SB 172 - Health Care Practitioner Specialty Titles & Designations

Senator Colleen Burton, R Lakeland

• CS/CS/SB 172 amends existing legislative intent under s. 456.003, F.S., relating to the regulation of health care professions and finds that the health, safety, and welfare of the public may be harmed or endangered by unlicensed practice or misleading representations by health care practitioners. 
• Amends ss. 458.3312 and 459.0152, F.S., to specify that only physicians who are board certified may use a defined list of medical specialist titles and designations, such as “cardiologist,” “dermatologist,” or “orthopedic surgeon,” and authorizes the Board of Medicine (BOM) and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine (BOOM), respectively, to add other titles by rule. 
• Creates s. 456.65, F.S., to prohibit health care practitioners who are not allopathic or osteopathic physicians from using medical specialist titles within the lists of titles created by the bill for physician specialties in ss. 458.3312 and 459.0152, F.S., unless specifically authorized by law or in accordance with other specific exceptions.
• This section prohibits the use of misleading terms, titles, or designations that may misrepresent a practitioner’s qualifications or imply physician-level training where none exists. 
• To enforce these requirements, the bill amends s. 456.065, F.S., to authorize the Department of Health (DOH) to issue a notice to cease and desist and pursue other existing remedies if the department has probable cause to believe a health care practitioner has engaged in the unlicensed practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine in violation of s. 456.65, F.S.

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PASSED SENATE 37-0

HB 1341 one remaining committee stop

SB 170 - Quality of Care In Nursing Homes

Senator Colleen Burton, R Lakeland

CS/CS/SB 170 amends several sections related to the regulation of nursing homes. Specifically, the bill: 

• Requires the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to develop user-friendly consumer satisfaction surveys to capture resident and family member satisfaction with the care provided by nursing homes; 

• Requires each nursing home’s medical director to be certified by the American Medical Directors Association or have a similar credential recognized by the AHCA; 

• Requires each nursing home to conduct a patient safety culture survey at least biennially and to include the results in the facilities Nursing Home Guide; 

• Provides that each nursing home that maintains electronic health records must make available all admission, transfer, and discharge data to the Florida Health Information Exchange program;  

Requires the AHCA to contract with a third-party vendor to conduct a comprehensive study of nursing home quality improvement programs in other states and provide a report to the Governor and the Legislature by December 1, 2025. 

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PASSED SENATE 37-0

SB 438 - Food and Hemp Products 

Senator Colleen Burton, R Lakeland

Restricts marijuana testing laboratories to acquiring hemp and hemp extract only from licensed or permitted businesses, and mandates separation of marijuana and hemp materials within the facilities.

• Prohibits marijuana testing laboratories from selling, distributing, or transferring hemp or hemp extract, except for transferring samples to other certified labs in the state.
• Introduces stricter definitions and standards for hemp and hemp extract, including packaging requirements that minimize child appeal and new penalties for non-compliance.
• Establishes that THC-infused beverages cannot be sold to individuals under 21 years old and sets conditions for the venues and methods of distribution and sale.
• Mandates testing of each batch of hemp extract by a certified laboratory to ensure safety, accurate labeling, and compliance with THC concentration standards.
• Enforces administrative fines for violations involving the sale and marketing of hemp extract at events, requiring event organizers to verify and ensure that all vendors are properly permitted.
• Specifies conditions for selling THC-infused beverages, including prohibitions on certain business practices by distributors, and aligns penalties under existing beverage law regulations.

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PASSED SENATE 37-0

SB 1800 - Parkinson's Disease

Senator Alexis Calatayud, R Miami

• Creates the Consortium for Parkinson's Disease Research within the University of South Florida to coordinate and fund advanced Parkinson's disease research.
• Designates the “Parkinson’s Disease Research Act.”
• Establishes the Consortium for Parkinson’s Disease Research at the University of South Florida, composed of public and private universities.
• Creates the Parkinson’s Disease Research Board to direct consortium operations, award research funds, and annually adopt a Parkinson’s disease research plan.
• Requires the consortium director to oversee collaboration among researchers, develop a research funding plan, and seek grants.
• Mandates submission of an annual report by the board on research findings, outreach efforts, and future plans.

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One remaining committee stop

HB 1545 one remaining committee stop

SB 772 - Diabetes Management in Schools 

Senator Alexis Calatayud, R Miami

CS/SB 772 authorizes a school district or charter school to acquire and maintain undesignated glucagon to treat students with diabetes who experience a hypoglycemic emergency or whose prescribed glucagon is not available onsite or has expired. 

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ON SPECIAL ORDER

HB 597 PASSED HOUSE (110-0)

SB 1070 - Electrocardiograms for Student Athletes

Senator Corey Simon, R Tallahassee

CS/CS/CS/SB 1070 amends Florida law to require electrocardiogram (EKG) assessments for student athletes participating in interscholastic athletic competitions at Florida public and private schools. Specifically, the bill: 

• Provides that, once enacted, it may be cited as the “Second Chance Act.” 

• Amends s. 1002.20, F.S., to require that prior to participating in athletics a student must receive an EKG, when applicable under s. 1006.20, F.S., with exceptions. 

• Amends s. 1006.20, F.S., to provide that the bylaws adopted by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) must require that, beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, all students participating or seeking to participate in interscholastic athletic competition for the first time must pass an EKG screening prior to participation based on standards established by the FHSAA’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.

• Requires the FHSAA to further develop the preparticipation physical evaluation and history form to include information about the practitioner performing the EKG, information related to referrals based on the EKG, and advisement to students concerning the results of the EKG.

• Requires a section of the form to record medical clearances for participation in athletics based on the results of the medical evaluation and EKG or recommendations for follow-up treatment by a health care practitioner with specific training. 

• Requires the FHSAA to develop a standard form for exceptions to the required EKG that documents exemptions based on religious grounds or a medical exemption when documented by a physician, and requires submission of a notarized form signed by the parent and received by the FHSAA prior to participation.

• Adds the required EKG to limitations on liability when there is an exemption based on religious grounds or a medical exemption.  

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SPECIAL ORDER

HB 791 PASSED HOUSE 106-0

SB 430 - Cardiac Emergencies

Senator Corey Simon, R Tallahassee

Amends the requirements for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training in public schools and mandates the development of cardiac emergency response plans.

• Requires school districts to provide CPR and AED instruction once in middle school and once in high school during physical education or health classes.
• Ensures students practice the psychomotor skills associated with CPR and mandates the inclusion of AED training.
• Establishes that every public school develop a cardiac emergency response plan (CERP) integrating evidence-based core elements.
• Stipulates collaboration between school officials and local emergency service providers to integrate CERPs with community protocols.
• Mandates each public school, including charter schools, to have at least one operational AED on school grounds by July 1, 2027, in a clearly marked and accessible location.
• Requires appropriate staff to be trained in first aid, CPR, and AED use.
• Provides that the use of AEDs by school employees and volunteers is covered under existing Good Samaritan and Cardiac Arrest Survival Acts.
• Directs the State Board of Education to adopt rules for administering these requirements.

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On last committee of reference agenda this week

HB 1607 has one remaining committee stop after being heard this week

SB 1690 - Surrendered Infants

Senator Stan McClain, R Ocala

SB 1690 modifies statutory provisions relating to surrendered infants. The bill authorizes a hospital, an emergency medical services (EMS) station, or a fire station that is staffed 24 hours per day to use an infant safety device to accept surrendered infants in accordance with safety procedures specified in the bill.  

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SPECIAL ORDER

HB 791 PASSED HOUSE 106-0

SB 1768- Stem Cell Therapy

Senator Jay Trumbull. R Panama City

• CS/SB 1768 authorizes physicians (medical doctors and doctors of osteopathic medicine) to perform stem cell therapies that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration when used for orthopedic conditions, wound care, or pain management.
• Establishes standards for the manufacturing and storage of stem cells and requires a physician to obtain a signed informed consent form from a patient before administering any such therapy. 
• Requires that written notice be provided to a patient prior to the performance of stem cell therapy, disclosing that the therapy is not approved by the FDA. This disclosure must also be included in any advertisement for the therapy.
• Directs the Board of Medicine and Board of Osteopathic Medicine to adopt rules to implement the bill.  

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On agenda in last committee stop this week

HB 1617 has one remaining committee stops

HB 547 - Medical Debt

Rep Bill Partington, R Ormond

• CS/HB 547 provides an exception to the requirement that hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers provide 30 days’ notice to consumers before selling their debt.
• The exception applies if the facility and the medical debt buyer have a contract that states the debt will not be subject to interest, fees, or other extraordinary collection actions, and the debt buyer will return the debt to the licensed facility if it finds the debt qualifies for the facility’s charity care program.  
• The bill also clarifies current law that the regulatory requirements for medical debt held by hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers applies to all bills for payment, not only those covered under the facility’s financial assistance program.  

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HB 647 - Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Services

Rep Dana Trabulsy, R

The bill authorizes advanced practice registered nurses providing hospice care and acting within an established protocol with a licensed physician to file a certificate of death or fetal death and certify the cause of a person’s death.

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PLACED ON SPECIAL ORDER

SB 998 in last committee this week

HB 1195 - Fentanyl Testing

Rep Rita Harris, D Orlando

• The bill requires hospitals and hospital-based off-campus emergency departments who conduct urine drug tests to diagnose possible drug overdoses or poisonings to test for fentanyl.
• If the urine test is positive for fentanyl, the bill requires the hospital or hospital-based off-campus emergency department to perform a confirmation test as defined in s. 440.102(1), F.S.1 .
• The hospital or hospital-based off-campus emergency department must retain the results of the urine test and the confirmation test in the patient’s clinical record for the period of time required by the hospital or hospital-based off-campus emergency department’s current practices.

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HB 907 - Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases

Rep Adam Anderson, R Tarpon Springs

• The bill codifies the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases (Institute) within the Florida State University College of Medicine as a statewide resource for research and clinical care related to pediatric rare diseases.
• The Institute will conduct research, develop diagnostic and genetic screening tools, provide multidisciplinary clinical services and care, educate and train healthcare professionals, and collaborate with other institutions and organizations. 
• The bill requires the Institute to establish and administer the Sunshine Genetics Pilot Program (pilot program) for 5 years, offering opt-in newborn genetic screening, to include whole genome sequencing, with parental consent. Any clinical findings from the screening must be released to the parents and newborn’s healthcare practitioner.
• The Institute must maintain a secure database of pilot program data and provide deidentified data for research. 
• The bill also establishes the Sunshine Genetics Consortium (Consortium) to facilitate collaboration among researchers, geneticists, and physicians from Florida’s state universities and children's hospitals. Overseen by an oversight board, the Consortium will build and support research and development of cutting edge genetic and precision medicine in the state. 

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HB 591 - Children with Developmental Disabilities

Rep Randy Maggard, R Zephyrhills

The bill expands services and funding opportunities for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD or autism) and other developmental disabilities. The bill aims to improve early intervention, school readiness, educational opportunities, and workforce training related to ASD by:

• Expanding the Dr. and Mrs. Alfonse and Kathleen Cinotti Health Care Screening and Services Grant Program to include screenings and referrals for autism.  
• Establishing the Early Steps Extended Option (Extended Option), allowing a child to remain in the Early Steps Program until the beginning of the school year following the child’s fourth birthday. 
• Providing startup grants for the development of charter schools serving students with autism.
• Providing grants for specialized summer programs for children with autism and related disorders.
• Requiring the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment (UF CAD) to collaborate with state and local agencies to improve autism awareness and services, and oversee grants related to services and programs for children with ASD.
• Providing for an autism micro-credential for instructional and child care personnel at no cost and specifying training related to ASD in requirements for renewal of a professional certificate.
• Requiring the Commissioner of Education to review autism-related training curricula and report findings to the Legislature. 

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HB 1505 - Parental Rights

Rep Rachel Plakon, R Orlando

CS/HB 1505 expands the rights of parents with respect to their minor children. The bill:

• Grants additional rights to parents relating to surveys and questionnaires intended for their children. 
• Eliminates certain exceptions to a parent’s rights relating to health care decisions, medical record access, and certain DNA collection for a minor child.
• Prohibits a physician from providing medical treatment for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) to a minor without written consent from the minor’s parent or guardian.  
• Provides an exception for DNA collection and storage without parental consent in certain situations involving required collection and storage of DNA by law enforcement pursuant to s. 943.325, F.S., and s. 943.326, F.S.
• Allows a health care practitioner to provide a minor with medical health care without first obtaining written consent by a parent or guardian if he or she is providing emergency medical care under s. s. 743.064, F.S., or s. 1014.04(1)(e), F.S., or when authorized by a court order.
• Modifies parental consent requirements for health care services and the use of biofeedback devices on minors.
• Restricts medical procedures on minors in health care facilities, requiring written parental consent unless emergency care is needed or a court order is obtained. 

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HB 1421 - Improving Screening for and Treatment of Blood Clots

Rep Dean Black, R Jacksonville

The bill creates the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act to improve screening and treatment measures for, and prevention of venous thromboembolism in Florida residents. The bill: 

• Requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to contract with a private entity who meets established criteria to create and maintain a statewide venous thromboembolism registry.
• Requires the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature on the incidence of venous thromboembolisms using inpatient, outpatient, and ambulatory surgery data.
• Requires all hospitals with emergency departments and ambulatory surgical centers to develop and implement policies and procedures for appropriate medical attention for persons at risk of forming venous thromboembolisms or DVTs, which must reflect evidence-based best practices; and requires hospitals and ASCs to train nonphysician personnel on their policies and procedures.
• Requires nursing homes and assisted living facilities to train personnel on how to recognize signs and symptoms of venous thromboembolism and deep vein thrombosis.  

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HB 1439 - Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

Rep Christine Hunschofsky, D Coconut Creek

CS/HB 1439 expands and updates regulations and procedures regarding mental health and substance use disorder services.

• Amends multiple sections in Florida Statutes to require the Department of Children and Families to mandate the use of an updated Daily Living Activities-20 (DLA-20) functional assessment tool across various services, unless another tool is specified.
• Specifies new provisions for mobile crisis response services, including training and structural requirements to address the specialized needs of individuals age 65 and over.
• Requires facilities to produce and update individualized treatment plans for patients within specific timeframes.
• Updates discharge planning procedures to include detailed patient needs and post-discharge care, especially emphasizing the access to long-acting injectable medications.
• Mandates the biennial review of school-based behavioral health access using telehealth, particularly focusing on underserved and rural areas, with findings reported to government heads.
• Directs the Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Technical Assistance Center to disseminate evidence-based and best practices, stressing the use of person-first language and trauma-informed care.
• Orders a biennial review to assess the need for short-term residential treatment facilities, and requires action based on the findings.
• Defines new managerial duties for behavioral health managing entities, including promoting person-first language and requiring updated assessment tools.
• Revises the functions of the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, including a report on state mental health services and the improvement of the behavioral health workforce.

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HB 1297 - Electronic Prescribing

Rep Bill Partington, R Daytona Beach

• Mandatory Electronic Prescribing for all medical prescriptions.

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HB 1101 - Out-of-network Providers

Rep Jon Albert, R Winter Haven

• The bill requires health care practitioners to notify patients in writing when referring them to out-of-network providers that the providers are out of network and that may result in higher out-of-pocket patient costs.  
• The bill also requires insurers to apply patient payments for covered services by nonpreferred providers to the patient’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximum under the policy if the cost is the same as or less than the insurer’s average payments or the statewide average on the Florida Health Price Finder website. 

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HB 1517 - Civil Liability for the Wrongful Death of an Unborn Child

Rep Sam Greco, R Palm Coast

• CS/HB 1517 expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow the parents of an unborn child to recover monetary damages from a person who is responsible for the unborn child’s death.
• Clarifies that such wrongful death action may not be brought against the mother for the wrongful death of her own unborn child or against a medical provider for lawful medical care provided in compliance with the applicable standard of care. 

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HB 1083 - Patient Access to Records

Rep Erica Booth, R Orlando

• Mandates service providers to furnish clinical and other health-related records within 14 working days post a record request.
• Requires service providers, including licensed health practitioners, to provide records in the manner chosen by the requester, which can include electronic formats or through a web-based patient portal.
• Specifies that records should be supplied without fees if they are intended for continued medical care.
• Revises the cost structure allowing only up to a maximum copy charge of $2 for non-paper records and no more than $1 per page for other records.
• Obligates nursing home facilities to provide access to resident records within 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) and provide copies within 14 working days for current residents or within 30 working days for former residents.
• Defines "legal representatives" as attorneys, legally recognized guardians, court-appointed representatives, or designees authorized to receive medical records.
• Ensures that certain records like psychiatric, psychotherapeutic, and substance abuse treatment records remain confidential and exempt from general disclosure.

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HB 883 - Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Autonomous Practice

Rep Jason Shoaf, R Port Saint Joe

HB 883 authorizes psychiatric nurses registered for autonomous practice to engage in the practice of psychiatric mental health services, as determined by the Board of Nursing, without an established physician protocol.

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