The 2025 Florida Legislative Session saw the introduction of 1,982 bills, with only 254 passing both chambers. However, lawmakers did not pass the state budget, which is constitutionally required. The session was extended until June 6, 2025, through HCR 1631.
A significant Department of Health bill (HB 1299/SB 1270) passed after removing a controversial provision that would have barred discrimination against patients based on vaccination status. The Florida Medical Association (FMA) played a role in narrowing and ultimately eliminating this provision. Other changes in the bill include extending the repeal date for the definition of “messenger ribonucleic acid vaccine” to 2027, expanding institutions authorized to grant medical faculty certificates, updating temporary certificate laws for critical-need areas, and modifying background check requirements for medical marijuana treatment centers.
Notably, the legislation amends last year’s Interstate Mobility Act by reducing the active practice requirement for licensure by endorsement from three years to two and allowing certain applicants with National Practitioner Data Bank reports to qualify if their conduct does not violate Florida law. Language was also added to help newly licensed residents in other states qualify for licensure by endorsement.
The “Emily Adkins Protection Act” (HB 1421/SB 890) requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to implement policies and staff training for screening and treating venous thromboembolisms. It establishes a statewide registry to track data and improve outcomes. Assisted living facilities must now provide information pamphlets about blood clots. This legislation was supported by the FMA and inspired by a state-established workgroup that included longtime FMA member Chris Pittman, MD.
Legislation regulating stem cell therapy (SB 1768/HB 1617) authorizes physicians to perform certain therapies not approved by the FDA under specific conditions. The FMA contributed to shaping this bill to balance public protection with avoiding overregulation of physicians. The law sets standards for stem cell sourcing and storage, mandates patient consent forms disclosing lack of FDA approval, excludes treatments using fetal or embryo-derived cells from abortions, and imposes penalties for violations.
A new measure addressing overpayments (SB 1808/HB 1513) requires healthcare providers who bill insurers to refund any overpayment within 30 days after determining an overpayment has occurred. The FMA clarified that repayment is triggered only upon such determination.
For the first time in decades, legislation expanding eligibility for noneconomic damages in wrongful death cases involving medical negligence passed both chambers (HB 6017). If signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis—who reportedly opposes it—it would allow adult children and parents of deceased adults to recover damages previously prohibited. The FMA is working with partners urging a veto.
Scope-of-practice expansion remained contentious; no such bills passed due largely to FMA opposition.
Bills imposing new office surgery regulations were rewritten with input from the FMA but ultimately failed in committee. Similarly, efforts to remove exemptions on electronic prescribing requirements did not advance after disagreements between chambers.
A proposal requiring physicians to notify patients when referring them out-of-network stalled after amendments limited its scope.
Changes proposed under parental rights laws would have restricted physicians’ ability to treat minors without parental consent even in emergencies or STI cases; these did not pass following intervention from physician groups including the FMA.
Efforts continued around health care practitioner identification titles (“ology bill”), but final language was stripped from related bills before passage; this issue is expected to return next year.
As lawmakers reconvene to focus on passing a budget, attention will be on SB 110—the Rural Renaissance Package—and funding levels for the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME) program. SB 110 proposes $25 million in grants supporting rural healthcare practices. FRAME funding remains uncertain as House and Senate versions differ; full funding aims to encourage professionals—including those in dental, mental health, or nursing fields—to serve underserved communities through loan repayment assistance programs.
