The 2024 Florida Legislative Session has concluded, bringing several important updates about what bills passed, which did not, and what this could mean for our work in the coming year. Here, I will break down the key legislative changes into three categories: Mental Health Professional-related updates, Healthcare-related updates, and Other relevant updates. Let’s dive in.
Mental Health Legislation
CS/SB 1008: Background Screening Requirements
This bill would have mandated regular background checks for healthcare professionals licensed before July 1, 2024. However, it did not pass, as it died in fiscal policy. Read more about CS/SB 1008
CS/HB 827/SB 10: Mental Health Professionals
CS/HB 827/SB 10 proposed renaming Registered Interns to Licensed Associates and removing the requirement for a licensed mental health professional to be onsite when Registered Interns provide private practice services. Unfortunately, this bill died in healthcare policy and was not passed for the fourth consecutive year. As a result, Registered Interns will remain named as such and cannot practice without a licensed provider onsite for private practice. Read more about CS/HB 827/SB 10
SB 68: Social Work Licensure Compact
SB 68 was designed to establish the Social Work Compact, similar to the Counseling Compact enacted in 2022. Unfortunately, it did not pass, dying in healthcare policy. Read more about SB 68
SB 878: Art Therapy
This bill sought to establish Art Therapy as a licensed healthcare profession under the Ch. 491 board, differentiating it from mental health counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy. It also failed to pass, dying in healthcare policy. Read more about SB 878
Healthcare Legislation
CS/CS/HB 1639: Gender and Biological Sex
Known as the “Trans Erasure Bill,” this controversial bill aimed to define biological sex strictly and required gender markers on driver’s licenses to match this definition, among other provisions. It died in rules and was not passed. Read more about CS/CS/HB 1639
CS/CS/SB 1320: HIV Infection Prevention Drugs
This bill allows pharmacists to screen adults for HIV and prescribe PrEP under physician-guided protocols with appropriate training. It passed both the House and Senate and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. Read more about CS/CS/SB 1320
SB 1404: Health Care Freedom Act
This proposed legislation sought to repeal the state’s six-week abortion ban and enhance healthcare access for trans individuals. It did not pass, dying in health policy. Read more about SB 1404
SB 34: Termination of Pregnancies
SB 34 aimed to protect pregnant individuals seeking abortions from legal persecution. It died in healthcare policy and was not passed. Read more about SB 34
HB 1519: Termination of Pregnancies
This bill aimed to recognize personhood at conception and outlaw abortion from that point, eliminating exemptions for rape and incest. It did not pass, dying in the healthcare regulation subcommittee. Read more about HB 1519
HB 931: School Chaplains
This bill permits local school districts to employ volunteer chaplains to counsel students, similar to school counselors. It passed both the House and Senate and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. Read more about HB 931
SB 1598: Immigration and Immigrants
Dubbed the “Welcome Florida Act,” this bill aimed to repeal the requirement for hospitals to collect immigration information from patients and ease the process for immigrants to obtain identification. It did not pass, dying in judiciary. Read more about SB 1598
Other Relevant Legislation
CS/HB 1291: Educator Preparation Programs
Also known as the “Stop WOKE Teacher Training” bill, it requires teacher training to align with certain political perspectives. It passed both the House and Senate and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. Read more about CS/HB 1291
CS/SB 1492: Employment Regulations
This bill alters local nondiscrimination policies and prohibits requiring heat and temperature protections for employees. It passed both the House and Senate and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. Read more about CS/SB 1492
CS/CS/SB 1352: Juvenile Justice
This bill allows certain JVV employees to carry Narcan and adjusts education programs for the juvenile justice system. It passed both the House and Senate and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. Read more about CS/CS/SB 1352
HB 1355: Education
The “Freedom to Learn Act” sought to repeal key provisions of previous controversial education bills. It did not pass, dying in the education committee. Read more about HB 1355
CS/HB 1: Online Protections for Minors
Also known as the “Minor Ban on Social Media” bill, it restricts minors under 16 from accessing most social media sites and mandates age checks and safeguards by companies. Though it passed both the House and Senate, it was vetoed by the Governor. Read more about CS/HB 1
SB 1596: Employment of Minors
This bill aimed to adjust work restrictions for minors and allow for waivers to bypass these restrictions. It did not pass, dying in regulated industries. Read more about SB 1596
Final Thoughts
Several significant bills are still under review, and updates will be provided as the Governor signs or vetoes them. If you have any questions or additional bills to highlight, please share them, and I will update this post accordingly.
Stay informed and involved!
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