Last Senate committee before full Senate.  Florida Senate Rules Committee to consider American Laws for American Courts bill which would prohibit Sharia and other foreign laws.  The email for this article was deactivated after the Rules committee approved the legislation.

The Florida Senate Rules Committee will consider SB 386 titled Application of Foreign Law in Certain Cases on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 between 4:00 and 6:00 pm.  If approved by the Rules Committee this legislation should be scheduled for a vote by the full Florida Senate.

The Florida House Civil Justice Subcommittee approved the legislation by an 8 to 4 vote on March 19, 2014.  The Florida Senate Judiciary Committee approved the legislation by an 6 to 3 vote on March 25, 2014.  The Florida Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee approved the legislation by a 6 to 3 vote on April 3, 2014.

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. 

Florida Family Association has prepared an email for you to send urging the members of the Florida Senate Rules Committee to vote for SB 386 - Application of Foreign Law in Certain Cases. 

The email for this article was deactivated after the Rules committee approved the legislation.

Contact information for the Florida Senate Rules Committee: