[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6126004,"mediaKeyId","2674051-ce9ce207f523d8fe93249ee9142a07d1","parentId",2674051,"title","Committee reports bill to repeal wrongful-death exception that bars some survivors from non-economic damages","audioSeconds",5030,"startMs",2911000,"endMs",7941000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674051-ce9ce207f523d8fe93249ee9142a07d1&start=2911&end=7941","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674051-ce9ce207f523d8fe93249ee9142a07d1/thumbnail_2911000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6126004/Florida/Committee-reports-bill-to-repeal-wrongful-death-exception-that-bars-some-survivors-from-non-economic-damages","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126004-3cdea2ad22b9da0a024d00f2a12a6f2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023399&Signature=Mcl2xTTAZmxJW9V7H7Szt9OpvtPBT8EhFFgjq06S9Zz3JMvxwWpVJZnjEtLUEJk7byb6Mkkd~Nf3KIE2s~Y2Zz5MMivhKrFsgzhgNP9x-hWV8BUsNJQnAIcgwIZUy9v~V9gQGmfwoMdjwSyRX~PvNZdx9GDWBT9FvGgdrGdbNkJUcWxGI81EseXgRVVKrqBhVXwkTxS2ihk63QEwgXDPzfPdaRjXCz1dCIHYJBXv6jXwqL~C4hWXorm4Nwpwnk1b2YwD2ed3IA3xtma2-94PaIsHd27xsKt~vQTWFcnQ63acDMzduqBJ06rxbI0Mr3gdOlGYPGpiYLkxt3P870zP5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Florida State Legislature","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services reported favorably on Senate Bill 734, which would repeal statutory exceptions that currently prevent certain parents and adult children from recovering non-economic damages in wrongful-death cases arising from medical negligence.

Sponsor Senator Yarbrough said the exceptions — contained in Florida Statute 768.218 as described in committee — singled out a narrow class of survivors and ran counter to the Wrongful Death Act’s stated legislative intent in Florida Statute 768.17. He framed the bill as an accountability measure that would allow affected survivors to seek non-economic damages when medical negligence caused a wrongful death.

The hearing drew sustained public testimony. More than two dozen speakers — many identifying as family members of people who died after care they called negligent — urged repeal without caps. Witnesses included Peter Finnell, Beth Young, Sabrina Davis, Marcy Shepler and others who described case details and urged removing what opponents called a discriminatory exception. Several medical and insurance witnesses opposed or urged caution, citing rising malpractice claim sizes and effects on premiums and access: hospital risk managers, insurers and industry groups testified that Florida already faces high malpractice costs, that severe verdicts have grown in recent years, and that higher litigation could reduce provider availability.

Key back-and-forth in committee: senators asked about the scope of beneficiaries (the repeal would allow parents or adult children who presently are limited under subsection 8 to pursue non-economic damages), whether estranged relatives could file claims, and existing administrative avenues such as Board of Medicine sanctions. The sponsor said the repeal is a “clean repeal” (no caps included) and that he is open to mitigation measures, including administrative processes and caps, if stakeholders can agree.

Recorded vote: the clerk called the roll and reported SB 734 as reported favorably. The transcript recorded several “Yes” votes and one recorded “No” from Senator Harrell. The sponsor closed asking for favorable support and said he remains open to adjustments to secure broader agreement.

Why it matters: supporters said the statute creates a two-tier system that denies equal protection to certain survivors and prevents discovery in civil cases; opponents warned of insurance market disruption, higher premiums and reduced access to care if litigation exposure increases without reciprocal protections for providers.

Implementation notes: the hearing record discussed Florida Statute 768.218 and the Wrongful Death Act (Florida Statute 768.17). No implementation appropriation was recorded; sponsor indicated openness to alternative mitigation approaches but presented a clean repeal in committee.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services 3/18/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 734, to repeal statutory exceptions that deny non-economic wrongful-death damages to certain adult survivors in medical-negligence cases, was reported favorably after extensive public testimony from families, clinicians and industry groups; vote recorded with one ‘No.’","taxTitle","Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, Standing Committees, Senate, Legislative, Florida","taxId",26939,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6126011,"Committee advances bill removing age-8 diagnosis requirement for autism coverage and extending adult coverage",289,2668000,2957000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674051-ce9ce207f523d8fe93249ee9142a07d1&start=2668&end=2957","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674051-ce9ce207f523d8fe93249ee9142a07d1/thumbnail_2668000.jpg","/articles/6126011/Florida/Committee-advances-bill-removing-age-8-diagnosis-requirement-for-autism-coverage-and-extending-adult-coverage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126011-a90ff2fd2f9e8eab48920c8df079696f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023399&Signature=XPrBXDYGtalLS-5IlgbFBpaN3QWeakp1yMQDdodVcDbxd~Q0AVVOxQV1pTsTtMQSHFe03W7JPKRRI6wrqa6H01DKoMhKUr9-4m1pTagUg6xmmtRxMPE8foU3U3fdvPsVGJFHF9kXCCRrpD-ZhUUZzh~xpjI4AkCQ0wx3VYwXQkcUOcg989c3LZTyZncQXd-RSfvYzPDJDZzGMmS6yfd3iAx67njr-UHtgR82Vk8itLUFB2W-oddcKZg514n9b0IdLMoRho7cqDKid~bkhuYcQG6j5FRvIgIvmA1r4qrCxFEZgIuaQA6h8QBcX4z1h1XL9H2kApVluDB0vRu-Ytu6lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services reported favorably on CS for Senate Bill 756, which would remove an insurance-code requirement that limited autism diagnoses to age 8 and would extend coverage mandates beyond the current cutoff at age 18.

Sponsor Senator Burton told the committee that the bill removes the diagnosis-by-age-8 requirement because some autistic children — particularly girls or children with co-occurring medical conditions — are diagnosed later. Burton said the change would allow more families to access covered therapies and supports after age 18.

Committee members asked about lifetime benefit caps. Senator Berman asked about a lifetime benefit cap noted in the bill text referencing a $108,000 total; Burton said the bill does not change existing caps and that expanding eligibility could result in more individuals reaching the cap but does not itself alter the cap amount.

Public testimony included representatives of disability organizations: James McFadden (Arc of Florida) and others waived in support. No opponents were recorded on the committee roster. The clerk then called the roll and reported CS for SB 756 as reported favorably.

Why it matters: sponsors framed the bill as an access and equity measure to ensure autistic Floridians can obtain diagnosis and mandated coverage when symptoms present after childhood, and to reduce disruptions in services tied to an arbitrary age cutoff.

Implementation notes: the committee record did not include new appropriation language; members flagged Medicaid and other caps as a system constraint but did not record changes to those caps in the bill text.","CS for SB 756 would eliminate an insurance-code requirement that limited autism diagnoses to age 8 and would extend mandated coverage beyond age 18; the committee reported the bill favorably after brief testimony in support from disability advocacy groups.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6126015,"Committee advances bill allowing non-opioid advance directives with emergency-room exemption",1349,1321000,2670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674051-ce9ce207f523d8fe93249ee9142a07d1&start=1321&end=2670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674051-ce9ce207f523d8fe93249ee9142a07d1/thumbnail_1321000.jpg","/articles/6126015/Florida/Committee-advances-bill-allowing-non-opioid-advance-directives-with-emergency-room-exemption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126015-05701bd51dac7e1e487091a792d5b44b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023399&Signature=Z4VcIVZ8-ikeuZdHtH9oaC-7eatBqAcQz1QIlf-ppQQ8lml1soBcrMRB9xuKzMSIstwJ8NfLLl5KI891sWetzChmAxmHAEEPg1FkPrr5hgOMQcmGmjrBpx6Rfr64AQlwPaKKTmn5f4eWQSluGIPiGHAqcrm6R1prjDY7bUKxncXY1ms7TAkQ~jX8A2uFKsZwz1QGSgQCdbgR3dBdxi4QUtTPAUYmYdyIkiD0li~TSYFQYEWY47F2Bg-xJbLy7moDw-B83xCWMtWTqV0pKgX6unBGSpWIrGeaU0pMF1-gKsfh~XMeNNhpHA9ksDj1hZILy3GTNswq9RMBn-yxH0fU-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services reported favorably on CS for Senate Bill 714 after the committee adopted an amendment to clarify emergency-treatment liability protections.

Sponsor Senator Burton explained the bill creates non-opioid advance directives that allow patients to record their preference not to be offered or given opioids, including when the patient is incapacitated. Burton said the change empowers patients who are recovering addicts or otherwise choose to avoid opioids.

Committee members asked about emergency situations. Burton introduced Amendment (barcode 218,790) to change the liability language so health-care providers would be protected from civil or criminal liability when administering opioids in a medical emergency; the amendment also clarified the shield applies to “administered orders.” The committee adopted the amendment without recorded objection.

Public testimony included opponents and supporters. Linda Bell, president of Florida Right to Life, and several physicians urged caution. Witnesses cited a 2022 JAMA review and warned that complete elimination of opioids in some surgical or critical-care settings can cause worse outcomes; Dr. Dyangowski (identified as president of the Florida Catholic Medical Association) and other clinicians told the committee that nonopioid alternatives are not always effective for procedures, trauma or palliative care. The Florida College of Emergency Physicians filed an appearance card; Tony Larch was listed.

Sponsor and supporters emphasized the bill is voluntary for patients and that the amended language protects providers who must act in emergencies. Committee members (including Senator Broder, Senator Harrell and Vice Chair Davis) spoke in favor, emphasizing patient choice; the clerk then announced the committee had reported the committee substitute for SB 714 favorably.

Actions recorded in the hearing: the committee adopted amendment barcode 218,790 (language clarifying emergency exemptions) and then reported CS for SB 714 favorably. The transcript does not include the text of the Department of Health form that will implement the directive, only that the Department will publish it.

Implementation notes: the bill references a Department of Health advance-directive form; committee testimony noted the form will be developed after passage and that the form’s specific language and any criminal-liability definitions are not yet in the record.

Why it matters: supporters framed the bill as restoring patient choice and protecting recovering patients; clinicians warned against unintended clinical harms if opioid options are strictly removed from some care situations.","CS/ SB 714, to create a non-opioid advance directive allowing patients to refuse opioids even if incapacitated, was reported favorably after adopting an amendment that adds liability protection for providers who administer opioids in medical emergencies.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6126020,"Committee OKs $1.5M Alzheimer’s awareness campaign through Department of Elder Affairs",222,1116000,1338000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674051-ce9ce207f523d8fe93249ee9142a07d1&start=1116&end=1338","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674051-ce9ce207f523d8fe93249ee9142a07d1/thumbnail_1116000.jpg","/articles/6126020/Florida/Committee-OKs-15M-Alzheimers-awareness-campaign-through-Department-of-Elder-Affairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126020-ef581ed525cdc0f4558a4974eaefcfab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023399&Signature=MqOLQJsYTIcrr6cjFlv263gq6n1u7~uJr4iFpxxVclWz7yCJXCdIqTEFbpb9n07S0WQ4k3XK90o1FyCHDWP94-QvsK~wvPT429zZonRNYWEWdx~kRprZVwo08XREHKgHyyVnxbDku93PsNGgYvP4fRDBSNcsBbimx7r13E0NnRUl4uex2d3WwMW8EDHuox-oCxB8Zl0w7obcLqZdq~tuFVciZ0dHGybLI3Khl~KgMXEtNW2bJiItbQQ-XCHOftZ59HDu3SGchzoNdbY5JVPvMK9EvMGTHJSnrYKOVlp41nNNebqnLi0M7fv-RvZHqcjnfAa0UKvcf~XgeygriSWcSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services reported favorably on Senate Bill 398 on a voice roll call, moving a proposal to create a statewide Alzheimer’s and dementia public-awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs.

Sponsor Senator Ed Burgess said the bill would fund a public-health campaign to educate Floridians on signs, risk reduction and clinical-trial access, and target older adults and higher-risk populations. He told the committee Florida ranks second in the U.S. for Alzheimer’s cases, and estimated “over 580,000 Floridians” currently affected.

The bill designates a $1,500,000 nonrecurring appropriation to the Department of Elder Affairs for the campaign. Committee members raised no formal questions during the hearing; AARP registered an appearance in support. Vice Chair Davis and Senator Harrell both spoke in favor, with Harrell noting his service on a state advisory committee on Alzheimer’s and calling the bill “a very important next step.”

Committee procedure and next steps: the committee clerk called the roll and reported the bill favorably; the committee did not record amendments or a recorded division vote in the transcript. The bill text assigns the Department of Elder Affairs responsibility for program implementation, including public outreach, materials, and targeted messaging.

Why it matters: advocates and lawmakers framed the bill as an early-detection and resource-navigation effort aimed at reducing disparities in dementia care and connecting families to services.

No legal authorities beyond the Department of Elder Affairs or specific statute citations were mentioned in the hearing record.

Votes at a glance: the clerk reported SB 398 “reported favorably” following a roll call that recorded multiple “Yes” responses from committee members; the transcript closing line shows the committee moved the bill forward.","The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services reported favorably on SB 398, which would create a statewide public-health awareness campaign on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias run by the Department of Elder Affairs and funded with a $1.5 million nonrecurring appropriation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee reports bill to repeal wrongful-death exception that bars some survivors from non-economic damages

Committee advances bill removing age-8 diagnosis requirement for autism coverage and extending adult coverage

Committee advances bill allowing non-opioid advance directives with emergency-room exemption

Committee OKs $1.5M Alzheimer’s awareness campaign through Department of Elder Affairs