Florida Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee voted 6 to 3 in favor of approving American Laws for American Courts bill which would prohibit Sharia and other foreign laws.

The Florida Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee approved American Laws for American Courts legislation which would prohibit Sharia and other foreign laws during the committee's April 3, 2014 meeting. 

The committee voted 6 to 3 in favor of SB 386 titled Application of Foreign Law in Certain Cases during their Wednesday, April 3, 2014 9:00 am - 10:30 am meeting:

Chair:
    Senator Jeremy Ring (D)               No
Vice Chair:
    Senator Alan Hays (R)                 Yes 

    Senator Aaron Bean (R)               Yes
    Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto (R)    Yes
    Senator Rob Bradley (R)               Yes
    Senator Dorothy L. Hukill (R)         Yes
    Senator Bill Montford (D)               No
    Senator David Simmons (R)           Yes
    Senator Christopher L. Smith (D)     No

To view the video of the meeting click here.  The official committee vote history was not available at the time this article was prepared.  However, when it is available it will be posted here.

Florida Family Association sent out email alerts on April 1 and April 2, 2014 regarding the committee hearing.

This legislation, commonly known as “American Laws for American Courts”, would prohibit Florida courts from considering certain provisions of foreign laws, including Islamic Sharia law, if such provisions are inconsistent with the Florida and United States of America Constitutions.

If Florida courts accept provisions of Islamic Sharia law or other foreign laws or legal codes which are inconsistent with American laws it will undermine public policies enacted by our representative form of government and change our value system.

Application of Foreign Law in Certain Cases: Defines "foreign law, legal code, or system"; specifies public policy on application of foreign law, legal code, or system in proceedings relating to dissolution of marriage, support, time-sharing, UCCJEA, & UIFSA; provides that certain decisions rendered under such laws, codes, or systems are void; provides that certain contracts & contract provisions are void; provides for construction of waiver by natural person of person's fundamental liberties, rights, & privileges guaranteed by state or federal constitutions; provides that claims of forum non conveniens or related claims must be denied; provides that act doesn't require or authorize court to adjudicate, or prohibit any religious organization from adjudicating, ecclesiastical matters in violation of specified constitutional provisions or to conflict with any federal treaty or other international agreement to which U.S. is party to specified extent.  Full text of SB 386.

The next Senate committee to review SB 386 is the Committee on Rules.  The Florida Senate Judiciary Committee approved the legislation by an 6 to 3 vote on March 25, 2014. The Florida House companion bill HB 903 was approved by the Florida House Civil Justice Subcommittee on March 18, 2014.  HB 903 is waiting to be scheduled in the House Judiciary Committee.  Florida Family Association will send out email alerts as soon as this legislation is scheduled by another committee in either chambers.