Committee advances a package of health-related bills on licensing, foster-home privacy and professional scope

The House Health and Human Services Committee advanced a set of health-related bills covering professional scope, foster-family privacy and Medicaid eligibility for working adults with disabilities.

House Bill 1347: Representative Gerwig presented HB 1347 to align Florida licensure for clinical-laboratory personnel with federal CLIA standards to ease staffing shortages. Subbu Ramachandran, president of Quest Diagnosticsfor the Southeast Region, told members Florida has eight clinical laboratories and 4,400 employees and said federal standards would expand the pool of qualified professionals without sacrificing oversight. The committee reported the bill favorably (24 yays, 0 nays).

CS/HB 287: Representative McFarland described a records-exemption measure for family foster-home applicants and caregivers to protect personal information; the committee reported CS/HB 287 favorably (25 yeas, 0 nays).

CS/HB 439: Representative Cobbpresented a measure to allow chiropractors to administer injectable vitamins and nutrients (not intravenous therapy) with training and certification; a clarifying amendment confirmed chiropractors may not prescribe prescription medications. The committee reported the bill favorably as amended (26 yays, 0 nays).

CS/HB 1021: Representative Young presented a targeted patient-safety bill authorizing medication administration by pharmacists in level 1 and 2 trauma centers at a physician's direction; a sponsor amendment added pediatric trauma centers. The committee reported the bill favorably (26 yays, 0 nays).

HB 8867: Representative Anderson introduced a bill permitting occupational therapists to perform dry needling after specified training and supervised practice; the Board of Occupational Therapy will set continuing-education requirements. The committee reported the bill favorably (25 yays, 0 nays).

HB 915: Representative Tant presented HB 915 to codify an existing demonstration allowing some working people with developmental disabilities to maintain Medicaid eligibility while working. The bill sets income and asset disregards and seeks to enroll eligible adults automatically; numerous disability-rights organizations voiced support. The committee reported the bill favorably (26 yays, 0 nays).

Taken together, committee members said the package streamlines care access, clarifies professional practice boundaries and protects some privacy and eligibility rights. All listed bills were shown "reported favorably" by voice or roll call during the session.