summary
Introduced
12/29/2025
12/29/2025
In Committee
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to health care; providing a short title; repealing s. 1 of chapter 2025-114, Laws of Florida, and s. 9 of chapter 2023-43, Laws of Florida, relating to the repeal of the definition of the term "messenger ribonucleic acid vaccine" by a specified date; amending s. 381.00315, F.S.; defining the term "treat," "treated," and "treatment"; amending s. 381.026, F.S.; prohibiting discrimination against a patient based on the patient's vaccination status; amending s. 456.072, F.S.; revising the list of acts that constitute grounds for disciplinary actions for health care practitioners; amending s. 456.0575, F.S.; requiring licensed health care practitioners to inform the parent or legal guardian of a minor child of the risks, benefits, safety, and efficacy of specified vaccines, obtain a signature from the parent or legal guardian before the administration of the vaccine, and provide the parent or legal guardian with the option of an alternative vaccination schedule; creating s. 465.1897, F.S.; authorizing a pharmacist to provide ivermectin without a prescription under certain circumstances; requiring the pharmacist to provide specified information to the patient; providing pharmacists with immunity from civil and criminal hb917-00 liability and disciplinary action under certain circumstances; authorizing the Board of Pharmacy to adopt rules; amending s. 1003.22, F.S.; authorizing a parent to exempt their child from a health examination or from the administration of immunizing agents based on conscience grounds; requiring the Department of Health to make publicly available, by posting on its Internet website, an exemption form for parents and legal guardians; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the "Health Care Medical Freedom Act," introduces several key provisions affecting health care practices in Florida. It prohibits discrimination against patients based on their vaccination status, requiring health care providers to treat patients equally regardless of their immunization history. The bill mandates that licensed health care practitioners provide detailed information about vaccines to parents or guardians of minors, including risks, benefits, and safety, and must obtain a signed acknowledgment before administering vaccines. Additionally, the bill allows pharmacists to provide ivermectin without a prescription, with provisions for providing patient information and immunity from liability. The legislation also expands exemption options for school health examinations and immunizations, allowing parents to opt out based on religious grounds or conscience. The bill further clarifies that the term "treatment" does not include vaccination administration and adds new grounds for disciplinary action against health care practitioners who discriminate based on vaccination status. The provisions aim to enhance patient rights, medical information transparency, and individual choice in health care decisions, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
1st Reading (Original Filed Version) (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/917 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/917/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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