Insurance-Related and Other Bills Signed by Governor Crist

On June 15, 2007, Governor Charlie Crist was presented with a slate of bills that he signed into law, some relating to insurance.  Below is list of the bills and a brief explanation of those relating to insurance matters:

Of particular importance is Senate Bill 562 Relating to Ownership or Transfer of Securities by Senator Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey).  This bill amends Florida law with respect to Form A.  The law now provides that an acquiror has 5 days from the entry into any definitive acquisition agreement to notify the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) of its intentions with respect to the acquisition of a controlling interest in a Florida insurer, and 30 days from the entry into any definitive acquisition agreement in which to file a complete Form A package.  The bill also provides an exception to filing the full form A when there is no change in the ultimate controlling shareholder and no unaffiliated parties acquire any direct or indirect interest in the insurer.  The bill became effective the date that it was signed, June 15, 2007.

Other Insurance-Related Bills Signed into Law

Senate Bill 252 Relating to Business Filings by Senator Dave Aronberg (D-Greenacres).  This bill deletes certain authorized words or abbreviations in limited liability company names; requires name of said company in company’s articles of organization to satisfy certain requirements; provides scope of Uniform Commercial Code; provides that course of performance and course of dealing may be used for certain purposes; deletes filing fees for electronically filing financing statement or amendment thereto, etc.  This bill is effective January 1, 2008.

House Bill 359 Relating to Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility by Representative Rick Kriseman (D-St. Petersburg).  This bill requires proof of increased financial responsibility for bodily injury or death caused by owners or operators found guilty of, or who entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication of guilt, DUI offense or who had license or driving privileges revoked or suspended under specified provision; provides additional cross-references concerning motor vehicle security, etc.  The bill became effective the date that it was signed, June 15, 2007.

House Bill 543 Relating to Pharmacist Kevin Coit Memorial Act by Representative Juan Zapata (R-Miami).  This bill authorizes pharmacists to administer influenza virus immunizations to adults; requires that pharmacists authorized to administer influenza virus immunizations provide evidence of current certification supervising physician; creates the Task Force for Study of Biotech Competitiveness, etc. This bill is effective July 1, 2007.

Senate Bill 666 Relating to Fiscal Intermediary Services Organizations/Health Care by Senator Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey).  This bill redefines the term “fiscal intermediary services organization” for purposes of provisions governing organizations that manage business affairs of health care professionals; provides exception from requirement to obtain bonds; revises compliance requirements for registration as a fiscal intermediary services organization, etc.  This bill is effective October 1, 2007.

Senate Bill 1894 Relating to Joint Underwriting Plan/Workers’ Compensation by Senator Bill Posey (R-Rockledge).  This bill provides requirements for a joint underwriting plan of insurers which operates as Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association (FWCJUA); revises restrictions on who may serve on the FWCJUA Board; requires that the market assistance plan be periodically reviewed and updated; requires that excess funds received by the plan be returned to the State; provides for applicability of specified statutes regulating ethical standards, etc. This bill is effective July 1, 2007.
 
Senate Bill 2114 Relating to Independent Living Transition Services by Senator Nan Rich (D-Sunrise).  This bill limits the liability of a caseworker who signs an application for a driver’s license for minor who is in foster care; revises eligibility criteria for independent living transition services and for the Road-to-Independence Program; increases the age limit for eligibility for certain persons to qualify for medical assistance payments; provides for removal of disabilities of certain minors for purposes of securing depository financial services, etc.  This bill is effective July 1, 2007.

Senate Bill 2198 Relating to Insurer Financial Statements by Senator Don Gaetz (R- Niceville).  This bill revises certain requirements for annual statements; revises certain requirements for annual audited financial statements.  This bill is effective July 1, 2007.

Senate Bill 992 Relating to Health Care Providers Licensure by the Health Regulation Committee.  This bill provides applicability of licensure requirements of health care providers under part II of chapter 408, Florida Statutes. This bill is effective July 1, 2007. 
 
Senate Bill 2234 Relating to Regulation of Building Inspection Professionals by Senator Stephen Wise (R-Jacksonville).  This bill creates new provisions in the Miscellaneous Professions and Occupations law regarding regulation of home inspectors, mold remediators and mold assessors; authorizes the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to establish fees; provides for certification of partnerships and corporations offering home inspection services; requires home inspectors to maintain specified insurance policy; requires certificate of authorization for certain persons and entities practicing home inspections, etc.  This bill is effective July 1, 2010.  
 
Senate Bill 2858 Relating to Chiropractic Medicine by Senator Evelyn Lynn (R-Daytona Beach).  This bill provides requirements for students regarding licensure as a chiropractic physician by examination; revises provisions regarding chiropractic medicine faculty certificates; revises conditions under which certified chiropractic physician’s assistant may perform services; restricts place of practice of said physician’s assistants performing services under indirect supervision; provides requirements for proprietorships, etc.  The bill is effective July 1, 2007.

Other Bills Signed into Law:
(SB=Senate Bill; HB=House Bill)

SB 108 Relating to Minority & Underrepresented Student Achievement by Senator Tony Hill 
SB 122 Relating to Child Custody/Not Modifying Child Custody by Senator Bill Posey 
SB 184 Relating to Strangulation/Domestic Battery by Senator Paula Dockery 
HB 229 Relating to Direct-support Org. for Guardian Ad Litem Program by Representative Mark Mahon 
SB 282 Relating to Designated Drivers by Senator Mike Fasano
SB 400 Relating to Landlord/Possession of Dwelling Unit Senator Gwen Margolis 
SB 426 Relating to Ads/False, Deceptive, Misleading by Senator Burt Saunders
HB 509 Relating to Children & Youth Cabinet Act by Represenative Loranne Ausley 
SB 640 Relating to Public Accountancy/Licensure by Senator Mike Haridopolos 
SB 668 Relating to Surplus State Lands/Reconveyance by Senator Mike Fasano 
SB 672 Relating to Credit Balances/Unclaimed Property by Senator Mike Fasano
HB 743 Relating to Trusts by Representative Dorothy Hukill 
HB 1003 Relating to Off-road Vehicles/Law Enforcement by Representative Joe Pickens 
SB 1004 Relating to Cybercrimes Against Children Act of 2007 by Senator Nancy Argenziano 
HB 1007 Relating to Physician Assistants/Prescriptions by Representative Dennis Baxley 
HB 1077 Relating to City of Key West/Monroe County by Representative Ron Saunders
HB 1137 Relating to Hillsboro Inlet District/Broward County by Representative Jack Seiler 
HB 1155 Relating to Controlled Substances by Representative Richard Glorioso 
HB 1249 Relating to Hobe-St. Lucie Conservancy District/Martin County by Representative Richard Machek 
HB 1283 Relating to Black Business Investment by Representative Jennifer Carroll 
HB 1393 Relating to W. Palm Bch. Firefighters Pension/Palm Beach Co. by Representative Mary Brandenburg 
HB 1413 Relating to Firefighters & Police Pension Fund/Tampa Representative Kevin Ambler 
HB 1421 Relating to Digital Divide Council by Representative Ronald Brisé 
SB 1456 Relating to Sales Tax/School Supplies & Clothing by Senator Dan Webster 
HB 1489 Relating to Public Project Construction Bonds by Representative Gary Aubuchon 
HB 1491 Relating to Community Development Districts by Representative Frank Attkisson 
HB 1533 Relating to South Broward Drainage District/Broward Co. by Representative Jack Seiler   
HB 1585 Relating to Clearwater/Property Uses/Pinellas Co. by Representative Ed Hooper 
HB 1611 Relating to Certificates of Indebtedness/School Board/Lake Co. by Representative Hugh Gibson, III
SB 1700 Relating to Physician Assistants/Paramedic Cert. by Senator Dave Aronberg 
SB 2198 Relating to Insurer Financial Statements by Senator Don Gaetz 
HB 7177 Relating to Florida Government Accountability Act by the House Policy & Budget Council 
HB 7181 Relating to Human Trafficking/Immigrant Survivor by the House Healthcare Council 
SB 0448 Relating to County Funding/Court Personnel by Senator Mike Fasano 
SB 0500 Relating to Instant Bingo by Senator Burt Saunders
SB 1030 Relating to Court Costs by Senator Nancy Argenziano 
SB 1638 Relating to Gift Certificates & Similar Credit Items by Senator Lee Constantine 
SB 1710 Relating to State University Student Fees by Senator Steve Oelrich 
SB 2312 Relating to Florida False Claims Act by Senator Steve Oelrich 
SB 2866 Relating to Sexually Violent Predators by the Senate Committee on Children, Families, & Elder Affairs 

The following bill was also approved without the Governor’s signature on June 15, 2007:  
SB 134 Relating to Cardrooms/Dominoes by Senator Larcenia Bullard

 

Should you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact this office.