air, ae ‘EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE {st Vice Charperson Sonia Pare, Esa. Kamla Poy Maia Sartamara yi Sloan-Simpins Clays Perez Viarwev, E39 Sarah Zabel aac, Marita Progam Orecor Board of County Commissioners Office of Community Advocacy Commission for Women TLL NW Ist Street + Suite 1034 Miami, Florida 33128-1994 305-375-4967 F 305-375-5715 ‘wwnw.miamidade.gov/advocacy/women-board-home.asp January 8, 2020 Honorable Chairman and Members Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation Dear Chairman Geller, Vice Chairwoman Taddeo, and Delegation Members: As you address the important issues facing the residents of Florida in the current legislative session, the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women would like to take this opportunity to express our position on several pending bills of particular importance to Florida's women and girls. These are the bills the Commission for ‘Women supports and urges you to enact: Discrimination in Labor and Employment/Senator Helen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Protection Act — HB 739/SB 90 These bills seek to address the problem of wage inequities between men and women in ‘a.comprehensive manner. Among other things, the bills require the same wages for substantially the same work, prohibit employers from taking adverse actions against employees who discuss their wages. and prohibit employers from requiring job applicants to disclose prior wages. Minimum Wage - HB 691/SB 456 Women comprise nearly two-thirds of minimum wage workers, both nationally and in Florida. Income inequality and the high cost of housing is a major problem in Miami- Dade County. The 2017 poverty rate in Miami-Dade County was 16.6% but for single- parent-female-headed households it was 33.9%, the highest poverty rate of any group in Miami-Dade County. The minimum wage needs to be raised so that working women ‘can afford to support their families. These bill provide for raising the minimum wage ‘gradually over a number of years, thereby giving employers sufficient time to adjust. Florida Family Leave Act — HB 889/SB 1194 ‘These bills would require Florida employers to provide up to three months of paid family leave for the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child. Most employees in Florida cannot afford to take family leave because they are unable to afford the leave without pay. Paid family leave would provide Florida’s working families with a sense of security, and countless studies have shown that parental bonding time after the birth ofa child has many positive long-term effects. If Florida is really a state that promotes family values, the Legislature should pass paid family leave Learning with Dignity Act- HB 123/SB 234 ‘These bills would ensure that students have access to quality feminine hygiene products at no cost while they attend school.Office of the Chair ‘EXECUTIVE COMMTTEE ase Weeson Chatpeson va oan tat Vea Crapern ‘Suron Kereeesen ‘2nd Vee Chapenon Nea eran Mertee tame ‘Unda Rogen Merber atone ‘a og Guten ymtaght Cay de zon ‘Yore Bustle aren Key Janes Sent Dares ona Korey Cary Futons Noara hi santa Greene Dory Yas ave Coby ‘one Woe Nee Ba Hon Bara Boom Board of County Commissioners Office of Community Advocacy ‘Commission for Women ILL NW Ist Street » Suite 1034 Miami, Florida 33128-1994 ‘T 305-375-4967 F 305-375-5715 wwww.miamidade.goviadvocacy!women-board-home.asp Insurance Coverage for Breast Cancer Tests and Procedures — HB 263/SB 416 ‘These bills would prohibit insurance policies from cost-sharing for the expenses related to diagnostic mammograms, breast MRIs, and breast ultrasounds. Even when covered by insurance, co-payments and cost sharing can dissuade many women from getting the necessary preventative tests because they cannot afford it. Passing these bills would encourage more women to get these vital procedures and reduce the incidence of breast ‘cancer in Florida. Residential Tenancies and Domestic Violence — SB 274 This bill provides protections from eviction or penalties for early termination of a residential lease for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, or stalking. A landlord should not be able to evict or discriminate against renters. ‘who are victims of such violence, nor should a victim have to choose between her safety or avoiding the financial consequences of ending a lease agreement. Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) ~ HCR 239/SCR 392 These resolutions would put Florida on record in support of the ERA to the U.S. Constitution. Congress has authority to lif the ERA ratification deadline so that should not be a concem. Moreover, voters approved a similar guarantee of equality between men and women in the Florida Constitution in 1998, so these resolutions are consistent with the will of the people of Florida. Illinois became the 37" state to ratify the ERA in 2018. Thirty-eight states are needed and Florida could make history if it ratifies the ERA this session. ‘The Commission for Women thanks you for your consideration of this matter. We appreciate your service, and we know that enacting legislation that impacts millions of people in a state as diverse as Florida is not an easy task. We wish you a successful session. Sincerely, Charan Hoadsichs- Jitnson, Sharon Kendrick-Johnson Chairwoman Miami-Dade County Commission for Women.