Upcoming Events

At the Capitol

The 2009 regular Florida Legislative Session has concluded.  Following is a list of health-related bills that were filed. For final action on these bills, see Florida Online Sunshine.

Bill Briefs:

HOUSE BILLS

HB 1, Seat belt enforcement, by Rep. Rich Glorioso: Allows police to pull over a driver for not wearing a seat belt. Approved by the House Roads, Bridges & Ports Policy Committee.

HB 7, Driver license restrictions, by Rep. Kelly Skidmore: Restricts number of minors who can ride in a car driven by someone under the age of 18.

HB 11, Cigarette user fees, by Rep. Jim Waldman: Increases the state’s cigarette tax by $1 a pack and uses the money to pay for health care programs and cancer research.

HB 33, Childhood vaccinations, by Rep. Kevin Ambler: Requires health care providers to disclose information about vaccinations to a minor’s parent or legal guardian before vaccination. Approved by the Health Care Regulation Policy Committee.

HB 37, Relief for Charles Pandrea, by Rep. Elaine Schwartz: Allows North Broward Hospital District to compensate $608,554 to Charles Pandrea for the death of Janet Pandrea as a result of negligence by the district.

HB 39, Vaccine Safety Act, by Rep. Michael Scionti: Prohibits sale, purchase, manufacture, delivery, importation, administration & distribution of vaccines containing organic or inorganic mercury compounds in excess of certain amounts.

HB 53, Clinical laboratories, by Rep. Luis Garcia: Requires clinical laboratories to accept human specimens submitted by advanced registered nurse practitioners. Approved by House committees and awaiting a vote by the full House. The House Health and Family Services Policy Council adopted an amendment that repeals a requirement that initial drug tests given to employees must be given at a clinical laboratory, enabling drug tests to be given at an employer's work site.

HB 75, University of South Florida pharmacy program, by Rep. Seth McKeel: Authorizes doctor of pharmacy degree program at University of South Florida. Approved by House committees and awaiting a vote by the full House.

HB 79, Violations of injunctions for protection, by Rep. Janet Long: Adds circumstances that violate protective injunctions, including going within 500 feet of a home, school or workplace of a person who sought protection. Approved by House committees and awaiting a vote by the full House.

HB 87, School speed zones, by Rep. Michael Scionti: Requires installation of traffic and pedestrian control devices at public and private schools located on state roads.

HB 89, Autism, by Rep. Stephen Precourt: Requires physician to refer minor to appropriate specialist for autism screening under certain conditions. Approved by the House Health Care Policy Services committee approved an amendment that requires health insurers to cover evaluation and diagnosis of autism. The amendment also required HMOs to provide direct access to specialists for evaluation, diagnosis and screening for autism.

HB 95, Breast cancer treatment, by Rep. Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed: Requires HMOs and health insurance companies to cover hospital stay for lymph node dissections.

HB 109, Clinical, counseling and psychotherapy services, by Rep. Leonard Bembry: Protects therapists and counselors from being sued if they disclose confidential information to police. Approved by two House committees and one House council.

HB 117, Emergency management, by Rep. Elaine Schwartz: Regulates health professionals who volunteer during an emergency, including how long and where health professionals can provide services during a declared emergency.

HB 125, Conveyance of bodies into or out of state, by Rep. Peter Nehr: Allows certified museums to bring in plastinated bodies for exhibition and education purposes. Approved by the House Military & Local Affairs Policy Committee and Health Care Regulation Policy Committee.

HB 129, Reproductive health services and family planning, by Rep. Audrey Gibson: Requires health care professionals to provide information and access to emergency contraception to rape victims.

HM 131, Federal funding for home health services for elders, by Rep. Mark Pafford: Urges Congress to support home and community-based services for the elderly and people with disabilities. Resolution laid on table. Senate version passed instead.

HB 139, Driving restrictions, by Rep. Ari Porth: Increases the age limit to get a driver’s license from 16 years old to 17 years old.

HB 143, Prescription drug monitoring system, by Rep. Carl Domino: Requires the state to create a prescription drug database.

HB 145, Drug database public records exemption, by Rep. Carl Domino: Creates a public records exemption for information maintained in state-created prescription drug database.

HB 147, Mental health coverage, by Rep. Ed Homan: Requires insurers and HMOs to cover mental disorders at the same level they would cover physical illnesses.

HB 153, Health care representatives, by Rep. Tom Anderson: Creates a health care representative who can make health care decisions or receive health care information on behalf of another person.

HB 155, Boat safety, by Rep. Marty Kiar: Raises the age requirement to operate a small boat from 14 years old to 16 years old. Approved by House Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Committee and House Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee.

HB 165, DUI penalties, by Rep. Peter Nehr: Limits the circumstances when a judge can allow someone convicted of driving under the influence to pay a fine instead of performing 50 hours of community service. Amended and approved by the House Public Safety and Domestic Security Committee. Measure now raises the fine charged to those convicted of DUI from $10 to $50. House Roads, Bridges & Ports Policy Committee approved the bill after adding new provision that requires the installation of an ignition interlocking device on the car of anyone convicted of a fourth DUI provided they have applied to the state for reinstatement of driving privileges 10 years after the fourth conviction.

HB 169, Equine activities, by Rep. Joseph Abruzzo: Requires children under 16 to wear a helmet while horseback riding. Approved by the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Committee. Approved by the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Committee and the House Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee.

HB 175, Local government officers and employees, by Rep. Darren Soto: Would allow all counties, cities and special taxing districts to have their employees participate in the state group health insurance program instead of limiting it to small counties and small cities. Bill withdrawn from further consideration.

HB 185, Access to health care, by Rep. Matt Hudson: Establishes the Florida Health Dental Task Force to look at improving access to dentists in the Medicaid program; allows the Florida Dental Association to nominate a new member to the board of Florida Healthy Kids and prohibits all prepaid limited health service organizations from restricting providers from contracting with more than one prepaid limited health service organization. Approved by the Florida House. The House Health Care Regulation Policy Committee removed the provision requiring the dental task force.

HB 189, Dangerous dogs, by Rep. Perry Thurston: Would allow local governments to enact breed-specific dangerous dog regulations.

HB 197, Use of pancreatic enzyme prescription supplements, by Rep. Ronald Renuart: Allows public school students to use pancreatic enzyme prescription supplements while attending school. Approved by House PreK-12 Policy Committee.

HB 201, Drug paraphernalia sales surtax, by Rep. Darryl Rouson: Imposes 25 percent surtax on all drug paraphernalia, whether it is being sold for legal purposes. Includes needles and water pipes.

HB 209, Revised uniform anatomical gift act, by Rep. Elaine Schwartz: Revises laws for someone who wishes to donate a body part or organ before death and after death including eliminating a hospital or physician as a donee and provides immunity to the person and that person's estate for making the anatomical gift. Approved by House Health Care Regulation Policy Committee and House Civil Justice & Courts Policy Committee.

HB 211, Child abduction prevention, by Rep. Elaine Schwartz: Authorizes courts to order abduction prevention measures if a court finds credible risk of abduction. Measure also provides for state attorneys to take custody of a child under certain circumstances.

HB 231, Patient lifting and handling practices, by Rep. Denise Grimsley: Requires hospitals to establish policy concerning safe lifting and handling of patients.

HB 233, Internet safety education programs in public libraries, by Rep. Rachel Burgin: Public libraries would be encouraged to adopt Internet safety education programs for children and adults.

HB 235, Women’s health, by Rep. Tom Anderson: Requires Department of Health to create pilot program in Pasco, Duval and Miami-Dade Counties to provide health screening programs for certain women.

HB 239, Autism license plate, by Rep. Rich Glorioso: Creates an autism specialty license plate where proceeds would go to programs that help those with autism and related disabilities.

HB 241, Health care facilities staffing, by Rep. Oscar Braynon: Creates “Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act” that mandates staffing standards for acute care hospitals, emergency room and outpatient surgery facilities.

HB 243, Health care management, by Rep. Jimmy Patronis: Prohibits insurers from engaging in actions that encourage policy holders to not make payments before medical service is rendered and adds circumstances in which a health insurer may not retroactively deny claims.

HB 249, Physician assistants, by Rep. Jimmy Patronis: A physician may not be required to review and cosign physician assistant’s charts or medical records.

HB 257, Motor vehicle safety, by Rep. Dwight Bullard: Requires certain highways located adjacent to canals and other water bodies to have guardrails or other barriers.

HB 261, Cellphone ban for minors, by Rep. John Legg: Any driver under the age of 18 cannot use a cellphone or other electronic wireless communication device.

HB 263, Prescription drug coverage, by Rep. Alan Hays: Prohibits health insurance policies or medical service plan contracts from reducing prescription drug coverage if a policy holder was already using the drug.

HB 265, Sex education, by Rep. Keith Fitzgerald: Creates “Florida Healthy Teens Act” and requires public schools to provide certain information or programs to students concerning human sexuality starting in the 6th grade. The information includes that abstinence is the only sure way to prevent pregnancy and information that includes health benefits and side effects of contraception.

HB 285, Low income pool council, by Rep. Jimmy Patronis: Repeals low-income pool council and instead requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to make recommendations regarding financing and distribution of low-income pool funds.

HB 289, Medicaid assistance for breast and cervical cancer treatment, by Rep. Geraldine Thompson: Authorizes Medicaid reimbursement for medical assistance provided to certain people for treatment of breast or cervical cancer.

HB 297, Alcohol warning signs, by Rep. Ed Homan: Vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages would be required to post signs that warn pregnant mothers that drinking can cause birth defects, including fetal alcohol syndrome.

HB 305, Adult guardianship, by Rep. Elaine Schwartz: Creates “Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act” and provides for duties of courts regarding appointing guardians or issuing protective orders.

HB 325, State group insurance program, by Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda: Deletes provision that prevents state from paying part of the state health insurance premium for retirees or surviving spouses.

HB 331, Public health initiatives, by Rep. Kelly Skidmore: Establishes Florida Public Health Institute and provides for institute to operate as a non-profit corporation.

HB 341, Termination of pregnancy, by Rep. Charles Van Zandt: Prohibits non-resident minor from petitioning circuit court for a waiver from the state’s parental consent law for abortions.

HB 343, Racial and ethnic minority health care, by Rep. Yolly Roberson: Requires Department of Health to develop and implement plans relating to community outreach and increasing number of racial and ethnic minority health care professionals.

HB 345, Use of cellular telephones, by Rep. Yolly Roberson: Prohibits use of cellular phones while driving except when using a headset or hands-free device.

HB 349, Workgroup on forensic mental health, by Rep. Janet Adkins: Creates a workgroup to review state policy and budget issues involving adults with serious mental illness who have involvement with state criminal justice system.

HB 357, Child safety devices, by Rep. Richard Steinberg: Requires all children under 8 to sit in a car seat or child booster seat while riding in a car.

HB 361, Driver licenses, by Rep. Debbie Mayfield: Requires driver license application forms to include language permitting applicant to make a $1 donation to Stop Heart Disease.

HB 365, Sales tax increase for fire rescue services, by Rep. Ed Hooper: Allows counties to ask voters for a 1-cent sales tax increase to pay for emergency fire rescue services and facilities.

HB 373, Hurricane sales tax break, by Rep. Ritch Workman: Creates a week-long sales tax holiday in June on the purchase of hurricane preparation supplies including flashlights, tarps, batteries, generators and coolers.

HB 377, Cellphone and smartphone restrictions, by Rep. Dough Holder: Prohibits drivers from reading, manually writing, or typing or sending a message on an electronic wireless communication device.

HB 381, Care of children, by Rep. Nick Thompson: Provides for Department of Children and Family Services to analyze certain unaccepted reports to central abuse hotline and expands access to certain confidential child abuse reports to include physicians, psychologists and mental health professionals.

HB 387, Medical faculty certificates, by Rep. David Rivera: Increases maximum number of medical faculty certificates issued to faculty at the state’s six medical schools, the Mayo Medical School at the Mayo Clinic and at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. Doctors who receive a certificate do not have to pass state licensure exams. Approved by the House Health Care Regulation Policy Committee.

HB 389, Florida funeral cemetery and consumer services act, by Rep. Kenneth Roberson: Revises the state’s funeral services laws, including prohibiting renewal of license to applicant with criminal record and requiring funeral director to have embalmer license under certain circumstances.

HB 391, Medical school funding, by Rep. Bill Proctor: Requires state funding for medical schools to be funded on a consistent basis regardless of which school the student attends. Approved by two committees and one House council. The legislation has been changed to now require that the Board of Governors in consultation with legislative auditors and medical school representatives develop a new funding methodology.

HB 397, Prohibited discrimination, by Rep. Kelly Skidmore: Prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, or familial status.

HB 409, Health information public records exemption, by Rep. Mia Jones: Personal identifying information and health information on all current and former employees of schools, community colleges and universities would be confidential, including the employee’s name, address and employment status.

HB 413, Adoption, by Rep. Mary Brandenburg: Repeals law that prevents homosexuals from adopting a child.

HB 415, Underage drinking, by Rep. Scott Randolph: Increases penalty for second or additional offense of selling, giving or serving alcohol to someone under the age of 21.

HB 417, Novelty lighters, by Rep. Scott Plakon: Makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to sell or distribute novelty lighters, including lighters designed to resemble cartoon characters. Approved by House Public Safety and Domestic Security Policy Committee.

HB 431, Medicaid coverage for myotubular myopathy, by Rep. Ronald Renuart: Requires Agency for Health Care Administration to develop model home and community-based services waiver to provide services to people diagnosed with myotubular myopathy.

HB 433, Purchasing of Medicaid prescribed drugs, by Rep. Kenneth Roberson: Requires providers of Medicaid prescribed drugs to give preference to drugs manufactured or repackaged in the state of Florida.

HB 439, Uniform traffic control, by Rep. Ron Reagan: Allows local governments to use cameras to catch drivers who drive through red lights and designates that part of the fine collected from drivers go to trauma centers and public hospitals.

HB 443, Johnnie B. Byrd Sr. Alzheimer’s Center and Research Institute, by Rep. Rachel Burgin: Revises various provisions related to the institute and provides duties for the non-profit corporation that runs the institute.

HB 449, Health insurance, by Rep. Faye Culp: Requires health insurance policies that provide chemotherapy or radiation therapy to include coverage for wigs.

HB 455, Personal needs allowance, by Rep. Rick Kriseman: Increases monthly personal needs allowance for eligible residents of licensed nursing facilities.

HB 463, Nursing services, by Rep. Ronald Brise: Requires hospitals to establish nurse staffing committees and requires committees to produce hospital nurse staffing plans.

HB 465, Umbilical cord blood banking, by Rep. Anitere Flores: Requires the Department of Health to prepare and distribute publication regarding options, medical risks and benefits of umbilical cord blood collection.

HB 471, Health insurance, by Rep. Bill Heller: Establishes minimum loss ratio for health insurance forms and revises loss ratio for specified health insurance coverage.

HB 473, School bus safety, by Rep. Alan Williams: Prohibits school bus drivers from using a cellphone and also encourages the state to educate law enforcement community and public about relationship between fatigue and driving performance.

HB 477, Cigarette taxes and H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, by Rep. Will Weatherford: Increases percentage of cigarette tax collections that are paid to the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center.

HB 481, Highway safety, by Rep. Paige Kreegel: Imposes a $65 penalty to drivers who fail to stop for school buses or race on highways and directs that the money collected from the fine go to trauma centers.

HB 491, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, by Rep. Marti Coley: Revises provisions related to establishment of institute and lists primary responsibility of institute.

HB 493, Licensure of nursing homes and related health care facilities, by Rep. Dave Murzin: Prohibits certain admissions or actions from being admitted as evidence in liability actions against nursing homes.

HB 503, Police technology fee, by Rep. H. Marlene O’Toole: Adds a $50 fee to someone convicted of driving under the influence or drug possession and deposits the money into a police technology trust fund.

HB 507, Optometry, by Rep. Juan Zapata: Allows optometrists to administer and prescribe oral drugs for eye treatment.

HB 513, Insurance rate incentives for carbon monoxide detectors, by Rep. Eddy Gonzalez: Requires insurers who provide residential property insurance to include rate discounts for installing and maintaining carbon monoxide detectors and alarms.

HB 517, Residential tenancies, by Rep. Trudi Williams: Prohibits a landlord from terminating, or failing to renew a lease because the tenant or applicant or a member of their family is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence or sexual violence.

HB 523, Court actions involving families, by Rep. J.C. Planas: Provides intent to create a unified family court program in circuit courts and expands eligibility criteria for guardian ad litem.

HB 529, Optional payments for medical assistance, by Rep. J.C. Planas: Allows disabled people who make up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level to become eligible for a Medicaid buy-in program.

HB 535, Mental illness, by Rep. Brad Drake: Requires law enforcement agencies to have agreements with facilities that treat mental illness before transporting someone there and also requires that psychiatric examinations for involuntary admission must be conducted face-to-face or electronically.

HB 539, Relief for Eddie Weekley and Charlotte Williams, by Rep. Brad Drake: Authorizes a payment of $1 million to the parents of Franklin Weekley, who died after disappearing from a state-run center for those with disabilities.

HB 541, Child custody and visitation, by Rep. Jim Frishe: Revises provisions relating to child support, parenting plans and time-sharing, and requires courts to make written findings that it considered evidence of domestic or sexual violence and child abuse for purposes of shared custody.

HB 545, Motor vehicle emergency lights, by Rep. Luis Garcia: Authorizes vehicles owned, operated or leased by any county correctional agency to show or display blue lights when responding to emergencies.

HB 559, Mosquito control and outstanding Florida waters, by Rep. Ron Schultz: Requires mosquito control districts to coordinate with other agencies to see if control activities are having an adverse impact on any outstanding Florida water bodies

HB 561, Concealed weapons, by Rep. Chris Dorworth: Provides that any judge serving in Florida or a judge who is retired shall be allowed to carry concealed weapons.

HB 573, Health facilities, by Rep. H. Marlene O’Toole: Allows hospices and independent living facilities to become eligible for assistance from a health facilities authority.

HB 583, Monitoring the dispensing of controlled substances, by Rep. Kelly Skidmore: Requires the Department of Health to establish comprehensive electronic system to monitor dispensing of certain prescription drugs.

HB 585, Public records exemption for electronic drug database, by Rep. Kelly Skidmore: Exempts from public records requirements information and records reported to Department of Health for a proposed prescription drug database.

HB 589, Alzheimer’s disease, by Rep. Elaine Schwartz: Directs the Department of Elder Affairs to develop and implement a public education program related to screening for Alzheimer’s disease.

HB 597, Homelessness, by Rep. Betty Reed: Establishes homelessness prevention grant program and allows the state to ask those applying for driver’s license whether they would like to give $1 to programs to aid the homeless.

HB 627, School bus stops, by Rep. Charles Chestnut: Prohibits school bus stops from being located directly on state roads that have a speed limit of 55 miles per hour.

HB 629, Health care clinics, by Rep. Paige Kreegel: Exempts health care clinics from the state’s health care clinic act if the clinic does not treat car accident victims covered by personal injury protection.

HB 639, Housing assistance grants, by Rep. Mark Pafford: Allows state homeless grants to be used to acquire transitional or permanent homes for people who are homeless.

HB 645, Summer camp personnel, by Rep. Joseph Abruzzo: Repeals a provision that allows some summer camp employees to avoid being fingerprinted for screening purposes.

HB 647, Relief for Raul Otero, by Rep. Rick Kriseman: Allows the South Broward Hospital District to pay $2 million to Raul Otero to compensate him for injuries he received while he was being treated at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.

HB 651, Agency for Health Care Administration, by Rep. Matt Hudson: Deletes provisions that require AHCA to perform various functions, including quality of care monitors for nursing facilities, private utilization review of health care services, and regulation of companion and homemaker services.

HB 657, Indigent care and trauma center sales tax, by Rep. Michael Weinstein: Deletes a limitation on which counties can impose a half-penny sales tax to pay for indigent health care and trauma centers.

HB 659, Sexual misconduct with students by authority figures, by Rep. Kelli Stargel: Reclassifies certain sex offenses committed against students by an authority figure.

HB 665, Beach safety, by Rep. James Bush: Expands beach safety program administered by the Department of Environmental Protection to apply to certain private beaches.

HB 675, Medicare supplement policies, by Rep. Ritch Workman: Expands eligibility to enroll in Medicare supplement policies to additional individuals having end-stage renal disease.

HB 677, Cellphone use, by Rep. Charles Chestnut: Prohibits use of cellphones while driving in a school zone.

HB 679, Guardian Ad Litem, by Rep. Kelli Stargel: Allows person certified by non-profit legal aid organization to serve as guardian ad litem in divorce proceedings that does not involve child abuse, abandonment or neglect.

HB 681, Sales tax exemption for bottled water, by Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda: Repeals sales tax exemption for bottled water.

HB 693, Fire prevention and control, by Rep. Dwayne Taylor: Revises various provisions related to fire safety plans and inspections for manufactured buildings.

HB 707, Wastewater management, by Rep. Gary Aubuchon: Requires Department of Health to notify local government and the Department of Environmental Protection when it issues beach swimming advisories and requires DEP to conduct investigations of wastewater treatment facilities located within 1 mile of the beach swimming advisory.

HB 721, Public school health services, by Rep. Adam Fetterman: Provides that district school board may authorize school nurse to maintain supplies of pre-filled epinephrine auto-injectors at schools.

HB 735, Financial responsibility, by Rep. Adam Fetterman: Requires a driver convicted of a felony traffic offense or who had their license revoked to maintain a certain amount of auto insurance.

HB 745, Prepaid services for parents of children with developmental disabilities, by Rep. Clay Ford: Creates a study group to evaluate creation of prepaid service plan for children with disabilities.

HB 747, Direct support organizations, by Rep. Tom Anderson: Authorizes Department of Elder Affairs to create a direct support organization to provide assistance and funding for the department.

HB 749, Public records exemption for direct support organization, by Rep. Tom Anderson: Exempts from public records law information on donors or prospective donors to direct support organization created by the Department of Elder Affairs.

HM 753, Silver Alert Grant Program, by Rep. Tom Anderson: Urges Congress to create Silver Alert Grant Program which would establish and improve notification systems to locate and return missing senior citizens.

HB 755, Water conservation, by Rep. Betty Reed: Revises requirements for automatic lawn-sprinkling systems.

HB 761, Senior services, by Rep. Kelly Skidmore: Authorizes counties to create special districts to provide funding for services for seniors.

HB 767, Mental health and substance abuse services, by Rep. Keith Fitzgerald: Authorizes Agency for Health Care Administration to license facilities that provide services as an integrated adult mental health crisis stabilization unit.

HB 783, Education of children in shelter care or foster care, by Rep. Kurt Kelly: Provides conditions for district school board or court appointment of a surrogate
parent for educational decisionmaking for a child who has or is  suspected of having a disability.

HB 807, Florida KidCare Program, by Rep. Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed: Requires a study of the outreach efforts of the Florida KidCare Program. Adopted by the Legislature and sent to the governor.

HB 839, Medicaid managed care plans, by Rep. Mary Brandenburg: Requires an entity contracting with the Agency for Health Care Administration to provide certain health care services to continue offering services while prior authorization is processed, pay certain claims and develop a grievance system.

HB 855, Health insurance payment of benefits, by Rep. Marcelo Llorente: Requires that an insurer make payment to the designated provider of services whenever the policyholder specifically authorizes payments of benefits directly to any recognized hospital, licensed ambulance provider, physician or dentist.

HB 861, EMS Training and field internship program, by Rep. Ed Hooper: Provides for the paramedic field internship program to include training aboard a vehicle permitted to provide advanced life support services.

HB 885, State university student health insurance, by Rep. Anitere Flores: Require student health centers to bill a student's private insurance for services provided at the center. Approved by the House State Universities & Private Colleges Policy Committee.

HB 893, Prescription drugs, by Rep. Ronald Renuart: Creates a drug donation program for the purpose of facilitating donation of drugs to state prisoners.

HB 945, Nursing homes and liability insurance, by Rep. Nick Thompson: Providing that liability insurance for nursing homes does not meet liability limits if attorney fees to defend a claim count as a deduction from those limits.

HB 979, Sexual battery, by Rep. Yolly Roberson: Requires each law enforcement officer who investigates an alleged sexual battery to assist the victim in obtaining medical treatment if medical treatment is necessary and advise the victim that he or she may contact a certified rape crisis center.

HB 983, Abortion, by Rep. Anitere Flores: Requires that an ultrasound be performed on any woman obtaining an abortion and requires that the ultrasound be reviewed by the patient prior to giving informed consent.

HB 1001, Persons with disabilities, by Rep. Brad Drake: Provides that an employer of people with disabilities is not liable for acts or omissions by the employee if the employee has received supported employment services through a public or not-for-profit provider.

HB 1057, Employees at acute care hospitals, by Rep. Hazel Rogers: Gives additional retirement benefits to public employees at acute care hospitals that serve as trauma centers.

HB 1077, Use of deadly force/dart-firing stun gun, by Rep. Maria Sachs: The use of a dart-firing stun gun by a law-enforcement or correctional officer to stun or temporarily incapacitate is not considered deadly force.

HB 1097, Electronic health records, by Rep. Juan Zapata: Expands access to health records by allowing the dislosure of records without consent of the patient if they are given to health care providers treating the patient. Approved by House Health Care Regulation Policy Committee.

HB 1141, Adult protective services, by Rep. John Wood: Provides for protective services to apply to vulnerable adults and provides for certain suspected abuse cases to be transferred to county sheriff offices and provides for the Department of Children and Families to file petition to determine incapacity.

HB 1161, Injuries or death to motorcycle riders, by Rep. Greg Evers: Provides that a person convicted of a moving violation that causes serious injury or death to a motorcycle rider commits a crime and will be subject to fines and mandatory incarceration.

HB 1165, Elevator safety, by Rep. James Frishe: Requires the Department of Business and Professional Regulation perform certain functions relating to elevator inspections and the certification and licensure of elevator professionals and companies.

HB 1207, Procurement of contractual services, by Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff: Provides requirements regarding outsourced contracts for mental health, substance abuse, juvenile justice and and child welfare, including that state agencies negotiate a contract amendment when a contract change imposes an adverse financial impact on the private vendor and that contracts include cost-of-living adjustments.

HB 1209, Nursing programs, by Rep. Denise Grimsley: Requires applicants for nursing license must be graduates of an eligible program offered by a college, school district or other entity licensed or accredited.

HB 1237, Florida 211 Network, by Rep. Charles McBurney: Removes the Agency for Health Care Administration from the process of certifying providers for participation in the Florida 211 Network, which provides information about and referral to health and human services.

HB 1261, Medicaid reform, by Rep. Janet Adkins: Requires Agency for Health Care Administration to establish workgroup on Medicaid reform, eliminates references to choice counseling system and opt-out program, and authorizes agency to seek changes to current Medicaid reform waiver.

HB 1391, Optional Medicaid payments for the Medically Needy, by Rep. Elaine Schwartz: Eliminates limits who is eligible for the Medically Needy program

HB 1393, Medicaid managed care pilot program, by Rep. Elaine Schwartz: Deletes provisions that allowed the creation of the Medicaid pilot program in Broward, Duval and other Northeast Florida counties.

HB 1403, Clincial perfusionists, by Rep. Paige Kreegel: Specifices financial responsibility requirements for clinical perfusionists and requires supervising physician to be qualified in medical area in which clinical perfusionist performs.

HB 1405, Influenza vaccine, by Rep. Ed Homan: Requires children receiving care at child care facilities to be vaccinated for influenza virus. Approved by the House Health Care Services Policy Committee, which removed the vaccine requirement. Instead the legislation now require child care facilities to provide information about the flu to parents.

HB 1439, Confidential records of children and vulnerable adults, by Rep. Peter Nehr: Requires case file of child under supervision or custody of the Department of Children and Families to be maintained in complete and accurate manner and specifies who has access to case file.

HB 1449, Restraint and seclusion of children with disabilities, by Rep. Maria Sachs: Prohibits school personnel from manually physically restraining students with disabilities except in an emergency when threat to student or other students exist.

HB 1455, Childhood immunizations, by Rep. Ron Reagan: Revises the required list of childhood immunizations needed before a child can enroll in school.

HB 1457, Childhood vaccinations, by Rep. Ron Reagan: Authorizes a parent or guardian to object to immunizing a minor on philsophical grounds.

HB 1503 , High school graduation requirements and health education, by Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vaslinda: Requires that high school students take a class in health education in order to graduate.

HB 1505, Physical education in public schools, by Rep. Mary Brandenburg: Exempts middle school students from the state's physical education requirements if they are meeting grade-level expectations in reading, writing, math and science.

HB 1515, Turf and landscape maintenance, by Rep. Dave Murzin: Limits the type of fertilizer that can be applied to lawns and landscapes.

HB 1521, Grandparental visitation, by Rep. Rich Glorioso: Authorizes grandparent of minor child to petition the court for visitation rights and requires clear and convincing evidence that denial of visitation can cause harm to the child.

HB 1529, Medicaid, by Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera: Requires contracts between the Agency for Health Care Administration and HMOs to have rates based on beneficiary-specific, risk adjusted basis and prohibits MediPass beneficiaries from enrolling in an HMO for behavioral health services.

HB 7023, Public records exemption for Florida Patient Safety Corporation, by House Governmental Affairs Policy Committee: Repeals public records exemption for the Florida Patient Safety Corporation.

HR 9001, Osteopathic physicians, by Rep. Ronald Renuart: Recognizes April 15, 2009 as "Osteopathic Medicine Day."

HR 9003, Florida Nurses Association, by Rep. Denise Grimsley: Recognizes the contribution of Florida Nurses Association on its 100th anniversary. Placed on ceremonial resolutions calendar and adopted by publication.

HR 9013, Patient Safety Awareness Week, by Rep. Kelly Skidmore: Recognizes March 8-14, 2009 as Patient Safety Awareness Week. Placed on ceremonial resolutions calendar and adopted by publication.

SENATE BILLS

SB 24, Relief for Eddie Weekley and Charlotte Williams, by Sen. Al Lawson: Authorizes a payment of $1 million to the parents of Franklin Weekley, who died after disappearing from a state-run center for those with disabilities.

SB 42, Relief for Joseph G. and Tena Donahey, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Authorizes a payment of $1.5 million from the University of South Florida to Joseph G. and Tena Donahey for injuries Joseph Donahey received while operated on by USF faculty.

SB 46, Relief for Raul Otero, by Sen. Jeremy Ring: Allows the South Broward Hospital District to pay $2 million to Raul Otero to compensate him for injuries he received while he was being treated at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood. Bill passed by Legislature and sent to the governor.

SB 48, Relief for Cristina Alvarez and George Patnode, by Sen. Dave Aronberg: Authorizes a payment of $2.4 million from the Department of Health to Cristina Alvarez and George Patnode for the death of their son Nicholas Patnode as a result of negligence by the Martin County Health Department.

SB 50, Relief for Charles Pandrea, by Sen. Nan Rich: Allows North Broward Hospital District to compensate $608,554 to Charles Pandrea for the death of Janet Pandrea as a result of negligence by the district.

SB 68, Equine activities, by Sen. Dave Aronberg: Requires children under 16 to wear a helmet while horseback riding.

SB 70, School nurses and epinephrine auto-injectors, by Sen. Dave Aronberg: Provides that district school board may authorize school nurse to maintain supplies of pre-filled epinephrine auto-injectors at schools.

SB 84, Sentencing for juveniles, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Authorizes a court to sentence juvenile criminals to a blend of adult and juvenile sanctions.

SB 90, STOP Day and stopping violence in schools, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Resolution recognizing April 17, 2009 as STOP Day in Florida.

SB 96, Minority cancer awareness week, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Resolution recognizing April 12-18, 2009 as minority cancer awareness week.

SB 102, Chronic kidney disease awareness day, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Resolution recognizing March 12, 2009 as chronic kidney disease awareness day.

SB 104, Inmates and parents of minor children, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Requires that female inmates with minor children to be assigned to a facility that is near as possible to the child’s home.

SB 108, Restraints on juveniles during court proceedings, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Prohibits the use of restraints on juvenile criminals while they attending court hearings.

SB 112, Cellphone use, by Sen. Larcenia Bullard: Prohibits use of cellphones while driving in a school zone. 

SB 114, Contaminated property notification, by Sen. Charlie Justice: Requires the Department of Environmental Protection to provide notice to property owners within a 1-mile radius of contaminated property.

SB 118, Wekiva onsite sewage treatment and disposal, by Sen. Lee Constantine: Creates the Wekiva onsite sewage treatment grant program and authorizes low-income property owners to apply for grants to improve onsite sewage treatment.

SB 122, Exceptional students with a disability, by Sen. Lee Constantine: Requires state agencies to notify school districts following the placement of an exceptional student in a private residential care facility.

SB 124, Lake Jesup restoration, by Sen. Lee Constantine: Requires state agencies and the city of Sanford to develop a plan concerning restoration of Lake Jesup and authorizes the use of Florida Forever money to acquire a site to dispose of muck dredged from the lake bottom.

SB 126, Confidential records of children and vulnerable adults, by Sen. Paula Dockery: Requires case file of child under supervision or custody of the Department of Children and Families to be maintained in complete and accurate manner and specifies who has access to case file.

SB 128, Major disasters and assistance, by Sen. Larcenia Bullard: Requires the Department of Children and Families to expedite applications for cash assistance from people who live in an area damaged by a major disaster.

SB 130, Motor vehicle safety, by Sen. Larcenia Bullard: Requires certain highways located adjacent to canals and other water bodies to have guardrails or other barriers.

SB 138, Culpable negligence/assault weapons, by Sen. Larcenia Bullard: Allows a person to be charged with a third-degree felony if they leave an assault weapon within the reach or access of another person.

SB 140, Concealed weapons, by Sen. Larcenia Bullard: Requires anyone seeking a concealed weapons permit to have gone 5 years without a conviction for certain crimes including domestic violence, drug possession, or driving under the influence.

SB 144, Beach safety, by Sen. Larcenia Bullard: Expands beach safety program administered by the Department of Environmental Protection to apply to certain private beaches.

SB 146, Swimming life skills, by Sen. Larcenia Bullard: Requires children who want to be admitted to public or private schools to take swimming classes, unless the child is excused by a doctor or if the family objects for religious reasons.

SM 152, Federal funding for home health services for elders, by Sen. Dave Aronberg: Urges Congress to support home and community-based services for the elderly and people with disabilities. Adopted by the Legislature.

SB 154, Vaccines containing mercury compounds, by Sen. Jeremy Ring: Prohibits sale, purchase, manufacture, delivery, importation, administration & distribution of vaccines containing organic or inorganic mercury compounds in excess of certain amounts.

SB 162, Electronic health records, by Sen. Jeremy Ring: Creates the Florida Electronic Health Records Exchange Act. It would direct the Agency for  Health Care Administration to develop a universal authorization form and includes a provision authorizing release of records without consent during emergencies. It also allows AHCA to set up a loan fund to help develop electronic health care technology. Approved by the Legislature and sent to the governor.

SB 170, Breast cancer treatment, by Sen. Arthenia Joyner: Requires HMOs and health insurance companies to cover hospital stay for lymph node dissections.

SB 172, Use of cellular telephones, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Prohibits use of cellular phones while driving except when using a headset or hands-free device.

SB 174, Infectious disease testing in juvenile facilities, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Require juvenile detention centers to have written procedures spelling out when to test for infectious diseases and allows 7 counties – including those in South Florida – to test juveniles for HIV.

SB 176, Public records exemption for juvenile blood test results, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Provides a public records exemption for blood test results from juveniles in state custody.

SB 178, AIDS education grants, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Requires the Department of Education to award grants to school districts for AIDS education programs.

SR 182, Internet solicitation of youth, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Encourages parents and children to learn about the dangers of sexual solicitation while online.

SB 184, HIV testing in county jails, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Authorizes the Department of Health to select 7 counties where county jail inmates would be tested for HIV prior to being released.

SB 186, HIV testing in prisons, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Requires the Department of Corrections to test prisoners for HIV when they first enter the prison system.

SB 188, Prisoners and sexual barrier protection, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Requires the Department of Corrections to allow any non-profit or public health organization to distribute condoms to prison inmates.

SB 190, School based health centers, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Defines school-based health centers and makes them subject to state liability limitations.

SB 192, Infant eye care and mandatory examinations, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Mandates certain eye examinations for all infants born in hospitals in the state.

SB 194, School entry requirements and vision examinations, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Requires children who enter public or private school to present proof of an eye examination, imposes a fee on the sale of nonprescription eyeglasses, and uses the fee proceeds to pay for school-entry eye exams.

SB 196, School wellness and physical education policies, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Revises each school district’s wellness and physical education requirements, including policies on nutrition and physical activity.

SB 200, Vaccines containing mercury compounds, by Sen. Michael Bennett: Prohibits sale, purchase, manufacture, delivery, importation, administration & distribution of vaccines containing organic or inorganic mercury compounds in excess of certain amounts.

SB 212, Driving while using cellphones, by Sen. Carey Baker: Prohibits anyone less than 18 years of age to drive and use a cellphone at the same time.

SB 214, Hurricane sales tax break, by Sen. Carey Baker: Creates a 12-day long sales tax holiday in June for the sale of purchase of hurricane preparation supplies including flashlights, tarps, batteries, generators and coolers.

SB 220, Sex education, by Sen. Ted Deutch: Creates “Florida Healthy Teens Act” and requires public schools to provide certain information or programs to students concerning human sexuality starting in the 6th grade. The information includes that abstinence in the only sure way to prevent pregnancy and information that includes health benefits and side effects of contraception.

SB 242, Autism, by Sen. Jeremy Ring: Requires physician to refer minor to appropriate specialist for autism screening under certain conditions.

SB 250, Funeral and burial arrangements, by Sen. Larcenia Bullard: Authorizes a medical examiner to record the identity of certain people who may have unlawfully participated in the death of a decedent and directs examiner to provide findings to the funeral director.

SB 254, School food service programs, by Sen. Gary Siplin: Establishes the Florida Farm Fresh Schools program within the Department of Agriculture and require the department to work with school districts to encourage and require the use of fresh produce grown in the state of Florida.

SB 260, Alzheimer’s disease, by Sen. Stephen Wise: Directs the Department of Elder Affairs to develop and implement a public education program related to screening for Alzheimer’s disease.

SB 262, Traffic accidents and blood testing, by Sen. Stephen Wise: Allows a law enforcement officer to demand a blood test of an individual if the officer has reasonable suspicion that the person was driving a car that killed someone.

SB 268, School health education, by Sen. Jeremy Ring: Repeals a provision that requires schools to teach abstinence outside marriage as the expected standard for all school age students.

SB 274, Florida Springs Protection Act, by Sen. Lee Constantine: The legislation establishes a pilot program to establish three springs in Florida, requires the state to establish treatment levels for wastewater disposal within pilot project areas and requires landowners to connect to a wastewater utility.

SB 282, Congenital craniofacial anomalies, by Sen. Larcenia Bullard: Directs the Agency for Health Care Administration to do a study evaluating the medical necessity, efficacy and cost of requiring insurers and HMOs to provide coverage for cranial-skull-molding orthotics and other therapies.

SB 306, Boat safety, by Sen. Nan Rich: Raises the age requirement to operate a small boat from 14 years old to 16 years old.

SB 308, Childhood vaccinations, by Sen. Jeremy Ring: Requires health care providers disclose information about vaccinations to minor’s parent or legal guardian before vaccination.

SB 310, Reproductive health services and family planning, by Sen. Nan Rich: Requires health care professionals to provide information and access to emergency contraception to rape victims and requires pharmacies to provide contraception without intimidating or harassing the patient.

SB 326, Optometry, by Sen. Charlie Dean: Allows optometrists to administer and prescribe oral drugs for eye treatment. Measure was reported unfavorably by the Senate Health Regulation Committee.

SB 330, School nurse services, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Creates the “One School, One Nurse” Act, which establishes a matching grant program to encourage placing additional nurses in schools around the state.

SB 338, KidCare outreach study, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Requires legislative auditors to study the outreach efforts of the Florida KidCare program. Similar House measure (HB 807) adopted and sent to the governor.

SB 344, Seat belt enforcement, by Sen. Nan Rich: Allows police to pull over a driver for not wearing a seat belt.

SB 346, High school graduation requirements and health education, by Sen. Charlie Justice: Requires that high school students take a class in health education in order to graduate.

SB 348, Medicaid buy-in program for persons with disabilities, by Sen. Victor Crist: Allows disabled people who make up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level to become eligible for a Medicaid buy-in program. Approved by the Senate Health Regulation Committee.

SB 354, Mental and nervous disorders/health insurance, by Sen. Victor Crist: Requires insurers and HMOs to cover mental disorders at the same level they would cover physical illnesses.

SB 356, Local government officers and employees, by Sen. Charlie Justice: Would allow all counties, cities and special taxing districts to have their employees participate in the state group health insurance program instead of limiting it to small counties and small cities.

SB 402, Teen drivers, by Sen. Eleanor Sobel: Raises the driving age from 16 to 17 years old and raises the age requirement for learner permits from 15 to 16 years old. The measure also says that any driver under 18 cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless driving to and from work.

SB 408, Clinical laboratories, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Requires clinical laboratories to accept human specimens submitted by advanced registered nurse practitioners.

SB 414, Conveyance of bodies into or out of state, by Sen. Victor Crist: Allows certified museums to bring in plastinated bodies for exhibition and education purposes.

SB 416, Health care management, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Prohibits insurers from engaging in actions that encourage policy holders to not make payments before medical service is rendered and adds circumstances in which a health insurer may not retroactively deny claims.

SB 426, Advanced registered nurse practitioners, by Sen. Michael Bennett: Allows advanced registered nurse practitioners to prescribe or administer drugs.

SB 434, Violations of injunctions for protection, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Adds circumstances that violate protective injunctions, including going within 500 feet of a home, school or workplace of a person who sought protection. Approved by Senate Criminal Justice Committee.

SB 440, Public records exemption for prescription drug database, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Exempts from the state’s public records law information included in a prescription drug database.

SB 456, Mental illness, by Sen. Don Gaetz: Requires law enforcement agencies to have agreements with facilities that treat mental illness before transporting someone there and also requires that psychiatric examinations for involuntary admission must be conducted face-to-face or electronically.

SB 462, Prescription drug database, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Requires the state to create a prescription drug database.

SB 468, Public records exemption for school employees, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Exempts from public records requirements information regarding the health and benefit coverage provided to public school employees.

SB 470, DUI penalties, by Sen. Victor Crist: Requires a court to order someone convicted of driving under the influence to participate in at least 50 hours of community service as a condition of probation.

SB 476, Emergency management, by Sen. Eleanor Sobel: Regulates health professionals who volunteer during an emergency, including how long and where health professionals can provide services during a declared emergency.

SB 484, Multiple crashes, by Sen. Don Gaetz: Requires that a driver who has a third crash in 36 months to attend a driver improvement course in order to keep their driver’s license.

SB 492, Revised uniform anatomical gift act, by Sen. Eleanor Sobel: Revises laws for someone who wishes to donate a body part or organ before death and after death.

SB 494, Water conservation, by Sen. Michael Bennett: Revises requirements for automatic lawn-sprinkling systems.

SB 510, Injunctions for protection and violence, by Sen. Tony Hill: Requires a law-enforcement officer who serves injunctions for domestic violence, sexual violence or dating violence to notify the petitioner within 12 hours. 

SB 512, False reports of child abuse, by Sen. Tony Hill: Mandates that a child cannot be held in a shelter for more than 3 days if the order for shelter care was based on a false report of child abuse.

SB 514, Forensic services, by Sen. Tony Hill: Allows the state to provide forensic services to anyone charged with a misdemeanor but who is judged incompetent to proceed.

SB 528, Sexual battery resulting in the birth of a child, by Sen. Dennis Jones: Provides grounds for terminating parental rights based on sexual battery that results in birth of a child.

SB 540, Health care representatives, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Creates a health care representative who can make health care decisions or receive health care information on behalf of another person.

SB 546, Tanning facilities, by Sen. Eleanor Sobel: Raises the age requirement for tanning facilities from 14 years old to 16 years old and requires anyone aged 16 to 18 years old to obtain parental consent.

SB 552, Use of pancreatic enzyme prescription supplements, by Sen. Stephen Wise: Allows public school students to use pancreatic enzyme prescription supplements while attending school. Approved by Senate Education PreK-12, Senate Health Regulation and Senate Education PreK-12 Appropriations committees.

SB 556, Low income pool, by Sen. Don Gaetz: Abolishes the Low Income Pool council and requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to make recommendations regarding distribution of low income pool money. Approved by Senate Health Regulation Committee which amended the bill to increase the size of the council and bar lobbyists from serving on the council. Temporarily postponed by Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee.

SB 558, Insurance coverage for prescription drugs, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Prohibits health insurance policies or medical service plan contracts from reducing prescription drug coverage if a policy holder was already using the drug.

SB 590, Termination of pregnancy, by Sen. Stephen Wise: Prohibits a nonresident minor from petitioning circuit court for a waiver from the state’s parental consent law for abortions.

SB 592, Automated external defibrillators in public schools, by Sen. Lee Constantine: Requires public schools to have an automated external defibrillators on school grounds.

SB 596, Residential tenancies and domestic violence, by Sen. Nan Rich: Prohibits a landlord from terminating, or failing to renew a lease because the tenant or applicant or a member of their family is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence or sexual violence.

SB 608, Driver’s license restrictions, by Sen. Evelyn Lynn: Restricts number of minors who can ride in a car driven by someone under the age of 18.

SB 612, Public records exemption for prescription drug database, by Sen. Dave Aronberg: Public records exemption for information reported to the Department of Health as part of a prescription drug database. 

SB 614, Monitoring the dispensing of controlled substances, by Sen. Dave Aronberg: Requires the Department of Health to create a prescription drug database.

SB 620, Health facilities, by Sen. Steve Oelrich: Allows hospices and independent living facilities to become eligible for assistance from a health facilities authority.

SB 626, Patient lifting and handling practices, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Requires hospitals to establish policy concerning safe lifting and handling of patients.

SB 642, Autism license plate, by Sen. Thad Altman: Creates an autism specialty license plate where proceeds would go to programs that help those with autism and related disabilities.

SB 648, Public records exemption for Department of Elder Affairs direct support organization, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Exempts from public records law information on donors or prospectivedonors to direct support organization created by the Department of Elder Affairs.

SB 664, Condominium handrails and guardrails, by Sen. Eleanor Sobel: Extends until 2016 a moratorium that prevents local governments from requiring handrails and guardrails in condominium common areas.

SB 666, Senior services, by Sen. Nan Rich: Authorizes counties to create special districts to provide funding for services for seniors.

SB 670, Women’s health, by Sen. Eleanor Sobel: Requires Department of Health to create pilot program in Pasco, Duval, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties to provide health screening programs for certain women.

SB 702, Health care access, by Sen. Don Gaetz: Gives health care practitioners two years to accumulate enough service hours in order to waive license fee, allows the Florida Dental Association to nominate a new member to the board of Florida Healthy Kids and places new requirements on Prepaid Limited Health Service Organizations.

SB 718, Indigent care and trauma center sales tax, by Sen. Jim King: Deletes a limitation on which counties can impose a half-penny sales tax to pay for indigent health care and trauma centers.

SB 720, Physician assistants, by Sen. Durell Peaden: A physician may not be required to review and cosign physician assistant’s charts or medical records.

SB 726, Housing assistance grants, by Sen. Christopher Smith: Allows state homeless grants to be used to acquire transitional or permanent homes for people who are homeless.

SB 740, Summer camp personnel, by Sen. Dave Aronberg: Repeals a provision that allows some summer camp employees to avoid being fingerprinted for screening purposes.

SB 746, Department of Elder Affairs direct support organization, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Authorizes Department of Elder Affairs to create a direct support organization to provide assistance and funding for the department.

SB 766, Anatomical gifts, by Sen. Steve Oelrich: Revises the list of those who may accept anatomical gifts and the purposes for which such gifts may be used.

SB 770, Area agencies on aging, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Requires that each area agency on aging, rather than Department of Elder Affairs, develop request for proposals for community care for the elderly lead agency.

SB 774, Health insurance, by Sen. Charlie Justice: Establishes minimum loss ratio for health insurance forms and revises loss ratio for specified health insurance coverage.

SB 778, Paintball guns and markers, by Sen. Gary Siplin: Prohibits a person from carrying a paintball gun or paintball marker in a car unless it is disassembled.

SB 786, Restraints on juveniles, by Sen. Gary Siplin: Prohibits the use of restraints on juveniles who are attending judicial proceedings at a courthouse.

SB 794, Police technology fee, by Sen. Carey Baker: Adds a $50 fee to someone convicted of driving under the influence or drug possession and deposits the money into a police technology trust fund.

SB 798, All terrain vehicles, by Sen. Carey Baker: Expands the definition of off-road, or all-terrain vehicles that must follow the state’s off-vehicle highway safety laws.

SB 802, Drug paraphernalia sales surtax, by Sen. Stephen Wise: Imposes 25 percent surtax on all drug paraphernalia, whether it is being sold for legal purposes. Includes needles and water pipes.

SB 806, Novelty lighters, by Sen. Lee Constantine: Makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to sell or distribute novelty lighters, including lighters designed to resemble cartoon characters.

SB 822, Insurance rate incentives for carbon monoxide detectors, by Sen. Rudy Garcia: Requires insurers who provide residential property insurance to include rate discounts for installing and maintaining carbon monoxide detectors and alarms.

SB 850, Cigarette taxes and H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Increases percentage of cigarette tax collections that are paid to the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center.

SB 858, Driver licenses, by Sen. Rudy Garcia: Requires driver license application forms to include language permitting applicant to make a $1 donation to Stop Heart Disease.

SB 864, Corporal discipline, by Sen. Nancy Detert: Includes inappropriate or excessively harsh corporal discipline in the definition of criminal conduct for purposes of protective investigations. This includes causing sprains, broken bones, burns, cuts and significant bruises in children.

SB 876, Health care information, by Sen. Don Gaetz: Authorizes the release of patient records to certain additional health care practitioners or providers and authorize a health care provider to release or access records without consent during an emergency.

SB 878, Court actions involving families, by Sen. Nan Rich and the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee: Provides intent to create a unified family court program in circuit courts and expands eligibility criteria for guardian ad litem. Passed by Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee but after deleting section that expanded eligibility criteria for guardian ad litem.

SB 884, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Revises provisions related to establishment of institute and lists primary responsibility of institute.

SB 890, Florida funeral cemetery and consumer services act, by Sen. Victor Crist: Revises the state’s funeral services laws, including prohibiting renewal of license to applicant with criminal record and requiring funeral director to have embalmer license under certain circumstances.

SB 892, Mental health and substance abuse services, by Sen. Michael Bennett: Authorizes Agency for Health Care Administration to license facilities that provide services as an integrated adult mental health crisis stabilization unit.

SB 894, Purchasing of Medicaid prescribed drugs, by Sen. Michael Bennett: Requires providers of Medicaid prescribed drugs to give preference to drugs manufactured or repackaged in the state of Florida.

SB 896, Termination of parental rights, by Sen. Nan Rich: Allows for termination of parental rights if a parent will be incarcerated for a "significant" period considering the child's age and the child's need for a stable home.

SB 900, Procurement of contractual services, by Sen. Michael Bennett: Provides requirements regarding outsourced contracts for mental health, substance abuse, juvenile justice and and child welfare, including that state agencies negotiate a contract amendment when a contract change imposes an adverse financial impact on the private vendor and that contracts include cost-of-living adjustments.

SB 902, Florida Public Health Foundation, by Sen. Ted Deutch: Changes name of foundation to Florida Public Health Institute and changes the duties and makeup of the board. Approved by Senate Health Regulation Committee.

SB 904, Child custody and visitation, by Sen. Ted Deutch: Revises provisions relating to child support, parenting plans and time-sharing, and requires courts to make written findings that it considered evidence of domestic or sexual violence and child abuse for purposes of shared custody.

SB 918, Florida KidCare program, by Sen. Nan Rich: Clarifies the application of KidCare to include all uninsured, low-income children and removes restrictions on coverage, including shortening the amount of time that must occur before a family becomes eligible.

SB 922, Dangerous dogs, by Sen. Tony Hill: Would allow local governments to enact breed-specific dangerous dog regulations.

SB 924, Mosquito control and outstanding Florida waters, by Sen. Charlie Dean: Requires mosquito control districts to coordinate with other agencies to see if control activities are having an adverse impact on any outstanding Florida water bodies.

SB 938, HIV testing and routine annual examination, by Sen. Frederica Wilson: Requires HIV testing to be offered as a routine part of a patient's annual physical examination.

SB 948, EMS Training and field internship program, by Sen. Dennis Jones: Provides for the paramedic field internship program to include training aboard a vehicle permitted to provide advanced life support services.

SB 968, Injuries or death to motorcycle riders, by Sen. Rudy Garcia: Provides that a person convicted of a moving violation that causes serious injury or death to a motorcycle rider commits a crime and will be subject to fines and mandatory incarceration.

SR 970, Prostate Cancer Awarness Month, by Sen. Tony Hill: Recognizes September 2009 as "Prostate Cancer Awareness Month."

SR 972, Power to End Stroke campaign, by Sen. Tony Hill: Urges support of the American Stroke Association's "Power to End Stroke" campaign and recognizes May 2009 as "Power to End Stroke" month.

SB 982, Urban/residential environments and water protection, by Sen. Lee Constantine: Encourages county and city governments to adopt model ordinance for Florida friendly fertilizer use on urban landscapes as a mechanism to protect surface and ground water.

SB 984, Drug donation program act, by Sen. Stephen Wise: Creates a drug donation program for the purpose of facilitating donation of drugs to state prisoners.

SB 986, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehciles, by the Committee on Transportation: Prohibits any under 16 years of age to operate a motorcycle or moped.

SB 988, Nursing homes, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Makes it harder to pursue litigation against nursing homes by requiring a hearing on evidence before a claim for punitive damages can be sought and by prohibiting agency records from being used in litigation against facility.

SR 996, Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week, by Sen. Nan Rich: Recognizes November 16-22, 2009 as "Spinal Cord Injury Awarness Week."

SB 1000, Sales tax increase for fire rescue services, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Allows counties to ask voters for a 1-cent sales tax increase to pay for emergency fire rescue services and facilities.

SB 1018, Guardian Ad Litem, by Sen. Arthenia Joyner: Allows person certified by non-profit legal aid organization to serve as guardian ad litem in divorce proceedings that does not involve child abuse, abandonment or neglect. 

SB 1022, Medicare insurance and end-stage renal disease, by Sen. Thad Altman: Requires that certain insurers issue a Medicare supplement policy to anyone younger than 65 years old and eligible for Medicare due to having end-stage renal disease.

SB 1028, Racial and ethnic minority health care, by Sen. Eleanor Sobel: Requires Department of Health to develop and implement plans relating to community outreach and increasing number of racial and ethnic minority health care professionals.

SB 1030, Motor vehicle emergency lights, by Sen. Rudy Garcia: Authorizes vehicles owned, operated or leased by any county correctional agency to show or display blue lights when responding to emergencies.

SB 1034, Florida 211 Network, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Removes the Agency for Health Care Administration from the process of certifying providers for participation in the Florida 211 Network, which provides information about and referral to health and human services.

SB 1050, Preventable medical errors, by Sen. Arthenia Joyner: Requires Agency for Health Care Administration to identify preventable medical errors that are not reimbursed by Medicaid programs in other states or other programs and recommend a list of preventable medical errors for which the Medicaid program may refuse reimbursement. Approved by the Senate Health Regulation Committee.

SB 1052, Grandparental visitation, by Sen. Arthenia Joyner: Authorizes the grandparent of a minor to petition the court for visitation under certain circumstances.

SB 1054, Homelessness, by Sen. Victor Crist: Increases and revises membership on the Council on Homlessness and creates the Housing First program.

SB 1068, Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awarness Month, by Sen. Nan Rich: Recognizes August 2009 as "Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month."

SB 1082, Home invasion robbery, by Sen. Steve Oelrich: Makes it a first-degree felony to commit a home invasion robbery if the victim is an elderly person or disabled adult.

SB 1114, Highway safety violations, by Sen. Garrett Richter: Imposes a $65 penalty to drivers who fail to stop for school buses or race on highways and directs that the money collected from the fine go to trauma centers.

SB 1120, University of South Florida pharmacy program, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Authorizes doctor of pharmacy degree program at University of South Florida.

SB 1122, Health insurance payment of benefits, by Sen. Don Gaetz: Requires that an insurer make payment to the designated provider of services whenever the policyholder specifically
authorizes payments of benefits directly to any recognized hospital, licensed ambulance provider, physician or dentist.

SB 1128, Education of children in shelter care or foster care, by Sen. Nan Rich: Provides conditions for district school board or court appointment of a surrogate
parent for educational decisionmaking for a child who has or is  suspected of having a disability.

SB 1130, Tattoo practice and tattoo establishment act, by Sen. Eleanor Sobel: Prohibits tattooing unless a tattoo parlor is licensed and meets new state regulations.

SB 1136, Medical faculty certificates, by Sen. Dan Gelber: Increases maximum number of medical faculty certificates issued to faculty at the state’s six medical schools, the Mayo Medical School at the Mayo Clinic and at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. Doctors who receive certificates do not have to take state licensure exams.

SB 1144, Manufacturers of prescription drugs, by Sen. Durell Peaden: Redefines the term "manufacturer" as it relates to the Florida Drug and Cosmetic Act.

SR 1158, Osteopathic physicians, by Sen. Durell Peaden: Recognizes April 15, 2009 as "Osteopathic Medicine Day."

SB 1176, Juvenile justice, by Sen. Stephen Wise: Requires the Department of Juvenile Justice to adopt rules that govern the restraint of juveniles who must go to court.

SB 1186, Landfill permits, by Sen. Victor Crist: Prohibits the Department of Environmental Protection from approving a landfill permit if the department finds the applicant violated state laws in the last three years.

SB 1250, Corporal punishment, by Sen. Eleanor Sobel: Requires a school board to review its policy allowing corporal punishment once every three years during a district school board meeting.

SB 1256, Acute care hospital staffing, by Sen. Tony Hill: Requires acute care hospitals to make information concerning staffing levels available to the public.

SB 1258, Employees at acute care hospitals, by Sen. Tony Hill: Gives additional retirement benefits to public employees at acute care hospitals that serve as trauma centers.

SR 1264, Florida Nurses Association 100th anniversary, by Sen. Michael Bennett: Recognizes the contribution of the Florida Nurses Association on its 100th anniversary.

SB 1270, Nursing homes and liability insurance, by Sen. Ronda Storms: Providing that liability insurance for nursing homes does not meet liability limits if attorney fees to defend a claim count as a deduction from those limits.

SB 1272, Persons with disabilities, by Sen. Ronda Storms: Provides that an employer of people with disabilities is not liable for acts or omissions by the employee if the employee has received supported employment services through a public or not-for-profit provider.

SB 1276, Care of children, by Sen. Ronda Storms: Provides for Department of Children and Family Services to analyze certain unaccepted reports to central abuse hotline and expands access to certain confidential child abuse reports to include physicians, psychologists and mental health professionals.

SB 1278, Prepaid services for parents of children with developmental disabilities, by Sen. Thad Altman: Creates a study group to evaluate creation of prepaid service plan for children with disabilities.

SB 1296, Beach water contamination, by Sen. Michael Bennett: Requires Department of Health to notify local government and the Department of Environmental Protection when it issues beach swimming advisories and requires DEP to conduct investigations of wastewater treatment facilities located within 1 mile of the beach swimming advisory. Approved by Senate Health Regulation Committee.

SB 1300, Medicaid assistance for breast and cervical cancer treatment, by Sen. Arthenia Joyner: Authorizes Medicaid reimbursement for medical assistance provided to certain people for treatment of breast or cervical cancer.

SB 1304, Johnnie B. Byrd Sr. Alzheimer’s Center and Research Institute, by Sen. Arthenia Joyner: Revises various provisions related to the institute and provides duties for the non-profit corporation that runs the institute.

SB 1312, Sexual battery, by Sen. Mike Fasano: Requires each law enforcement officer who investigates an alleged sexual battery to assist the victim in obtaining medical treatment if medical treatment is necessary and advise the victim that he or she may contact a certified rape crisis center.

SB 1320, School bus stops, by Sen. Larcenia Bullard: Prohibits school bus stops from being located directly on state roads that have a speed limit of 55 miles per hour.

SB 1322, Use of deadly force/dart-firing stun gun, by Sen. Ted Deutch: The use of a dart-firing stun gun by a law-enforcement or correctional officer to stun or temporarily incapacitate is not considered deadly force.

SB 1328, Commercial fertilizer application, by Sen. Carey Baker: Requires an identification card for an employee which verifies that employee is certified to apply commercial fertilizer to urban lawnscapes.

SM 1330, Silver Alert Grant Program, by Sen. Dennis Jones: Urges Congress to create Silver Alert Grant Program which would establish and improve notification systems to locate and return missing senior citizens.

SB 1332, Elevator safety, by Sen. Dennis Jones: Requires the Department of Business and Professional Regulation perform certain functions relating to elevator inspections and the certification and licensure of elevator professionals and companies.

SR 1334, Swimming Pool Safety Month, by Sen. Nancy Detert: Recognizes April 2009 as "Swimming Pool Safety Month."

SB 1358, Sales tax exemption for bottled water, by Sen. Evelyn Lynn: Repeals sales tax exemption for bottled water.

SB 1388, Alcohol warning signs, by Sen. Michael Bennett: Vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages would be required to post signs that warn pregnant mothers that drinking can cause birth defects, including fetal alcoholic syndrome.

SB 1402, Drug prescription information/commercial use, by Sen. Dave Aronberg: Prohibits the licensure, transfer, use or sale of records relating to drug prescriptions containing identifiable data regarding patients and prescribers.

SB 1404, Car seats, by Sen. Thad Altman: Requires all children under 8 to sit in a car seat or child booster seat while riding in a car.

SB 1414, Managed care plans and Medicaid-eligible children, by Sen. Nan Rich: Requires all Medicaid-eligible children whose cases are open for child welfare services to receive their behavioral health care services through a specialty prepaid plan.

SB 1448, Medicaid managed care plans, by Sen. Evelyn Lynn: Requires an entity contracting with the Agency for Health Care Administration to provide certain health care services to continue offering services while prior authorization is processed, pay certain claims and develop a grievance system.

SB 1490, Fertilizer application and phosphorus, by Sen. Ken Pruitt: Bans the use of fertilizers containing phosphorus on lawns beginning in July 2011.

SB 1578, Cellphone and smartphone restrictions, by Sen. Carey Baker: Prohibits drivers from reading, manually writing, or typing or sending a message on an electronic wireless communication device.

SB 1614, State funding for medical education, by Sen. Steve Oelrich: Requires state funding for medical schools to be based on a methodology that provides a base level of state support. Approved by the Senate Higher Education Committee.

SB 1628, Long-term care services, by Sen. Dan Gelber: Requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to ask for federal approval to expand a long-term care pilot project located in Florida. Approved by the Senate Health Regulation Committee.

SB 1840, Cigarette tax, by Sen. Ted Deutch: Raises the cigarette tax by $1 a pack and would direct the money into a variety of health care programs, including some operated at public and private universities, as well as graduate medical education.

SB 1854, Abortion, by Sen. Andy Gardiner: Requires that an ultrasound be performed on any woman obtaining an abortion and requires that the ultrasound be reviewed by the patient prior to giving informed consent.

SB 1896, Public records exemption for Florida Patient Safety Corporation, by Senate Health Regulation Committee: Repeals public records exemption for the Florida Patient Safety Corporation. Approved by Senate Health Regulation Committee.

SB 2196, Clincial perfusionists, by Sen. Durell Peaden: Specifices financial responsibility requirements for clinical perfusionists and requires supervising physician to be qualified in medical area in which clinical perfusionist performs.

SB 2206, Restraint of children in court, by Sen. Gary Siplin: Requires the Department of Juvenile Justice to adopt rules that govern the restraint of juveniles who must go to court and prohibits the use of handcuffs on juveniles at court.

SB 2256, State university student health insurance, by Sen. Steve Oelrich: Measure would require student health centers to bill a student's private health insurances for services. Approved by Senate Higher Education Committee.

SB 2284, Nursing programs, by Sen. Mike Haridopolos: Requires applicants for nursing license must be graduates of an eligible program offered by a college, school district or other entity licensed or accredited.

SB 2286, Licensure of health care related facilities, by Sen. Andy Gardiner: Repeals provisions related to private utilization review, repeals a provision related to reporting vacant and repeals a provision regarding registration of certain service providers.

SB 2296, Influenza vaccine, by Sen. Lee Constantine: Requires children receiving care at child care facilities to be vaccinated for influenza virus. Approved by the Senate Health Regulation Committee, which removed the vaccine requirement. Instead the legislation now require day care centers to provide information to parents about the flu.

SB 2404, Adult protective services, by Sen. Ronda Storms: Defines term "activities of daily living," revises term "vulnerable adult," and requires the central abuse hotline to immediately transfer certain calls related to vulnerable adults to appropriate local law enforcement agency.

SB 2422, Medicaid, by Sen. Ronda Storms: Requires contracts between the Agency for Health Care Administration and HMOs to have rates based on beneficiary-specific, risk adjusted basis and prohibits MediPass beneficiaries from enrolling in an HMO for behavioral health services.

SB 2472, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, by Sen. Ronda Storms: Adds agency to list of entities that have access to information received by Department of Children and Families abuse hotline and requires the staff of licensed facilities to receive training on abuse, neglect and exploitation.

SB 2480, Restraint and seclusion of children with disabilities, by Sen. Andy Gardiner: Prohibits school personnel from manually physically restraining students with disabilities except in an emergency when threat to student or other students exist.

SB 2596, Persons with disabilities services, by Sen. Stephen Wise: Requires certain residential facility and developmental disabilities center personnel to be screened for certain criminal offenses.

SB 2634, Relating to adult protection and care, by Sen. Ronda Storms: Requires a search of state law enforcement database to be conducted on prospective or newly admitted nursing home residents and authorizes the Department of Children and Families to file petition to determine incapacity in adult protection proceedings.

SB 2664, Childhood vaccinations, by Sen. Michael Bennett: Authorizes a parent or guardian to object to immunizing a minor on philsophical grounds.

SB 2674, Childhood immunizations, by Sen. Michael Bennett: Revises the required list of childhood immunizations needed before a child can enroll in school.

SB 2690, Medicaid reform, by Sen. Carey Baker: Requires Agency for Health Care Administration to establish workgroup on Medicaid reform, eliminates references to choice counseling system and opt-out program, and authorizes agency to seek changes to current Medicaid reform waiver.