Florida HB 551: Public Nuisances

Bill Text

HB 551 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb551-00
Page 1 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to medical conscience; amending s. 2
381.00321, F.S.; authorizing health care providers and 3
health care payors to commence a civil action for 4
certain damages and relief under certain 5
circumstances; providing an effective date. 6
7
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 8
9
Section 1. Subsection (4) of section 381.00321, Florida 10
Statutes, is amended to read: 11
381.00321 The right of medical conscience of health care 12
providers and health care payors.— 13
(4) ENFORCEMENT.—A health care provider or health care 14
payor may file a complaint with the Attorney General alleging 15
any violation of this section. 16
(a) If the Attorney General determines there has been a 17
violation of this section, the Attorney General may commence a 18
civil action for damages, injunctive relief, or any other 19
appropriate relief, including attorney fees. For the purpose of 20
conducting an investigation, the Attorney General may administer 21
oaths; take depositions; make inspections when authorized by 22
law; issue subpoenas supported by affidavit; serve subpoenas and 23
other process; and compel the attendance of witnesses and the 24
production of books, papers, documents, and other evidence. The 25

HB 551 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb551-00
Page 2 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

Department of Legal Affairs may adopt rules to implement this 26
subsection. 27
(b) If the Attorney General does not commence a civil 28
action within 180 days of the filing of the complaint, a health 29
care provider or health care payor may commence a civil action 30
for damages, injunctive relief, or any other appropriate relief, 31
including attorney fees, or assert a violation of this section 32
as a defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding. 33
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 34