In The Faith - A Chronicle of the Christian Faith

In Florida, the appointment of James H.K. Bruner as special assistant to the general counsel, raises some concern in light of the recent controversial moves by the department.

Florida Department of Children & Families Secretary Jerry Regier, still facing criticism over his efforts to appoint a guardian for the fetus of a disabled rape victim, has hired a high-ranking attorney for the department who identifies himself as a culture warrior for religious conservatives.

James H.K. Bruner, the founder and former executive director of the conservative New York Family Policy Council, described public schools in a current newsletter as ‘’battlegrounds,’’ and bemoaned how students are ‘subjected to `diversity trainings’ or ‘tolerance instruction.’ ‘’

Bruner, who will hold the title ‘’special assistant to the general counsel’’ and will be paid about $82,000, is not licensed to practice law in Florida, though he plans to take the state’s bar exam quickly in order to obtain a license, Regier said Thursday.

Bruner’s hiring comes on the heels of one the department’s more controversial moves: DCF has asked a Daytona Beach appeals court to order the appointment of a guardian for the fetus of a severely disabled rape victim. Known in court papers as J.D.S., the woman had been under DCF’s care when she was assaulted.

Abortion rights activists claim the bid is aimed at securing a victory for the anti-abortion movement.

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Filed under: Marriage and Family