Bill > H0469

This bill requires certain licensing boards, specifically those overseeing professions licensed under chapters 458 (physicians) and 459 (osteopathic physicians) of Florida Statutes, to mandate a 1-hour continuing education course on human trafficking for their licensees. This course, which must be approved by the respective board, will be required as part of every third biennial (occurring every two years) relicensure or recertification process. The course content will cover crucial aspects such as the prevalence of labor and sex trafficking, how to identify victims, patient safety, managing medical records of victims, available social services, reporting hotlines, assessment tools, and referral options for legal and social services. Licensees will need to provide proof of completing this course when renewing their licenses. The bill also allows boards to approve equivalent courses and permits individuals holding multiple licenses subject to this requirement to take just one course to satisfy the mandate for all relevant licenses. Failure to complete the course will be grounds for disciplinary action by the licensing board, and the licensee will still be required to complete the course. Additionally, each board is granted the authority to create rules to implement these provisions, and the act will become effective on July 1, 2016.