Florida Insurance Council - Covering Florida Since 1962
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel HB 759 and HB 761 revamping Florida’s trade secret protection laws passed its first committee on March 6, 2019 without amendment. The Senate companion bills (SB 1414 and SB 1416) are similar and have not yet been heard in committee. HB 759 repeals most of the public records exemptions…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 6, 2019Contact Info: Karen Kees, (850) 413-2515, press@floir.com Commissioner David Altmaier: AOB Reform Critical for Florida’s Future TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier issued the following statement following the passage of PCB CJS 19-01, regarding assignment of benefits (AOB), by the House Civil Justice Subcommittee: Commissioner Altmaier said:“AOB abuse has…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel HB 431 makes numerous changes to Florida’s lien law relating to recovering, towing, or storing motor vehicles. There are two insurance related provisions in the bill. One provision allows an auto lienor or lienor’s agent to charge an administrative fee up to $250 against an insurer insuring the…
By: Greenberg Traurig The Senate Committee on Community Affairs met on March 5, 2019 to consider SB 426, Firefighters, by Senator Flores. The committee packet can be found here. SB 426, Firefighters, by Sen. Flores – PASSED Summary No summary of the bill given as Sen. Flores discussed the strike-all amendment first. Strike All Amendment…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel The House workers’ compensation bill surfaced on March 5, 2019. HB 1399 is sponsored by Rep. Byrd (R). After a quick review of the bill, it appears to address the following issues: More specificity for Petitions for Benefits (PFB) Good faith effort by claimant to resolve dispute before…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel During its meeting on March 5, 2019, the House Commerce Committee passed HB 387, a bill dealing with surplus lines. The bill was not amended. The bill: Continues to allow a per-policy fee charged by surplus lines agent but removes the $35 limit and requires fees to be…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel The House telehealth bill passed its first committee on March 5, 2019 without amendment. HB 23 allows Florida licensed health care providers to use telehealth within their scope of practice. It also allows out-of-state providers to use telehealth if they register. The bill establishes standards of practice for…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel During its meeting on March 5, 2019, the House Health Quality Subcommittee approved bills to expand the scope of practice for psychologists and pharmacists. HB 373 was approved with one amendment that did not change the substance of the bill. The bill expands the scope of practice for psychologists…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel A bill dealing with referrals from health care providers to hospitals and out of network providers passed its first committee on March 5, 2019. The only amendment to the bill changed the effective date of it. HB 863 prohibits health care providers from referring patients to any hospital in…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel SB 780 increases the salary of JCCs to the salary of a county court judge with the Chief Judge making $1,000 more. The bill also requires the JCC salaries to be paid out of the Workers’ Compensation Administration Trust Fund. The bill unanimously passed its first Senate committee…