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SB 6D

Medical Freedom

2026 Special Session D Introduced by Clay Yarborough

Expands immunization exemptions (including nonmedical), bars vaccine incentives, permits behind‑the‑counter ivermectin with safeguards, and limits emergency vaccination powers.

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Bill Summary · SB 6D

Summary of SB 6-D (Medical Freedom) – Florida, 2026

Purpose and Intent

  • Title: “Medical Freedom Act.”
  • Primary aim: Expand exemptions from immunization requirements and limit government and industry influence related to vaccines; provide broader protections for physicians, pharmacists, and other health professionals who administer certain vaccines or ivermectin. The measure also revises provisions around public health emergency powers and vaccine mandates, and introduces behind-the-counter ivermectin dispensing with certain safeguards.

Key Provisions and Changes

  1. Immunization Exemptions (new nonmedical exemption)

    • Establishes a conscience-based, nonmedical exemption from K–12 school immunization requirements (comparable to the existing religious exemption).
    • Applies to preschool and day-care immunization requirements as well.
    • Requires the Department of Health (DOH) to publish the exemption form on its website.
    • Before vaccination of a minor, health practitioners must provide the parent/guardian with:
      • The CDC Vaccine Information Statement for each vaccine being administered.
      • Materials approved by joint rule of the Board of Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine about immunizations (risks, benefits, safety, efficacy).
      • Parent/guardian must sign acknowledging receipt.
    • If multiple vaccines are given, practitioner must discuss timing options; parent/guardian may request administration over multiple encounters.

  2. Prohibition on Vaccine Financial Incentives

    • Prohibits vaccine manufacturers from offering or paying, and prohibits health care practitioners from receiving, financial incentives for vaccine administration.
    • Violations treated as patient brokering under existing statute (with penalties).

  3. Ivermectin Provisions (civil liability and access)

    • Creates immunity for prescribing or administering ivermectin to adults in good faith by licensed physicians (ivermectin approvals to be consistent with practice acts).
    • Creates immunity for pharmacists who provide ivermectin to adults without a prescription as a behind-the-counter option until FDA approves OTC use; requires information disclosure before dispensing.
    • Boards may adopt implementing rules.

  4. Scope of Public Health Emergency Powers

    • Maintains that the State Surgeon General cannot order vaccination during a declared public health emergency.

  5. Missed/Complementary Revisions

    • Repeals a previously scheduled repeal of the definition of “messenger RNA vaccine,” effectively preserving existing prohibitions against mandates for mRNA vaccines.
    • Section clarifications related to 381.00315 and related public health emergency authorities.

  6. Immunization Requirements and Exemptions (DoH form and web requirements)

    • DOH must ensure the nonmedical exemption form, when downloaded, is provided as a single document including required informational materials.
    • Section also revises school-entry exemption procedures and materials accessibility, aligning with joint-rule-adopted content.

  7. Effective Dates

    • Generally July 1, 2026, with certain provisions taking effect upon the earlier of rule adoption or specified dates.
    • Joint-rule adoption by the Boards of Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine required within 120 days of law enactment, with immediate notice to the Division of Law Revision.

Who/What is Affected

  • K–12 students, preschoolers, and children in day-care/family care settings subject to immunization requirements.
  • Parents/guardians seeking nonmedical (conscience-based) exemptions.
  • Health care practitioners (physicians, physician assistants, nurses, etc.) who administer vaccines to minors.
  • Pharmacists and pharmacies (behind-the-counter ivermectin provision; and OTC-like dispensing frameworks if FDA OTC status changes).
  • State and local public health authorities (DOH, Board of Medicine, Board of Osteopathic Medicine, Board of Pharmacy) for rulemaking and compliance.
  • Entities involved in vaccine procurement or administration, due to prohibition on incentives.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Joint-rule adoption required from the Board of Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine within 120 days of enactment; rule adoption must be published to be effective.
  • Most provisions (including new exemptions forms and timing discussions) take effect July 1, 2026, or upon rule adoption, whichever is later.
  • Some sections reference conformance with existing statutes (e.g., patient brokering penalties, public health emergency authorities).

Note: The bill includes extensive accompanying analysis and placeholders for related regulatory changes. This summary conveys the core substantive changes and their practical impact.

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

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