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Bill

SB 68

Health Care Patient Protection

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gayle Harrell

SB 68 mandates Florida hospitals to enhance pediatric emergency care through specific policies, training, and assessments, ensuring better safety for young patients.

Laid on Table, refer to CS/HB 355
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Bill Summary · SB 68

Summary of SB 68: Health Care Patient Protection

Bill Information:
- Bill Number: SB 68
- Title: Health Care Patient Protection
- Status: On Committee agenda-- Health Policy, 11/18/25, 10:00 am, 412 Knott Building
- Introduced: September 23, 2025
- Classification: Bill
- Subject: Public Health
- Sponsor: Senator Harrell

Purpose and Intent

SB 68 aims to enhance the safety and quality of pediatric care in hospital emergency departments across Florida. The bill mandates specific policies, training, and assessments to ensure that hospitals are equipped to provide appropriate care for children in emergency situations.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several significant amendments to existing Florida Statutes:

1. Emergency Department Policies and Procedures

  • Pediatric Care Policies: Hospitals with emergency departments must develop and implement evidence-based policies for pediatric patient care, covering:

    • Triage processes
    • Vital signs measurement and recording
    • Weight recording in kilograms
    • Medication dosage calculations
    • Use of pediatric-specific instruments

  • Annual Training: Hospitals are required to conduct annual training for staff on these policies, including:

    • Use of pediatric instruments through clinical simulations
    • Emergency situation drills

2. Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator

  • Each emergency department must designate a Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator, who can be a licensed physician, physician assistant, nurse, or paramedic. This coordinator will oversee the implementation of pediatric care policies.

3. National Pediatric Readiness Assessment

  • Hospitals are required to conduct the National Pediatric Readiness Assessment as per the guidelines established by the National Pediatric Readiness Project. They may also conduct an Open Assessment in years when the main assessment is not performed.

4. Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans

  • The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is tasked with adopting rules for comprehensive emergency management plans, ensuring they include pediatric considerations. These plans must be reviewed and approved by local emergency management agencies.

5. Data Collection and Publication

  • The AHCA will collect and publish assessment scores from hospitals regarding their pediatric readiness. This data will be made available annually, allowing for comparisons with national averages.

Impact

  • Who is Affected: The bill primarily impacts hospitals with emergency departments, healthcare providers, and pediatric patients requiring emergency care.
  • Implementation Timeline: The provisions of the bill are set to take effect on July 1, 2026. Hospitals will need to comply with the new requirements and training protocols by this date.

Legislative Actions

  • November 10, 2025: Scheduled for discussion in the Health Policy Committee.
  • October 6, 2025: Referred to Health Policy, Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, and Fiscal Policy.
  • September 23, 2025: Bill filed.

This legislation represents a significant step towards improving pediatric emergency care standards in Florida, ensuring that hospitals are better prepared to meet the needs of young patients in critical situations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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