This week, legislators filed eleven health care bills. More bills will likely be filed next week, as the legislature begins the first week in a series of interim committee meetings scheduled for 2021.
The House Civil Justice & Property Rights Subcommittee has scheduled a hearing on Wednesday Jan 13, 2021for HB 7 relating to civil liability for damages relating to COVID-19. HB 7 provides several COVID-19-related liability protections for businesses, educational institutions, government entities, religious organizations, and other entities. Under the bill, a covered entity that makes a good faith effort to substantially comply with applicable COVID-19 guidance is immune from civil liability from a COVID-19-related civil action. The bill's liability protections do not apply to a health care provider, such as a hospital, nursing home, assisted living facility, or other health care-related entity. According to the Senate sponsor, liability protection for health care providers and entities will be addressed in a separate bill.
The Senate Health Policy Committee will meet Wednesday Jan 13, 2021. Meeting discussion will be centered on COVID-19 mitigation efforts by the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Health.
Both the Senate and House Pandemics & Public Emergencies Committees will meet on Thursday Jan 14, 2021. The House committee will hear a presentation on COVID-19 vaccination planning and implementation by Jared Moskowitz, Director, Florida Division of Emergency Management. The Senate committee will hear a presentation from State Surgeon General, Scott Rivkees, and host a panel discussion with Florida hospitals concerning the pandemic.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that “the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) and Florida Department of Health (FDOH) have partnered with Publix Supermarkets to establish COVID-19 vaccination sites.”
“Through a partnership with FDEM and FDOH, Publix is receiving 15,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to launch a new pilot program at 22 select Publix Supermarkets, beginning Friday, January 8. Appointments can be made beginning Thursday, January 7.”
