New Legislation Impacting Your Profession

Posted in Latest News on May 16, 2019.

HB 23 - Telehealth

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
HB 23 (Full Text)

Summary:
Creates section 456.47, Florida Statutes, establishing standards of practice for telehealth providers, registration of out-of-state providers, venue requirements and exemptions. Additionally, effective July 1, 2020, the Department shall annually review the amount of any fees collected under section 456.47, Florida Statutes, to determine whether such fees are sufficient for the Department and Boards to implement the section.

HB 831 - Electronic Prescribing

Effective Date: January 1, 2020
HB 831 (Full Text)

Summary:
The law relocates language regarding electronic prescribing from existing section 456.43, Florida Statutes, to section 456.42, Florida Statutes, and repeals section 456.43, Florida Statutes, on January 1, 2021. The law requires prescribers to generate and transmit all prescription electronically, except when electronic prescribing is unavailable due to a temporary electrical or technological failure. In such instances, written prescriptions may be used, which must meet the requirements under current section 456.43, Florida Statutes.

HB 451 - Nonopioid Alternatives

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
HB 451 (Full Text)

Summary:
Creates section 456.44 (7), Florida Statutes, requiring the Department to develop and publish on its website an education pamphlet regarding the use of nonopioid alternatives for the treatment of pain.

HB 851 - Human Trafficking

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
HB 851 (Full Text)

Summary:
Creates section 456.0341, Florida Statutes, requiring persons licensed or certified under Chapter 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 463, 465, 466, part II, III, V or part X of 468, 480, or 486 to complete a board or department approved 1-hour continuing education course on human trafficking. Licensees or certificate holders must post a sign with relevant portions of the reporting procedure by January 1, 2020. Requiring a massage establishment to designate an establishment manager to be responsible for operational rules compliance. Requiring the Department of Health (DOH) to deny an application for massage establishment license if an establishment owner or designated establishment manager has been convicted of a prostitution offense. Authorizing DOH to revoke or suspend a massage establishment’s license if certain employees or owners have convictions or disciplinary action for prostitution. Prohibiting a massage establishment owner or designated establishment manager whose license is revoked from reapplying for a license or, for an owner, transferring the license.

SB 732 - Office Surgery

Effective Date: January 1, 2020
SB 732 (Full Text)

Summary:
The law authorizes the Department to register and regulate office surgery centers. The law requires the Department to issue an emergency order suspending or restricting the registration of certain facilities when the office is found not in compliance with the standards of practice for office surgery. The law requires the registration of offices in which more than 1,000 cubic centimeters of supernatant fat is removed, level II office surgery, or a level III office surgery must register with the department unless the office is licensed as a facility under Chapter 395, Florida Statutes. Additionally, the law requires the designation of physicians for the registered office’s compliance. The law permits the inspection, suspension, revocation, and penalty of surgery centers.

SB 1418 - Mental Health

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
SB 1418 (Full Text)

Summary:
Requires a psychiatrist to disclose patient communications to the extent necessary to warn law enforcement of a threat of serious bodily injury or death made by a patient or client. Requires law enforcement to notify potential victims of the threat and provides that such disclosure of confidential communications may not be the basis of legal action or any civil or criminal liability against the psychiatrist or psychologist.


If you’d like to view all 2019 bills impacting health care professions, please go to www.flhealthsource.gov/2019-bills



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