Panel approves requirement for human-trafficking training at nurse licensure
January 21, 2026 | 2026 Legislature FL, Florida
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TALLAHASSEE — The Health Professions and Grama Subcommittee voted 17-0 to report favorably a proposed committee substitute for HB 303, which would require nursing applicants to complete a two-hour human-trafficking prevention course before initial licensure.
The sponsor said Florida currently ranks third in the nation for human-trafficking cases and that a 2017 law required a two-hour course for licensure renewal but did not require the training at initial entry into practice. "Every single one of [the 19,673 nursing graduates from 2024] entered our workforce without this mandatory training in human trafficking," the sponsor said, citing the 2024 graduates statistic.
Representative Grohl asked about the legal liability if a nurse sees a trafficking victim and does not recognize the signs. The sponsor responded that existing liability frameworks for nurses would remain the same and said he/she would obtain further legal clarification for the committee.
Jack Corey, speaking on behalf of the Florida Nurses Association through Public Affairs Consultants, told the committee the nurses' association "wholeheartedly support[s]" the measure and urged committee approval. Additional organizations — the Florida Smart Justice Alliance and the Florida PTA — waived in support.
Representative Rosenwald, during debate, described the measure as an important way to increase health-care professionals' ability to identify and assist trafficking victims. The sponsor reiterated the intention to close a training gap at workforce entry and noted the committee would receive any follow-up clarifications requested on liability.
The clerk announced a 17-0 vote to report the PCS favorably. Chair Tuck instructed staff to show the bill reported favorably; the measure now moves to the next House stage for consideration.
Next steps: HB 303 was reported favorably and will proceed according to House procedures; the sponsor said he/she would return with any legal clarifications requested by the committee.
The sponsor said Florida currently ranks third in the nation for human-trafficking cases and that a 2017 law required a two-hour course for licensure renewal but did not require the training at initial entry into practice. "Every single one of [the 19,673 nursing graduates from 2024] entered our workforce without this mandatory training in human trafficking," the sponsor said, citing the 2024 graduates statistic.
Representative Grohl asked about the legal liability if a nurse sees a trafficking victim and does not recognize the signs. The sponsor responded that existing liability frameworks for nurses would remain the same and said he/she would obtain further legal clarification for the committee.
Jack Corey, speaking on behalf of the Florida Nurses Association through Public Affairs Consultants, told the committee the nurses' association "wholeheartedly support[s]" the measure and urged committee approval. Additional organizations — the Florida Smart Justice Alliance and the Florida PTA — waived in support.
Representative Rosenwald, during debate, described the measure as an important way to increase health-care professionals' ability to identify and assist trafficking victims. The sponsor reiterated the intention to close a training gap at workforce entry and noted the committee would receive any follow-up clarifications requested on liability.
The clerk announced a 17-0 vote to report the PCS favorably. Chair Tuck instructed staff to show the bill reported favorably; the measure now moves to the next House stage for consideration.
Next steps: HB 303 was reported favorably and will proceed according to House procedures; the sponsor said he/she would return with any legal clarifications requested by the committee.
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