URGENT ACTION ALERT: Two Attacks on Florida Youth – SB 1288 & SB 676
Senate Rules Committee Vote – Monday, April 21 at 2:00 PM
Florida lawmakers are fast-tracking two dangerous bills that undermine the health, safety, and
labor protections of young people across our state. We must speak out NOW before these
harmful measures advance further.
SB 1288 – Parental Rights
Sponsor: Senator Erin Grall
What It Does:
Eliminates exceptions that allowed minors to consent to health care (e.g., STI treatment and contraception).
Requires parental consent for most surveys/questionnaires, potentially suppressing critical public health data.
Prohibits use of biofeedback devices without parental permission.
Why It Matters:
SB 1288 puts vulnerable minors at risk—especially those who cannot safely involve their
parents in sensitive health issues. It will lead to more untreated STIs, unintended pregnancies,
and health disparities. It also undermines tools schools use to understand and support student
well-being.
SB 676 – Minimum Wage Waivers
Sponsor: Senator Jonathan Martin
What It Does:
Allows employers to pay less than Florida’s minimum wage to youth (under 18) in work-based learning programs like internships or apprenticeships.
Permits minors to waive their right to the state minimum wage, with parental approval.
Why It Matters:
This bill opens the door to legal child labor exploitation under the guise of “learning
opportunities.” At a time when working families are already struggling, SB 676 creates a
pathway for employers to undervalue and underpay Florida’s youngest workers.
TAKE ACTION NOW – BEFORE MONDAY’S VOTE
Contact Senate Rules Committee Members:
Urge them to VOTE NO on both SB 1288 and SB 676.
Emails and phone numbers listed below.
Customize & Send an Email (Examples Below)
Make a Phone Call – It Makes a Difference!
Share this alert with your network.
Sample Email
Subject: Vote NO on SB 1288 and SB 676
Dear Senator [Last Name],
I'm writing to urge you to vote NO on SB 1288 and SB 676. These bills are harmful to Florida’s
youth. SB 1288 strips away young people's ability to access essential health care services
confidentially. SB 676 opens the door to legal wage exploitation of minors.
Florida should be protecting its youth—not restricting their rights or making it easier for them
to be taken advantage of. I respectfully urge you to reject these bills and stand up for the
health, safety, and dignity of all young Floridians.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your City or County]
Sample Phone Call
Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I live in [City/County].
I’m calling to ask Senator [Last Name] to vote NO on SB 1288 and SB 676 in Monday’s Rules
Committee meeting. These bills are harmful to young people’s health and labor rights. We
should be protecting our youth—not taking their rights away.
Thank you.
Senate Rules Committee Contacts
Chair: Kathleen Passidomo – passidomo.kathleen@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5028
Shevrin Jones – jones.shevrin@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5035
Bryan Avila – avila.bryan@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5039
Lori Berman – berman.lori@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5031
Jim Boyd – boyd.jim@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5020
Jennifer Bradley – bradley.jennifer@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5005
Jason Brodeur – brodeur.jason@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5010
Danny Burgess – burgess.danny@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5020
Colleen Burton – burton.colleen@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5002
Tracie Davis – davis.tracie@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5006
Nick DiCeglie – diceglie.nick@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5022
Don Gaetz – gaetz.don@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5001
Ileana Garcia – garcia.ileana@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5036
Joe Gruters – gruters.joe@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5024
Gayle Harrell – harrell.gayle@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5033
Ed Hooper – hooper.ed@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5016
Blaise Ingoglia – ingoglia.blaise@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5021
Jonathan Martin – martin.jonathan@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5033
Rosalind Osgood – osgood.rosalind@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5033
Jason Pizzo – pizzo.jason@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5038
Ana Maria Rodriguez – rodriguez.anamaria@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5039
Darryl Rouson – rouson.darryl@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5019
Corey Simon – simon.corey@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5003
Jay Trumbull – trumbull.jay@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5002
Tom Wright – wright.tom@flsenate.gov – (850) 487-5014
Hope Florida: A Charitable Mask for Political Gain
Hope Florida isn’t a safety net—it’s a slush fund in a sundress. It’s manipulative branding sugar-coated with the word “hope.” Just like “Moms for Liberty,” it says one thing and does the opposite.
As the scandal surrounding the Hope Florida Foundation unfolds, Ron DeSantis and his administration aren’t offering transparency—they’re offering gaslighting.
Instead of addressing serious concerns—like how $10 million from a healthcare settlement mysteriously ended up in a politically connected nonprofit tied to Casey DeSantis—he’s dismissing critics and hiding behind manipulative branding, sugar-coated with words like “hope” and “help.”
But the truth is clear: Hope Florida isn’t about helping Floridians. It’s about helping the DeSantis machine.
This isn’t a social program—it’s a political action committee in disguise, using a charitable front to funnel money, dodge oversight, and build the Governor’s political image while pretending it’s just about “compassion.”
And this tactic? We’ve seen it before.
Moms for Liberty doesn’t protect liberty—it promotes censorship.
Citizens Defending Freedom isn’t defending freedom—it’s undermining public institutions.
North Florida Patriots aren’t standing for everyone—they’re standing for a narrow, exclusionary agenda.
They always hide behind powerful, untouchable words like “hope,” “liberty,” “freedom,” “patriot.” But behind the branding, the goals are clear: control, privatization, and political power.
Hope Florida has now been embedded in public health contracts, funded through questionable settlements, and exposed for sending millions into the political arena—all under the guise of “doing good.”
Links to news articles:
https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/04/11/hope-florida-casey-desantis-donation
-
SOCIAL JUSTICE
We stand together for equality and to ensure basic human rights for us all.
-
ECONOMIC JUSTICE
We stand together to unite a nation divided by wealth inequality & greed.
-
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
We stand together to protect our planet and the land, air, and water that sustain us.
-
DEMOCRATIC JUSTICE
We stand together to fight corruption and return power to the people.
For information about Democratic events taking place in St. Johns County, read our latest newsletters here or click on Calendar above.
Interested in joining the Democratic Executive Committee to become active as a precinct committee person? Contact the office 904-825-2336 or Michelle Jennings 914-310-2001 for more information.
Our office hours are :
Monday: 11 am-3 pm
Tuesday : 11 am-3 pm
Thursday : 11 am-3 pm
Or, by appointment
We invite you to become an active partner with the St. Johns County Democratic Party and look forward to seeing you soon!
– Michelle Jennings
Chair, St. Johns Democratic Party
Contributions to the St. Johns Democratic Party can be made by clicking on the Donate Button above or mailing a check payable to SJC Democratic Party to: St. Johns Democratic Party, 71 South Dixie Highway, Suite 6, St. Augustine, FL 32084.