THE BILL ITSELF
HB 551
Medical Conscience
1
A bill to be entitled
2
An act relating to medical conscience; amending s.
3
381.00321, F.S.; authorizing health care providers and
4
health care payors to commence a civil action for
5
certain damages and relief under certain
6
circumstances; providing an effective date.
8
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
10
Section 1. Subsection (4) of section 381.00321, Florida
11
Statutes, is amended to read:
12
381.00321 The right of medical conscience of health care
13
providers and health care payors.—
14
(4) ENFORCEMENT.—A health care provider or health care
15
payor may file a complaint with the Attorney General alleging
16
any violation of this section.
17
(a) If the Attorney General determines there has been a
18
violation of this section, the Attorney General may commence a
19
civil action for damages, injunctive relief, or any other
20
appropriate relief, including attorney fees. For the purpose of
21
conducting an investigation, the Attorney General may administer
22
oaths; take depositions; make inspections when authorized by
23
law; issue subpoenas supported by affidavit; serve subpoenas and
24
other process; and compel the attendance of witnesses and the
25
production of books, papers, documents, and other evidence. The
26
Department of Legal Affairs may adopt rules to implement this
27
subsection.
28
(b) If the Attorney General does not commence a civil
29
action within 180 days of the filing of the complaint, a health
30
care provider or health care payor may commence a civil action
31
for damages, injunctive relief, or any other appropriate relief,
32
including attorney fees, or assert a violation of this section
33
as a defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding.
34
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.