By Kellen Mathews, Rollins College Intern

The bill allocates $4.9 million in the 2024–2025 budget to expand access to emergency beds for victims of human trafficking and provide additional support staff. It establishes a $900,000 grant opportunity through the Department of Children and Families to enhance training for law enforcement officers who respond to human trafficking incidents. Additionally, the bill requires various public facilities to display human trafficking awareness signs with telephone numbers for the National or Florida Human Trafficking hotlines and increases punishments for failure to do so. The bill also prohibits minors from being employed by adult entertainment establishments in any role and increases punishments for violations.



Effective July 1, 2024

To view HB 7063, click here.

In an effort meet the need of labor for the nation's food supply, the H-2A temporary agricultural employment program was created, but as stories of abuse and exploitation of workers have arisen, new protections have been introduced. The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the Farmworker Protection Rule which will be effective June 28, 2024.

This new rule includes the following reforms:

1. Expands protections for workers who speak out against unfit working conditions.
2. Defining "for cause" terminations to protect worker's rights.
3. Requiring safety procedures to reduce transportation hazards.

For more information, click here.

We would like to extend a great 'Thank You' to Funding Florida Legal Aid's Fellowship program! Through this program, we will be joined by Sommer Brokaw.

Sommer is a rising 3L at Stetson University College of Law. After graduating from Spelman College, she worked as a newspaper reporter for The Charlotte Post, The Triangle Tribune, the Charlotte Sun, and United Press International. As a journalist, she wrote stories exposing racial and socioeconomic disparities in health, housing, and education. However, when she saw how the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted low-income people and people of color, she decided writing about disparities was no longer enough. She is working to become a legal advocate for social justice. She is honored to be placed at Seminole County Bar Association Legal Aid Society as one of 14 students from Florida law schools chosen to serve as FFLA Civil Legal Aid Summer Fellows.



Welcome, Sommer!

If you need to get a replacement Social Security card or apply for benefits, you are now able to do so using Social Security Video Connect. Using a computer, tablet, or smart phone with a camera and internet access, you will be able to do a video appointment using Microsoft Teams.

This option will not be available for all issues. For more information about the program, visit the Social Security website.

It is never too early to save the date for our annual Pro Bono Recognition Luncheon and Silent Auction. This year we will be holding our event on December 13th at 11:30am at the Heathrow Country Club (1200 Bridgewater Dr., Lake Mary, FL 32746). We look forward to seeing you all there!

Our staff attorneys will be on campus June 13th from 11:00am-2:00pm in order to support students on their path to graduation address any legal concerns which may be an obstacle.

Location: 100 Weldon Blvd., Sanford, FL 32771, Student Center Building, Room: SC260

Upcoming Dates:

July 11th

September 12th

October 10th

November 14th

For more information email Tunala Connell at tunalac@scbalas.com

Don't let that arrest on your record prevent you from getting the job of your dreams. Our office holds a workshop to learn from our experienced volunteer attorneys how to seal or expunge your record.

You may qualify if you had:

• Adjudication withheld or charges dropped
• AND never previously sealed or expunged your record

To check the list of disqualifying crimes, click here.

Upcoming Dates:

June 5th at 5:30pm at the Sanford Library (150 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford, FL 32771)

July 17th at 5:30pm via Zoom

For any questions or more information, contact Tunala Connell, Pro-Bono Coordinator at (407) 834-1660 ext. 114 or tunalac@scbalas.com

Our next legal advice clinic is June 20, 2024. Come see us at the Central Library from 1:00-4:00pm. No registration is required, we just ask that you check in before 3:00pm.

Location: 215 N. Oxford Rd., Casselberry, Florida 32707

Also, Senator Marco Rubio's office is participating in the clinic to serve our communities.

For more information on the program and how to get involved, please contact Denice Garza at deniceg@scbalas.com

The Bureau of Victim Compensation's brochure provides useful information for those within our communities that have fallen victim to such crimes. The resources provided are:

1. Toll-Free Victim Services Information and Referral Line 1-800-226-6667
2. Benefits Available
3. How to Apply
4. Qualification Guidelines for Applying
5. Information Need to Apply
6. Next Steps after a Claim is Submitted

To view the full brochure and get complete information please click here.

Also, to view a list of other resources available to victims of crime please click here.

Upcoming Events

June 5, 2024 - In-Person Sealing and Expungement

June 13, 2024 - Legal Advice Clinic at Seminole State College

June 20, 2024 - Veterans Free Legal Advice Clinic