Four Insurance-Related Bills Heard by House Jobs & Entrepreneurship Council This Past Week

The Florida House of Representatives Jobs and Entrepreneurship Council met twice this past week and discussed four bills relating to insurance.

Below is a brief summary of the pertinent proposed legislation discussed during the meetings and the results of the Council’s actions.

 

HB 45 by Representative Adams relating to Workers’ Compensation/First Resonders passed 11-2 with one amendment.  The bill, as amended, relaxes the compensability standard of proof for first responder injuries caused by occupational disease and exposure to toxic substances, allows first responders to receive payment of permanent total disability supplemental benefits after age 62 in certain instances, relaxes the compensability for psychiatric injuries sustained by first responders and removes the statutory limit on payment of indemnity benefits associated with these injuries, and allows first responders to receive workers’ compensation benefits for adverse reactions to small pox vaccines.

HB 45 is now in the House Policy and Budget Council.

HB 45 text and history on-line at: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=34183&

 

HB 345 by Representative Peterman relating to Health Insurance/Prostate Cancer passed 13-0 with two amendments. The bill, as amended, requires all health benefit plans that are offered, issued, or renewed in Florida on or after January 1, 2008, providing coverage to men age 40 or over, to offer coverage for annual screening for prostate cancer.  At a minimum, coverage must consist of a prostate-specific antigen blood test and a digital rectal exam.

HB 345 is now in the House Policy and Budget Council.

HB 345 text and history on-line at:  http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=34916&

 

HB 1223 by Representative Hays relating to Citizens Property Insurance Task Force passed 11-0 with two amendments. The bill, as amended, creates a 17-member task force to review methods of returning Citizens to a non-competitive entity as the State’s insurer of last resort. 

HB 1223 is now in the House Policy and Budget Council.

Bill text and history on-line at:  http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=36250&

 

HB 1105 by Representative Patronis relating to Cystic Fibrosis Treatment was temporarily postponed.  The bill requires group health insurance policies to cover treatment for cystic fibrosis.

The bill remains in the House Jobs and Entrepreneurship Council.

Bill text and history on-line at:  http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=36112&

 

The above information is intended to be a brief summary of the pertinent bills that were discussed during the Council meetings and is not intended to be a comprehensive analysis of any particular bills. 

We can provide additional information upon request.  Please do not hesitate to contact this office should you need additional information.