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February 1, 2022

A years-long effort to stop the use of seclusion and restraint on disabled children in public schools is getting closer to passing. The measure cleared two big legislative hurdles today (recently) and as Lynn Hatter reports, disability advocates say for kids with disabilities, such restraints could do a lot more harm than they provide help.

A recent case out of Boynton Beach is calling new attention to Marsy’s Law -- Florida’s 2018 law designed to boost and protect crime victims’ rights. A high-profile criminal case in Tallahassee - now before the Florida Supreme Court - may lead to changes in the law. The court is being asked to answer questions surrounding how the law should be applied. Various media and law enforcement organizations are expected to file briefs with the court this month, including the First Amendment Foundation in Tallahassee. Former federal prosecutor Pamela Marsh is the foundation’s executive director. She spoke with Gina Jordan about the issues surrounding Marsy’s Law.

Lawmakers are looking for ways to better care for pregnant people who are incarcerated or facing time behind bars. Regan McCarthy reports part of that plan might be a bill that would let women defer jail-time until after they give birth.

Florida is in the grips of a severe housing crisis, and the Legislature's answer is to give renters an alternative to high, up-front security deposits. But as Steve Bousquet reports, advocates for tenants are up in arms over what's being proposed.

Florida Representative Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando) is taking on the state’s investor-owned power companies over the issue of how much solar panel owners should be paid for the excess electricity they return to the grid. She talks with Tom Flanigan about it.

Governor Ron DeSantis has been outspoken in trying to make Florida a state that wholeheartedly supports law enforcement. Brett Rutherford reports a bill moving through the House would provide benefits to current officers while also increasing recruitment efforts.