved, it will move on to the Judiciary Committee.

Who is adrian zika?

State Reprentative Zika was born in Yugoslavia and moved to Florida in 2005. He is a business owner and Land O’ Lakes, Florida resident received an MBA from St. Leo University in 2012. He was elected to the State House of Representatives in 2018 and has since been reelected. Zika is a member of the following committees:

Joint Legislative Auditing Committee Alternating Chair
Ways & Means Committee Vice Chair
Government Operations Subcommittee
Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee
Insurance & Banking Subcommittee
Pandemics & Public Emergencies Committee
State Affairs Committee

To learn more about how to avoid these scams, click here.

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Lynn DeJarnette is a Florida National News lifestyle reporter. | social@floridanationalnews.com

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Florida

Handshake Snub Overshadows DeSantis’ Last Address as Governor to Joint Legislature

Published

7 days ago

January 15, 2026

Willie David

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered his final State of the State address Tuesday to a joint session of the Florida Legislature, capping his remarks with a visible display of the deepening rift between the governor and House Speaker Daniel Perez.

DeSantis shook hands with Senate President Ben Albritton but appeared to bypass House Speaker Daniel Perez before taking the podium in the House chamber. After finishing his State of the State address, DeSantis exited quickly, leaving before Albritton could direct the sergeant-at-arms to provide the traditional ceremonial escort that formally concludes the appearance.

The moment underscored months of strained relations between the term-limited governor and Republican leaders in the House, even as both chambers begin a high-stakes 60-day session dominated by debates over taxes, insurance, affordability and redistricting.

Final Address Sets a Confrontational Tone

In his last State of the State, DeSantis struck a combative tone as House and Senate leaders advance competing priorities for the session. Republican leaders have pledged to focus on affordability and economic pressures facing Floridians, while maintaining what they describe as a unified GOP agenda.

“From tax-free grocery store food, to diapers, clothes, and supplies for young children, key household safety items, to year-round hurricane preparedness, Florida has been laser-focused on affordability,” Albritton said, emphasizing the Senate’s commitment to cost-of-living relief.

Behind the messaging, however, divisions persist — particularly between DeSantis and Perez, who remains at odds with the governor following disputes over taxes, the budget and legislative authority.

Legislative Agenda and Lingering Disputes

Perez, speaking earlier in the day, outlined an ambitious agenda that prioritizes insurance reform, taxes, the economy, prescription drug prices and rising household costs.

“We stand here today, ready to write the second half to our story,” Perez said during opening day remarks.

He later downplayed the handshake snub, saying, “Whether the governor wants to be petulant and not shake the hand of a partner, that’s not going to change our direction.”

Lawmakers face a crowded agenda, with nearly 1,800 bills filed for consideration. Property taxes and insurance reforms are among the top issues expected to dominate debate.

Redistricting Looms Over the Session

Adding to the tension, DeSantis has warned that the regular session may not be enough. He has already issued a proclamation calling for a special session in April to redraw Florida’s congressional map ahead of the November midterm elections.

State lawmakers have 60 days to pass legislation.

Florida

State Rep. Berny Jacques Files Bill Targeting Illegal Immigration and Employer Penalties

Published

2 weeks ago

January 8, 2026

Willie David

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Rep. Berny Jacques has filed legislation aimed at curbing illegal immigration in Florida by restricting access to financial services, housing assistance, and employment for unauthorized immigrants, while imposing stricter penalties on employers.

The proposal, HB 1307, seeks to eliminate what Jacques describes as incentives for illegal immigration and expand accountability for individuals and businesses that employ unauthorized workers.

Restrictions on Financial and Housing Access
HB 1307 would prohibit the Florida Department of Financial Services from issuing licenses to unauthorized immigrants. The bill also bars unauthorized immigrants from obtaining loans, homeownership assistance, or opening bank accounts in Florida.

In addition, the legislation would ban unauthorized immigrants from sending remittances from within the state, further limiting access to financial systems.

Expanded Employer Liability and Penalties
The bill establishes new penalties for employers who knowingly employ unauthorized immigrants. Employers would be held personally and fully liable for injuries sustained by unlawfully employed workers and could be required to reimburse public funds.

Under HB 1307, penalties escalate with repeated violations. A first violation would result in a one-year suspension of all business licenses and a $10,000 fine per violation. A second violation would lead to a five-year license suspension and fines of up to $100,000 per violation. A third violation would result in permanent revocation of licenses and fines of up to $250,000 per violation.

Employers found to employ 50 or more unauthorized immigrants would commit a third-degree felony and face permanent license revocation. The bill also requires employers to verify worker eligibility through the federal E-Verify system before submitting workers’ compensation claims.

Civil Liability and Auto Insurance Provisions
HB 1307 authorizes a civil cause of action against employers if an unauthorized employee causes injury or death to another person. The bill also includes provisions related to auto insurance claims, stating that unauthorized immigrants involved in motor vehicle accidents would be presumed at fault unless clear and convincing evidence demonstrates otherwise.

“We must remove the magnets for illegal migration and hold those who provide those magnets accountable,” Jacques said, urging lawmakers to support the proposal.

The bill will be considered during the upcoming legislative session.

Florida

Bracy Davis, Rosenwald File Bill to Fix My Safe Florida Home Program Application Barriers

Published

2 weeks ago

January 8, 2026

Willie David

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Senator LaVon Bracy Davis and Representative Mitch Rosenwald have filed legislation aimed at expanding access to the My Safe Florida Home Program by allowing homeowners to reapply when applications were previously deemed abandoned or withdrawn due to errors or omissions.

The measure, SB 1148/HB 1045, would modify program rules to permit subsequent applications when the original filing was rejected because of compliance-related mistakes, provided there is good cause and the applicant corrects the issue in a timely manner.

Expanding Access to Homeowner Assistance
The My Safe Florida Home Program is a state initiative that provides eligible Florida homeowners with inspections and grant funding to help strengthen their homes against storms while reducing insurance costs. The program is administered by the Florida Department of Financial Services.

Current rules allow for reapplication if an application was denied or withdrawn due to errors or omissions. However, the proposed legislation would also allow reapplication when an application was deemed abandoned or withdrawn because of similar compliance-related issues.

Addressing Bureaucratic Barriers
“At a time when Florida’s families are struggling with rising insurance costs, we cannot allow bureaucratic technicalities to block access to affordability tools,” said Bracy Davis, a Democrat from Ocoee.

The bill responds to concerns from homeowners who were unable to submit a new application after their original submission was closed due to misunderstandings or reasonable mistakes regarding program requirements.

Focus on Seniors and Low-Income Homeowners
Rosenwald, a Democrat from Oakland Park, said the legislation is intended to help vulnerable homeowners who rely on the program for financial relief.

“This program can be a lifeline for seniors and low-income homeowners,” Rosenwald said. “In response to Floridians reporting that they were blocked from submitting a new application because of a misunderstanding or reasonable mistake concerning program compliance, I filed this glitch bill.”

If approved, the legislation would ensure more homeowners have access to financial assistance aimed at strengthening homes and improving insurance affordability across Florida.