TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Tuesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed another bunch of bills into law, just a day after giving his signature to the largest batch yet.
The newest laws cover a wide range of topics, including education and health issues across the state.
The full list of laws signed on Tuesday are as follows:
HB 447 — Disability History
House Bill 447 — dubbed the “Evin B. Hartsell Act” — applies to school districts that teach about disability history and awareness during the first two weeks of October.
Under this law, these schools are required to include the following material in their instruction:
- For Kindergarten through Grade 3: Conversations about bullying, including what students should do if they are being bullied or see someone being bullied
- For Grades 4 - 6: Information about autism spectrum disorder
- For Grades 7 - 9: Information about hearing impairments
- For Grades 10 - 12: Information on different types of learning and intellectual disabilities
The law is set to take effect on July 1.
HB 647 — Registered Nurses
House Bill 647 aims to change state statutes surrounding advanced practice registered nurses.
While state law lets certain health care practitioners file a death certificate and complete a medical certification of cause of death, these nurses have not been allowed to perform these functions.
As a result, this new law extends those permissions to advanced practice registered nurses providing hospice care and acting within an established protocol with a licensed physician.
The law is set to take effect on July 1.
HB 1089 — Newborn Screenings
House Bill 1089 requires the state Newborn Screening Program to screen newborns for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) starting on Jan. 1, 2027 (subject to funding).
DMD is a rare genetic condition that affects around one in every 5,000 live male births.
Symptoms include progressive skeletal and muscle weakness, with many children losing the ability to move around on their own before they hit 10 years old. The condition can result in death by their early 20s.
The law is set to take effect on July 1.
SB 158 — Breast Examinations
Senate Bill 158 prohibits the state group insurance program from imposing any cost-sharing liability for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations in health benefit plans/contracts for state workers.
The law is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
SB 944 — Insurance Claims
Senate Bill 944 reduces the timeframe for a health insurer or HMO to submit claims to a licensed psychologist.
More specifically, the law reduces that timeframe from 30 months to 12 months.
The law is set to take effect on July 1, and it applies to claims for services provided starting Jan. 1, 2026.
SB 958 — Diabetes Detection
Senate Bill 958 requires the FDOH to work with local school districts and charter schools to educate families about Type 1 diabetes.
The law is set to take effect on July 1.
SB 1514 — Anaphylaxis
Senate Bill 1514 adds requirements to ensure that K-8 schools are equipped to respond to allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
Under this law, school staff are required to undergo training on how to respond to allergic reactions, including how to administer epinephrine.
The law is set to take effect on July 1.
SB 1808 — Patient Refunds
Senate Bill 1808 requires health care practitioners to refund a patient’s overpayment within 30 days.
Failure to do so can incur fines of up to $500.
The law is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.