HB 831- Relating to Electronic Prescribing

On Thursday, May 2, HB 831 by Representative Amber Mariano (R-Port Richey) was read a third time on the House floor and passed with a vote of 104 yeas and 8 nays.

Electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) is a method by which an authorized health care practitioner electronically transmits a prescription to a pharmacy using a secure software system. Efforts have been made by states, as well as the federal government, to increase the use of e-prescribing software. Beginning January 1, 2020, HB 831 requires prescribers to generate and transmit all prescriptions electronically, unless in the instance of certain circumstances.

HB 831 will now go to the Governor.

AIF supports legislation that provides for improved prescription accuracy, increased patient safety, reduced opportunities for fraud and abuse and reduced overall costs.  Improving the overall functionality and cost will further enable Florida employers to provide health care coverage for our citizens.

HB 829 – Relating to Attorney Fees and Costs

On Thursday, May 2, HB 829 by Representative Anthony Sabatini (R-Clermont) was read a third time on the House floor and passed with a vote of 77 yeas and 31 nays.

Florida law states that a court may impose sanctions on a party or attorney who raises a frivolous claim or defense or unreasonably delays a judicial proceeding. This bill entitles a party to attorney fees and costs if the party prevails in an action challenging a local government ordinance as preempted. However, attorney fees and costs may not be awarded if the local government withdraws or repeals the ordinance within 30 days after receiving a claim that the ordinance is preempted or the filing of a motion seeking attorney fees and costs under the new statutory section, whichever occurs first. The bill prospective and only applies to cases commenced on or after July 1, 2019. 

HB 829 will now go to the Governor.

AIF supports legislative attorney fee reform that helps prevent onerous fees imposed on businesses post-litigation.

HB 7071 – Relating to High School Graduation Requirements

On Thursday, May 2, HB 7071, sponsored by the House Education and Career Readiness Subcommittee, was read a third time on the House floor and passed with a vote of 113 yeas and 0 nays.

This bill promotes career education and readiness opportunities for students in public schools by creating an alternative pathway, namely the career and technical education (CTE) graduation pathway option, for students to earn a standard high school diploma, and specifies related requirements. Specifically, the bill: 

• Requires students to successfully complete at least 18 credits to receive a standard high school diploma under the CTE graduation pathway option;
• Allows computer science credit substitution for mathematics or science credits;
• Revises school grade calculation for high schools by specifying that dual enrollment courses include career clock-hour dual enrollment courses;
• Creates the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant Program to enable high school and Florida College System institutions to offer applied learning opportunities for students in high-demand career pathways linked to occupations that will provide students with mid-level and high-level wages; 
• Requires district school boards to declare a “College and Career Decision Day” to recognize high school seniors and encourage them to prepare for college and pursue advanced career pathways. 
  
  

Additionally, current law requires financial literacy to be taught as a part of a one-half credit economics course, which falls under the three required social studies credits a student must achieve to earn a standard high school diploma. The bill maintains the number of social studies credits needed to earn a standard high school diploma at three credits and in the 2019-2020 school year; all districts must include financial literacy as at least a one-half credit elective course.

HB 7071 will now go to the Governor.

AIF supports efforts to grow the talent pipeline to maintain the competitive edge Florida businesses have come to expect in the state while giving students tools to learn about relevant, and real life subjects that will prepare them for the workforce in the future.  

HB 905 – Relating to the Department of Transportation (DOT)

On Thursday, May 2, HB 905 by Representative Alex Andrade (R-Pensacola) was read a third time on the Senate floor and passed with a vote of 38 yeas and 0 nays.
This bill:

• Prohibits local governments from adopting standards or specifications for the permissible use of aggregates that are contrary to DOT’s standards or specifications;
• Requires any contractor desiring to bid on DOT contracts in excess of $50 million to have satisfactorily completed two projects in excess of $15 million prior to being eligible to bid;
• Increases the dollar threshold for certain contract claims that may go before the State Arbitration Board.
  
  

HB 905 will now go to the Governor.

AIF supports legislation that streamlines DOT regulations and provides quality infrastructure for the businesses operating on our roads.