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Legislators moved a flurry of healthcare-related legislation in Week 4 of the session. On the health insurance front, HB 1335, ensuring insurance coverage of colorectal cancer screenings without patient cost-sharing, unanimously passed the Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee (16-0). If adopted by the legislature, this patient-centered bill would take effect January 1, 2026. 

In other healthcare insurance-related news, SB 1842 by Sen. Burton, addressing out-of-network provider referrals, advanced in the Senate Health Policy Committee (8-2). The measure would require healthcare practitioners to verify whether referred providers are within a patient's insurance network and notify patients in writing about potential extra costs from out-of-network services. 

As in prior weeks, medical malpractice and scope of practice were front and center in week 4. HB 6017 by Rep. Trabulsy passed the House (104-6), broadening the eligibility for individuals to seek noneconomic damages in wrongful death medical negligence cases. A similar measure, SB 734, passed the Senate Rules Committee. HB 649 by Rep. Giallombardo advanced through the House Health & Human Services Committee (18-7), expanding autonomous practice for certified registered nurse anesthetists.

Dr. Joseph Sassano &

Sen. Joe Gruters

Steve Winn & Dean Alma Littles, MD, FSU College

of Medicine

LLW Legislative Report

Legislative Highlights

SB 0172 – Health Care Practitioner Specialty Titles and Designations by Burton

The Senate Health Policy Committee passed SB 0172 by a vote of 7-3. SB 0172 specifies that only board-certified physicians may use certain medical specialist titles, such as "cardiologist," "dermatologist," or "orthopedic surgeon," and authorizes medical boards to expand this list. It prohibits non-physician practitioners from using these specialist titles unless explicitly permitted by law, except for chiropractors, podiatrists, dentists, and anesthesiologist assistants. The bill empowers the Department of Health to issue a cease and desist order and take enforcement actions against practitioners improperly using physician-level titles or engaging in unlicensed medical practice.

SB 0734 – Actions for Recovery of Damages for Wrongful Death by Yarborough

The Senate Rules Committee passed SB 0734 by a vote of 23-1. SB 0734 removes the prohibition on recovering noneconomic damages in wrongful death actions for adult children or parents of deceased adults, thereby expanding liability exposure in wrongful death lawsuits involving medical negligence. The committee amended the bill to specify that complaints, investigative reports, settlements, final orders, disciplinary proceedings, and prior adverse medical incident reports involving healthcare providers or facilities are now discoverable and admissible as evidence. The amendment also introduces a new statute allowing liability insurers of healthcare providers to be joined as defendants in medical negligence lawsuits and permits the disclosure of insurance coverage to juries. SB 0734 is on the Senate Calendar of bills on second reading.

HB 6017 – Recovery of Damages for Medical Negligence Resulting in Death by Trabulsy

The Florida House passed HB 6017 by a vote of 104-6. HB 6017 expands the scope of damages available under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act by removing prohibitions on recovery of noneconomic damages by adult children (25 or older) and parents of deceased adult children in medical negligence wrongful death cases. The bill is in the Senate for its consideration. 

HB 1335 – Coverage for Colorectal Cancer Screening and Diagnosis by Gonzalez Pittman



The House Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee passed HB 1335 by a vote of 16-0. HB 1335 revises colorectal cancer screening requirements under the Cover Florida Health Care Access Program. It mandates that specified health insurance policies and health maintenance contracts cover FDA-approved or American Cancer Society-recommended colorectal cancer screenings without patient cost-sharing, effective January 1, 2026. HB 1335 is now awaiting review by the House Budget Committee.

SB 1842 – Out-of-network Providers by Burton

The Senate Health Policy Committee passed SB 1842 by a vote of 8-2. SB 1842 requires healthcare practitioners or their employees to verify whether referral providers participate in a patient's insurer network for nonemergency services. It mandates written patient notification regarding potential extra costs associated with out-of-network providers, with documentation required in the patient’s medical record. Practitioners may face disciplinary action for noncompliance without good cause. SB 1842 is now awaiting consideration by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services.

HB 0649 – Autonomous Practice by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists by Giallombardo

The House Health & Human Services Committee passed HB 0649 by a vote of 18-7. HB 0649 authorizes certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to practice autonomously without established physician supervision protocols in specified settings, removing statutory requirements for onsite oversight by physicians or dentists. The bill has raised ongoing concerns among physician groups regarding patient safety and care standards. HB 0649 is currently on the House Calendar of bills on second reading.

FOMA Bill Tracking Report - Week 4

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