The 2025 session of the Florida Legislature has seen significant legislative activity, with nearly 2,000 bills filed and only 254 passing both chambers. The state budget, which is constitutionally required, was not passed before the scheduled end of the session. Lawmakers approved a concurrent resolution to extend the regular session until June 6, 2025.
One key area of focus was health policy. The Department of Health package (HB 1299/SB 1270) moved forward after controversial language about discrimination based on vaccination status was removed. Provisions that remained included extending the repeal date for the definition of “messenger ribonucleic acid vaccine,” expanding institutions that can grant medical faculty certificates, updating temporary certificate laws for critical-need areas, and adjusting background check requirements for certain medical marijuana treatment center personnel.
Notably, changes were made to last year’s Interstate Mobility Act to reduce licensure practice requirements from three years to two and allow more flexibility for applicants with National Practitioner Data Bank reports. Language was also added late in the process to permit newly licensed residents from other states to qualify for licensure by endorsement in Florida.
The Legislature also passed the “Emily Adkins Protection Act” (HB 1421/SB 890), which mandates hospitals and surgical centers implement policies and training related to screening and treating venous thromboembolisms. A statewide registry will collect data on these cases in an effort to improve patient outcomes. Assisted living facilities must now provide informational pamphlets about blood clots. This legislation drew support from the Florida Medical Association (FMA) and members who participated in a state workgroup on blood clots.
Stem cell therapy regulation advanced with SB 1768/HB 1617. Physicians are authorized to perform certain non-FDA-approved stem cell therapies if proper consent is obtained and advertising clarifies FDA status. Facilities handling stem cells must be registered with federal authorities or accredited organizations. Use of fetal or embryo-derived cells from abortions is excluded, and violations may result in felony charges or disciplinary actions.
A bill addressing overpayments by patients (SB 1808/HB 1513) now requires refunds within thirty days once an overpayment is identified by healthcare providers or facilities.
Changes affecting recovery of damages for medical negligence resulting in death were also approved (HB 6017/SB 734). If signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, this would allow noneconomic damages claims by adult children or parents of deceased adults in wrongful death cases stemming from medical negligence—a shift opposed by FMA and allied groups.
Efforts to expand scope-of-practice for allied health providers were unsuccessful this session; no such expansion bills passed.
Legislation proposing new standards for office surgery was rewritten after input from FMA but did not advance out of committee.
Bills relating to electronic prescribing failed after differences between House and Senate versions could not be reconciled. The FMA advocated successfully to retain exemptions allowing paper prescriptions when necessary.
A proposal requiring physicians to notify patients when referring them out-of-network did not pass following negotiations that narrowed its scope but ultimately resulted in withdrawal due to unresolved differences between chambers.
Legislation aiming to change parental consent requirements for minors’ medical care failed on the Senate floor despite amendments secured by physician groups and specialty societies.
The recurring debate over protected professional titles—known as the “ology bill”—was again unresolved this year after previous versions had been vetoed or stripped during legislative negotiations.
As lawmakers turn their attention exclusively to finalizing the budget during the extended session, two items remain under discussion: SB 110, which proposes grants for rural primary healthcare providers; and funding levels for the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME) program. The House proposed reducing FRAME funding from $46 million to $16 million while the Senate maintained full funding at $46 million. The FMA continues advocating full support for this initiative designed to encourage professionals—including doctors, dentists, mental health workers, and nurses—to serve in underserved communities through annual payments offsetting education-related debt.
