Florida Legislative Session: Comprehensive Health Care Post Session Report

Your Comprehensive Health Care Post Session Report 

Content Provided by Toni Large of Large Strategies

Live Healthy

SB 7016 LIVE HEALTHY

Senator Colleen Burton

Revises purposes and eligibility for the Dental Student Loan Repayment Program and the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education Program.

Establishes the Health Care Screening and Services Grant Program and the TEACH Funding Program.

Expands telehealth services for minority maternity care statewide.

Introduces the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact for healthcare professionals.

Adopts the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact and the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact.

Provides appropriations for healthcare-related programs and initiatives.

Specifies eligibility, responsibilities, and regulatory authority for participation in these programs.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/7016ER.pdf

SB 7018 Health Care Innovation

Senator Gayle Harrell

Establishes the Health Care Innovation Council within the Department of Health to promote innovation in Florida's health care system.

Defines roles and structure of the Health Care Innovation Council, including membership, meetings, and conflict of interest policies.

Outlines council duties such as adopting a mission statement, facilitating public meetings, distinguishing impactful health care innovations, and recommending legislative or procedural changes.

Mandates the Department of Health to provide administrative support, publish relevant information online, and offer technical assistance for innovation funding applicants.

Directs the department to administer a revolving loan program to support health care innovations, detailing application, eligibility, and loan terms.

Requires annual and 5-year evaluation reports on the loan program's financial, economic, and efficiency impacts.

Includes provisions for appropriations to fund the Council and loan program.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/7016ER.pdf

SB 330 Behavioral Health Teaching Hospitals

Senator Jim Boyd

Establishes a framework for designating behavioral health teaching hospitals in Florida, setting criteria for such designation, and providing funding and reporting mechanisms.

Authorizes hospitals to apply for a behavioral health teaching hospital designation, outlining specific criteria they must meet.

Requires designated hospitals to affiliate with a state university, develop integrated workforce development programs, and collaborate on behavioral health care.

Establishes a grant program to fund designated behavioral health teaching hospitals.

Mandates annual reports from designated hospitals on program details and achievements.

Authorizes the Agency for Health Care Administration to allocate funds for resident positions and other expenses related to maintaining integrated workforce development programs.

Creates the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce within the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute to support the behavioral health workforce.

Requires a comprehensive study of inpatient treatment services for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbance.

Appropriates funds for the operation of the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce, resident positions in designated hospitals, and the implementation of related programs.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0330ER.pdf

SB 1600 Interstate Mobility

Senator Jay Collins

Floridian regulations are modified to simplify the process for professionals moving from other states, territories, or foreign countries to obtain local licenses via reciprocity and endorsement, ensuring their qualifications align with Florida's standards.

Specifies that health care professionals may obtain licensure by meeting similar conditions, including holding an active, unencumbered license and fulfilling all applicable federal and state requirements.

Outlines grounds for ineligibility for licensure under this act, such as pending disciplinary proceedings or criminal convictions related to the health care profession.

Directs the Department of Health to utilize the National Practitioner Data Bank for verifying applicant credentials.

Requires the issuing of licenses to qualifying applicants within 7 days of receiving all necessary documentation, with provisions for state-specific examinations if required.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0330ER.pdf

SB 644 Rural Emergency Hospitals

Senator Cory Simon

The bill outlines provisions for the designation and operation of rural emergency hospitals in Florida.

Subjects rural emergency hospitals to specific emergency services and care requirements.

Revises the definition of a "rural hospital" to include specific bed number and service area criteria.

Defines "rural emergency hospital" and "rural emergency services," allowing qualifying hospitals to apply for rural emergency hospital designation.

Specifies requirements for rural emergency hospital designation, including adherence to the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, a maximum of 50 beds, and the ability to provide rural emergency services 24/7.

Exempts designated rural emergency hospitals from requirements for acute inpatient care beyond 24 hours, surgery, obstetrical care, or similar services.

Mandates the agency to suspend or revoke a rural emergency hospital's designation if it fails to meet the specified requirements.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0644ER.pdf

Workers Comp 

SB 362 Medical Treatment Under the Workers’ Compensation Law

Senator Jennifer Bradley

Increases witness fee limits and reimbursement allowances for physicians and surgical procedures under Workers' Compensation Law.

Allows health care providers to be reimbursed for depositions and time as an expert witness at $300 per hour, an increase from $200.

Raises reimbursement for physicians (non-surgical) under chapters 458 or 459 to 175% of Medicare's reimbursement rate, from the previous 110%.

Increases reimbursement for surgical procedures to 210% of Medicare’s rate, up from the previous 140%.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/7016ER.pdf

SB 808 Treatment by a Medical Specialist

Senator Nick DiCeglie

Permits firefighters, law enforcement, correctional officers, and correctional probation officers to be treated by a medical specialist under the workers comp system for specified conditions under defined circumstances.

Requires these professionals to notify their workers' compensation carrier, self-insured employer, or third-party administrator when selecting a medical specialist, unless in an emergency.

Mandates that the selected medical specialist be authorized within 5 business days, with an appointment scheduled within 30 days.

Authorizes the initially selected medical specialist if an alternative is not authorized within the specified timeframe.

Ensures continuous care by medical specialists is reasonable, necessary, and related to tuberculosis, heart disease, or hypertension, reimbursed at no more than 200% of the Medicare rate.

Defines "medical specialist" as a physician with board certification in a specialty covering tuberculosis, heart disease, or hypertension.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0808ER.pdf

Patient Centered Reforms

HB 885 Coverage for Biomarker Testing

Representative Karen Gonzalez Pittman

Mandates biomarker testing coverage for state employees and Medicaid recipients to support diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of diseases or conditions.

Requires the Department of Management Services and Medicaid to cover biomarker testing when evidence supports its clinical utility for enrollees.

Establishes criteria for supporting evidence, including FDA approvals, national coverage determinations, and nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines.

Defines "biomarker," "biomarker testing," and "clinical utility" for clarity in the implementation of this coverage.

Mandates a clear, convenient, and accessible process for authorization requests for biomarker testing for both providers and users.

Specifies that coverage is not required for biomarker testing used for screening purposes.

Allows the Agency for Health Care Administration to seek federal approval to implement biomarker testing coverage under Medicaid.

Requires managed care plans to provide biomarker testing coverage at par with other medically necessary treatments under Medicaid.

Directs the inclusion of rate impacts due to biomarker testing coverage in Medicaid program rates.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0885ER.pdf

HB 241 Coverage for Skin Cancer Screenings

Representative Ralph Massullo, MD

Requires state employee group health insurance to cover annual skin cancer screenings without cost-sharing.

Mandates coverage and payment for annual skin cancer screenings by specific healthcare professionals without deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing for the employee.

Specifies that screenings must be performed by a dermatologist, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse, all with appropriate licenses and, in some cases, under specific supervision.

Ensures payment for skin cancer screenings is consistent with how other preventive screenings are paid for, based on American Medical Association guidelines.

Prohibits the bundling of payment for skin cancer screenings with any other procedure or service during the same or subsequent office visits.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0241ER.pdf

Pharmacists & Dispensing

HB 159 HIV Infection Prevention Drugs

Representative Gallop Franklin

Authorizes licensed pharmacists in Florida to screen adults for HIV exposure, dispense preexposure prophylaxis drugs with a prescription, and dispense postexposure prophylaxis drugs under a collaborative agreement with a physician.

Authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV preexposure prophylaxis drugs with a valid prescription and to screen for HIV exposure, advising screened adults to seek further medical consultation.

Allows certified pharmacists to dispense HIV postexposure prophylaxis drugs under a written collaborative practice agreement with a physician, with specific requirements for these agreements.

Details the certification process for pharmacists to dispense postexposure drugs, including educational and liability coverage requirements.

Requires pharmacies to submit an annual access-to-care plan to ensure patients have access to primary care, with penalties for non-compliance.

Mandates rules to be adopted by the board for the implementation of these provisions.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0159ER.pdf

HB 201 Emergency Refills of Insulin and Insulin-related Supplies or Equipment

Representative Melany Bell

Amends Florida laws to allow emergency refills of insulin and insulin-related supplies or equipment up to three nonconsecutive times per year.

Authorizes pharmacists to dispense emergency refills of insulin and insulin-related supplies or equipment for diabetes mellitus treatment, up to three nonconsecutive times annually.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0201ER.pdf

Public Schools & Student Safety

HB 0883 Short-acting Bronchodilator Use in Public and Private Schools

Representative Traci Koster

Amends Florida Statutes to authorize public and private school students with asthma to carry and use short-acting bronchodilators and components, and allows schools to acquire, stock, and administer these medications under specific protocols.

Defines terms related to asthma, short-acting bronchodilators, and their administration.

Permits asthmatic students, with parent and physician approval, to carry short-acting bronchodilators and components.

Enables public and private schools to obtain prescribed short-acting bronchodilators and components in the school's name.

Authorizes schools to acquire and maintain a stock of short-acting bronchodilators and components for emergency use.

Requires schools to adopt protocols for the administration of short-acting bronchodilators to students, developed by a licensed physician.

Allows trained school personnel to administer short-acting bronchodilators to students in respiratory distress, with or without a prior asthma diagnosis or prescription.

Mandates schools to notify parents about the adopted protocols and obtain prior permission for administering these medications to their children.

Provides immunity from civil or criminal liability for school personnel and health care practitioners involved in prescribing or administering these medications in accordance with the act.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0883ER.pdf

HB 865 Youth Athletic Activities

Representative Brad Yeager

Revamps requirements for public school athletic coaches, mandating certification in critical emergency response skills.

Requires each athletic coach employed by any public school to hold a valid coaching certificate, which can be temporary, professional, or specifically for athletic coaching.

Mandates all such coaches to obtain and maintain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and the use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED), aligning with national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines.

Excludes volunteer athletic coaches not employed by any public school district from these requirements.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0865ER.pdf

SB 544 Swimming Lesson Voucher Program

Senator Travis Hutson

Aims to increase water safety by offering vouchers for swimming lessons at no cost to eligible families.

Requires the establishment of a Swimming Lesson Voucher Program within the Department of Health to offer swimming lesson vouchers to families earning no more than 200% of the federal poverty level with children aged 4 years or younger.

Mandates the creation of a network of swimming lesson vendors across the state, allowing the department to contract with nonprofits for network establishment and management.

Obligates public swimming lesson vendors to participate in the program upon request.

Sets criteria for family eligibility based on child age, family income level, and residency.

Conditions the issuance of vouchers on specific appropriations.

Authorizes the department to seek additional public and private funding for the program.

Directs the department to adopt implementing rules.

Allocates $500,000 in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund for the fiscal year 2024-2025 to support the program.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0544ER.pdf

HB 591 Hot Car Death Prevention

Representative Chuck Brannan

Designates April as "Hot Car Death Prevention Month" to increase public awareness and education on the risks and prevention of leaving children unattended in vehicles.

Declares April as "Hot Car Death Prevention Month" to promote awareness and prevent the deaths of children left in hot cars.

Encourages agencies such as the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Health, and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to sponsor public awareness events.

Aims to educate the public on motor vehicle safety for children, the legal consequences of leaving a child unattended in a vehicle, and steps a bystander can take to rescue a child in danger.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0591ER.pdf

First Responders

SB 718 Exposures of First Responders to Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogs

Senator Jay Collins

Creates criminal penalties for exposing first responders to fentanyl and fentanyl analogs resulting in overdose or serious bodily injury.

Defines "dangerous fentanyl or fentanyl analogs," "expose" or "exposure," "first responder," "overdose or serious bodily injury," and "recklessly."

States that persons 18 and older, who unlawfully possess fentanyl or fentanyl analogs and recklessly expose first responders, leading to their overdose or serious injury, commit a second-degree felony.

Amends existing laws to grant immunity from arrest, charges, prosecution, or penalties to individuals seeking medical assistance for someone experiencing an alcohol-related or drug-related overdose, including when the offense involves the new section on exposing first responders to dangerous substances.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0718ER.pdf

SB 184 Impeding, Threatening, or Harassing First Responders

Senator Bryan Avila

The bill creates a new statute that criminalizes approaching first responders with specified intent after being warned not to.

Defines "first responder" to include law enforcement officers, correctional probation officers, firefighters, and emergency medical care providers.

Defines "harass" as intentionally causing substantial emotional distress to a first responder without a legitimate purpose.

Prohibits individuals from knowingly and willfully approaching or remaining within 25 feet of a first responder, after a verbal warning, with the intent to impede, threaten physical harm, or harass.

Establishes violations of this prohibition as a misdemeanor of the second degree, subject to applicable penalties.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0184ER.pdf

Organ Donation

HB 1113 Use of Lights and Sirens on Emergency Vehicles

Representative Sam Killebrew

Expands the definition of "authorized emergency vehicles" to include organ transport vehicles and updates privileges and requirements for such vehicles, including the use of warning signals and emergency operation courses for drivers.

Revises the definition of "authorized emergency vehicles" to now include emergency management vehicles, organ transport vehicles, and departmental vehicles of municipal and county departments, broadening the scope of vehicles with emergency privileges.

Introduces "organ transport vehicle" as a vehicle specifically used for transporting organs or surgical teams for organ recovery and transplant, requiring operators to complete a 16-hour emergency vehicle operation course.

Allows drivers of authorized emergency vehicles to exercise certain privileges when transporting organs or surgical teams to hospitals, airports, or designated locations, enhancing organ transport efficiency.

Permits authorized emergency vehicles and organ transport vehicles to operate emergency lights and sirens in emergencies, and specifically allows organ transport vehicles to display red lights, increasing visibility for urgent transport.

Updates related statutes and cross-references to conform to the changes made by this act, ensuring consistency across laws regarding vehicle operations in emergency situations.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/1113ER.pdf

Facility Transparency & Regulation

HB 7089 Health Care Expenses

Representative Mike Grant

Establishes a 3-year statute of limitations for actions to collect medical debt for services rendered by licensed health care facilities.

Provides exemptions from legal process for certain personal property when the debt is for medical services provided by facilities licensed under Chapter 395.

Requires facilities to post standard charges for at least 300 shoppable health care services or provide a price estimator tool.

Mandates licensed facilities to provide a good faith estimate of charges to patients or prospective patients and their health insurers within specific timeframes.

Introduces an internal grievance process for patients to dispute charges, with required response times.

Prohibits licensed facilities from engaging in specified extraordinary collection actions without making reasonable efforts to determine financial assistance eligibility.

Expands the definitions of "health care provider" and "health insurer" and requires health insurers to provide an advanced explanation of benefits following a patient estimate from a facility.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/7089ER.pdf

HB 1259 Providers of Cardiovascular Services

Representative Alex Andrade

Mandates the Agency for Health Care Administration to adopt new rules for Level I Adult Cardiovascular Services programs, allowing them to incorporate specific tools and treatments.

Directs the establishment of licensure levels for hospital programs in adult cardiovascular services, distinguishing between Level I and Level II programs.

Enables Level I programs to perform adult percutaneous cardiac intervention without onsite cardiac surgery.

Adds the use of rotational or other atherectomy devices, electrophysiology, and treatment of chronic total occlusions to the services that Level I programs can provide.

Confirms that Level II programs authorize the performance of percutaneous cardiac intervention with onsite cardiac surgery.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/1259ER.pdf

Mental Health & Substance Abuse

HB 7021 Mental Health and Substance Abuse- BAKER & MARCHMAN ACT

Representative Patt Maney

Revises mental health and substance abuse regulations in Florida, including protocols for involuntary examinations and treatment, licensing for psychiatric nurses, and the establishment of behavioral health collaboratives.

Exempts certain licensed physicians and nurses from background screening requirements.

Specifies timeframes and protocols for recording patient restrictions and serving notices on specific parties.

Authorizes psychiatric nurses to consult with guardian advocates and order emergency treatment.

Establishes parameters for transferring patients for involuntary services and specifies conditions for their release.

Introduces requirements for documenting a patient's clinical records upon voluntary admissions.

Amends procedures for law enforcement officers handling minor patients for involuntary examinations.

Defines involuntary outpatient placement and the criteria for ordering individuals to involuntary outpatient treatment.

Clarifies the conditions under which mental health facilities may exceed licensed capacity.

Establishes the Office of Children's Behavioral Health Ombudsman within the Department of Children and Families.

Adjusts several related statutes for consistency with the changes made by this act.

Provides $50,000,000 of recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund for implementation.

Repeals several sections related to involuntary assessment and stabilization and involuntary treatment services.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/7021E1.pdf

HB 1065 Substance Abuse Treatment

Representative Mike Caruso

Establishes changes to the regulation and certification of substance abuse treatment providers and recovery residences.

Defines "community housing" as a certified recovery residence provided by a licensed service provider for patients in intensive treatment.

Modifies levels of care at certified recovery residences, ranging from Level I with minimal supervision to Level IV with 24-hour staff supervision and integration of outpatient services.

Allows the Department of Children and Families more flexibility in issuing licenses to service providers by removing the requirement for a separate license for each service component.

Extends the deadline for recovery residences to replace a certified administrator, and sets criteria for removing individuals from positions in certified recovery residences.

Prohibits certified recovery residences from denying housing based on prescribed medication for substance use disorders after a certain date.

Restricts local ordinances from regulating the duration or frequency of stays in recovery residences within specific zoning districts.

Authorizes certain Level IV recovery residences to manage more residents under specified conditions and adds restrictions on administrators who have been removed from their positions.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/1065ER.pdf

SB 66 Revive Awareness Day

Senator Jason Brodeur

Designates June 6 as "Revive Awareness Day" to raise awareness of opioid overdose dangers and promote the safe use of opioid antagonists.

Names the act "Victoria's Law."

Encourages the Governor to issue an annual proclamation for Revive Awareness Day.

Suggests the Department of Health hold events emphasizing the dangers of opioid overdose, and information on the availability and safe use of opioid antagonists like naloxone.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0066ER.pdf

SB 1512 Controlled Substances

Senator Jason Brodeur

Adds tianeptine to the list of Schedule I controlled substances, recognizing its high potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/1512ER.pdf

Office Surgery

HB 1561 Office Surgeries

Representative Demi Busatta Cabrera

Amends existing laws to update the requirements and standards for office surgeries in medical facilities, focusing on specific procedures like liposuction exceeding 1,000 cubic centimeters of supernatant fat removal, Level II and III office surgeries, and gluteal fat grafting procedures.

Requires offices to register with the Department of Health to perform specified surgeries, prohibiting registration for facilities already licensed under chapters 390 or 395.

Mandates registered offices designate a physician responsible for compliance with health and safety requirements, who must notify the department within 10 days of any change in designated physician.

Introduces financial responsibility criteria for offices performing gluteal fat grafting procedures, aligning them with existing requirements for physicians.

Updates standards of practice for office surgeries, including prohibitions on certain types of surgery and the requirement for a one-to-one physician-to-patient ratio during gluteal fat grafting procedures.

Stipulates adherence to specific guidelines for gluteal fat grafting, including in-person examinations, written informed consent for delegated duties, use of ultrasound guidance, and prohibition of intramuscular or submuscular fat injections.

Requires the reporting of hospitalizations resulting from office procedures as adverse incidents and amends the cross-reference for the immediate suspension of license for non-compliance with practice standards

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/1561ER.pdf

Practitioner Regulation

HB 0975 Background Screenings and Certifications

Representative Dana Trabulsy

Provides qualifications for person seeking certification as person with lived experience;

Requires continuum of care lead agencies to submit certain information to DCF for purposes of background screening;

Expands certain background screening requirements to apply to all health care practitioners; revises licensure, registration, or certification requirements for acupuncturists; optometrists; pharmacists; dentists; midwives; speech-language pathologists & audiologists; nursing home administrators; occupational therapists; respiratory therapists; dietitian /nutritionists; practitioners of orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics; electrologists; clinical laboratory personnel; medical physicists; genetic counselors; opticians; physical therapists; psychologists &  school psychologists; clinical social workers, marriage & family therapists, & mental health counselors.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0975E1.pdf

HB 1063 Practice of Chiropractic Medicine

Representative Christine Hunschofsky

Expands the scope of chiropractic medicine in Florida to include dry needling, revises education requirements, and mandates standards for dry needling practice by chiropractic physicians.

Revises the definition of "practice of chiropractic medicine" to include dry needling for the treatment of trigger points or myofascial pain.

Updates licensure education requirements for chiropractic physicians, allowing credential evaluation reports from approved organizations as proof of education equivalent to a bachelor's degree.

Requires the Board of Chiropractic Medicine to establish minimum standards for chiropractic physicians performing dry needling, including specific education and training requirements, restrictions, and patient consent protocols.

Specifies that chiropractic physicians must complete 40 hours of in-person continuing education on dry needling (24 hours for those certified in chiropractic acupuncture) and pass a written and practical exam.

Stipulates that dry needling courses must be approved by specified entities and instructors must meet certain qualifications.

Outlines requirements for supervised patient sessions and mandates that dry needling cannot be delegated or performed without patient consent and education.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/1063ER.pdf

HB 197 Health Care Practitioners and Massage Therapy

Representative Vickie Lopez

Enhances regulations and accountability for health care practitioners, particularly massage therapists and massage establishments, with an emphasis on preventing sexual misconduct and human trafficking.

Requires the Department of Health to include specific data on massage therapists and establishments in their annual report, breaking down complaints, investigations, and disciplinary actions related to violations.

Authorizes the immediate suspension of licenses for massage therapists, establishment managers, and employees involved in certain crimes or if found to be an immediate danger to the public due to sexual misconduct.

Expands and specifies the definitions relevant to the operation of massage establishments, including "employee," "sexual activity," and "advertising medium."

Revises massage establishment requirements related to sexual activity prohibition, window transparency, signs, employee dress code, and the maintenance and display of employee and customer records.

Specifies advertising requirements for massage therapists and establishments, prohibiting advertisements related to prostitution services.

Prohibits the use of massage establishments as shelter, harboring or sleeping quarters for any person.

Requires massage establishments to ensure all employees can immediately present valid government identification upon request and notifies a federal immigration office if they fail to do so.

Declares massage establishments in violation of new regulations as a nuisance, subject to abatement or injunction.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0197ER.pdf

HB 935 Home Health Care Services

Representative Gallop Franklin

Expands eligibility for ordering Medicaid home health services to include advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0935ER.pdf

Department of Health

HB 7085 Sickle Cell Disease

Representative Kelly Skidmore

Establishes the Sickle Cell Disease Research and Treatment Grant Program within the Department of Health to fund projects improving health care services for people with sickle cell disease.

Specifies that funds will be awarded to community-based medical treatment and research centers.

Lists eligible projects including workforce development, education related to sickle cell disease, and operational support for Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers of Excellence.

Requires the department to publicize the program, establish application processes by July 15, 2024, and develop data reporting and monitoring processes.

Mandates an annual report detailing the program's progress and outcomes.

Limits administrative expenses to 5% of grant funds and allows carrying forward unexpended appropriation for up to 5 years.

Revises newborn screening requirements for sickle cell disease, requiring notification to parents or guardians and inclusion in the sickle cell registry.

Expands registry inclusion to individuals beyond newborns with the disease or trait, offering them the choice to participate.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/7085ER.pdf

SB 7072 Cancer Funding

Representative Sam Garrison

Revises the purpose and duties of the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program and establishes the Cancer Connect Collaborative within the Department of Health to advise on cancer research and treatment.

Expands the program's goal to include promoting high-quality, innovative cancer treatment in Florida and specifies new responsibilities, including making cancer innovation grant funding available.

Creates the Cancer Connect Collaborative to advise on a holistic approach to cancer research and treatment funding, with specified membership and meeting requirements.

Requires the collaborative to develop a comprehensive long-range plan for the program, soliciting input from various stakeholders, and submit this plan to the Governor and Legislature.

Specifies that the collaborative will advise on grant awarding from the Cancer Innovation Fund, prioritizing applications that expand innovative treatment models into underserved areas.

Adjusts reporting requirements for the department and cancer centers, including an annual report on cancer mortality and research funding.

Sets new requisites for allocation agreements relating to cancer center payments, including a cap on administrative expenses and requirements for reporting outcome data.

Revises Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council's membership and quorum requirements.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/7072ER.pdf

SB 1582 Department of Health

Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez

Revises the requirements and protocols related to health screenings and research within the state's healthcare infrastructure.

Defines "environmental health technician" and exempts them from certain certification requirements under specified conditions.

Mandates the adoption of rules establishing standards for environmental health technician certification.

Creates the Andrew John Anderson Pediatric Rare Disease Grant Program for scientific and clinical research related to pediatric rare diseases.

Adjusts responsibilities around newborn screenings, specifying that health care practitioners present at birth or responsible for neonatal care have primary responsibilities for administering certain screenings.

Revises the definition of "health care practitioner" to include licensed genetic counselors and specifies blood specimen collection requirements for newborn screenings.

Deletes former identification and screening requirements for newborns and families for environmental and health risk factors, along with certain department duties.

Defines the term "toddler" and revises hearing loss screening requirements to include infants and toddlers.

Modifies sickle cell disease and trait screening requirements, allowing parents or guardians to opt out of having their newborn's information included in a registry.

Requires the promotion of screening pregnant women and infants for specified environmental risk factors.

Amends the composition and quorum requirements of the Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council.

Aligns cross-references and introduces protocol for managing deficiencies within medical marijuana treatment center license applications, including provisions for applications affected by applicant death.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/1582ER.pdf

SB 168 Congenital Cytomegalovirus Screenings

Senator Tina Polsky

Mandates specific hospitals to administer congenital cytomegalovirus screenings for newborns under certain conditions, ensuring Medicaid coverage for these screenings and the necessary follow-up evaluations.

Requires hospitals and birthing facilities to screen all newborns for hearing loss, conducting additional screenings for congenital cytomegalovirus if hearing loss is detected or if there are other specific health concerns, within 21 days of birth or before discharge.

Obligates hospitals providing neonatal intensive care to screen newborns admitted for premature birth, cardiac care, or treatments requiring a prolonged stay for congenital cytomegalovirus before the newborn becomes 21 days old.

Ensures that newborns transferred to a hospital for a higher level of care undergo congenital cytomegalovirus screening, even if a hearing screening has not been administered.

Mandates Medicaid coverage for initial screenings and necessary follow-up evaluations, specifying that health insurance policies must compensate providers for these services.

Requires newborns diagnosed with congenital cytomegalovirus, with or without hearing loss, to be referred to a primary care physician for treatment and to the Children's Medical Services Early Intervention Program for additional evaluation and monitoring if necessary.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0168ER.pdf

HB 415 Pregnancy and Parenting Resources Website

Representative Berny Jacques

Creates a requirement for the Florida Department of Health to maintain a dedicated website offering information and resources on pregnancy and parenting in consultation with the Department of Children and Families and the Agency for Health Care Administration.

Specifies the content of the website, including educational materials on pregnancy, maternal and postnatal services, programs for fathers, social services, financial assistance, and adoption services.

Mandates that the Department of Health, the Department of Children and Families, and the Agency for Health Care Administration must each feature a prominent link to this website on their own websites.

Directs the Department of Health to contract a third party to develop the website, ensuring it is operational by January 1, 2025.

Allocates $466,200 from the Administrative Trust Fund to the Department of Health for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to facilitate the implementation of this act.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0415ER.pdf

SB 186 Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases Policy Committee

Senator Jason Brodeur

Establishes a policy committee focused on progressive supranuclear palsy and other neurodegenerative diseases, tasked with various research and policy development duties.

Requires the State Surgeon General to form a committee supported by the Department of Health to examine neurodegenerative diseases, including identifying annual diagnosed cases and impacts.

Details committee duties such as developing a risk surveillance system, enhancing patient awareness, and improving detection and care standards.

Specifies the committee to have 20 members, including health care providers, family members of patients, advocates, and appointments by legislative leaders, all serving without compensation.

Mandates electronic meetings beginning by October 1, 2024, with progress and final reports due to the Governor and Legislature by January 4, 2025, and January 4, 2026, respectively.

Declares the committee will sunset on July 1, 2026.

BILL Text

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2024/pdf/0186ER.pdf

STAY TUNED for Governor's ACTIONS

Bills are presented to the Governor at staggering times after the completion of Session.

Pursuant to Article III, section 8, of the Florida Constitution,

"Every bill passed by the legislature shall be presented to the governor for approval and shall become a law if the governor approves and signs it, or fails to veto it within seven consecutive days after presentation.

If during that period or on the seventh day the legislature adjourns sine die or takes a recess of more than thirty days, the governor shall have fifteen consecutive days from the date of presentation to act on the bill."