The 2017 Florida Legislative Session produced House Bill 543, which partly impacts practicing licensees. The following is a breakdown of the new law and its implications going forward:
HB 543 – Regulation of Health Care Practitioners
Effective Date: June 23, 2017
Summary: This bill allows pharmacists to administer a long-acting anti-psychotic medication approved by the Unites States Food and Drug Administration by injection to a patient. Pharmacists must be authorized by and acting within the framework of an established protocol with the prescribing physician. Pharmacists seeking to make these injections are required to complete an approved eight-hour Continuing Education (CE) course.
For a copy of the bill, click here.
For more information about Continuing Education courses, please contact CE Broker.
HB 1121 – Child Welfare
Effective Date: July 1, 2017
HB 1121 (full text)
Summary: HB 1121 permits hospitals licensed under Ch. 395, F.S. and physicians’ offices to release patient records to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) for investigative purposes. DCF agents or representatives can now obtain records without written permission from the patient, but only when the information will be used to investigate cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation that impact children and/or vulnerable adults.
The bill also requires mental health receiving facilities to initiate an involuntary examination of a minor admitted under the Baker Act; this examination must take place within 12 hours of arrival at the facility.
If you’d like to view all 2017 bills impacting health care professions, please go to https://www.flhealthsource.gov/2017-bills
