[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6073146,"mediaKeyId","2995311-5fdaa7044ca6ef60b3baaf3293ca0003","parentId",2995311,"title","Appropriations Committee reports multiple health bills favorably; several debated items win committee approval","audioSeconds",10723,"startMs",1038000,"endMs",11761000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2995311-5fdaa7044ca6ef60b3baaf3293ca0003&start=1038&end=11761","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2995311-5fdaa7044ca6ef60b3baaf3293ca0003/thumbnail_1038000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6073146/Florida/Appropriations-Committee-reports-multiple-health-bills-favorably-several-debated-items-win-committee-approval","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073146-88018ec3ed7d2529eb5d79b2a71dffe4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771089494&Signature=TwF-f1GxnD5FaPX1kOKPy-ZSyqnTDfwAzXLai0tre7V-xdb4XZ8FO1plthFvS3vz0d1qrxCNKlkk6uoV~nE~qkmR3P-m2vxWLQOhIIj34jFk9RktcBplEoQPr1kqjT3pImV1s8YZT5nb5MJS1mtgKK-nWxM7OqmUpJyXly1niPJXzQTzhnvw87aodSeXHBALwMMJj7iRgs9sh25hxqrqJyymWb6Lr1yS4rSTueWXZParQ8uGHa0T-b2iKezYoAOhCahv5ys6yCDphXr5fffDZ7joywXDUhs3HXFcy-JgLhemMCVGLfWCY5n1KVkbEsqoDStond8mueIl5muek6AOFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Florida Legislature","date","2025-04-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met to consider a series of health-related bills and reported most items favorably. Several bills drew only brief sponsor remarks and unanimous support; others produced extended public testimony and debate before passage.

Among the bills the committee reported favorably were proposals on emergency department pediatric readiness, paramedic administration of controlled substances, venous thromboembolism (VTE) screening and assisted‑living requirements, coverage for continuous glucose monitors, a claim bill on behalf of a child victim, recovery residence zoning and staffing, an IDD managed‑care expansion pilot, nursing education reforms, and several administrative and screening measures. Formal committee action recorded most measures as “reported favorably.”

Why it matters: The committee’s approvals move the bills to later Senate stops where floor votes or further committee work will determine whether they become law. Several items — notably nursing program accountability, sober‑home regulation and managed‑care expansion for people with developmental disabilities — drew sustained public comment and will likely receive additional amendments later in the process.

Votes at a glance
- CS/SB 16xx (pediatric emergency department protocols, Harrell): reported favorably (motion presented and roll called). Sponsors said the bill would require EDs to adopt pediatric‑specific protocols, equipment and training.
- CS/SB 1224 (paramedics and controlled substances, Harrell): reported favorably. Chief Jim Milliken of the Florida Fire Chiefs Association testified in support.
- CS/SB 890 (Emily Atkins Family Protection Act — VTE registry and screening, Yarbrough/strike all adopted): reported favorably after public testimony; proponents urged training and registry; assisted‑living providers asked to be exempted or clarified.
- CS/SB 1182 (continuous glucose monitors coverage, Harrell): reported favorably; sponsors framed it as extending coverage under both DME and pharmacy benefits.
- CS/SB 12 (claims bill for LP): reported favorably.
- CS/SB 954 (recovery residences / sober homes, Gruters, late amendment adopted reducing cap): reported favorably after lengthy debate; amendment reduced the active‑patient cap in one provision and won committee approval.
- CS/SB 1050 (services for individuals with developmental disabilities, Bradley — IDD managed‑care pilot expansion): reported favorably after extended testimony; participation in the pilot remains voluntary and the bill includes provisions to expand family councils and data transparency.
- CS/SB 614 (care provider background screening clearinghouse webpage, Polsky): reported favorably.
- CS/SB 1578 (supplemental mammography screening coverage, Vice Chair Davis): reported favorably.
- CS/SB 1060 (Medicaid oversight committee, Broder): reported favorably.
- CS/SB 1240 (DCF substance abuse and mental health technical updates; Baker Act transfer timing amendment adopted): reported favorably with amendments increasing certain transfer notification windows.
- CS/SB 526 (nursing education reforms, Harrell — strike all adopted): reported favorably after significant debate; the amendment adds required exit exams, remediation, provisional licenses and a preceptorship program for low‑performing programs.

Votes noted in committee minutes: the meeting transcript records roll calls and the committee chair announcing bills “reported favorably” after individual roll calls. Several Senators asked to have their votes recorded on specific tabs in later proceedings (noted in the committee record). The transcript shows at least one recorded “no” vote by Vice Chair Davis on CS/SB 1050 during the roll call of that bill. The committee chair announced that most bills were reported favorably following roll calls.

What’s next: Many of these bills now move to subsequent Senate stops where sponsors may offer further amendments. Items with broad public concern — nursing education reforms (SB 526), sober‑home regulation (SB 954), and the managed‑care IDD expansion (SB 1050) — were flagged for continued stakeholder work.

Notes: This summary is based on the committee transcript. Where the transcript records formal roll calls or recorded votes those were noted; in some instances the minutes show only that a bill was “reported favorably” after a roll call without publishing a full vote tally in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services 4/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services advanced a broad package of health bills on Oct. 12, reporting most measures favorably after a full morning of sponsor remarks, public testimony and debate.","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},6073126,"Committee clears 'Emily Atkins Family Protection Act' to strengthen screening, registry and assisted‑living rules for blood clots",6013,1328000,7341000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2995311-5fdaa7044ca6ef60b3baaf3293ca0003&start=1328&end=7341","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2995311-5fdaa7044ca6ef60b3baaf3293ca0003/thumbnail_1328000.jpg","/articles/6073126/Florida/Committee-clears-Emily-Atkins-Family-Protection-Act-to-strengthen-screening-registry-and-assistedliving-rules-for-blood-clots","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073126-349b6f65e78790ee809c5a7a29056868/orig.mp4?Expires=1771089494&Signature=LkiuqALimgSyWRlaP9EhYLp0lyEKEpKJIg365y1Ir2RCWiDWAhCbJygTyGQOWSOsJresh1P~vjLpXgKKL80eWpq6X0vgWfjzfUxRv-l43Xjq1CHPUm0RcrSycKno7GlLud6glFh0DNHEllCEAIPm5qoV-X-hb~qTK69pFPbEj9ZXwRtTNMCUzw9xzTTg7-9UW3EG1cIIxkgwJtTUzf2Ekq9690mDnaldC~jJo18xEOzmPtr3Jz4L-fwwxtySrg5iBU6fIrwIjY7QWtVxjdHnX88eznGznaO4ELXECBtAP-QQjR8lIWzJm0eiwo-cW4URSuYY~6s9ghIe0zrI1lcxYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CS/SB 890 (the Emily Atkins Family Protection Act) was reported favorably after the committee considered a strike‑all amendment that added a statewide venous thromboembolism registry, screening and training standards and amendments to assisted‑living rules.

Sponsor Senator Yarbrough and supporters framed the bill as implementing recommended actions from a prior workgroup on blood clot prevention and treatment. Former Representative Janet Atkins and other family members testified about lives lost and prevented by improved screening and education; they urged support for three of the workgroup’s recommendations.

Key provisions discussed
- Establish a statewide VTE registry under the Agency for Health Care Administration and require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to screen for VTE risk at admission; require specified training for certified nursing assistants in nursing homes.
- Require the Agency for Health Care Administration to include identification of at‑risk residents and response protocols in assisted‑living facility rules.

Assisted‑living industry concerns
Representatives of the Florida Assisted Living Association and long‑time assisted‑living regulators explained ALFs are community residential settings regulated under Chapter 400 (social‑welfare statute) and said expectations to identify clinically silent clots or to implement clinical screening exceed the intended scope and capability of ALFs. They requested removal of assisted‑living facilities from certain provisions or more tailored language to avoid liability and operational disruption.

Outcome
The strike‑all was adopted and CS/SB 890 was reported favorably. Sponsors said they will continue to work with assisted‑living stakeholders to refine language and avoid unintended consequences while maintaining the bill’s core patient‑safety goals.

Ending: Committee passage moves the Emily Atkins Family Protection Act forward; sponsors committed to further stakeholder discussions on assisted‑living provisions.","The committee approved CS/SB 890 (the Emily Atkins Family Protection Act), which would create a statewide venous thromboembolism registry, require screening and training for hospitals and nursing staff and add assisted‑living identification and response requirements. Assisted‑living providers asked to be excluded or for tailored language.",{"_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},6073131,"Committee advances bill to expand IDD managed‑care pilot to reduce waitlist; supporters and families urge voluntary participation and protections",3806,3980000,7786000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2995311-5fdaa7044ca6ef60b3baaf3293ca0003&start=3980&end=7786","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2995311-5fdaa7044ca6ef60b3baaf3293ca0003/thumbnail_3980000.jpg","/articles/6073131/Florida/Committee-advances-bill-to-expand-IDD-managedcare-pilot-to-reduce-waitlist-supporters-and-families-urge-voluntary-participation-and-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073131-fcd89383ab4c399110c58e79d16ca0fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771089494&Signature=MOSIj~qAHSUlYzNpdAsLuJY5W8h5AckfEp3A8FrkiY5fL9wxb~kHtp-KarTU~0Q5XWRg4YgcoUYjyCyl3iqnMIUSFGynnZNqPtoxjkXBtzeZUF53Y0SGsnSmzTtFqq7jFf~UrkVzkp4r3MsLw3s7ikCDDpbXCt~asuAlG8PYnti8d5XgRZHIQtLVdWH1UsAVpp1KW1FpIehJ-4iyxyj8fiUczu~QVM-SoHclBtIUgEEWl62M6cDNbJ9tH326O1xjoJ74tKR4DO8qe29MCF6-Uu4SZqHeZOUN-nKbVLpPIwr5wvGdxRYgWuXFetiFg~jA7zIfxS4GHghsgNQeQFkS7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services voted to report CS/SB 1050 favorably after substantial public testimony from families and providers concerned about converting waiver services to managed care.

Sponsor Senator Bradley described the bill as an option that would accelerate access to services by expanding the IDD managed‑care pilot to individuals on the APD pre‑enrollment list and to other waiver enrollees in specified timeframes. He emphasized that participation in the pilot is voluntary and that participants may elect to return to the existing iBudget waiver.

Public comments and concerns
- Several parents and self‑advocates told the committee they supported faster access to services but worried about provider shortages, continuity of care and prior managed‑care failures. Jeff Swinson and his daughter Sydney described difficulty finding providers and urged caution in mandating managed care. JJ and Shelby, who testified about personal experiences, asked for guaranteed protections and continuity.
- Advocates and provider groups asked that critical services (transportation, care coordination ratios) be guaranteed, and that pilot standards be preserved after procurement and scaling.

Sponsor and committee response
Bradley and other supporters noted the bill preserves patient choice (voluntary enrollment) and expands family councils and data transparency. Senators stressed the bill’s intent is to reduce the backlog of people waiting for services — some of whom have been on the list for more than a decade — while preserving the option to remain in the waiver.

Outcome and next steps
The committee reported CS/SB 1050 favorably. Senators and witnesses said they will continue working on guardrails for program transition, provider on‑boarding and reporting to ensure participant protections and provider capacity.

Ending: Supporters framed the measure as an expansion of options to move people off a long waitlist; several speakers asked that the managed‑care option remain voluntary and that the state ensure provider capacity before broad rollout.","CS/SB 1050 would expand the IDD managed‑care pilot to people on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities waitlist and enroll additional waiver participants. The sponsor said participation is voluntary; family witnesses urged protections and cautioned about provider shortages and past managed‑care problems.",{"_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},6073136,"Senate panel approves Gruters bill to ease zoning limits for recovery residences, adds staffing and population limits after amendment",1330,2640000,3970000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2995311-5fdaa7044ca6ef60b3baaf3293ca0003&start=2640&end=3970","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2995311-5fdaa7044ca6ef60b3baaf3293ca0003/thumbnail_2640000.jpg","/articles/6073136/Florida/Senate-panel-approves-Gruters-bill-to-ease-zoning-limits-for-recovery-residences-adds-staffing-and-population-limits-after-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073136-283b4e29d6457067d6162d10f19b9de4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771089494&Signature=CVqspy7PogVjpQthGHUuu1dS6ftk3~22l348H1znMLm4EgMut-3cT9Gf3PLNWBWai-bbRJ0xknc2cokyMPCV1hmC2eZ6dpq3-obIgj89mXk9hWT8hXoICQMLdDuwuyLFZPmjkNVxAPkLys4~xJYrM3yabarQgZA~XpWfsTQVpBg3M3~sx1O5dHFRT9CTsBuRbDxRBHAU3wGpQQY~7DP-kUzvE5ltbTI17qXVQmeItJ-YLWN98zTOgDyl-AM~fOE9-kaNwQfoP1d0olHOU6efm3gCmpm88ZG4eESpVgq4pXMylYzNn9KkiiOSSHmNVxLpPtiMHSyvq278RI9fkfd2Eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Appropriations Committee reported CS/SB 954 favorably after extensive public testimony and debate over local zoning, clustering of recovery residences and staffing safeguards.

Sponsor Senator Gruters said the bill addresses a statewide shortage of substance‑use treatment and recovery housing and aims to prevent localities from excluding treatment centers under zoning rules. He described two main provisions: prohibiting localities from blocking treatment centers on the basis of health diagnosis and easing limits on recovery‑residence capacity if staffing levels are increased (moving from a 1:10 staff‑to‑resident ratio to a proposed 1:6 ratio in higher capacity settings). A late amendment reduced the cap on active patients cited in one provision from 500 to 300.

Public testimony split
- Cities and counties (Plantation, Delray Beach, Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties) opposed the bill as written, saying federal disability and housing law already constrain zoning but noting municipalities can adopt separation distances and other reasonable measures. Plantation cited a 660‑foot separation policy used locally and argued clustering can harm neighborhood character.
- Recovery‑housing advocates, operators and some recovery residents supported the bill. Proponents said clustering studies are dated and newer research does not show harms; they argued the law removes discriminatory barriers that deny treatment access and contributes to long wait lists.
- Certification and treatment organizations urged a lower cap and stronger oversight; a late amendment lowering the cap to 300 was adopted.

Key committee action
The committee adopted a late‑file amendment reducing the active‑patient threshold from 500 to 300 in a specified provision, then voted to report the measure favorably. Several senators voiced continued concerns and said they expected additional changes ahead of later stops.

Why it matters: Sponsors said the bill would expand access to recovery housing and treatment; opponents warned it could allow institutionalized concentrations of residents and reduce local control over land use and community protections.

Ending: The bill passed the committee with the amendment and will go to further Senate consideration. Sponsors pledged follow‑up conversations with municipalities and task‑force stakeholders.","The committee approved CS/SB 954 after lengthy debate and a late amendment that reduced an active‑patient threshold and adjusted staffing ratios for recovery residences. Municipal governments and some county officials opposed preemption of local zoning; supporters argued the bill would expand access to recovery housing.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6073141,"Senate panel advances Harrell bill to tighten nursing‑program accountability, add provisional licenses and preceptorships",5017,3720000,8737000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2995311-5fdaa7044ca6ef60b3baaf3293ca0003&start=3720&end=8737","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2995311-5fdaa7044ca6ef60b3baaf3293ca0003/thumbnail_3720000.jpg","/articles/6073141/Florida/Senate-panel-advances-Harrell-bill-to-tighten-nursingprogram-accountability-add-provisional-licenses-and-preceptorships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073141-d649ea6c1d43c73db92d69979652c397/orig.mp4?Expires=1771089494&Signature=g91-YiSFgY52LZjIIhFu0~USq65JLi-90kN3SjhipujUIsEuiY4NsUDXgc8VXLAFWqgoHW64SX9vmJzVQUPfvXdG1-pVhcCFo~aiZeIqOOuZJbhioMZ94sunx-QT3QyMKJLFXKYwUhURh10Z1QVNXd~6itJyWarrUcpHyf3JjZqy3VaGeFMQMl2yMjiz1tq61hFKCo5C3FyNU223sm33GCpFLszlbSsW1Sl05Hi2MGah45nVEUyBZvs3n4WHPFyBYv6AAqd6l3~ZkDIhjSfIX5KOa60gfOpoyds8l04uN2mrs6w4qVv~3bcdQAQN0AOon6fAJTH3R4uykvfWsU7JMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services voted to report CS/SB 526 favorably after an extended presentation and public testimony from nursing‑education stakeholders.

Sponsor Senator Gail Harrell said the state’s emergency is reflected in persistently low NCLEX pass rates among some programs and argued the bill would raise education and patient‑safety standards. “What this bill does is really look ... how we can make sure we have nursing programs ... that are going to pass,” Harrell said.

What the bill would do
- Require professional and practical nursing programs to set admission criteria, administer a standardized exit (predictor) exam and offer remediation for students who fail the exit exam.
- Require programs with NCLEX pass rates more than 10 percentage points below the national average to offer a three‑month graduate preceptorship for their graduates, with supervision by clinical preceptors; the Florida Center for Nursing must develop standards for those preceptorships.
- Allow the Department of Health to issue provisional licenses to graduates who have completed program requirements but have not yet passed the NCLEX; provisional licensees must be supervised by clinical preceptors and expected to sit for the NCLEX at the end of the preceptorship.
- Require programs to publish NCLEX passage rates on their institutional websites and require the Board to publish program passage rates as well.

Public testimony and objections
Representatives of private and independent nursing schools told the committee they share the goal of improving pass rates but warned the bill’s accountability structure could have unintended consequences. Bob Harris of the Florida Association of Independent Nursing Schools said the measure’s statutory changes were limited to non‑accredited programs as drafted and could disproportionately affect private institutions, creating closures and loss of access in some areas. He urged more narrowly tailored remedies and additional implementation support.

Assurances and next steps
Harrell and supporters said the bill includes a remediation requirement and funding options for preceptorships through existing line items; she said the goal is to graduate nurses who are ready to practice. The committee adopted a strike‑all amendment that added the preceptorship provisions and clarified definitions before voting to report the bill favorably.

The bill now advances to later Senate stops where sponsors said they will work with stakeholders on implementation details, including accreditation interactions and transitional timelines.

Ending: Supporters said the changes are aimed at improving patient safety by ensuring nursing graduates are prepared to pass licensure exams and enter the workforce; critics urged careful drafting to avoid unintended closures of educational programs.","The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services advanced CS/SB 526 after extended debate. The measure requires standardized exit exams, remediation, publication of program NCLEX passage rates and establishes a three‑month graduate preceptorship for low‑performing programs; it also authorizes provisional licenses for new graduates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Appropriations Committee reports multiple health bills favorably; several debated items win committee approval

Committee clears 'Emily Atkins Family Protection Act' to strengthen screening, registry and assisted‑living rules for blood clots

Committee advances bill to expand IDD managed‑care pilot to reduce waitlist; supporters and families urge voluntary participation and protections

Senate panel approves Gruters bill to ease zoning limits for recovery residences, adds staffing and population limits after amendment

Senate panel advances Harrell bill to tighten nursing‑program accountability, add provisional licenses and preceptorships