In a previous post, I discussed Senate Bill 58 and House Bill 351, which were proposed bills that would have prohibited the application of foreign laws in family law disputes pending in the State of Florida unless the foreign body of law granted the litigants the “same” rights and protections as the Florida and U.S. Constitutions.  After fierce opposition from the International Law and Family Law Sections of the Florida Bar, as well as from the Anti-Defamation League, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, SB 58 stalled by one vote in the Florida Senate and subsequently died on calendar despite the best efforts of its sponsor, Florida Senator Alan Hays (R-Umatilla). 

If prior years are any indication, Senator Hays and Representative Larry Metz will renew their efforts during next year’s legislative session, which will require the International Law Section of The Florida Bar to, once more, make the case that such legislation will be harmful to Florida’s pro-foreign business reputation and to its reputation as a center for international dispute resolution.