‘Brokenness to the system’: Broward senator asks DCF to commit to fix foster care problems
Sen. Barbara Sharief pressed DCF’s acting secretary to commit to fixing Florida’s foster care system during a February 2026 nomination hearing.
Gov. DeSantis signs legislation stalling child removals based on possible abuse misdiagnoses
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation to pause child removals in cases where alleged abuse may stem from a medical misdiagnosis.
I am honored to receive the Champion Award
3. I am honored to receive the Champion Award for Public Service from the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce. As always, I will continue to serve with compassion, courage, and with a commitment to justice for all #ChampionForChange #PublicService #LeadershipMatters #LGBTQ+ #EqualityForAll #FortLauderdale #Gratitude #Justice #Inspiration #CommunityLove #LoveWins I am honored to receive […]
A Florida bill could change how child abuse investigations are handled. A Jacksonville mom is behind the push
April 3, 2025, Terri and Malena Weidle traveled to Tallahassee to share their story and express their support for the bill in front of a Senate committee. (Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – When Terri Weidle lost custody of her daughter Malena over accusations of medical abuse in 2021, she […]
‘Patterson’s Law’ protecting families against false child abuse claims clears final Senate committee
‘This is a really necessary bill.’ A bill that would give innocent parents a much-needed way to disprove false child abuse claims is heading to the Senate floor after clearing its last committee hurdle. Members of the Senate Rules Committee voted unanimously for SB 304, which among other things would enable parents whose children are removed from their […]
“Patterson’s Law” would give Florida families the right to a second opinion before being charged
Michael and Tasha Patterson speaking to the state Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs Sometimes a second opinion in abuse cases is needed. A panel of Florida lawmakers agreed today (Thursday) officials should consider whether a child’s injuries are really the result of abuse, or if they could stem from a rare medical […]
Senate passes bill cracking down on illegal immigration, ending Dreamers’ in-state tuition
Without the waivers, the undocumented students’ tuition rate would be tripled or quadrupled to out-of-state rates. The Senate has passed a deal on immigration enforcement, ending a stalemate within the GOP and rejecting complaints from Democrats. Senate Republicans were unmoved by Democrats’ pleas to protect Dreamers, who would lose their in-state tuition starting next school […]
Florida Bill Would Make Filing False Criminal Report Over Bias a Hate Crime
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Senate Democrat Barbara Sharief (D-Davie) recently filed a bill in the state legislature that would designate making a false criminal report due to personal bias a hate crime. Under SB 406, a person would be accused of a hate crime if they intentionally select a person based on their “race, color, religion, religious […]
Broward County Dem Barbara Sharief files ‘Patterson’s Law’ to help parents disprove false child abuse claims
The story of a South Florida couple whose children were taken away by the state three years ago is now the inspiration for legislation by freshman Sen. Barbara Sharief. Sharief, a Broward County Democrat, filed SB 304, titled “Patterson’s Law,” to guarantee parents the right to request examinations from a licensed physician in the event of […]
Senator Barbara Sharief Files Legislation to Improve Medicaid Access for Floridians
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – State Senator Barbara Sharief (D-Broward) has introduced SB 306, titled “Managed Care Plan Network Access,” TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – State Senator Barbara Sharief (D-Broward) has introduced SB 306, titled “Managed Care Plan Network Access,” to address significant barriers faced by Medicaid enrollees using managed care plans. The bill seeks to ensure Medicaid recipients can receive medical […]