Florida's Legislative Session 2025: 1st Week Recap

News & Press: Advocacy

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 (0 Comments)

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Fraser Cobbe and Joe Daraskevich explain what happened in the first week of the 2025 Legislative Session in Tallahassee, specifically some noteworthy nuggets for the medical community. With the Department of Government Efficiency getting a lot of attention at the national level, Fraser breaks down how a similar initiative in Florida could mean some changes for physicians. Fraser and Joe also focus on some bills with early momentum and why doctors need to follow those closely in the weeks ahead.

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Healthcare Session 2025 Recap of "Capitol Conversations" as we ADVOCATE in 2025

Content provided by Toni Large, Large Strategies, Inc.

First Week SENATE Spotlight

SB 110 - Rural Communities

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2025/pdf/analysis_110_03-03-25_post_2342.pdf

To further healthcare access in rural communities, the bill:
Creates the Stroke, Cardiac, and Obstetric Response and Education (SCORE) Grant Program within the Department of Health (DOH) to implement training, purchase equipment, establish telehealth capabilities, and develop quality improvement programs with the goal of improving patient outcomes and increasing access to high-quality stroke, cardiac, and obstetric care in rural communities;
Creates the Rural Access to Primary and Preventative Care Grant Program (RAPP-C) program within the DOH to provide incentive funding for primary care physicians and autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to open new practice locations in rural and underserved areas of the state; and
Expands the existing Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant Program (RHCI) to allow rural hospitals to use grant funds to establish mobile care units to provide primary care services, behavioral health services, or obstetric and gynecological services in rural health professional shortage areas (HPSA) or to establish telehealth kiosks to provide urgent care services in rural HPSAs.

Senator Corey Simon, R Quincy

Know as the Rural Renaissance Priority of Senate President Ben Albritton

FAVORABLE by Community Affairs

Remaining Committee Stops: Senate Fiscal Policy

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SB 526 - Nursing Education Programs

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2025/pdf/analysis_526_03-05-25_post_2351.pdf

Amends s. 464.019, F.S., adding the the following requirements to the application process for nursing education program approval:

Must have evaluation and standardized admission criteria that identify students who are likely to need additional educational support
Must have a comprehensive examination to prepare nursing students for the NCLEX;
Criteria for remediation that will be offered to students who do not successfully pass the exit examination.

A program with NCLEX passage rates at least ten % points below the average passage rate must offer remediation at no additional cost or refer the student to an approved remedial program.

The bill requires the BON to deny or revoke an application that has had adverse action taken against it by another regulatory jurisdiction in the U.S.

Supporters maintained the need to raise Florida’s last-place NCLEX pass rates

Senator Gayle Harrell, R Stuart

FAVORABLE by Senate Health Policy

Remaining Committee Stops:

Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; Fiscal Policy

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First Week HOUSE CONCERNS

HB 649 - Autonomous Practice by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2025/pdf/analysis_649_03-05-25_post_2320.pdf

The bill authorizes autonomous CRNAs to perform CRNA-specific acts without an established supervisory protocol. The bill also exempts autonomous CRNAs practicing in certain facilities from the statutory requirement that they only administer anesthesia under onsite physician or dentist supervision and within an established protocol. The bill allows such facilities to require an autonomous CRNA to operate under an established protocol approved by the medical staff or the governing board of the facility.

Members asked whether CRNAs are adequately trained, insured, and prepared to handle emergencies, while supporters noted that removing physician supervision aligns with other states and addresses workforce gaps, and opponents argued that ultimate responsibility should remain with physicians for patient safety.

Rep Mike Giallombardo, R

Cape Coral

FAVORABLE by Health Professions & Programs SubCommittee

Remaining Committee Stops: Health & Human Services Committee

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HB 6017 - Recovery of Damages for Medical Negligence Resulting in Death

https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2025/pdf/analysis_6017_03-05-25_post_2322.pdf

Expands the application of the Florida Wrongful Death Act by repealing exceptions that prohibit certain parents and children of a deceased patient who dies due to medical negligence from recovering noneconomic damages

Currently, neither an adult child (25+) of an unmarried person who dies due to medical negligence, nor the parents of an adult child (25+) who dies due to medical negligence, may recover noneconomic damages (commonly referred to as “pain and suffering damages”). They may, however, recover through the estate economic damages such as net accumulations, final medical bills, and funeral and burial expenses.

In the Senate Judiciary Committee, members such as Senator Hooper (R) and Senator Passidomo (R) debated accountability versus containing malpractice premiums. The bill ultimately passed, with supporters emphasizing justice for survivors and opponents calling for stronger oversight of negligent providers.

In the House subcommittee hearing, members asked whether repealing the provision might drive up medical malpractice premiums or if there had been any recent surge in such cases. The bill sponsor noted that the intent was to establish parity rather than respond to increased suits.

Rep Dana Trabulsy, R Ft Pierce

FAVORABLE (18-0) by Civil Justice & Claims

Remaining Committee Stops: Judiciary

The Senate companion, SB 734 also received favorable passage in Judiciary

(9-2); Remaining stops: Appropriations Committee on Health & Human Services; Rules

Senator Sponsor: Clay Yarborough, R Jacksonville

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Up Next Week

Want to know what health care legislation has been filed as of today?

We have a comprehensive report on all heath care bills being considered before the Florida Legislature.

Find an updated tracking chart in each new addition.

https://files.constantcontact.com/2a3b97ad701/1bd498c1-a19e-422d-8ac8-3f212e45b163.pdf?rdr=true