HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 1 of 19 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 occupational injury benefit plans; 2 amending s. 440.02, F.S.; revising the definition of 3 the term "employee"; defining the term "qualified 4 compensation alternative employer"; amending s. 5 440.03, F.S.; providing an exception to the 6 application of certain provisions of ch. 440, F.S.; 7 amending s. 440.06, F.S.; specifying how an employer 8 may elect to secure the payment of compensation; 9 authorizing an employee of a qualified compensation 10 alternative employer to bring a certain cause of 11 action; specifying that the employee must prove 12 negligence in such action; authorizing the qualified 13 compensation alternative employer to use certain 14 defenses in such action; prohibiting certain 15 employers, in specified suits, from defending the suit 16 on certain grounds; providing that a qualified 17 compensation alternative employer is entitled to an 18 offset to occupational injury benefits paid to and on 19 behalf of employees under certain circumstances; 20 providing construction; creating s. 440.065, F.S.; 21 requiring qualified compensation arrangement employers 22 to adopt a written occupational injury benefit plan; 23 specifying the requirements of such plan; requiring a 24 qualified compensation arrangement employer to grant 25 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 2 of 19 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 eligibility for benefits under certain circumstances; 26 prohibiting a qualified compensation arrangement 27 employer from charging a fee, premium, or other 28 similar cost to the covered employee for the 29 occupational injury benefit plan; authorizing the 30 qualified compensation arrangement employer to select 31 or authorize medical providers who provide treatment 32 to covered employees under such plan; providing that 33 the qualified compensation arrangement employer is not 34 required to cover, and is not liable in a negligence 35 lawsuit for, certain injuries, diseases, or 36 conditions; creating s. 440.066, F.S.; requiring a 37 qualified compensation arrangement employer to 38 demonstrate financial responsibility; authorizing the 39 qualified compensation arrangement employer to self -40 fund or insure the benefits and liabilities under its 41 occupational injury benefit plan; specifying the 42 insurance requirements and coverage limits required 43 for such insurance; specifying requirements related to 44 the security held; creating s. 440.067, F.S.; 45 providing that all benefit payments by a qualified 46 compensation arrangement employer are made pursuant to 47 workers' compensation law; providing that such law is 48 incorporated in the act by reference; creating s. 49 440.068, F.S.; requiring a qualified compensation 50 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 3 of 19 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 arrangement employer to obtain approval from the 51 insurance carrier for administration of claims; 52 authorizing a qualified compensation arrangement 53 employer to self-administer or use a third party to 54 administer claims, provided that certain requirements 55 are met; amending ss. 440.14 and 440.385, F.S.; 56 conforming cross-references; providing an effective 57 date. 58 59 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 60 61 Section 1. Subsections (33) through (41) of section 62 440.02, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (34) 63 through (42), respectively, a new subsection (33) is added to 64 that section, and paragraph (d) of subsection (18) of that 65 section is amended, to read: 66 440.02 Definitions. —When used in this chapter, unless the 67 context clearly requires otherwise, the following terms shall 68 have the following meanings: 69 (18) 70 (d) "Employee" does not include: 71 1. An independent contractor who is not engaged in the 72 construction industry. 73 a. In order to meet the definition of independent 74 contractor, at least four of the following criteria must be met: 75 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 4 of 19 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 (I) The independent contractor maintains a separate 76 business with his or her own work facility, truck, equipment, 77 materials, or similar accommodations; 78 (II) The independent contractor holds or has applied for a 79 federal employer identification number, unless the independent 80 contractor is a sole proprietor who is not required to obtain a 81 federal employer identification number under state or federal 82 regulations; 83 (III) The independent contractor receives compensation for 84 services rendered or work performed and such compensation is 85 paid to a business rather than to an individual; 86 (IV) The independent contractor holds one or more bank 87 accounts in the name of the business entity for purposes of 88 paying business expenses or other expenses related to services 89 rendered or work performed for compensation; 90 (V) The independent contractor performs work or is able to 91 perform work for any entity in addition to or besides the 92 employer at his or her own election without the necessity of 93 completing an employment application or process; or 94 (VI) The independent contractor receives compensation for 95 work or services rendered on a competitive -bid basis or 96 completion of a task or a set of tasks as defined by a 97 contractual agreement, unless such contractual agreement 98 expressly states that an employment relationship exists. 99 b. If four of the criteria listed in sub -subparagraph a. 100 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 5 of 19 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 do not exist, an individual may still be presumed to be an 101 independent contractor and not an employee based on full 102 consideration of the nature of the individual situation with 103 regard to satisfying any of the following conditions: 104 (I) The independent contractor performs or agrees to 105 perform specific services or work for a specific amount of money 106 and controls the means of performing the services or wor k. 107 (II) The independent contractor incurs the principal 108 expenses related to the service or work that he or she performs 109 or agrees to perform. 110 (III) The independent contractor is responsible for the 111 satisfactory completion of the work or services that h e or she 112 performs or agrees to perform. 113 (IV) The independent contractor receives compensation for 114 work or services performed for a commission or on a per -job 115 basis and not on any other basis. 116 (V) The independent contractor may realize a profit or 117 suffer a loss in connection with performing work or services. 118 (VI) The independent contractor has continuing or 119 recurring business liabilities or obligations. 120 (VII) The success or failure of the independent 121 contractor's business depends on the relationship of business 122 receipts to expenditures. 123 c. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this 124 subparagraph, an individual claiming to be an independent 125 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 6 of 19 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 contractor has the burden of proving that he or she is an 126 independent contractor for purposes of this chap ter. 127 2. A real estate licensee, if that person agrees, in 128 writing, to perform for remuneration solely by way of 129 commission. 130 3. Bands, orchestras, and musical and theatrical 131 performers, including disk jockeys, performing in licensed 132 premises as defined in chapter 562, if a written contract 133 evidencing an independent contractor relationship is entered 134 into before the commencement of such entertainment. 135 4. An owner-operator of a motor vehicle who transports 136 property under a written contract with a motor c arrier which 137 evidences a relationship by which the owner -operator assumes the 138 responsibility of an employer for the performance of the 139 contract, if the owner -operator is required to furnish motor 140 vehicle equipment as identified in the written contract and the 141 principal costs incidental to the performance of the contract, 142 including, but not limited to, fuel and repairs, provided a 143 motor carrier's advance of costs to the owner -operator when a 144 written contract evidences the owner -operator's obligation to 145 reimburse such advance shall be treated as the owner -operator 146 furnishing such cost and the owner -operator is not paid by the 147 hour or on some other time -measured basis. 148 5. A person whose employment is both casual and not in the 149 course of the trade, business, p rofession, or occupation of the 150 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 7 of 19 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 employer. 151 6. A volunteer, except a volunteer worker for the state or 152 a county, municipality, or other governmental entity. A person 153 who does not receive monetary remuneration for services is 154 presumed to be a volunteer unle ss there is substantial evidence 155 that a valuable consideration was intended by both employer and 156 employee. For purposes of this chapter, the term "volunteer" 157 includes, but is not limited to: 158 a. Persons who serve in private nonprofit agencies and who 159 receive no compensation other than expenses in an amount less 160 than or equivalent to the standard mileage and per diem expenses 161 provided to salaried employees in the same agency or, if such 162 agency does not have salaried employees who receive mileage and 163 per diem, then such volunteers who receive no compensation other 164 than expenses in an amount less than or equivalent to the 165 customary mileage and per diem paid to salaried workers in the 166 community as determined by the department; and 167 b. Volunteers participating in federal programs 168 established under Pub. L. No. 93 -113. 169 7. Unless otherwise prohibited by this chapter, any 170 officer of a corporation who elects to be exempt from this 171 chapter. Such officer is not an employee for any reason under 172 this chapter until the notice of revocation of election filed 173 pursuant to s. 440.05 is effective. 174 8. An officer of a corporation that is engaged in the 175 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 8 of 19 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 construction industry who elects to be exempt from the 176 provisions of this chapter, as otherwise permitted by this 177 chapter. Such officer is not an employee for any reason until 178 the notice of revocation of election filed pursuant to s. 440.05 179 is effective. 180 9. An exercise rider who does not work for a single horse 181 farm or breeder, and who is compensated for riding on a case -by-182 case basis, provided a written contract is entered into before 183 prior to the commencement of such activity which evidences that 184 an employee/employer relationship does not exist. 185 10. A taxicab, limousine, or other passenger vehicle -for-186 hire driver who operat es such said vehicles pursuant to a 187 written agreement with a company which provides any dispatch, 188 marketing, insurance, communications, or other services under 189 which the driver and any fees or charges paid by the driver to 190 the company for such services are not conditioned upon, or 191 expressed as a proportion of, fare revenues. 192 11. A person who performs services as a sports official 193 for an entity sponsoring an interscholastic sports event or for 194 a public entity or private, nonprofit organization that sponsor s 195 an amateur sports event. For purposes of this subparagraph, such 196 a person is an independent contractor. For purposes of this 197 subparagraph, the term "sports official" means any person who is 198 a neutral participant in a sports event, including, but not 199 limited to, umpires, referees, judges, linespersons, 200 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 9 of 19 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 scorekeepers, or timekeepers. This subparagraph does not apply 201 to any person employed by a district school board who serves as 202 a sports official as required by the employing school board or 203 who serves as a sports official as part of his or her 204 responsibilities during normal school hours. 205 12. Medicaid-enrolled clients under chapter 393 who are 206 excluded from the definition of employment under s. 207 443.1216(4)(d) and served by Adult Day Training Services under 208 the Home and Community -Based or the Family and Supported Living 209 Medicaid Waiver program in a sheltered workshop setting licensed 210 by the United States Department of Labor for the purpose of 211 training and earning less than the federal hourly minimum wage. 212 13. Medicaid-enrolled clients under chapter 393 who are 213 excluded from the definition of employment under s. 214 443.1216(4)(d) and served by Adult Day Training Services under 215 the Family and Supported Living Medicaid Waiver program in a 216 sheltered workshop setting licensed by the United States 217 Department of Labor for the purpose of training and earning less 218 than the federal hourly minimum wage. 219 14. A person employed by a qualified compensation 220 alternative employer. 221 (33) "Qualified compensation alternative emplo yer" or 222 "QCARE employer" means any employer who elects coverage for its 223 employees under s. 440.06. 224 Section 2. Section 440.03, Florida Statutes, is amended to 225 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 10 of 19 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 read: 226 440.03 Application. —Every employer and employee as defined 227 in s. 440.02 is shall be bound by the provisions of this 228 chapter, except for a qualified compensation alternative 229 employer. A QCARE employer is bound by only those provisions of 230 this chapter specifically referenced . 231 Section 3. Section 440.06, Florida Statutes, is amended to 232 read: 233 440.06 Election Failure to secure compensation; effect. — 234 (1) An employer may elect to secure the payment of 235 compensation, as provided in s. 440.10, or elect to be a 236 qualified compensation alternative employer by complying with s. 237 440.065. 238 (2) An employee of a QCARE employer may bring a cause of 239 action against the QCARE employer for negligence in causing an 240 injury; however, there may be no QCARE employer negligence for 241 an ordinary disease of life to which the general public is 242 exposed. In the cause of action, the employee must prove the 243 QCARE employer negligent. The QCARE employer may use any defense 244 available to an alleged tortfeasor under general law. 245 (3) An Every employer who fails to secure the payment of 246 compensation, as provided in s. 440.10 , by failing to meet the 247 requirements of s. 440.38 or who fails to secure the payment of 248 compensation by failing to comply with s. 440.065 may not, in 249 any suit brought against him or her by an employee subject to 250 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 11 of 19 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 this chapter to recover damages for injury or death, defend such 251 a suit on the grounds that the injury was caused by the 252 negligence of a fellow employee servant, that the employee 253 assumed the risk of his or her employment, or that the injury 254 was due to the comparative negligence of the employee. 255 (4) A QCARE employer is entitled to an offset for the 256 benefits paid to or on behalf of an employee, under an 257 occupational injury benefit plan that meets the requirements of 258 s. 440.065, against any alleged negligence liability of the 259 QCARE employer, its off icers, directors, or agents with respect 260 to an injury involving such employee. Benefit payments made 261 under such occupational injury benefit plan shall be considered 262 made by the QCARE employer and may not be considered payment 263 from a collateral source, as t he term "collateral source" may be 264 defined under any applicable rule, statute, judicial decision, 265 or directive. 266 Section 4. Section 440.065, Florida Statutes, is created 267 to read: 268 440.065 Requirements of a qualified compensation 269 alternative employer. — 270 (1) A QCARE employer shall adopt a written occupational 271 injury benefit plan that provides defined occupational injury 272 benefits for covered employees on a no -fault basis. Such plan 273 may exclude willful or intentional acts to injure oneself or 274 another. Except for the definitions of the terms provided in 275 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 12 of 19 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 subsection (2), the plan must include all the definitions of 276 other terms provided in s. 440.02, but only to the extent that 277 such terms are relevant to the benefits required in this 278 section. 279 (2) The occupational injury benefit plan must define all 280 of the following terms as indicated: 281 (a) "Accident" means an unexpected or unusual event or 282 result that happens suddenly. If a preexisting condition is 283 accelerated or aggravated by an accident arising out of and i n 284 the course of employment, only acceleration or aggravation of 285 the preexisting condition reasonably attributable to the 286 accident is compensable. 287 (b) "Arising out of" means occupational causation. An 288 accidental injury or death arises out of employment if work 289 performed in the course and scope of employment is the major 290 contributing cause of the injury or death. 291 (c) "Occupational disease" means a disease that is due to 292 causes and conditions that are characteristic of and peculiar to 293 a particular trade, o ccupation, process, or employment. The term 294 does not include ordinary diseases of life to which the general 295 public is exposed. 296 (d) "Wages" means the money rate at which the service 297 rendered is recompensed under the contract of hiring in force at 298 the time of the injury and includes only the wages earned and 299 reported for federal income tax purposes on the job where the 300 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 13 of 19 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 employee is injured and any other concurrent employment where he 301 or she is also subject to occupational injury coverage and 302 benefits, together with the reasonable value of housing 303 furnished to the employee by the QCARE employer which is the 304 permanent year-round residence of the employee, and gratuities 305 to the extent reported to the QCARE employer in writing as 306 taxable income received in the co urse of employment from others 307 than the QCARE employer and QCARE employer contributions for 308 health insurance for the employee or the employee's dependents. 309 However, housing furnished to migrant workers shall be included 310 in wages unless provided after the t ime of injury. In employment 311 in which an employee receives consideration for housing, the 312 reasonable value of such housing compensation shall be the 313 actual cost to the employer or based upon the Fair Market Rent 314 Survey promulgated pursuant to s. 8 of the H ousing and Urban 315 Development Act of 1974, whichever is less. However, if the 316 QCARE employer contributions for housing or health insurance are 317 continued after the time of the injury, the contributions are 318 not "wages" for the purpose of calculating an employ ee's average 319 weekly wages. 320 (3) The occupational injury benefit plan must provide 321 medical expense coverage for at least 156 weeks per covered 322 employee, up to at least $300,000 per covered employee. 323 (4) The occupational injury benefit plan must provide l ost 324 wage compensation, beginning no later than the 4th full day of 325 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 14 of 19 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 disability, of at least 75 percent of the average weekly wages 326 of the employee, for at least 156 weeks from the date of 327 disability. 328 (5) The occupational injury benefit plan must provide 329 death benefits for a covered employee's death arising out of 330 employment in an amount not less than $150,000, payable in no 331 more than 60 equal monthly installments. The plan must also pay 332 funeral expenses up to at least $10,000. 333 (6) A QCARE employer must provide benefits to an employee 334 otherwise eligible for occupational injury benefits if the 335 employee reports an accident or a known exposure to an 336 occupational disease within 3 days after such accident, 337 exposure, or diagnosis. 338 (7) A QCARE employer may not charge a fee, premium, or 339 other similar expense to the covered employee for his or her 340 coverage under the occupational injury benefit plan. 341 (8) The QCARE employer may select or authorize the medical 342 providers who provide any treatment to a covered emplo yee under 343 the occupational injury benefit plan. 344 (9) The QCARE employer is not required to cover under the 345 occupational injury benefit plan, nor is the QCARE employer 346 liable in a negligence lawsuit for, any injuries, diseases, or 347 conditions arising from a ny of the following: 348 (a) A subsequent injury the employee suffers as a result 349 of an original injury arising out of employment unless the 350 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 15 of 19 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 original injury is the major contributing cause of the 351 subsequent injury. The employee must demonstrate the major 352 contributing cause by medical evidence. 353 (b) Bodily injury to any person subject to any federal 354 workers' compensation law or other federal occupational disease 355 law, including, but not limited to, the Federal Employers' 356 Liability Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation 357 Act, the Defense Base Act, the Jones Act, or the Migrant and 358 Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. 359 (c) Any obligation imposed by workers' compensation, 360 occupational disease, unemployment compensation, or disability 361 benefits law, or any similar law, except as specifically 362 referenced in this chapter. 363 Section 5. Section 440.066, Florida Statutes, is created 364 to read: 365 440.066 Financial responsibility of a qualified 366 compensation alternative employer. — 367 (1) A QCARE employer m ust demonstrate financial ability to 368 pay benefit and negligence liability claims by complying with 369 this section. 370 (2) A QCARE employer shall insure the benefits and 371 liabilities under its occupational injury benefit plan with any 372 insurance carrier authoriz ed to do business in this state. The 373 insurance must be for a minimum limit of $1 million per 374 occurrence. The insurance must include benefit coverage and 375 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 16 of 19 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 negligence liability coverage. Insurance coverage obtained by a 376 QCARE employer must be from an admitted or an approved insurer 377 that is rated "A-" or higher by A.M. Best Company and must be 378 obtained from a licensed insurance agent. 379 (3) Any security held for purposes of compliance with this 380 section serves to guarantee the payment of claims under this 381 chapter. 382 (4)(a) A QCARE employer with a net worth of less than $10 383 million which insures or obtains coverage to be reimbursed for 384 payments under the QCARE employer's occupational injury benefit 385 plan or any negligence settlements or awards through an 386 insurance policy that has a self -insured retention of the 387 greater of $50,000 or 1.5 percent of net worth per occurrence is 388 deemed to have fully insured the QCARE employer's compensation 389 obligation. 390 (b) A QCARE employer with a net worth of $10 million or 391 more which insures or obtains coverage to be reimbursed for 392 payments under the QCARE employer's occupational injury benefit 393 plan or any negligence settlements or awards through an 394 insurance policy that has a self -insured retention of the 395 greater of $500,000 or 1.5 p ercent of net worth per occurrence 396 is deemed to have fully insured the QCARE employer's 397 compensation obligation. 398 (c) A QCARE employer identified in paragraph (a) or 399 paragraph (b) is not required to post any security deposit with 400 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 17 of 19 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 or provide any financial data to the Office of Insurance 401 Regulation. 402 Section 6. Section 440.067, Florida Statutes, is created 403 to read: 404 440.067 Taxation of benefits of a qualified compensation 405 alternative employer. —For purposes of state and federal 406 taxation, all benefit payme nts made by a QCARE employer are 407 deemed amounts received under a workers' compensation law as 408 compensation for personal injury or sickness. 409 Section 7. Section 440.068, Florida Statutes, is created 410 to read: 411 440.068 Benefit plan disputes. —A QCARE employer must 412 obtain approval from the insurance carrier selected in 413 accordance with s. 440.066 for claims administration. Subject to 414 insurance carrier approval, the QCARE employer may self -415 administer or use a third -party claims administrator to 416 administer claims, provided that all claims and appeals for 417 benefits must be adjudicated by the claims administrator in 418 accordance with the applicable fiduciary, enforcement, reporting 419 and disclosure, and claims administration laws and regulations 420 of the Employee Retirem ent Income Security Act of 1974, as 421 amended. 422 Section 8. Subsection (4) of section 440.14, Florida 423 Statutes, is amended to read: 424 440.14 Determination of pay. — 425 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 18 of 19 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 (4) Upon termination of the employee or upon termination 426 of the payment of fringe benefits of any employee who is 427 collecting indemnity benefits pursuant to s. 440.15(2) or (3), 428 the employer shall within 7 days after of such termination file 429 a corrected 13-week wage statement reflecting the wages paid , as 430 provided in s. 440.02(41), and the fringe benefits that had been 431 paid to the injured employee , as provided in s. 440.02(40) . 432 Section 9. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 433 440.385, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 434 440.385 Florida Self -Insurers Guaranty Association, 435 Incorporated.— 436 (1) CREATION OF ASSOCIATION. — 437 (a) There is created a nonprofit corporation to be known 438 as the "Florida Self -Insurers Guaranty Association, 439 Incorporated," hereinafter referred to as "the association." 440 Upon incorporation of the association, all indivi dual self-441 insurers as defined in ss. 440.02(34)(a) ss. 440.02(33)(a) and 442 440.38(1)(b), other than individual self -insurers which are 443 public utilities or governmental entities, shall be members of 444 the association as a condition of their authority to 445 individually self-insure in this state. The association shall 446 perform its functions under a plan of operation as established 447 and approved under subsection (5) and shall exercise its powers 448 and duties through a board of directors as established under 449 subsection (2). The association shall have those powers granted 450 HB 1069 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1069-00 Page 19 of 19 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 or permitted corporations not for profit, as provided in chapter 451 617. The activities of the association shall be subject to 452 review by the department. The department shall have oversight 453 responsibility as set forth in this section. The association is 454 specifically authorized to enter into agreements with this state 455 to perform specified services. 456 Section 10. This act shall take effect September 1, 2026. 457