Florida 2025 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H1281 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
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3	3	HB 1281 2025
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7	7	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8	8	hb1281-00
9	9	Page 1 of 92
10	10	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
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12	12
13	13
14	14	A bill to be entitled 1
15	15	An act relating to the Department of Financial 2
16	16	Services; amending s. 17.11, F.S.; revising which 3
17	17	subsystem the Chief Financial Officer reports from; 4
18	18	amending s. 17.13, F.S.; authorizing the replacement 5
19	19	of the Chief Financial Officer's warrants under 6
20	20	certain circumstances; providing that any such 7
21	21	replacement warrant has the same validity as the 8
22	22	original; amending s. 110.113, F.S.; deleting the 9
23	23	department's authority to make semimonthly salary 10
24	24	payments; amending s. 112.215, F.S.; requiring the 11
25	25	Chief Financial Officer to adopt specified rules 12
26	26	relating to the deferred compensation plan; 13
27	27	authorizing certain deferred compensation plans to 14
28	28	provide deferral of an employee's compensation in 15
29	29	specified manners; requiring that such plans continue 16
30	30	to be included as regul ar compensation for a specified 17
31	31	purpose; prohibiting deferred compensation on a pretax 18
32	32	basis from being included in certain computations; 19
33	33	requiring that compensation on an after -tax Roth 20
34	34	contribution basis be included in certain 21
35	35	computations; deleting a pr ovision relating to 22
36	36	approval of a deferred compensation plan; revising the 23
37	37	conditions under which political subdivisions' or 24
38	38	constitutional county officers' deferred compensation 25
39	39
40	40	HB 1281 2025
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42	42
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44	44	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
45	45	hb1281-00
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47	47	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
48	48
49	49
50	50
51	51	plans become effective; prohibiting deferred 26
52	52	compensation on a pretax basis f rom being included in 27
53	53	certain computations; requiring that compensation on 28
54	54	an after-tax Roth contribution basis be included in 29
55	55	certain computations; amending s. 215.422, F.S.; 30
56	56	authorizing the Chief Financial Officer to adopt rules 31
57	57	authorizing advance payme nts for prepaid multiyear 32
58	58	software licenses; authorizing, rather than requiring, 33
59	59	specified interest to be paid from specified 34
60	60	appropriations; authorizing agencies to pay interest 35
61	61	from available appropriations under certain 36
62	62	circumstances; amending s. 215.89 , F.S.; deleting 37
63	63	obsolete provisions; amending s. 215.93, F.S.; 38
64	64	revising the contents of the Florida Financial 39
65	65	Management Information System; amending s. 215.94, 40
66	66	F.S.; specifying that the department is the functional 41
67	67	owner of the Financial Management Subsy stem; revising 42
68	68	the functions of such subsystem; conforming provisions 43
69	69	to changes made by the act; amending s. 215.985, F.S.; 44
70	70	conforming provisions to changes made by the act; 45
71	71	revising the contents of expenditure data; amending 46
72	72	ss. 216.102 and 216.141, F.S. ; conforming provisions 47
73	73	to changes made by the act; amending s. 280.16, F.S.; 48
74	74	requiring the qualified public depository of first 49
75	75	deposit to investigate, make a certain determination, 50
76	76
77	77	HB 1281 2025
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81	81	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
82	82	hb1281-00
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84	84	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
85	85
86	86
87	87
88	88	and return funds under certain circumstances; 51
89	89	requiring such funds to be immediately returned to the 52
90	90	public depositor in provisional status until a 53
91	91	specified time; specifying that failure to complete a 54
92	92	certain process may result in suspension or 55
93	93	disqualification of the qualified public depositor; 56
94	94	amending s. 440.13, F.S.; incre asing the timeframe for 57
95	95	certain health care providers to petition to resolve 58
96	96	utilization and reimbursement disputes; revising 59
97	97	requirements for the petitioner; revising the duties 60
98	98	of the three-member panel that determines schedules 61
99	99	relating to reimbursement allowances; amending s. 62
100	100	440.38, F.S.; specifying that an employer may furnish 63
101	101	proof that it has the financial strength to pay 64
102	102	certain claims on behalf of its wholly or majority 65
103	103	owned subsidiaries to secure the payment of 66
104	104	compensation; authorizing the depa rtment to adopt 67
105	105	rules that must be used for certain recommendations; 68
106	106	specifying requirements for such rules; making 69
107	107	technical changes; amending s. 440.49, F.S.; revising 70
108	108	legislative intent and findings; revising the 71
109	109	requirements of a required report of the Special 72
110	110	Disability Trust Fund; requiring that the report be 73
111	111	published on the Division of Workers' Compensation's 74
112	112	website rather than submitted to the Governor and 75
113	113
114	114	HB 1281 2025
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116	116
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118	118	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
119	119	hb1281-00
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121	121	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
122	122
123	123
124	124
125	125	Legislature; prohibiting, beginning on a specified 76
126	126	date, the division from accepting new not ices and 77
127	127	proofs of claims; specifying that certain proofs of 78
128	128	claim are barred from reimbursement; specifying that 79
129	129	an accepted claim is only eligible for final 80
130	130	reimbursement under certain circumstances; requiring 81
131	131	certain determinations in the independent ac tuarial 82
132	132	report; specifying that any claim reimbursement after 83
133	133	a certain date will be considered a final request for 84
134	134	reimbursement; specifying that the final reimbursement 85
135	135	will be a certain amount; requiring that final 86
136	136	reimbursements be limited to a specifi ed amount and 87
137	137	may include funeral expenses under certain 88
138	138	circumstances; requiring the department to pay 89
139	139	approved final reimbursement requests in a specified 90
140	140	manner; requiring that the final reimbursement 91
141	141	extinguishes certain liability; amending s. 440.107, 92
142	142	F.S.; authorizing the department to accept a credit 93
143	143	card payment for a specified down payment; specifying 94
144	144	the result if the credit card is charged back; 95
145	145	authorizing the department to issue an order of 96
146	146	conditional release from a certain stop -work order and 97
147	147	enter into a payment agreement schedule under certain 98
148	148	circumstances; creating s. 497.1411, F.S.; defining 99
149	149	terms; specifying that certain applicants are barred 100
150	150
151	151	HB 1281 2025
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153	153
154	154
155	155	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
156	156	hb1281-00
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158	158	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
159	159
160	160
161	161
162	162	from licensure under ch. 497, F.S.; specifying that 101
163	163	certain applicants are subject to specified 102
164	164	disqualification periods; authorizing certain 103
165	165	applicants to apply for a license under certain 104
166	166	circumstances; authorizing the Division of Funeral, 105
167	167	Cemetery, and Consumer Services within the department 106
168	168	to issue the license on a probationary basis for a 107
169	169	specified time; requiring the Board of Funeral, 108
170	170	Cemetery, and Consumer Services to adopt rules; 109
171	171	specifying requirements, authorizations, and 110
172	172	prohibitions for such rules; specifying when a 111
173	173	disqualifying period begins; prohibiting the 112
174	174	department from issuing a li cense to an applicant 113
175	175	until it receives proof of certain payments; 114
176	176	specifying that the applicant has certain burdens to 115
177	177	demonstrate that he or she is qualified for licensure; 116
178	178	specifying that certain applicants who have been 117
179	179	granted restoration of civil rig hts are not barred or 118
180	180	disqualified from licensure; specifying that such 119
181	181	restoration does not require the department to award a 120
182	182	license; authorizing the board to grant an exemption 121
183	183	from disqualification under certain circumstances; 122
184	184	specifying requirements f or the applicant in order for 123
185	185	the board to grant an exemption; specifying that the 124
186	186	board has discretion whether to grant or deny an 125
187	187
188	188	HB 1281 2025
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190	190
191	191
192	192	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
193	193	hb1281-00
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195	195	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
196	196
197	197
198	198
199	199	exemption; specifying that certain decisions are 126
200	200	subject to ch. 120, F.S.; providing applicability and 127
201	201	construction; amendin g s. 497.142, F.S.; prohibiting 128
202	202	an application from being deemed complete under 129
203	203	certain circumstances; revising the list of crimes to 130
204	204	be disclosed on a license application; amending s. 131
205	205	497.369, F.S.; revising the circumstances under which 132
206	206	a licensing authority must issue a license by 133
207	207	endorsement to practice embalming; deleting a 134
208	208	presumption regarding state, regional, or national 135
209	209	examinations; making technical changes; amending s. 136
210	210	497.374, F.S.; revising the circumstances under which 137
211	211	a licensing authority mu st issue a license by 138
212	212	endorsement to practice funeral directing; deleting a 139
213	213	presumption regarding state, regional, or national 140
214	214	examinations; making technical changes; amending s. 141
215	215	497.376, F.S.; authorizing a person to obtain a 142
216	216	specified combination license by meeting certain 143
217	217	requirements; revising the circumstances under which 144
218	218	an applicant must hold certain educational 145
219	219	credentials; amending s. 497.380, F.S.; prohibiting 146
220	220	certain square footage required for funeral 147
221	221	establishments from including common areas; amending 148
222	222	s. 497.386, F.S.; revising the circumstances under 149
223	223	which the department may enter and secure certain 150
224	224
225	225	HB 1281 2025
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227	227
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232	232	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
233	233
234	234
235	235
236	236	establishments or facilities; amending s. 497.604, 151
237	237	F.S.; prohibiting certain square footage required for 152
238	238	the practice of direct disposition from i ncluding 153
239	239	common areas; amending s. 554.103, F.S.; requiring the 154
240	240	department to adopt a specified code; making a 155
241	241	clarifying change; amending s. 554.108, F.S.; revising 156
242	242	applicability relating to certain inspection 157
243	243	requirements; amending s. 554.114, F.S.; proh ibiting 158
244	244	persons from taking certain actions relating to 159
245	245	boilers; amending s. 554.115, F.S.; revising the 160
246	246	circumstances under which the department may deny, 161
247	247	refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke a certificate; 162
248	248	creating s. 554.116, F.S.; requiring owners and u sers 163
249	249	to install a carbon monoxide detector or alarm on 164
250	250	certain boilers and fire pressured vessels; creating 165
251	251	s. 554.117, F.S.; authorizing the Division of State 166
252	252	Fire Marshall to conduct an examination of certain 167
253	253	boilers; requiring the division to review cer tain 168
254	254	complaints; amending s. 624.307, F.S.; specifying a 169
255	255	limitation on a required response to consumer 170
256	256	complaints; amending s. 624.317, F.S.; requiring 171
257	257	certain persons to respond within a specified time to 172
258	258	a request for documents and information concerning 173
259	259	certain investigations; specifying the requirements of 174
260	260	such response; authorizing the department or the 175
261	261
262	262	HB 1281 2025
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264	264
265	265
266	266	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
267	267	hb1281-00
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269	269	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
270	270
271	271
272	272
273	273	Office of Insurance Regulation to impose a penalty; 176
274	274	amending s. 626.171, F.S.; deleting reinsurance 177
275	275	intermediaries from certain application requirement s; 178
276	276	revising the list of persons from whom the department 179
277	277	is required to accept uniform applications; making 180
278	278	clarifying changes regarding the voluntary submission 181
279	279	of cellular telephone numbers; revising the exemption 182
280	280	from the application filing fee for memb ers of the 183
281	281	United States Armed Forces; amending s. 626.2815, 184
282	282	F.S.; specifying that certain licensees are not 185
283	283	required to complete continuing education elective 186
284	284	hours; deleting a provision requiring certain 187
285	285	licensees to complete elective continuing educatio n 188
286	286	courses; amending s. 626.292, F.S.; revising applicant 189
287	287	requirements for a license transfer; amending s. 190
288	288	626.611, F.S.; revising the grounds for denying an 191
289	289	application for, suspending, revoking, or refusing to 192
290	290	renew or continuing certain licenses; amendin g s. 193
291	291	626.621, F.S.; revising the grounds for denying an 194
292	292	application for, suspending, revoking, or refusing to 195
293	293	renew or continuing certain licenses; authorizing the 196
294	294	department to require a licensee to submit to an 197
295	295	examination or reexamination under certain 198
296	296	circumstances; providing construction; specifying 199
297	297	grounds for suspension or revocation of certain 200
298	298
299	299	HB 1281 2025
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306	306	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
307	307
308	308
309	309
310	310	licenses; amending s. 626.731, F.S.; revising the 201
311	311	qualifications for a general lines agent's license; 202
312	312	amending s. 626.785, F.S.; revising the qualifications 203
313	313	for a life agent's license; amending s. 626.831, F.S.; 204
314	314	revising the qualifications for a health agent's 205
315	315	license; amending s. 626.8417, F.S.; making a 206
316	316	clarifying change; amending s. 626.843, F.S.; 207
317	317	requiring the department to cancel appointments of a 208
318	318	title agency under certain circumstances; prohibiting 209
319	319	the title insurance agency from being eligible for 210
320	320	appointment until a specified payment is made; 211
321	321	amending s. 626.8473, F.S.; requiring a title agency 212
322	322	to disclose certain fees to the consumer before 213
323	323	closing; prohibiting such agency from charging fees 214
324	324	that were not disclosed as provided in a certain 215
325	325	provision; amending s. 626.878, F.S.; requiring 216
326	326	adjusters to adhere to certain requirements; 217
327	327	prohibiting waivers of the requirements; authorizing 218
328	328	the department to ad opt rules; amending s. 626.927, 219
329	329	F.S.; revising requirements for the licensing of a 220
330	330	surplus lines agent for a specified purpose; amending 221
331	331	s. 626.938, F.S.; requiring certain insureds and self -222
332	332	insurers to maintain certain records; specifying the 223
333	333	contents of such records; requiring that such records 224
334	334	be available for examination by certain entities 225
335	335
336	336	HB 1281 2025
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341	341	hb1281-00
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343	343	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
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345	345
346	346
347	347	without prior notice; requiring certain insurers or 226
348	348	captive insurance companies to file with the Florida 227
349	349	Surplus Lines Service Office a specified report; 228
350	350	amending s. 626.9541, F.S.; conforming a cross -229
351	351	reference; amending s. 627.70151, F.S.; authorizing a 230
352	352	challenge of an appraiser's impartially and 231
353	353	disqualification of a proposed appraiser under certain 232
354	354	conditions; amending s. 627.776, F.S.; revising 233
355	355	applicability relating to title insurers; amending s. 234
356	356	631.271, F.S.; requiring that certain claims be 235
357	357	excluded from Class 2 priority and specifying how such 236
358	358	claims must be paid; revising the list of claims that 237
359	359	are Class 6 claims; creating s. 633.139, F.S.; 238
360	360	defining terms; creating the Florida Firefighter 239
361	361	Recruitment Bonus Payment Program for a specified 240
362	362	purpose; specifying that bonus payments are contingent 241
363	363	upon appropriation and must be prorated subject to the 242
364	364	amount of the appropriation; requiring that bonus 243
365	365	payments be adjusted to include a specified percentage 244
366	366	for a specified tax; requiring the department to 245
367	367	develop a specified plan; requiring employing agencies 246
368	368	to assist the department with the collection of 247
369	369	certain data and provide information to the 248
370	370	department; specifying requirements for the 249
371	371	department's plan; requiring the department to consult 250
372	372
373	373	HB 1281 2025
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378	378	hb1281-00
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380	380	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
381	381
382	382
383	383
384	384	quarterly with the Division of State Fire Marshal; 251
385	385	requiring the department to submit the plan to the 252
386	386	Executive Office of the Governor and the chairs of 253
387	387	certain legislative app ropriations committees by a 254
388	388	specified date annually; authorizing the department to 255
389	389	submit budget amendments; requiring that the funding 256
390	390	allocation for the bonus payment be used for a 257
391	391	specified sole purpose; requiring the department to 258
392	392	adopt rules; providin g for expiration; amending s. 259
393	393	633.216, F.S.; revising the requirements for 260
394	394	firesafety inspector training; specifying that 261
395	395	inservice training does not allow a certain person 262
396	396	whose certification has lapsed to continue serving as 263
397	397	a firesafety inspector; revis ing requirements for 264
398	398	rules regarding an advanced training and certification 265
399	399	program for firesafety inspectors; amending s. 266
400	400	634.3077, F.S.; making clarifying changes; authorizing 267
401	401	contractual liability insurance policies to pay 268
402	402	certain claims under certain c ircumstances; amending 269
403	403	s. 634.406, F.S.; making clarifying changes; 270
404	404	authorizing a contractual liability insurance policy 271
405	405	to pay certain claims under certain circumstances; 272
406	406	amending s. 648.33, F.S.; authorizing bail bond agents 273
407	407	to collect certain amounts or fees in addition to the 274
408	408	premium required by the insurer; amending s. 791.013, 275
409	409
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417	417	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
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420	420
421	421	F.S.; deleting the requirement for the Division of 276
422	422	Investigative and Forensic Services to dispose of 277
423	423	certain samples; amending s. 1001.281, F.S.; deleting 278
424	424	the FLAIR number for t he Operating Trust Fund; 279
425	425	amending s. 1001.282, F.S.; deleting the FLAIR number 280
426	426	for the Administrative Trust Fund; providing an 281
427	427	effective date. 282
428	428	283
429	429	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 284
430	430	285
431	431	Section 1. Subsection (2) of section 17.11, Florida 286
432	432	Statutes, is amended to read: 287
433	433	17.11 To report disbursements made. — 288
434	434	(2) The Chief Financial Officer shall report also cause to 289
435	435	have reported from the Financial Management Florida Accounting 290
436	436	Information Resource Subsystem no less than quarterly the 291
437	437	disbursements that which agencies made to small businesses, as 292
438	438	defined in the Florida Small and Minority Business Assistance 293
439	439	Act; to certified minority business enterprises in the 294
440	440	aggregate; and to certified minority business enterprises broken 295
441	441	down into categories of minority persons, as well as gender and 296
442	442	nationality subgroups. This report must information shall be 297
443	443	made available to the agencies, the Office of Supplier 298
444	444	Diversity, the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the 299
445	445	Speaker of the House of Representatives. Each agency shall be 300
446	446
447	447	HB 1281 2025
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454	454	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
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456	456
457	457
458	458	responsible for the accuracy of information entered into the 301
459	459	Financial Management Florida Accounting Information Resource 302
460	460	Subsystem for use in this reporting. 303
461	461	Section 2. Section 17.13, Florida Statutes, is amend ed to 304
462	462	read: 305
463	463	17.13 Replacement of To duplicate warrants lost or 306
464	464	destroyed.— 307
465	465	(1) The Chief Financial Officer shall replace is required 308
466	466	to duplicate any Chief Financial Officer's warrant warrants that 309
467	467	may have been lost or destroyed , or may hereafter be l ost or 310
468	468	destroyed, upon the owner thereof or the owner's agent or 311
469	469	attorney submitting to presenting the Chief Financial Officer a 312
470	470	the statement, under oath, reciting the number, date, and amount 313
471	471	of the any warrant or the best and most definite description in 314
472	472	his or her knowledge and the circumstances of its loss .; If the 315
473	473	Chief Financial Officer deems it necessary, the owner or the 316
474	474	owner's agent or attorney must shall file in the office of the 317
475	475	Chief Financial Officer a surety bond, or a bond with 318
476	476	securities, to be approved by a judge one of the judges of the 319
477	477	circuit court or a one of the justices of the Supreme Court 320
478	478	justice, in a penalty of not less than twice the amount of any 321
479	479	warrant warrants so replaced duplicated, conditioned to 322
480	480	indemnify the state and any innocent warrant holders thereof 323
481	481	from any damages that may accrue from such replacement 324
482	482	duplication. 325
483	483
484	484	HB 1281 2025
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491	491	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
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495	495	(2) The Chief Financial Officer shall replace is required 326
496	496	to duplicate any Chief Financial Officer's warrant that has may 327
497	497	have been lost or destroyed , or may hereafter be lost or 328
498	498	destroyed, when sent to any payee through via any state agency 329
499	499	when such warrant is lost or destroyed before prior to being 330
500	500	received by the payee and provided the director of the state 331
501	501	agency to whom the warrant was sent submits presents to the 332
502	502	Chief Financial Officer a statement, under oath, reciting the 333
503	503	number, date, and amount of the warrant lost or destroyed, the 334
504	504	circumstances surrounding the loss or destruction of such 335
505	505	warrant, and any additiona l information that the Chief Financial 336
506	506	Officer requests shall request in regard to such warrant . 337
507	507	(3) Any replacement duplicate Chief Financial Officer's 338
508	508	warrant issued under this section has in pursuance of the above 339
509	509	provisions shall be of the same validity as the original warrant 340
510	510	was before its loss. 341
511	511	Section 3. Subsection (1) of section 110.113, Florida 342
512	512	Statutes, is amended to read: 343
513	513	110.113 Pay periods for state officers and employees; 344
514	514	salary payments by direct deposit. — 345
515	515	(1) The normal pay period for salaries of state officers 346
516	516	and employees is shall be 1 month. The Department of Financial 347
517	517	Services shall issue either monthly or biweekly salary payments 348
518	518	by state warrants or by direct deposit pursuant to s. 17.076 or 349
519	519	make semimonthly salary payments by direct deposit pursuant to 350
520	520
521	521	HB 1281 2025
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525	525	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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528	528	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
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530	530
531	531
532	532	s. 17.076, as requested by the head of each state agency and 351
533	533	approved by the Executive Office of the Governor and the 352
534	534	Department of Financial Services. 353
535	535	Section 4. Paragraph (f) is added to subsection (4) of 354
536	536	section 112.215, Florida Statutes, and subsection (6) of that 355
537	537	section is amended, to read: 356
538	538	112.215 Government employees; deferred compensation 357
539	539	program.— 358
540	540	(4) 359
541	541	(f) The Chief Financial Officer must adopt rules relating 360
542	542	to all the material terms and conditions for benefits under the 361
543	543	plan, including optional features of the plan permitted by 26 362
544	544	U.S.C. s. 457. 363
545	545	(6)(a) The deferred compensation plans authorized and 364
546	546	approved under this section may provide for the deferral of an 365
547	547	employee's compensation on either a preta x basis or an after-tax 366
548	548	Roth contribution basis under a qualified Roth contribution 367
549	549	program pursuant to s. 402A of the Internal Revenue Code. Any 368
550	550	compensation deferred under such a deferred compensation plan, 369
551	551	including an individual's compensation deferred on either a 370
552	552	pretax basis or an after -tax Roth contribution basis under a 371
553	553	qualified Roth contribution program pursuant to s. 402A of the 372
554	554	Internal Revenue Code, must continue to be included as regular 373
555	555	compensation for the purpose of computing the retirement , 374
556	556	pension, or social security contributions made or benefits 375
557	557
558	558	HB 1281 2025
559	559
560	560
561	561
562	562	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
563	563	hb1281-00
564	564	Page 16 of 92
565	565	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
566	566
567	567
568	568
569	569	earned by any employee. Any sum deferred on a pretax basis may 376
570	570	not be included in the computation of any federal or state taxes 377
571	571	withheld on behalf of any such individual at the time of 378
572	572	deferral. Any sum deferred on an after -tax Roth contribution 379
573	573	basis pursuant to a qualified Roth contribution program under s. 380
574	574	402A of the Internal Revenue Code must be included in the 381
575	575	computation of any federal or state taxes withheld on behalf of 382
576	576	any such individual at the time of deferral No deferred 383
577	577	compensation plan of the state shall become effective until 384
578	578	approved by the State Board of Administration and the Chief 385
579	579	Financial Officer is satisfied by opinion from such federal 386
580	580	agency or agencies as may be deemed ne cessary that the 387
581	581	compensation deferred thereunder and/or the investment products 388
582	582	purchased pursuant to the plan will not be included in the 389
583	583	employee's taxable income under federal or state law until it is 390
584	584	actually received by such employee under the terms of the plan, 391
585	585	and that such compensation will nonetheless be deemed 392
586	586	compensation at the time of deferral for the purposes of social 393
587	587	security coverage, for the purposes of the state retirement 394
588	588	system, and for any other retirement, pension, or benefit 395
589	589	program established by law. 396
590	590	(b) A No deferred compensation plan of a county, 397
591	591	municipality, other political subdivision, or constitutional 398
592	592	county officer may not shall become effective until the 399
593	593	appropriate official or body designated under subsection (5) is 400
594	594
595	595	HB 1281 2025
596	596
597	597
598	598
599	599	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
600	600	hb1281-00
601	601	Page 17 of 92
602	602	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
603	603
604	604
605	605
606	606	satisfied that such plan of deferred compensation may provide 401
607	607	for the deferral of an individual's compensation on either a 402
608	608	pretax basis or an after -tax Roth contribution basis under a 403
609	609	qualified Roth contribution program pursuant to s. 402A of the 404
610	610	Internal Revenue Code by opinion from such federal agency or 405
611	611	agencies as may be deemed necessary that the compensation 406
612	612	deferred thereunder and/or the investment products purchased 407
613	613	pursuant to the plan will not be included in the employee's 408
614	614	taxable income under federal or state law until it is actually 409
615	615	received by such employee under the terms of the plan, and that 410
616	616	such compensation will nonetheless be deemed compensation at the 411
617	617	time of deferral for the purposes of social security coverage, 412
618	618	for the purposes of the retir ement system of the appropriate 413
619	619	county, municipality, political subdivision, or constitutional 414
620	620	county officer, and for any other retirement, pension, or 415
621	621	benefit program established by law. Any sum deferred on a pretax 416
622	622	basis may not be included in the compu tation of any federal or 417
623	623	state taxes withheld on behalf of any such individual at the 418
624	624	time of deferral. Any sum deferred on an after -tax Roth 419
625	625	contribution basis pursuant to a qualified Roth contribution 420
626	626	program under s. 402A of the Internal Revenue Code mu st be 421
627	627	included in the computation of any federal or state taxes 422
628	628	withheld on behalf of any such individual at the time of 423
629	629	deferral. 424
630	630	Section 5. Subsections (15) and (16) of section 215.422, 425
631	631
632	632	HB 1281 2025
633	633
634	634
635	635
636	636	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
637	637	hb1281-00
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639	639	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
640	640
641	641
642	642
643	643	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 426
644	644	215.422 Payments, warrants, and invoices; processing time 427
645	645	limits; dispute resolution; agency or judicial branch 428
646	646	compliance.— 429
647	647	(15) The Chief Financial Officer may adopt rules to 430
648	648	authorize advance payments for goods and services, including, 431
649	649	but not limited to, maintenance a greements and subscriptions , 432
650	650	including prepaid multiyear software licenses . Such rules must 433
651	651	shall provide objective criteria for determining when it is in 434
652	652	the best interest of the state to make payments in advance and 435
653	653	must shall also provide for adequate p rotection to ensure that 436
654	654	such goods or services will be provided. 437
655	655	(16) Nothing contained in This section may not shall be 438
656	656	construed to be an appropriation. Any interest that which 439
657	657	becomes due and owing pursuant to this section may shall only be 440
658	658	paid payable from the appropriation charged for such goods or 441
659	659	services. If insufficient funds are available within the 442
660	660	appropriation charged for such goods or services, the agency 443
661	661	must pay the interest from an available appropriation. 444
662	662	Section 6. Subsection (3) of section 215.89, Florida 445
663	663	Statutes, is amended to read: 446
664	664	215.89 Charts of account. — 447
665	665	(3) REPORTING STRUCTURE. — 448
666	666	(a) The Chief Financial Officer shall accept comments from 449
667	667	state agencies, local governments, educational entities, 450
668	668
669	669	HB 1281 2025
670	670
671	671
672	672
673	673	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
674	674	hb1281-00
675	675	Page 19 of 92
676	676	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
677	677
678	678
679	679
680	680	entities of higher educa tion, and other interested parties 451
681	681	regarding the proposed charts of account until November 1, 2013. 452
682	682	(b) By January 15, 2014, the Chief Financial Officer, 453
683	683	after consultation with affected state agencies, local 454
684	684	governments, educational entities, entities o f higher education, 455
685	685	and the Auditor General, shall submit to the Governor, the 456
686	686	President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of 457
687	687	Representatives a report recommending a uniform charts of 458
688	688	account which requires specific enterprise -wide information 459
689	689	related to revenues and expenditures of state agencies, local 460
690	690	governments, educational entities, and entities of higher 461
691	691	education. The report must include the estimated cost of 462
692	692	adopting and implementing a uniform enterprise -wide charts of 463
693	693	account. 464
694	694	Section 7. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 465
695	695	215.93, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 466
696	696	215.93 Florida Financial Management Information System. — 467
697	697	(1) To provide the information necessary to carry out the 468
698	698	intent of the Legislature, there shall be a Florida Financial 469
699	699	Management Information System. The Florida Financial Management 470
700	700	Information System shall be fully implemented and shall be 471
701	701	upgraded as necessary to ensure the efficient operation of an 472
702	702	integrated financial management information system a nd to 473
703	703	provide necessary information for the effective operation of 474
704	704	state government. Upon the recommendation of the coordinating 475
705	705
706	706	HB 1281 2025
707	707
708	708
709	709
710	710	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
711	711	hb1281-00
712	712	Page 20 of 92
713	713	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
714	714
715	715
716	716
717	717	council and approval of the board, the Florida Financial 476
718	718	Management Information System may require data from any state 477
719	719	agency information system or information subsystem or may 478
720	720	request data from any judicial branch information system or 479
721	721	information subsystem that the coordinating council and board 480
722	722	have determined to have statewide financial management 481
723	723	significance. Each functional owner information subsystem within 482
724	724	the Florida Financial Management Information System shall be 483
725	725	developed in such a fashion as to allow for timely, positive, 484
726	726	preplanned, and prescribed data transfers between the Florida 485
727	727	Financial Management Information Sy stem functional owner 486
728	728	information subsystems and from other information systems. The 487
729	729	principal unit of the system shall be the functional owner 488
730	730	information subsystem, and the system shall include, but shall 489
731	731	not be limited to, the following: 490
732	732	(b) Florida Accounting Information Resource Subsystem. 491
733	733	Section 8. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 215.94, 492
734	734	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 493
735	735	215.94 Designation, duties, and responsibilities of 494
736	736	functional owners.— 495
737	737	(2) The Department of Financial Services is shall be the 496
738	738	functional owner of the Financial Management Florida Accounting 497
739	739	Information Resource Subsystem established pursuant to ss. 498
740	740	17.03, 215.86, 216.141, and 216.151 and further developed in 499
741	741	accordance with the provisions of ss. 215.90-215.96. The 500
742	742
743	743	HB 1281 2025
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745	745
746	746
747	747	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
748	748	hb1281-00
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750	750	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
751	751
752	752
753	753
754	754	subsystem must shall include, but is shall not be limited to, 501
755	755	the following functions: 502
756	756	(a) Accounting and reporting so as to provide timely data 503
757	757	for producing financial statements for the state in accordance 504
758	758	with generally accepted accounting principles . 505
759	759	(b) Auditing and settling claims against the state. 506
760	760	(c) Recording and reconciling credits and debits to 507
761	761	treasury fund accounts. 508
762	762	(d) Monitoring cash levels and activities in state bank 509
763	763	accounts. 510
764	764	(e) Recording and reconciling credits and debits of 511
765	765	investments of cash. 512
766	766	(f) Administering the provisions of the Federal Cash 513
767	767	Management Improvement Act of 1990. 514
768	768	(3) The Chief Financial Officer shall be the functional 515
769	769	owner of the Financial Management Subsystem. The Chief Financial 516
770	770	Officer shall design, implement, and operate the subsystem in 517
771	771	accordance with the provisions of ss. 215.90 -215.96. The 518
772	772	subsystem shall include, but shall not be limited to, functions 519
773	773	for: 520
774	774	(a) Recording and reconciling credits and debits to 521
775	775	treasury fund accounts. 522
776	776	(b) Monitoring cash levels and activities in state bank 523
777	777	accounts. 524
778	778	(c) Monitoring short -term investments of idle cash. 525
779	779
780	780	HB 1281 2025
781	781
782	782
783	783
784	784	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
785	785	hb1281-00
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787	787	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
788	788
789	789
790	790
791	791	(d) Administering the provisions of the Federal Cash 526
792	792	Management Improvement Act of 1990. 527
793	793	Section 9. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section 528
794	794	215.985, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 529
795	795	215.985 Transparency in government spending. — 530
796	796	(4) The Executive Office of the Governor, in consultation 531
797	797	with the appropriations committees of the Senate and the House 532
798	798	of Representatives, shall est ablish and maintain a website that 533
799	799	provides information relating to the approved operating budget 534
800	800	for each branch of state government and state agency. 535
801	801	(a) At a minimum, the information must include: 536
802	802	1. Disbursement data for each appropriation by the o bject 537
803	803	code associated with each expenditure established within the 538
804	804	Financial Management Florida Accounting Information Resource 539
805	805	Subsystem. Expenditure data must include the name of the payee, 540
806	806	the date of the expenditure, the amount of the expenditure, and 541
807	807	the voucher statewide document number. Such data must be 542
808	808	searchable by the name of the payee, the paying agency, and 543
809	809	fiscal year, and must be downloadable in a format that allows 544
810	810	offline analysis. 545
811	811	2. For each appropriation, any adjustments, including 546
812	812	vetoes, approved supplemental appropriations included in 547
813	813	legislation other than the General Appropriations Act, budget 548
814	814	amendments, other actions approved pursuant to chapter 216, and 549
815	815	other adjustments authorized by law. 550
816	816
817	817	HB 1281 2025
818	818
819	819
820	820
821	821	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
822	822	hb1281-00
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824	824	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
825	825
826	826
827	827
828	828	3. Status of spending authority for e ach appropriation in 551
829	829	the approved operating budget, including released, unreleased, 552
830	830	reserved, and disbursed balances. 553
831	831	4. Position and rate information for positions provided in 554
832	832	the General Appropriations Act or approved through an amendment 555
833	833	to the approved operating budget and position information for 556
834	834	positions established in the legislative branch. 557
835	835	5. Allotments for planned expenditures of state 558
836	836	appropriations established by state agencies in the Financial 559
837	837	Management Florida Accounting Information Reso urce Subsystem, 560
838	838	and the current balances of such allotments. 561
839	839	6. Trust fund balance reports, including cash available, 562
840	840	investments, and receipts. 563
841	841	7. General revenue fund balance reports, including revenue 564
842	842	received and amounts disbursed. 565
843	843	8. Fixed capital outlay project data, including original 566
844	844	appropriation and disbursements throughout the life of the 567
845	845	project. 568
846	846	9. A 10-year history of appropriations indicated by 569
847	847	agency. 570
848	848	10. Links to state audits or reports related to the 571
849	849	expenditure and dispersal of state funds. 572
850	850	11. Links to program or activity descriptions for which 573
851	851	funds may be expended. 574
852	852	Section 10. Subsections (1) and (2) and paragraph (f) of 575
853	853
854	854	HB 1281 2025
855	855
856	856
857	857
858	858	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
859	859	hb1281-00
860	860	Page 24 of 92
861	861	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
862	862
863	863
864	864
865	865	subsection (3) of section 216.102, Florida Statutes, are amended 576
866	866	to read: 577
867	867	216.102 Filing of financi al information; handling by Chief 578
868	868	Financial Officer; penalty for noncompliance. — 579
869	869	(1) By September 30 of each year, each agency supported by 580
870	870	any form of taxation, licenses, fees, imposts, or exactions, the 581
871	871	judicial branch, and, for financial reporting pur poses, each 582
872	872	component unit of the state as determined by the Chief Financial 583
873	873	Officer shall prepare, using generally accepted accounting 584
874	874	principles, and file with the Chief Financial Officer the 585
875	875	financial and other information necessary for the preparation of 586
876	876	annual financial statements for the State of Florida as of June 587
877	877	30. In addition, each such agency and the judicial branch shall 588
878	878	prepare financial statements showing the financial position and 589
879	879	results of agency or branch operations as of June 30 for 590
880	880	internal management purposes. 591
881	881	(a) Each state agency and the judicial branch shall record 592
882	882	the receipt and disbursement of funds from federal sources in a 593
883	883	form and format prescribed by the Chief Financial Officer. The 594
884	884	access to federal funds by the administeri ng agencies or the 595
885	885	judicial branch may not be authorized until: 596
886	886	1. The deposit has been recorded in the Financial 597
887	887	Management Florida Accounting Information Resource Subsystem 598
888	888	using proper, consistent codes that designate deposits as 599
889	889	federal funds. 600
890	890
891	891	HB 1281 2025
892	892
893	893
894	894
895	895	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
896	896	hb1281-00
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898	898	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
899	899
900	900
901	901
902	902	2. The deposit and appropriate recording required by this 601
903	903	paragraph have been verified by the office of the Chief 602
904	904	Financial Officer. 603
905	905	(b) The Chief Financial Officer shall publish a statewide 604
906	906	policy detailing the requirements for recording receipt and 605
907	907	disbursement of federal funds into the Financial Management 606
908	908	Florida Accounting Information Resource Subsystem and provide 607
909	909	technical assistance to the agencies and the judicial branch to 608
910	910	implement the policy. 609
911	911	(2) Financial information must be contained within th e 610
912	912	Financial Management Florida Accounting Information Resource 611
913	913	Subsystem. Other information must be submitted in the form and 612
914	914	format prescribed by the Chief Financial Officer. 613
915	915	(a) Each component unit shall file financial information 614
916	916	and other information necessary for the preparation of annual 615
917	917	financial statements with the agency or branch designated by the 616
918	918	Chief Financial Officer by the date specified by the Chief 617
919	919	Financial Officer. 618
920	920	(b) The state agency or branch designated by the Chief 619
921	921	Financial Officer to receive financial information and other 620
922	922	information from component units shall include the financial 621
923	923	information in the Financial Management Florida Accounting 622
924	924	Information Resource Subsystem and shall include the component 623
925	925	units' other information in its submission to the Chief 624
926	926	Financial Officer. 625
927	927
928	928	HB 1281 2025
929	929
930	930
931	931
932	932	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
933	933	hb1281-00
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935	935	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
936	936
937	937
938	938
939	939	(3) The Chief Financial Officer shall: 626
940	940	(f) Consult with and elicit comments from the Executive 627
941	941	Office of the Governor on changes to the Financial Management 628
942	942	Florida Accounting Information Resource Subsystem which clearly 629
943	943	affect the accounting of federal funds, so as to ensure 630
944	944	consistency of information entered into the Federal Aid Tracking 631
945	945	System by state executive and judicial branch entities. While 632
946	946	efforts must shall be made to ensure the compati bility of the 633
947	947	Financial Management Florida Accounting Information Resource 634
948	948	Subsystem and the Federal Aid Tracking System, any successive 635
949	949	systems serving identical or similar functions must shall 636
950	950	preserve such compatibility. 637
951	951	638
952	952	The Chief Financial Officer may furnish and publish in 639
953	953	electronic form the financial statements and the annual 640
954	954	comprehensive financial report required under paragraphs (a), 641
955	955	(b), and (c). 642
956	956	Section 11. Subsection (3) of section 216.141, Florida 643
957	957	Statutes, is amended to read: 644
958	958	216.141 Budget system procedures; planning and programming 645
959	959	by state agencies.— 646
960	960	(3) The Chief Financial Officer, as chief fiscal officer, 647
961	961	shall use the Financial Management Florida Accounting 648
962	962	Information Resource Subsystem developed pursuant to s. 649
963	963	215.94(2) for account purposes in the performance of and 650
964	964
965	965	HB 1281 2025
966	966
967	967
968	968
969	969	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
970	970	hb1281-00
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972	972	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
973	973
974	974
975	975
976	976	accounting for all of his or her constitutional and statutory 651
977	977	duties and responsibilities. However, state agencies and the 652
978	978	judicial branch continue to be responsible for maintaining 653
979	979	accounting records necessary for effective management of their 654
980	980	programs and functions. 655
981	981	Section 12. Subsection (4) is added to section 280.16, 656
982	982	Florida Statutes, to read: 657
983	983	280.16 Requirements of qualified public depositories; 658
984	984	confidentiality.— 659
985	985	(4) Within 90 days after receipt of an a ffidavit of fraud 660
986	986	against a public deposit account, the qualified public 661
987	987	depository of first deposit shall investigate and make a 662
988	988	determination on the affidavit's accuracy and return the funds 663
989	989	to the depositor if it has been determined that there is an act 664
990	990	of fraud against the public deposit account. If no determination 665
991	991	can be made within 90 days, the funds must be immediately 666
992	992	returned to the public depositor, from the qualified public 667
993	993	depositor of first deposit, in provisional status until such 668
994	994	determination is completed. Failure to complete the 669
995	995	determination process or return the funds within 90 days may 670
996	996	result in suspension or disqualification of the qualified public 671
997	997	depositor. 672
998	998	Section 13. Paragraph (a) of subsection (7) and paragraph 673
999	999	(j) of subsection (12) of section 440.13, Florida Statutes, are 674
1000	1000	amended to read: 675
1001	1001
1002	1002	HB 1281 2025
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1004	1004
1005	1005
1006	1006	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1009	1009	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
1010	1010
1011	1011
1012	1012
1013	1013	440.13 Medical services and supplies; penalty for 676
1014	1014	violations; limitations. — 677
1015	1015	(7) UTILIZATION AND REIMBURSEMENT DISPUTES. — 678
1016	1016	(a) Any health care provider who elects to contest the 679
1017	1017	disallowance or adjustment of payment by a carrier under 680
1018	1018	subsection (6) must, within 60 45 days after receipt of notice 681
1019	1019	of disallowance or adjustment of payment, petition the 682
1020	1020	department to resolve the dispute. The petitioner must serve , by 683
1021	1021	certified mail or by comm on carrier with a verifiable tracking 684
1022	1022	number, a copy of the petition on the carrier and on all 685
1023	1023	affected parties listed on the notice of disallowance or 686
1024	1024	adjustment by certified mail. The petition must be accompanied 687
1025	1025	by all documents and records that support the allegations 688
1026	1026	contained in the petition. Failure of a petitioner to submit 689
1027	1027	such documentation to the department results in dismissal of the 690
1028	1028	petition. 691
1029	1029	(12) CREATION OF THREE -MEMBER PANEL; GUIDES OF MAXIMUM 692
1030	1030	REIMBURSEMENT ALLOWANCES. — 693
1031	1031	(j) In addition to establishing the uniform schedule of 694
1032	1032	maximum reimbursement allowances, the panel shall: 695
1033	1033	1. Take testimony, receive records, and collect data to 696
1034	1034	evaluate the adequacy of the workers' compensation fee schedule, 697
1035	1035	nationally recognized fee schedules and alt ernative methods of 698
1036	1036	reimbursement to health care providers and health care 699
1037	1037	facilities for inpatient and outpatient treatment and care. 700
1038	1038
1039	1039	HB 1281 2025
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1041	1041
1042	1042
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1046	1046	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
1047	1047
1048	1048
1049	1049
1050	1050	2. Survey health care providers and health care facilities 701
1051	1051	to determine the availability and accessibility of workers' 702
1052	1052	compensation health care delivery systems for injured workers. 703
1053	1053	3. Survey carriers to determine the estimated impact on 704
1054	1054	carrier costs and workers' compensation premium rates by 705
1055	1055	implementing changes to the carrier reimbursement schedule or 706
1056	1056	implementing alternative reimbursement methods. 707
1057	1057	4. Submit recommendations on or before January 15, 2030 708
1058	1058	2017, and every 5 years biennially thereafter, to the President 709
1059	1059	of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on 710
1060	1060	methods to improve the workers' compensation health care 711
1061	1061	delivery system. 712
1062	1062	713
1063	1063	The department, as requested, shall provide data to the panel, 714
1064	1064	including, but not limi ted to, utilization trends in the 715
1065	1065	workers' compensation health care delivery system. The 716
1066	1066	department shall provide the panel with an annual report 717
1067	1067	regarding the resolution of medical reimbursement disputes and 718
1068	1068	any actions pursuant to subsection (8). The dep artment shall 719
1069	1069	provide administrative support and service to the panel to the 720
1070	1070	extent requested by the panel. The department may adopt rules 721
1071	1071	pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement this 722
1072	1072	subsection. For prescription medication purchased under the 723
1073	1073	requirements of this subsection, a dispensing practitioner shall 724
1074	1074	not possess such medication unless payment has been made by the 725
1075	1075
1076	1076	HB 1281 2025
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1078	1078
1079	1079
1080	1080	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1083	1083	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
1084	1084
1085	1085
1086	1086
1087	1087	practitioner, the practitioner's professional practice, or the 726
1088	1088	practitioner's practice management company or employer to the 727
1089	1089	supplying manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, or drug 728
1090	1090	repackager within 60 days of the dispensing practitioner taking 729
1091	1091	possession of that medication. 730
1092	1092	Section 14. Subsection (1) of section 440.38, Florida 731
1093	1093	Statutes, is amended to read: 732
1094	1094	440.38 Security for compensation; insurance carriers and 733
1095	1095	self-insurers.— 734
1096	1096	(1) Every employer shall secure the payment of 735
1097	1097	compensation under this chapter by doing any of the following : 736
1098	1098	(a) By Insuring and keeping insured the payment of such 737
1099	1099	compensation with any stock co mpany or mutual company or 738
1100	1100	association or exchange, authorized to do business in the 739
1101	1101	state.; 740
1102	1102	(b) By Furnishing satisfactory proof to the Florida Self -741
1103	1103	Insurers Guaranty Association, Incorporated, created in s. 742
1104	1104	440.385, that it has the financial strength n ecessary to ensure 743
1105	1105	timely payment of all current and future claims individually and 744
1106	1106	on behalf of its wholly or majority owned subsidiaries 745
1107	1107	subsidiary and affiliated companies with employees in this state 746
1108	1108	and receiving an authorization from the department t o pay such 747
1109	1109	compensation directly. The association shall review the 748
1110	1110	financial strength of applicants for membership, current 749
1111	1111	members, and former members and make recommendations to the 750
1112	1112
1113	1113	HB 1281 2025
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1115	1115
1116	1116
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1120	1120	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
1121	1121
1122	1122
1123	1123
1124	1124	department regarding their qualifications to self -insure in 751
1125	1125	accordance with this section and ss. 440.385 and 440.386. The 752
1126	1126	department shall act in accordance with the recommendations 753
1127	1127	unless it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the 754
1128	1128	recommendations are erroneous. 755
1129	1129	1. As a condition of authorization under this paragraph 756
1130	1130	paragraph (a), the association may recommend that the department 757
1131	1131	require an employer to deposit with the association a qualifying 758
1132	1132	security deposit. The association shall recommend the type and 759
1133	1133	amount of the qualifying security deposit and shall prescribe 760
1134	1134	conditions for the qualifying security deposit, which shall 761
1135	1135	include authorization for the association to call the qualifying 762
1136	1136	security deposit in the case of default to pay compensation 763
1137	1137	awards and related expenses of the association. The department 764
1138	1138	may adopt rules under ss. 120.54 and 120.536(1) regarding the 765
1139	1139	requirements that the association must use when recommending the 766
1140	1140	amount and conditions of the qualifying security deposit. Such 767
1141	1141	rules must reference long -term issuer credit ratings from 768
1142	1142	Moody's Ratings, S&P Global Ratings, Fitch Ratings, or an 769
1143	1143	equivalent rating calculated using the methodology of one of 770
1144	1144	these credit rating services. As a condition to authorization to 771
1145	1145	self-insure, the employer shall provide proof that the employer 772
1146	1146	has provided for compete nt personnel with whom to deliver 773
1147	1147	benefits and to provide a safe working environment. The employer 774
1148	1148	shall also provide evidence that it carries reinsurance at 775
1149	1149
1150	1150	HB 1281 2025
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1152	1152
1153	1153
1154	1154	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1157	1157	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
1158	1158
1159	1159
1160	1160
1161	1161	levels that will ensure the financial strength and actuarial 776
1162	1162	soundness of such employer in accorda nce with rules adopted by 777
1163	1163	the department. The department may by rule require that, in the 778
1164	1164	event of an individual self -insurer's insolvency, such 779
1165	1165	qualifying security deposits and reinsurance policies are 780
1166	1166	payable to the association. Any employer securing com pensation 781
1167	1167	in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph shall be 782
1168	1168	known as a self-insurer and shall be classed as a carrier of her 783
1169	1169	or his own insurance. The employer shall, if requested, provide 784
1170	1170	the association an actuarial report signed by a member o f the 785
1171	1171	American Academy of Actuaries providing an opinion of the 786
1172	1172	appropriate present value of the reserves, using a 4 -percent 787
1173	1173	discount rate, for current and future compensation claims. If 788
1174	1174	any member or former member of the association refuses to timely 789
1175	1175	provide such a report, the association may obtain an order from 790
1176	1176	a circuit court requiring the member to produce such a report 791
1177	1177	and ordering any other relief that the court determines is 792
1178	1178	appropriate. The association may recover all reasonable costs 793
1179	1179	and attorney's fees in such proceedings. 794
1180	1180	2. If the employer fails to maintain the foregoing 795
1181	1181	requirements, the association shall recommend to the department 796
1182	1182	that the department revoke the employer's authority to self -797
1183	1183	insure, unless the employer provides to the associa tion the 798
1184	1184	certified opinion of an independent actuary who is a member of 799
1185	1185	the American Academy of Actuaries as to the actuarial present 800
1186	1186
1187	1187	HB 1281 2025
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1189	1189
1190	1190
1191	1191	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1194	1194	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
1195	1195
1196	1196
1197	1197
1198	1198	value of the employer's determined and estimated future 801
1199	1199	compensation payments based on cash reserves, using a 4 -percent 802
1200	1200	discount rate, and a qualifying security deposit equal to 1.5 803
1201	1201	times the value so certified. The employer shall thereafter 804
1202	1202	annually provide such a certified opinion until such time as the 805
1203	1203	employer meets the requirements of subparagraph 1. The 806
1204	1204	qualifying security deposit shall be adjusted at the time of 807
1205	1205	each such annual report. Upon the failure of the employer to 808
1206	1206	timely provide such opinion or to timely provide a security 809
1207	1207	deposit in an amount equal to 1.5 times the value certified in 810
1208	1208	the latest opinion, the ass ociation shall provide that 811
1209	1209	information to the department along with a recommendation, and 812
1210	1210	the department shall then revoke such employer's authorization 813
1211	1211	to self-insure. Failure to comply with this subparagraph 814
1212	1212	constitutes an immediate serious danger to th e public health, 815
1213	1213	safety, or welfare sufficient to justify the summary suspension 816
1214	1214	of the employer's authorization to self -insure pursuant to s. 817
1215	1215	120.68. 818
1216	1216	3. Upon the suspension or revocation of the employer's 819
1217	1217	authorization to self -insure, the employer shall provide to the 820
1218	1218	association the certified opinion of an independent actuary who 821
1219	1219	is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries of the 822
1220	1220	actuarial present value of the determined and estimated future 823
1221	1221	compensation payments of the employer for claims incurred while 824
1222	1222	the member exercised the privilege of self -insurance, using a 825
1223	1223
1224	1224	HB 1281 2025
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1226	1226
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1231	1231	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
1232	1232
1233	1233
1234	1234
1235	1235	discount rate of 4 percent. The employer shall provide such an 826
1236	1236	opinion at 6-month intervals thereafter until such time as the 827
1237	1237	latest opinion shows no remaining value of claims. With each 828
1238	1238	such opinion, the employer shall deposit with the association a 829
1239	1239	qualifying security deposit in an amount equal to the value 830
1240	1240	certified by the actuary. The association has a cause of action 831
1241	1241	against an employer, and against any successor of the employer, 832
1242	1242	who fails to timely provide such opinion or who fails to timely 833
1243	1243	maintain the required security deposit with the association. The 834
1244	1244	association shall recover a judgment in the amount of the 835
1245	1245	actuarial present value of the determined and estimated future 836
1246	1246	compensation payments of the employer for claims incurred while 837
1247	1247	the employer exercised the privilege of self -insurance, together 838
1248	1248	with attorney's fees. For purposes of this section, the 839
1249	1249	successor of an employer means any person, business entity, or 840
1250	1250	group of persons or business entities, which holds or acquires 841
1251	1251	legal or beneficial title to the majority of the assets or the 842
1252	1252	majority of the shares of the employer. 843
1253	1253	4. A qualifying security deposit shall consist, at the 844
1254	1254	option of the employer, of: 845
1255	1255	a. Surety bonds, in a form and containing such terms as 846
1256	1256	prescribed by the association, issued by a corporation surety 847
1257	1257	authorized to transact surety business by the office, and whose 848
1258	1258	policyholders' and financial ratings, as reported in A.M. Best's 849
1259	1259	Insurance Reports, Property-Liability, are not less than "A" and 850
1260	1260
1261	1261	HB 1281 2025
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1263	1263
1264	1264
1265	1265	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1268	1268	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
1269	1269
1270	1270
1271	1271
1272	1272	"V", respectively. 851
1273	1273	b. Irrevocable letters of credit in favor of the 852
1274	1274	association issued by financial institutions located within this 853
1275	1275	state, the deposits of which are insured through the Federal 854
1276	1276	Deposit Insurance Corporation. 855
1277	1277	5. The qualifying security deposit shall be held by the 856
1278	1278	association exclusively for the benefit of workers' compensation 857
1279	1279	claimants. The security shall not be subject to assignment, 858
1280	1280	execution, attachment, or any legal process w hatsoever, except 859
1281	1281	as necessary to guarantee the payment of compensation under this 860
1282	1282	chapter. No surety bond may be terminated, and no letter of 861
1283	1283	credit may be allowed to expire, without 90 days' prior written 862
1284	1284	notice to the association and deposit by the self -insuring 863
1285	1285	employer of some other qualifying security deposit of equal 864
1286	1286	value within 10 business days after such notice. Failure to 865
1287	1287	provide such written notice or failure to timely provide 866
1288	1288	qualifying replacement security after such notice shall 867
1289	1289	constitute grounds for the association to call or sue upon the 868
1290	1290	surety bond or to exercise its rights under a letter of credit. 869
1291	1291	Current self-insured employers must comply with this section on 870
1292	1292	or before December 31, 2001, or upon the maturity of existing 871
1293	1293	security deposits, whichever occurs later. The department may 872
1294	1294	specify by rule the amount of the qualifying security deposit 873
1295	1295	required prior to authorizing an employer to self -insure and the 874
1296	1296	amount of net worth required for an employer to qualify for 875
1297	1297
1298	1298	HB 1281 2025
1299	1299
1300	1300
1301	1301
1302	1302	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1305	1305	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
1306	1306
1307	1307
1308	1308
1309	1309	authorization to self -insure.; 876
1310	1310	(c) By entering into a contract with a public utility 877
1311	1311	under an approved utility -provided self-insurance program as set 878
1312	1312	forth in s. 624.46225 in effect as of July 1, 1983. The 879
1313	1313	department shall adopt rules to implement this paragraph .; 880
1314	1314	(d) By entering into an interlocal agreement with other 881
1315	1315	local governmental entities to create a local government pool 882
1316	1316	pursuant to s. 624.4622 .; or 883
1317	1317	(e) By entering into a contract with an individual self -884
1318	1318	insurer under an approved individual self -insurer-provided self-885
1319	1319	insurance program as set forth in s. 624.46225. The department 886
1320	1320	may adopt rules to administer this subsection. 887
1321	1321	Section 15. Subsection (1) and paragraph (d) of subsection 888
1322	1322	(8) of section 440.49, Florida Statutes, are amended, and 889
1323	1323	subsection (12) is add ed to that section, to read: 890
1324	1324	440.49 Limitation of liability for subsequent injury 891
1325	1325	through Special Disability Trust Fund. — 892
1326	1326	(1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT AND FINDINGS.— 893
1327	1327	(a) Whereas it is often difficult for workers with 894
1328	1328	disabilities to achieve employment or t o become reemployed 895
1329	1329	following an injury, and it is the desire of the Legislature to 896
1330	1330	facilitate the return of these workers to the workplace, it is 897
1331	1331	the purpose of this section to encourage the employment, 898
1332	1332	reemployment, and accommodation of the physically di sabled by 899
1333	1333	reducing an employer's insurance premium for reemploying an 900
1334	1334
1335	1335	HB 1281 2025
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1337	1337
1338	1338
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1342	1342	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
1343	1343
1344	1344
1345	1345
1346	1346	injured worker, to decrease litigation between carriers on 901
1347	1347	apportionment issues, and to protect employers from excess 902
1348	1348	liability for compensation and medical expense when an injury to 903
1349	1349	a physically disabled worker merges with, aggravates, or 904
1350	1350	accelerates her or his preexisting permanent physical impairment 905
1351	1351	to cause either a greater disability or permanent impairment, or 906
1352	1352	an increase in expenditures for temporary compensation or 907
1353	1353	medical benefits than would have resulted from the injury alone. 908
1354	1354	The department or the administrator shall inform all employers 909
1355	1355	of the existence and function of the fund and shall interpret 910
1356	1356	eligibility requirements liberally. However, this subsection may 911
1357	1357	shall not be construed to create or provide any benefits for 912
1358	1358	injured employees or their dependents not otherwise provided by 913
1359	1359	this chapter. The entitlement of an injured employee or her or 914
1360	1360	his dependents to compensation under this chapter must shall be 915
1361	1361	determined without regard to this subsection, the provisions of 916
1362	1362	which shall be considered only in determining whether an 917
1363	1363	employer or carrier who has paid compensation under this chapter 918
1364	1364	is entitled to reimbursement from the Special Disability Trust 919
1365	1365	Fund. 920
1366	1366	(b) Whereas this section does not apply to accidents or 921
1367	1367	injuries causing subsequent injury or disability occurring on or 922
1368	1368	after January 1, 1998. The Legislature finds that the indefinite 923
1369	1369	existence of the fund creates administrative costs for the 924
1370	1370	administration of a decreasin g number of claims. The Legislature 925
1371	1371
1372	1372	HB 1281 2025
1373	1373
1374	1374
1375	1375
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1379	1379	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
1380	1380
1381	1381
1382	1382
1383	1383	further finds that the fund is maintained by assessments on all 926
1384	1384	carriers. Florida workers' compensation carriers authorized on 927
1385	1385	or after January 1, 1998, are subject to the fund assessment but 928
1386	1386	do not have any claims eligi ble for reimbursement by the fund. 929
1387	1387	Beginning July 1, 2025, it is the intent of the Legislature that 930
1388	1388	the liabilities of the fund be extinguished and the fund be 931
1389	1389	closed in an orderly fashion. 932
1390	1390	(8) SPECIAL DISABILITY TRUST FUND. — 933
1391	1391	(d) The department or admi nistrator shall report annually 934
1392	1392	on the status of the Special Disability Trust Fund. The report 935
1393	1393	must shall update the estimated undiscounted and discounted fund 936
1394	1394	liability, as determined by an independent actuary, change in 937
1395	1395	the total number of notices of cla im on file with the fund in 938
1396	1396	addition to the number of newly filed notices of claim, change 939
1397	1397	in the number of proofs of claim processed by the fund, the 940
1398	1398	estimated outstanding losses per claim using a life annuity 941
1399	1399	method, the fee revenues refunded and revenue s applied to pay 942
1400	1400	down the liability of the fund, the average time required to 943
1401	1401	reimburse accepted claims, and the average administrative costs 944
1402	1402	per claim. The department or administrator shall submit its 945
1403	1403	report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, a nd the 946
1404	1404	Speaker of the House of Representatives By December 1 of each 947
1405	1405	year, the report must be published on the division's website . 948
1406	1406	(12) FINAL REIMBURSEMENT. — 949
1407	1407	(a) Notwithstanding subsection (7), beginning July 1, 950
1408	1408
1409	1409	HB 1281 2025
1410	1410
1411	1411
1412	1412
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1416	1416	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
1417	1417
1418	1418
1419	1419
1420	1420	2026, the division may not accept new no tices or proofs of 951
1421	1421	claim. Any proof of claim that has not received an offer letter 952
1422	1422	on or before December 31, 2026, is barred from reimbursement. 953
1423	1423	(b) Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, an 954
1424	1424	accepted claim is only eligible for final reimbursem ent if the 955
1425	1425	carrier submitted a request for reimbursement on an accepted 956
1426	1426	claim in fiscal years 2026 -2027 or 2027-2028. 957
1427	1427	(c) The department's or administrator's status report as 958
1428	1428	specified in paragraph (8)(d) must estimate the outstanding 959
1429	1429	losses for each claim. On or after July 1, 2028, any claim 960
1430	1430	reimbursement will be considered a final request for 961
1431	1431	reimbursement. The final reimbursement amount for the requested 962
1432	1432	claim will be the estimated outstanding loss value for the claim 963
1433	1433	as calculated in the 2028 edition of the report, discounted to a 964
1434	1434	present value of 4 percent. 965
1435	1435	(d) A request for final reimbursement after the death of 966
1436	1436	the claimant must be limited to the eligible benefits paid on or 967
1437	1437	before the date of death and may include funeral expenses. 968
1438	1438	(e) The department shall pay the approved final 969
1439	1439	reimbursement requests on a first -in, first-out basis reflecting 970
1440	1440	the order in which the reimbursement requests were received, as 971
1441	1441	funds are or become available. 972
1442	1442	(f) The final reimbursement made pursuant to this 973
1443	1443	subsection extinguishes the liability of the fund as to that 974
1444	1444	claim. 975
1445	1445
1446	1446	HB 1281 2025
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1448	1448
1449	1449
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1453	1453	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
1454	1454
1455	1455
1456	1456
1457	1457	Section 16. Paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of section 976
1458	1458	440.107, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 977
1459	1459	440.107 Department powers to enforce employer compliance 978
1460	1460	with coverage requirements. — 979
1461	1461	(7)(a) Whenever the department determines that an employer 980
1462	1462	who is required to secure the payment to his or her employees of 981
1463	1463	the compensation provided for by this chapter has failed to 982
1464	1464	secure the payment of workers' compensation required by this 983
1465	1465	chapter or to produce the required business records under 984
1466	1466	subsection (5) within 21 days after receipt of the written 985
1467	1467	request of the department, such failure shall be deemed an 986
1468	1468	immediate serious danger to public health, safety, or welfare 987
1469	1469	sufficient to justify service by the department of a stop -work 988
1470	1470	order on the employer, requiring the cessation of all business 989
1471	1471	operations. If the department makes such a determination, the 990
1472	1472	department must shall issue a stop-work order within 72 hours. 991
1473	1473	The order shall take effect when s erved upon the employer or, 992
1474	1474	for a particular employer worksite, when served at that 993
1475	1475	worksite. In addition to serving a stop -work order at a 994
1476	1476	particular worksite which shall be effective immediately, the 995
1477	1477	department shall immediately proceed with service upon the 996
1478	1478	employer which shall be effective upon all employer worksites in 997
1479	1479	the state for which the employer is not in compliance. A stop -998
1480	1480	work order may be served with regard to an employer's worksite 999
1481	1481	by posting a copy of the stop -work order in a conspicuous 1000
1482	1482
1483	1483	HB 1281 2025
1484	1484
1485	1485
1486	1486
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1490	1490	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
1491	1491
1492	1492
1493	1493
1494	1494	location at the worksite. Information related to an employer's 1001
1495	1495	stop-work order must shall be made available on the division's 1002
1496	1496	website and remain on the website for at least 5 years. The 1003
1497	1497	order must shall remain in effect until the department issues an 1004
1498	1498	order releasing the stop -work order upon a finding that the 1005
1499	1499	employer has come into compliance with the coverage requirements 1006
1500	1500	of this chapter and has paid any penalty assessed under this 1007
1501	1501	section. The departme nt may issue an order of conditional 1008
1502	1502	release from a stop-work order to an employer upon a finding 1009
1503	1503	that the employer has complied with the coverage requirements of 1010
1504	1504	this chapter, paid a penalty of $1,000 as a down payment, and 1011
1505	1505	agreed to remit periodic paymen ts of the remaining penalty 1012
1506	1506	amount pursuant to a payment agreement schedule with the 1013
1507	1507	department or pay the remaining penalty amount in full. An 1014
1508	1508	employer may not enter into a payment agreement schedule unless 1015
1509	1509	the employer has fully paid any previous penalty assessed under 1016
1510	1510	this section. If an order of conditional release is issued, 1017
1511	1511	failure by the employer to pay the penalty in full or enter into 1018
1512	1512	a payment agreement with the department within 21 days after 1019
1513	1513	service of the first penalty assessment calculation up on the 1020
1514	1514	employer, or to meet any term or condition of such penalty 1021
1515	1515	payment agreement, must shall result in the immediate 1022
1516	1516	reinstatement of the stop -work order and the entire unpaid 1023
1517	1517	balance of the penalty becoming shall become immediately due. 1024
1518	1518	The department may accept a credit card payment for the $1,000 1025
1519	1519
1520	1520	HB 1281 2025
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1522	1522
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1527	1527	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
1528	1528
1529	1529
1530	1530
1531	1531	down payment. Chargeback of the credit card payment must result 1026
1532	1532	in the immediate reinstatement of the stop -work order and, if a 1027
1533	1533	penalty assessment calculation has been served on the employer, 1028
1534	1534	the entire unpaid balance of the penalty becomes immediately 1029
1535	1535	due, or if a penalty assessment calculation has not been served 1030
1536	1536	on the employer, the entire balance of the penalty becomes 1031
1537	1537	immediately due upon service. The department may issue an order 1032
1538	1538	of conditional release f rom the reinstated stop -work order upon 1033
1539	1539	payment of the $1,000 down payment by cashier's check or money 1034
1540	1540	order and if otherwise eligible, may enter into a payment 1035
1541	1541	agreement schedule for periodic payment of the remaining penalty 1036
1542	1542	amount. 1037
1543	1543	Section 17. Section 497.1411, Florida Statutes, is created 1038
1544	1544	to read: 1039
1545	1545	497.1411 Disqualification of applicants and licenses; 1040
1546	1546	penalties against licensees; rulemaking. — 1041
1547	1547	(1) For purposes of this section, the term: 1042
1548	1548	(a) "Applicant" means an individual applying for licensure 1043
1549	1549	or relicensure under this chapter, and an officer, a director, a 1044
1550	1550	majority owner, a partner, a manager, or other person who 1045
1551	1551	manages or controls an entity applying for licensure or 1046
1552	1552	relicensure under this chapter. 1047
1553	1553	(b) "Felony of the first degree" and "capita l felony" 1048
1554	1554	include such classified felonies as defined in s. 775.081. 1049
1555	1555	(2) An applicant who has been found guilty of or has 1050
1556	1556
1557	1557	HB 1281 2025
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1559	1559
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1564	1564	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
1565	1565
1566	1566
1567	1567
1568	1568	pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to any of the following 1051
1569	1569	crimes, regardless of adjudication, is permanently barred from 1052
1570	1570	licensure under this chapter: 1053
1571	1571	(a) A felony of the first degree. 1054
1572	1572	(b) A felony directly or indirectly involving conduct 1055
1573	1573	regulated under this chapter. 1056
1574	1574	(3) An applicant who has been found guilty of or has 1057
1575	1575	pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to a crime not included i n 1058
1576	1576	subsection (2), regardless of adjudication, is subject to: 1059
1577	1577	(a) A 10-year disqualifying period for all felonies 1060
1578	1578	involving moral turpitude which are not specifically included in 1061
1579	1579	the permanent bar contained in subsection (2). 1062
1580	1580	(b) A 5-year disqualifying period for all felonies to 1063
1581	1581	which neither the permanent bar in subsection (2) nor the 10 -1064
1582	1582	year disqualifying period in paragraph (a) applies. 1065
1583	1583	Notwithstanding subsection (4), an applicant who served at least 1066
1584	1584	half of the disqualifying period may apply for a li cense if, 1067
1585	1585	during that time, the applicant has not been found guilty of or 1068
1586	1586	has not pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to a crime. The 1069
1587	1587	division may issue the license on a probationary basis for the 1070
1588	1588	remainder of the disqualifying period. The applicant's 1071
1589	1589	probationary period ends at the end of the disqualifying period. 1072
1590	1590	(c) A 5-year disqualifying period for all misdemeanors 1073
1591	1591	directly related to this chapter. 1074
1592	1592	(4) The board shall adopt rules to administer this 1075
1593	1593
1594	1594	HB 1281 2025
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1601	1601	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
1602	1602
1603	1603
1604	1604
1605	1605	section. The rules must specify additional disqualifi cation 1076
1606	1606	periods for applicants who have committed multiple crimes and 1077
1607	1607	may consider other relevant factors related to their criminal 1078
1608	1608	history. The rules must provide for mitigating and aggravating 1079
1609	1609	factors. However, mitigation may not result in a period of 1080
1610	1610	disqualification of less than 5 years and may not mitigate the 1081
1611	1611	disqualifying periods in paragraphs (3)(b) and (c). 1082
1612	1612	(5) For purposes of this section, a disqualifying period 1083
1613	1613	begins upon the applicant's final release from supervision or 1084
1614	1614	upon completion of the applicant's criminal sentence. The 1085
1615	1615	department may not issue a license to an applicant until the 1086
1616	1616	applicant provides proof that all related fines, court costs and 1087
1617	1617	fees, and court-ordered restitution have been paid. 1088
1618	1618	(6) After the disqualifying period has ex pired, the burden 1089
1619	1619	is on the applicant to demonstrate that he or she has been 1090
1620	1620	rehabilitated, does not pose a risk to the public, is fit and 1091
1621	1621	trustworthy to engage in business regulated by this chapter, and 1092
1622	1622	is otherwise qualified for licensure. 1093
1623	1623	(7) Notwithstanding subsections (2) and (3), an applicant 1094
1624	1624	who has been found guilty of, or has pleaded guilty or nolo 1095
1625	1625	contendere to, a crime in subsection (2) or subsection (3), and 1096
1626	1626	who has subsequently been granted a pardon or the restoration of 1097
1627	1627	civil rights pursuant to chapter 940 and s. 8, Art. IV of the 1098
1628	1628	State Constitution, or a pardon or the restoration of civil 1099
1629	1629	rights under the laws of another jurisdiction with respect to a 1100
1630	1630
1631	1631	HB 1281 2025
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1638	1638	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
1639	1639
1640	1640
1641	1641
1642	1642	conviction in that jurisdiction, is not barred or disqualified 1101
1643	1643	from licensure under this ch apter; however, such a pardon or 1102
1644	1644	restoration of civil rights does not require the department to 1103
1645	1645	award such license. 1104
1646	1646	(8)(a) The board may grant an exemption from 1105
1647	1647	disqualification to any person disqualified from licensure under 1106
1648	1648	subsection (3) if: 1107
1649	1649	1. The applicant has paid in full any fee, fine, fund, 1108
1650	1650	lien, civil judgment, restitution, or cost of prosecution 1109
1651	1651	imposed by the court as part of the judgment and sentence for 1110
1652	1652	any disqualifying offense; and 1111
1653	1653	2. At least 5 years have elapsed since the applicant 1112
1654	1654	completed or has been lawfully released from confinement, 1113
1655	1655	supervision, or nonmonetary condition imposed by the court for a 1114
1656	1656	disqualifying offense. 1115
1657	1657	(b) For the board to grant an exemption under this 1116
1658	1658	subsection, the applicant must clearly and convincingly 1117
1659	1659	demonstrate that he or she would not pose a risk to persons or 1118
1660	1660	property if licensed under this chapter, evidence of which must 1119
1661	1661	include, but need not be limited to, facts and circumstances 1120
1662	1662	surrounding the disqualifying offense, the time that has elapsed 1121
1663	1663	since the offense, the nature of the offense and harm caused to 1122
1664	1664	the victim, the applicant's history before and after the 1123
1665	1665	offense, and any other evidence or circumstances indicating that 1124
1666	1666	the applicant will not present a danger if licensed or 1125
1667	1667
1668	1668	HB 1281 2025
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1675	1675	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
1676	1676
1677	1677
1678	1678
1679	1679	certified. 1126
1680	1680	(c) The board has discretion whether to grant or deny an 1127
1681	1681	exemption under this subsection. The board's decision of whether 1128
1682	1682	to grant or deny an exemption is subject to chapter 120. 1129
1683	1683	(9) The disqualification periods provided in this section 1130
1684	1684	do not apply to the renew al of a license or to a new application 1131
1685	1685	for licensure if the applicant has an active license as of July 1132
1686	1686	1, 2021, and the applicable criminal history was considered by 1133
1687	1687	the board on the prior approval of any active license held by 1134
1688	1688	the applicant. This section does not affect any criminal history 1135
1689	1689	disclosure requirements of this chapter. 1136
1690	1690	Section 18. Subsection (9) and paragraph (c) of subsection 1137
1691	1691	(10) of section 497.142, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1138
1692	1692	497.142 Licensing; fingerprinting and criminal b ackground 1139
1693	1693	checks.— 1140
1694	1694	(9) If any applicant under this chapter has been , within 1141
1695	1695	the 10 years preceding the application under this chapter, 1142
1696	1696	convicted or found guilty of, or entered a plea of nolo 1143
1697	1697	contendere to, regardless of adjudication, any crime in any 1144
1698	1698	jurisdiction, the application may shall not be deemed complete 1145
1699	1699	until such time as the applicant provides such certified true 1146
1700	1700	copies of the court records evidencing the conviction, finding, 1147
1701	1701	or plea, as required in this section or as the licensing 1148
1702	1702	authority may by rule require. 1149
1703	1703	(10) 1150
1704	1704
1705	1705	HB 1281 2025
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1707	1707
1708	1708
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1712	1712	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
1713	1713
1714	1714
1715	1715
1716	1716	(c) Crimes to be disclosed are: 1151
1717	1717	1. Any felony or misdemeanor, no matter when committed , 1152
1718	1718	that was directly or indirectly related to or involving any 1153
1719	1719	aspect of the practice or business of funeral directing, 1154
1720	1720	embalming, direct dispo sition, cremation, funeral or cemetery 1155
1721	1721	preneed sales, funeral establishment operations, cemetery 1156
1722	1722	operations, or cemetery monument or marker sales or 1157
1723	1723	installation. 1158
1724	1724	2. Any misdemeanor, no matter when committed, which was 1159
1725	1725	directly or indirectly related to t he practice or activities 1160
1726	1726	regulated under this chapter Any other felony not already 1161
1727	1727	disclosed under subparagraph 1. that was committed within the 20 1162
1728	1728	years immediately preceding the application under this chapter . 1163
1729	1729	3. Any other misdemeanor not already disc losed under 1164
1730	1730	subparagraph 2. which 1. that was committed within the 5 years 1165
1731	1731	immediately preceding the application under this chapter. 1166
1732	1732	Section 19. Paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (1) of 1167
1733	1733	section 497.369, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as 1168
1734	1734	paragraphs (d) and (e), respectively, subsections (3), (4), and 1169
1735	1735	(5) are renumbered as subsections (2), (3), and (4), 1170
1736	1736	respectively, paragraph (b) of subsection (1), subsection (2), 1171
1737	1737	and paragraph (a) of present subsection (5) are amended, and a 1172
1738	1738	new paragraph (c) is added to subsection (1) of that section, to 1173
1739	1739	read: 1174
1740	1740	497.369 Embalmers; licensure as an embalmer by 1175
1741	1741
1742	1742	HB 1281 2025
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1749	1749	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
1750	1750
1751	1751
1752	1752
1753	1753	endorsement; licensure of a temporary embalmer. — 1176
1754	1754	(1) The licensing authority shall issue a license by 1177
1755	1755	endorsement to practice embalming to an applicant who has 1178
1756	1756	remitted an examination fee set by rule of the licensing 1179
1757	1757	authority not to exceed $200 and who the licensing authority 1180
1758	1758	certifies: 1181
1759	1759	(b)1. Has submitted proof satisfactory to the licensing 1182
1760	1760	authority that the applicant is at least 18 years of age and is 1183
1761	1761	a recipient of a high school diploma or its equivalent; or 1184
1762	1762	2. Holds a valid license in good standing to practice 1185
1763	1763	embalming in another state of the United States and has engaged 1186
1764	1764	in the full-time, licensed practice of embalming in that state 1187
1765	1765	for at least 5 years .; or 1188
1766	1766	(c)1. Has submitted an application for licensure by 1189
1767	1767	endorsement based upon experience acquired in the deathcare 1190
1768	1768	industry in another state. To meet the qualifications for such 1191
1769	1769	licensure based upon experience, an applicant must hold a valid 1192
1770	1770	license in good standing to practice embalming in another state 1193
1771	1771	of the United States and have engaged in the full -time, licensed 1194
1772	1772	practice of embalming in that state for at least 5 years. If the 1195
1773	1773	applicant's proven experience is more than 5 years but less than 1196
1774	1774	10 years, the applicant must additionally have passed an 1197
1775	1775	examination on the subjects of the theory and practice of 1198
1776	1776	embalming, restorative art, pathology, anatomy, microbiology, 1199
1777	1777	chemistry, hygiene, public health and sanitation, and local, 1200
1778	1778
1779	1779	HB 1281 2025
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1786	1786	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
1787	1787
1788	1788
1789	1789
1790	1790	state, and federal laws and rules relating to the disposition of 1201
1791	1791	dead human bodies; however, the licensing authority may by rule 1202
1792	1792	approve the use of a national examination, such as the embalming 1203
1793	1793	examination prepared by the Conference of Funeral Service 1204
1794	1794	Examining Boards, in lieu of part of this examination 1205
1795	1795	requirement. If the applicant' s proven experience in the 1206
1796	1796	deathcare industry of another state exceeds 10 years, the 1207
1797	1797	applicant does not need to meet this examination requirement. 1208
1798	1798	2. Alternatively, an applicant may submit an application 1209
1799	1799	for licensure by endorsement based upon education related to the 1210
1800	1800	deathcare industry obtained in another state. To meet the 1211
1801	1801	qualifications for such licensure based upon education, an 1212
1802	1802	applicant must meet Meets the qualifications for licensure in s. 1213
1803	1803	497.368, have except that the internship requirement shall be 1214
1804	1804	deemed to have been satisfied by 1 year's practice as a licensed 1215
1805	1805	embalmer in another state, and has , within 10 years before the 1216
1806	1806	date of application, successfully completed a state, regional, 1217
1807	1807	or national examination in mortuary science which, as determined 1218
1808	1808	by rule of the licensing authority, and have completed a 1 -year 1219
1809	1809	internship under a licensed embalmer, except that the internship 1220
1810	1810	requirement is deemed to have been satisfied if the applicant 1221
1811	1811	has held a valid license in good standing to practice embalmin g 1222
1812	1812	in another state of the United States and has engaged in the 1223
1813	1813	full-time, licensed practice of embalming in that state for at 1224
1814	1814	least 1 year is substantially equivalent to or more stringent 1225
1815	1815
1816	1816	HB 1281 2025
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1823	1823	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
1824	1824
1825	1825
1826	1826
1827	1827	than the examination given by the licensing authority . 1226
1828	1828	(2) State, regional, or national examinations and 1227
1829	1829	requirements for licensure in another state shall be presumed to 1228
1830	1830	be substantially equivalent to or more stringent than the 1229
1831	1831	examination and requirements in this state unless found 1230
1832	1832	otherwise by rule of the licensing aut hority. 1231
1833	1833	(4)(a)(5)(a) There may be adopted by The licensing 1232
1834	1834	authority may adopt rules authorizing an applicant who has met 1233
1835	1835	the requirements of subsection (1) paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) and 1234
1836	1836	who is awaiting an opportunity to take the examination required 1235
1837	1837	by subsection (3) (4) to be licensed as a temporary licensed 1236
1838	1838	embalmer. A temporary licensed embalmer may work as an embalmer 1237
1839	1839	in a licensed funeral establishment under the general 1238
1840	1840	supervision of a licensed embalmer. Such temporary license shall 1239
1841	1841	expire 60 days after the date of the next available examination 1240
1842	1842	required under subsection (3) (4); however, the temporary 1241
1843	1843	license may be renewed one time under the same conditions as 1242
1844	1844	initial issuance. The fee for issuance or renewal of an embalmer 1243
1845	1845	temporary license shall be set by rule of the licensing 1244
1846	1846	authority but may not exceed $200. The fee required in this 1245
1847	1847	subsection shall be nonrefundable and in addition to the fee 1246
1848	1848	required in subsection (1). 1247
1849	1849	Section 20. Paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of subsection (1) 1248
1850	1850	of section 497.374, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as 1249
1851	1851	paragraphs (c), (d), and (e), respectively, subsections (4) and 1250
1852	1852
1853	1853	HB 1281 2025
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1860	1860	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
1861	1861
1862	1862
1863	1863
1864	1864	(5) are renumbered as subsections (3) and (4), respectively, 1251
1865	1865	present paragraph (b) of subsection (1), subsection (3), and 1252
1866	1866	present subsection (5) are amended, and a new paragraph (b) is 1253
1867	1867	added to subsection (1) of that section, to read: 1254
1868	1868	497.374 Funeral directing; licensure as a funeral director 1255
1869	1869	by endorsement; licensure of a temporary funeral director. — 1256
1870	1870	(1) The licensing authority shall issue a l icense by 1257
1871	1871	endorsement to practice funeral directing to an applicant who 1258
1872	1872	has remitted a fee set by rule of the licensing authority not to 1259
1873	1873	exceed $200 and who: 1260
1874	1874	(b) Submitted proof satisfactory to the licensing 1261
1875	1875	authority that the applicant is at least 18 ye ars of age and is 1262
1876	1876	a recipient of a high school diploma or equivalent. 1263
1877	1877	(c)1.(b)1. Submitted an application for licensure by 1264
1878	1878	endorsement based upon experience acquired in the deathcare 1265
1879	1879	industry in another state. To meet the qualifications for such 1266
1880	1880	licensure based upon experience, an applicant must hold a valid 1267
1881	1881	license in good standing to practice funeral directing in 1268
1882	1882	another state of the United States and have engaged in the full -1269
1883	1883	time, licensed practice of funeral directing in that state for 1270
1884	1884	at least 5 years. If the applicant's proven experience is more 1271
1885	1885	than 5 years but less than 10 years, the applicant must 1272
1886	1886	additionally have passed an examination on the theory and 1273
1887	1887	practice of funeral directing and funeral service arts; however, 1274
1888	1888	the licensing authority may a pprove by rule the use of a 1275
1889	1889
1890	1890	HB 1281 2025
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1892	1892
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1897	1897	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
1898	1898
1899	1899
1900	1900
1901	1901	national examination, such as the funeral services arts 1276
1902	1902	examination prepared by the Conference of Funeral Service 1277
1903	1903	Examining Boards, in lieu of this examination requirement. If 1278
1904	1904	the applicant's proven experience in the deathcare i ndustry of 1279
1905	1905	another state exceeds 10 years, the applicant does not need to 1280
1906	1906	meet this examination requirement. Holds a valid license in good 1281
1907	1907	standing to practice funeral directing in another state of the 1282
1908	1908	United States and has engaged in the full -time, licensed 1283
1909	1909	practice of funeral directing in that state for at least 5 1284
1910	1910	years; or 1285
1911	1911	2. Alternatively, an applicant may submit an application 1286
1912	1912	for licensure by endorsement based upon education related to the 1287
1913	1913	deathcare industry obtained in another state. To meet the 1288
1914	1914	qualifications for such licensure based upon education, an 1289
1915	1915	applicant must meet Meets the qualifications for licensure in s. 1290
1916	1916	497.373, except that the applicant need not hold an associate 1291
1917	1917	degree or higher if the applicant holds a diploma or certificate 1292
1918	1918	from an accredited program of mortuary science, and have has 1293
1919	1919	successfully completed a state, regional, or national 1294
1920	1920	examination in mortuary science or funeral service arts which, 1295
1921	1921	as determined by rule of the licensing authority and have 1296
1922	1922	completed a 1-year internship under a licensed funeral director, 1297
1923	1923	except that the internship requirement shall be deemed to have 1298
1924	1924	been satisfied if the applicant has held a valid license in good 1299
1925	1925	standing to practice funeral directing in another state of the 1300
1926	1926
1927	1927	HB 1281 2025
1928	1928
1929	1929
1930	1930
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1933	1933	Page 53 of 92
1934	1934	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
1935	1935
1936	1936
1937	1937
1938	1938	United States and engaged i n the full-time, licensed practice of 1301
1939	1939	funeral directing in that state for at least 1 year , is 1302
1940	1940	substantially equivalent to or more stringent than the 1303
1941	1941	examination given by the licensing authority . 1304
1942	1942	(3) State, regional, or national examinations and 1305
1943	1943	requirements for licensure in another state shall be presumed to 1306
1944	1944	be substantially equivalent to or more stringent than the 1307
1945	1945	examination and requirements in this state unless found 1308
1946	1946	otherwise by rule of the licensing authority. 1309
1947	1947	(4)(5) The licensing authority may ado pt There may be 1310
1948	1948	adopted rules authorizing an applicant who has met the 1311
1949	1949	requirements of subsection (1) paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) and who 1312
1950	1950	is awaiting an opportunity to take the examination required by 1313
1951	1951	subsection (3) (4) to obtain a license as a temporary funeral 1314
1952	1952	director. A licensed temporary funeral director may work as a 1315
1953	1953	funeral director in a licensed funeral establishment under the 1316
1954	1954	general supervision of a funeral director licensed under 1317
1955	1955	subsection (1) or s. 497.373. Such license shall expire 60 days 1318
1956	1956	after the date of the next available examination required under 1319
1957	1957	subsection (3) (4); however, the temporary license may be 1320
1958	1958	renewed one time under the same conditions as initial issuance. 1321
1959	1959	The fee for initial issuance or rene wal of a temporary license 1322
1960	1960	under this subsection shall be set by rule of the licensing 1323
1961	1961	authority but may not exceed $200. The fee required in this 1324
1962	1962	subsection shall be nonrefundable and in addition to the fee 1325
1963	1963
1964	1964	HB 1281 2025
1965	1965
1966	1966
1967	1967
1968	1968	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1969	1969	hb1281-00
1970	1970	Page 54 of 92
1971	1971	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
1972	1972
1973	1973
1974	1974
1975	1975	required in subsection (1). A member of the Unit ed States Armed 1326
1976	1976	Forces, such member's spouse, and a veteran of the United States 1327
1977	1977	Armed Forces who separated from service within the 2 years 1328
1978	1978	preceding application for licensure are exempt from the initial 1329
1979	1979	issuance fee. To qualify for the initial issuance fe e exemption, 1330
1980	1980	an applicant must provide a copy of a military identification 1331
1981	1981	card, military dependent identification card, military service 1332
1982	1982	record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge 1333
1983	1983	paper, or separation document that indicates such member is 1334
1984	1984	currently in good standing or such veteran was honorably 1335
1985	1985	discharged. 1336
1986	1986	Section 21. Section 497.376, Florida Statutes, is amended 1337
1987	1987	to read: 1338
1988	1988	497.376 License as funeral director and embalmer 1339
1989	1989	permitted.— 1340
1990	1990	(1) This chapter does not prohibit a person from h olding a 1341
1991	1991	license as an embalmer and a license as a funeral director at 1342
1992	1992	the same time. There may be issued and renewed by the licensing 1343
1993	1993	authority a combination license as both funeral director and 1344
1994	1994	embalmer to persons meeting the separate requirements for bo th 1345
1995	1995	licenses as set forth in this chapter. The licensing authority 1346
1996	1996	may adopt rules providing procedures for applying for and 1347
1997	1997	renewing such combination license. Such combination license may 1348
1998	1998	be obtained by meeting the requirements for licensure by 1349
1999	1999	examination set out in ss. 497.368 and 497.373. 1350
2000	2000
2001	2001	HB 1281 2025
2002	2002
2003	2003
2004	2004
2005	2005	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2006	2006	hb1281-00
2007	2007	Page 55 of 92
2008	2008	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
2009	2009
2010	2010
2011	2011
2012	2012	(2) The licensing authority may by rule establish 1351
2013	2013	application, renewal, and other fees for such combination 1352
2014	2014	license, which fees may not exceed the sum of the maximum fees 1353
2015	2015	for the separate funeral director and embalmer license 1354
2016	2016	categories as provided in this chapter. A person holding a 1355
2017	2017	combination license as a funeral director and an embalmer is 1356
2018	2018	subject to regulation under this chapter both as a funeral 1357
2019	2019	director and an embalmer. 1358
2020	2020	(2) Except as provided in s. 497.377, an applicant for a 1359
2021	2021	combination license as both a funeral director and an embalmer , 1360
2022	2022	obtained by meeting the requirements for licensure by 1361
2023	2023	examination set out in ss. 497.368 and 497.373, must hold the 1362
2024	2024	educational credentials required for licensure of a funeral 1363
2025	2025	director under s. 497.373(1)(d). 1364
2026	2026	Section 22. Subsection (1) of section 497.380, Florida 1365
2027	2027	Statutes, is amended to read: 1366
2028	2028	497.380 Funeral establishment; licensure; display of 1367
2029	2029	license.— 1368
2030	2030	(1) A funeral establishment shall be a place at a specific 1369
2031	2031	street address or location consisting of at least 1,250 1370
2032	2032	contiguous interior square feet and shall maintain or make 1371
2033	2033	arrangements for capacity for the refrigeration and storage of 1372
2034	2034	dead human bodies handled and stored by the establishment and a 1373
2035	2035	preparation room equi pped with necessary ventilation and 1374
2036	2036	drainage and containing necessary instruments for embalming dead 1375
2037	2037
2038	2038	HB 1281 2025
2039	2039
2040	2040
2041	2041
2042	2042	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2043	2043	hb1281-00
2044	2044	Page 56 of 92
2045	2045	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
2046	2046
2047	2047
2048	2048
2049	2049	human bodies or shall make arrangements for a preparation room 1376
2050	2050	as established by rule. For purposes of this subsection, the 1377
2051	2051	1,250 contiguous interior squar e feet may not include any square 1378
2052	2052	footage designated in the cooperative documents as common areas. 1379
2053	2053	Section 23. Subsection (5) of section 497.386, Florida 1380
2054	2054	Statutes, is amended to read: 1381
2055	2055	497.386 Storage, preservation, and transportation of human 1382
2056	2056	remains.— 1383
2057	2057	(5) In the event of an emergency situation, including the 1384
2058	2058	abandonment of any establishments or facilities licensed under 1385
2059	2059	this chapter or any medical examiner's facility, morgue, or 1386
2060	2060	cemetery holding facility , the department may enter and secure 1387
2061	2061	such establishment or, facility, or morgue during or outside of 1388
2062	2062	normal business hours and remove human remains and cremated 1389
2063	2063	remains from the establishment or, facility, or morgue. For 1390
2064	2064	purposes of this subsection, the department shall determine 1391
2065	2065	whether if a facility is abandoned and whether if there is an 1392
2066	2066	emergency situation. A licensee or licensed facility that 1393
2067	2067	accepts transfer of human remains and cremated remains from the 1394
2068	2068	department pursuant to this subsection may not be held liable 1395
2069	2069	for the condition of any huma n remains or cremated remains at 1396
2070	2070	the time of transfer. 1397
2071	2071	Section 24. Paragraph (b) of subsection (9) of section 1398
2072	2072	497.604, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1399
2073	2073	497.604 Direct disposal establishments, license required; 1400
2074	2074
2075	2075	HB 1281 2025
2076	2076
2077	2077
2078	2078
2079	2079	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2080	2080	hb1281-00
2081	2081	Page 57 of 92
2082	2082	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
2083	2083
2084	2084
2085	2085
2086	2086	licensing procedures and criteria; license renewal; regulation; 1401
2087	2087	display of license.— 1402
2088	2088	(9) REGULATION OF DIRECT DISPOSAL ESTABLISHMENTS. — 1403
2089	2089	(b) The practice of direct disposition must be engaged in 1404
2090	2090	at a fixed location of at least 625 contiguous interior 1405
2091	2091	contiguous square feet and must maint ain or make arrangements 1406
2092	2092	for suitable capacity for the refrigeration and storage of dead 1407
2093	2093	human bodies handled and stored by the establishment. For 1408
2094	2094	purposes of this subsection, the 625 contiguous interior square 1409
2095	2095	feet may not include any square footage desig nated in the 1410
2096	2096	cooperative documents as common areas. 1411
2097	2097	Section 25. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 554.103, 1412
2098	2098	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1413
2099	2099	554.103 Boiler code. —The department shall adopt by rule a 1414
2100	2100	State Boiler Code for the safe construction, installation, 1415
2101	2101	inspection, maintenance, and repair of boilers in this state. 1416
2102	2102	The rules adopted shall be based upon and shall at all times 1417
2103	2103	follow generally accepted nationwide engineering standards, 1418
2104	2104	formulas, and practices pertaining to boiler construction a nd 1419
2105	2105	safety. 1420
2106	2106	(1) The department shall adopt the latest version of the 1421
2107	2107	an existing code for new construction and installation known as 1422
2108	2108	the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code of the American Society of 1423
2109	2109	Mechanical Engineers, including all amendments and 1424
2110	2110	interpretations to the A.S.M.E. Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code 1425
2111	2111
2112	2112	HB 1281 2025
2113	2113
2114	2114
2115	2115
2116	2116	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2117	2117	hb1281-00
2118	2118	Page 58 of 92
2119	2119	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
2120	2120
2121	2121
2122	2122
2123	2123	approved by the A.S.M.E. Council on Codes and Standards 1426
2124	2124	subsequent to the adoption of the State Boiler Code, and when so 1427
2125	2125	adopted by the department, such amendments and interpretations 1428
2126	2126	become a part of the State Boiler Code. 1429
2127	2127	(2) The installer of any boiler placed in use in this 1430
2128	2128	state after January 1, 2018, must, before installing the boiler, 1431
2129	2129	apply on a form adopted by rule of the department for an 1432
2130	2130	application a permit to install the boiler from the ch ief boiler 1433
2131	2131	inspector. The application must include the boiler's A.S.M.E. 1434
2132	2132	manufacturer's data report and other documents required by the 1435
2133	2133	State Boiler Code before the boiler is placed in service. The 1436
2134	2134	installer must contact the chief boiler inspector to sched ule an 1437
2135	2135	inspection for each boiler no later than 7 days before the 1438
2136	2136	boiler is placed in service. 1439
2137	2137	Section 26. Subsection (1) of section 554.108, Florida 1440
2138	2138	Statutes, is amended to read: 1441
2139	2139	554.108 Inspection. — 1442
2140	2140	(1) The inspection requirements of this chapter apply only 1443
2141	2141	to boilers that are regulated by this chapter located in public 1444
2142	2142	assembly locations. A boiler with an input of 200,000 British 1445
2143	2143	thermal units (Btu) per hour and above, up to an input not 1446
2144	2144	exceeding 400,000 Btu per hour, is exempt from inspection; 1447
2145	2145	however, such an exempt boiler, if manufactured after July 1, 1448
2146	2146	2022, must be stamped with the A.S.M.E. code symbol. 1449
2147	2147	Additionally, the A.S.M.E. data report of a boiler with an input 1450
2148	2148
2149	2149	HB 1281 2025
2150	2150
2151	2151
2152	2152
2153	2153	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2154	2154	hb1281-00
2155	2155	Page 59 of 92
2156	2156	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
2157	2157
2158	2158
2159	2159
2160	2160	of 200,000 to 400,000 Btu per hour must be filed as required 1451
2161	2161	under s. 554.103(2). 1452
2162	2162	Section 27. Subsection (1) of section 554.114, Florida 1453
2163	2163	Statutes, is amended to read: 1454
2164	2164	554.114 Prohibitions; penalties. — 1455
2165	2165	(1) A person may not do any of the following : 1456
2166	2166	(a) Operate a boiler that is regulated by this chapter at 1457
2167	2167	a public assembly location without a valid certificate of 1458
2168	2168	operation for that boiler .; 1459
2169	2169	(b) Use a certificate of operation for any boiler other 1460
2170	2170	than for the boiler for which it was issued .; 1461
2171	2171	(c) Operate a boiler for which the certificate of 1462
2172	2172	operation has been suspended, revoked, or not renewed .; or 1463
2173	2173	(d) Inspect any boiler regulated under this chapter 1464
2174	2174	without having a valid certificate of competency. 1465
2175	2175	Section 28. Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of section 1466
2176	2176	554.115, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1467
2177	2177	554.115 Disciplinary proceedings.— 1468
2178	2178	(1) The department may deny, refuse to renew, suspend, or 1469
2179	2179	revoke a certificate of operation upon proof that: 1470
2180	2180	(d) The owner of a boiler: 1471
2181	2181	1. Operated a boiler that is regulated by this chapter at 1472
2182	2182	a public assembly location without a valid certificate of 1473
2183	2183	operation for that boiler; 1474
2184	2184	2. Used a certificate of operation for a boiler other than 1475
2185	2185
2186	2186	HB 1281 2025
2187	2187
2188	2188
2189	2189
2190	2190	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2191	2191	hb1281-00
2192	2192	Page 60 of 92
2193	2193	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
2194	2194
2195	2195
2196	2196
2197	2197	the boiler for which the certificate of operation was issued; 1476
2198	2198	3. Gave false or forged information to the department, to 1477
2199	2199	an authorized inspection agency, or to another boiler inspector 1478
2200	2200	for the purpose of obtaining a certificate of operation; 1479
2201	2201	4. Operated a boiler after the certificate of operation 1480
2202	2202	for the boiler expired, was not renewed, or was suspended or 1481
2203	2203	revoked; 1482
2204	2204	5. Operated a boiler that is in an unsafe condition; or 1483
2205	2205	6. Operated a boiler in a manner that is contrary to the 1484
2206	2206	requirements of this chapter or any rule adopted under this 1485
2207	2207	chapter. 1486
2208	2208	Section 29. Section 554.116, Florida Statutes, is created 1487
2209	2209	to read: 1488
2210	2210	554.116 Carbon monoxide. —The owner or user shall install a 1489
2211	2211	carbon monoxide detector or alarm on all boilers and fire 1490
2212	2212	pressured vessels that are regulated by this chapter. 1491
2213	2213	Section 30. Section 554.117, Florida Statutes, is created 1492
2214	2214	to read: 1493
2215	2215	554.117 Conduct of an examination of any boiler.— 1494
2216	2216	(1) In accordance with s. 633.112, the Division of State 1495
2217	2217	Fire Marshal may conduct an examination of any boiler covered by 1496
2218	2218	this chapter. 1497
2219	2219	(2) The division shall, upon receipt of a complaint, 1498
2220	2220	review the nature of the complaint and conduct an exa mination if 1499
2221	2221	necessary. 1500
2222	2222
2223	2223	HB 1281 2025
2224	2224
2225	2225
2226	2226
2227	2227	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2228	2228	hb1281-00
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2230	2230	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
2231	2231
2232	2232
2233	2233
2234	2234	Section 31. Paragraph (b) of subsection (10) of section 1501
2235	2235	624.307, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1502
2236	2236	624.307 General powers; duties. — 1503
2237	2237	(10) 1504
2238	2238	(b) Notwithstanding any provision in chapter 634, any 1505
2239	2239	person licensed or issued a certificate of authority or made an 1506
2240	2240	eligible surplus lines insurer by the department or the office 1507
2241	2241	shall respond, in writing or electronically, to the division 1508
2242	2242	within 14 days after receipt of a written request for documents 1509
2243	2243	and information from the division concerning a consumer 1510
2244	2244	complaint. The response must address the issues and allegations 1511
2245	2245	raised in the complaint and include any requested documents 1512
2246	2246	concerning the consumer complaint not subject to attorney -client 1513
2247	2247	or work-product privilege. The division may impose an 1514
2248	2248	administrative penalty for failure to comply with this paragraph 1515
2249	2249	of up to $5,000 per violation upon any entity licensed by the 1516
2250	2250	department or the office and up to $1,000 per violation by any 1517
2251	2251	individual licensed by the department or the office. 1518
2252	2252	Section 32. Section 624.317, Florida Statutes, is amended 1519
2253	2253	to read: 1520
2254	2254	624.317 Investigation of agents, adjusters, 1521
2255	2255	administrators, service companies, and others. — 1522
2256	2256	(1) If it has reason to believe that any person has 1523
2257	2257	violated or is violating any provision of this code, or upon the 1524
2258	2258	written complaint signed by any interested person indicating 1525
2259	2259
2260	2260	HB 1281 2025
2261	2261
2262	2262
2263	2263
2264	2264	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2265	2265	hb1281-00
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2267	2267	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
2268	2268
2269	2269
2270	2270
2271	2271	that any such violation may exist: 1526
2272	2272	(a)(1) The department must shall conduct such 1527
2273	2273	investigation as it deems necessary of the accounts, records, 1528
2274	2274	documents, and transactions pertaining to or affecting the 1529
2275	2275	insurance affairs of any agent, adjuster, insurance agency, 1530
2276	2276	customer representative, service representative, or other person 1531
2277	2277	subject to its jurisdiction, subject to the requirements of s. 1532
2278	2278	626.601. 1533
2279	2279	(b)(2) The office must shall conduct such investigation as 1534
2280	2280	it deems necessary of the accounts, records, documents, and 1535
2281	2281	transactions pertaining to or affecting the insurance affairs of 1536
2282	2282	any: 1537
2283	2283	1.(a) Administrator, service company, or other person 1538
2284	2284	subject to its jurisdiction. 1539
2285	2285	2.(b) Person having a contract or power of attorney under 1540
2286	2286	which she or he enjoys in fact the exclusive or dominant right 1541
2287	2287	to manage or control an insurer. 1542
2288	2288	3.(c) Person engaged in or proposing to be engaged in the 1543
2289	2289	promotion or formation of: 1544
2290	2290	a.1. A domestic insurer; 1545
2291	2291	b.2. An insurance holding corporation; or 1546
2292	2292	c.3. A corporation to finance a domestic insurer or in the 1547
2293	2293	production of the domestic insurer's business. 1548
2294	2294	(2) Any person licensed or issued a certificate of 1549
2295	2295	authority by the department or the office shall, in writing or 1550
2296	2296
2297	2297	HB 1281 2025
2298	2298
2299	2299
2300	2300
2301	2301	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2302	2302	hb1281-00
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2304	2304	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
2305	2305
2306	2306
2307	2307
2308	2308	electronically, respond to the department or office within 14 1551
2309	2309	days after receipt of a written request for documents and 1552
2310	2310	information from the department or office concerning records 1553
2311	2311	pertinent to an ongo ing investigation. The response must address 1554
2312	2312	the issues and allegations raised in the investigation and 1555
2313	2313	include any requested documents not subject to attorney -client 1556
2314	2314	or work-product privilege. The department or office may impose 1557
2315	2315	an administrative penalty for failure to comply with this 1558
2316	2316	subsection of up to $5,000 per violation upon any person 1559
2317	2317	licensed or issued a certificate of authority by the department 1560
2318	2318	or office. 1561
2319	2319	Section 33. Section 626.171, Florida Statutes, is amended 1562
2320	2320	to read: 1563
2321	2321	626.171 Application for license as an agent, customer 1564
2322	2322	representative, adjuster, or service representative , or 1565
2323	2323	reinsurance intermediary .— 1566
2324	2324	(1) The department may not issue a license as agent, 1567
2325	2325	customer representative, adjuster, or service representative , or 1568
2326	2326	reinsurance intermediary to any person except upon written 1569
2327	2327	application filed with the department, meeting the 1570
2328	2328	qualifications for the license applied for as determined by the 1571
2329	2329	department, and payment in advance of all applicable fees. The 1572
2330	2330	application must be made under the oath of the applicant and be 1573
2331	2331	signed by the applicant. An applicant may permit a third party 1574
2332	2332	to complete, submit, and sign an application on the applicant's 1575
2333	2333
2334	2334	HB 1281 2025
2335	2335
2336	2336
2337	2337
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2341	2341	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
2342	2342
2343	2343
2344	2344
2345	2345	behalf, but is responsible for ensuring that the information on 1576
2346	2346	the application is true and corr ect and is accountable for any 1577
2347	2347	misstatements or misrepresentations. The department shall accept 1578
2348	2348	the uniform application for resident and nonresident agent and 1579
2349	2349	adjuster licensing. The department may adopt revised versions of 1580
2350	2350	the uniform application by rule. 1581
2351	2351	(2) In the application, the applicant must include shall 1582
2352	2352	set forth: 1583
2353	2353	(a) The applicant's His or her full name, age, social 1584
2354	2354	security number, residence address, business address, mailing 1585
2355	2355	address, contact telephone numbers, including a business 1586
2356	2356	telephone number, and e-mail address. 1587
2357	2357	(b) A statement indicating the method the applicant used 1588
2358	2358	or is using to meet any required prelicensing education, 1589
2359	2359	knowledge, experience, or instructional requirements for the 1590
2360	2360	type of license applied for. 1591
2361	2361	(c) Whether the applicant he or she has been refused or 1592
2362	2362	has voluntarily surrendered or has had suspended or revoked a 1593
2363	2363	license to solicit insurance by the department or by the 1594
2364	2364	supervising officials of any state. 1595
2365	2365	(d) Whether any insurer or any managing general agent 1596
2366	2366	claims the applicant is indebted under any agency contract or 1597
2367	2367	otherwise and, if so, the name of the claimant, the nature of 1598
2368	2368	the claim, and the applicant's defense thereto, if any. 1599
2369	2369	(e) Proof that the applicant meets the requirements for 1600
2370	2370
2371	2371	HB 1281 2025
2372	2372
2373	2373
2374	2374
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2378	2378	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
2379	2379
2380	2380
2381	2381
2382	2382	the type of license for whi ch he or she is applying. 1601
2383	2383	(f) The applicant's gender (male or female). 1602
2384	2384	(g) The applicant's native language. 1603
2385	2385	(h) The highest level of education achieved by the 1604
2386	2386	applicant. 1605
2387	2387	(i) The applicant's race or ethnicity (African American, 1606
2388	2388	white, American India n, Asian, Hispanic, or other). 1607
2389	2389	(j) Such other or additional information as the department 1608
2390	2390	may deem proper to enable it to determine the character, 1609
2391	2391	experience, ability, and other qualifications of the applicant 1610
2392	2392	to hold himself or herself out to the public as an insurance 1611
2393	2393	representative. 1612
2394	2394	1613
2395	2395	However, the application must contain a statement that an 1614
2396	2396	applicant is not required to disclose his or her race or 1615
2397	2397	ethnicity, gender, or native language, that he or she will not 1616
2398	2398	be penalized for not doing so, and that the department will use 1617
2399	2399	this information exclusively for research and statistical 1618
2400	2400	purposes and to improve the quality and fairness of the 1619
2401	2401	examinations. The department may shall make provisions for 1620
2402	2402	applicants, voluntarily, to submit their cellular telephone 1621
2403	2403	numbers as part of the application process solely on a voluntary 1622
2404	2404	basis only for the purpose of two -factor authentication of 1623
2405	2405	secure login credentials only. 1624
2406	2406	(3) Each application must be accompanied by payment of any 1625
2407	2407
2408	2408	HB 1281 2025
2409	2409
2410	2410
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2413	2413	hb1281-00
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2415	2415	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
2416	2416
2417	2417
2418	2418
2419	2419	applicable fee. 1626
2420	2420	(4) An applicant for a li cense issued by the department 1627
2421	2421	under this chapter must submit a set of the individual 1628
2422	2422	applicant's fingerprints, or, if the applicant is not an 1629
2423	2423	individual, a set of the fingerprints of the sole proprietor, 1630
2424	2424	majority owner, partners, officers, and directors, to the 1631
2425	2425	department and must pay the fingerprint processing fee set forth 1632
2426	2426	in s. 624.501. Fingerprints must be processed in accordance with 1633
2427	2427	s. 624.34 and used to investigate the applicant's qualifications 1634
2428	2428	pursuant to s. 626.201. The fingerprints must be taken by a law 1635
2429	2429	enforcement agency or other department -approved entity. The 1636
2430	2430	department may not approve an application for licensure as an 1637
2431	2431	agent, customer service representative, adjuster, or service 1638
2432	2432	representative, or reinsurance intermediary if fingerprints have 1639
2433	2433	not been submitted. 1640
2434	2434	(5) The application for license filing fee prescribed in 1641
2435	2435	s. 624.501 is not subject to refund. 1642
2436	2436	(6) Members of the United States Armed Forces and their 1643
2437	2437	spouses, and veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have 1644
2438	2438	separated from service within 24 months before application for 1645
2439	2439	licensure, are exempt from the application filing fee prescribed 1646
2440	2440	in s. 624.501. Qualified individuals must provide a copy of a 1647
2441	2441	military identification card, military dependent identification 1648
2442	2442	card, military service record, military personnel file, veteran 1649
2443	2443	record, discharge paper or separation document that indicates 1650
2444	2444
2445	2445	HB 1281 2025
2446	2446
2447	2447
2448	2448
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2452	2452	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
2453	2453
2454	2454
2455	2455
2456	2456	such members are currently in good standing or such veterans 1651
2457	2457	were honorably discharged. 1652
2458	2458	(7) Pursuant to the federal Personal Responsibility and 1653
2459	2459	Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, each party is 1654
2460	2460	required to provide his or her social security number in 1655
2461	2461	accordance with this section. Disclosure of social security 1656
2462	2462	numbers obtained through this requirement must be limited to the 1657
2463	2463	purpose of administration of the Title IV -D program for child 1658
2464	2464	support enforcement. 1659
2465	2465	Section 34. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section 1660
2466	2466	626.2815, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1661
2467	2467	626.2815 Continuing education requirements. — 1662
2468	2468	(3) Each licensee except a title insurance agent must 1663
2469	2469	complete a 4-hour update course every 2 years which is specific 1664
2470	2470	to the license held by the licensee. The course must be 1665
2471	2471	developed and offered by providers and approved by the 1666
2472	2472	department. The content of the course must address all lines of 1667
2473	2473	insurance for which examination and licensure are required and 1668
2474	2474	include the following subject areas: insurance law updates, 1669
2475	2475	ethics for insurance professionals, disciplinary trends and case 1670
2476	2476	studies, industry trends, premium discounts, determining 1671
2477	2477	suitability of products and services, and other similar 1672
2478	2478	insurance-related topics the department determines are relevant 1673
2479	2479	to legally and ethically carrying out the responsibilities of 1674
2480	2480	the license granted. A licensee who holds multiple insurance 1675
2481	2481
2482	2482	HB 1281 2025
2483	2483
2484	2484
2485	2485
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2489	2489	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
2490	2490
2491	2491
2492	2492
2493	2493	licenses must comple te an update course that is specific to at 1676
2494	2494	least one of the licenses held. Except as otherwise specified, 1677
2495	2495	any remaining required hours of continuing education are 1678
2496	2496	elective and may consist of any continuing education course 1679
2497	2497	approved by the department under this section. 1680
2498	2498	(c) A licensee who has been licensed for 25 years or more 1681
2499	2499	is not required to complete any continuing education elective 1682
2500	2500	hours if it is determined that the licensee also possesses one 1683
2501	2501	of the following qualifications: 1684
2502	2502	1. Has received a char tered life underwriter designation; 1685
2503	2503	2. Has received a chartered property and casualty 1686
2504	2504	underwriter designation; or 1687
2505	2505	3. Has received a bachelor of science degree or higher in 1688
2506	2506	risk management or insurance, with evidence of 18 or more 1689
2507	2507	semester hours in insu rance-related courses and is a CLU or a 1690
2508	2508	CPCU or has a Bachelor of Science degree or higher in risk 1691
2509	2509	management or insurance with evidence of 18 or more semester 1692
2510	2510	hours in insurance-related courses must also complete a minimum 1693
2511	2511	of 6 hours of elective continuin g education courses every 2 1694
2512	2512	years. 1695
2513	2513	Section 35. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section 1696
2514	2514	626.292, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1697
2515	2515	626.292 Transfer of license from another state. — 1698
2516	2516	(2) To qualify for a license transfer, an individual 1699
2517	2517	applicant must meet the following requirements: 1700
2518	2518
2519	2519	HB 1281 2025
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2521	2521
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2526	2526	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
2527	2527
2528	2528
2529	2529
2530	2530	(c) The individual must submit a completed application for 1701
2531	2531	this state which is received by the department within 90 days 1702
2532	2532	after the date the individual became a resident of this state, 1703
2533	2533	along with payment of the appli cable fees set forth in s. 1704
2534	2534	624.501 and submission of the following documents: 1705
2535	2535	1. A certification issued by the appropriate official of 1706
2536	2536	the applicant's home state identifying the type of license and 1707
2537	2537	lines of authority under the license and stating that , at the 1708
2538	2538	time the license from the home state was canceled, the applicant 1709
2539	2539	was in good standing in that state or that the state's Producer 1710
2540	2540	Database records, maintained by the National Association of 1711
2541	2541	Insurance Commissioners, its affiliates, or subsidiaries, 1712
2542	2542	indicate that the agent or all -lines adjuster is or was licensed 1713
2543	2543	in good standing for the line of authority requested. 1714
2544	2544	2. A set of the applicant's fingerprints in accordance 1715
2545	2545	with s. 626.171(4). 1716
2546	2546	Section 36. Paragraph (h) of subsection (1) of section 1717
2547	2547	626.611, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1718
2548	2548	626.611 Grounds for compulsory refusal, suspension, or 1719
2549	2549	revocation of agent's, title agency's, adjuster's, customer 1720
2550	2550	representative's, service representative's, or managing general 1721
2551	2551	agent's license or appointment. — 1722
2552	2552	(1) The department shall deny an application for, suspend, 1723
2553	2553	revoke, or refuse to renew or continue the license or 1724
2554	2554	appointment of any applicant, agent, title agency, adjuster, 1725
2555	2555
2556	2556	HB 1281 2025
2557	2557
2558	2558
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2563	2563	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
2564	2564
2565	2565
2566	2566
2567	2567	customer representative, service representative, or managing 1726
2568	2568	general agent, and it shall suspend or revoke the eligibility to 1727
2569	2569	hold a license or appointment of any such person, if it finds 1728
2570	2570	that as to the applicant, licensee, or appointee any one or more 1729
2571	2571	of the following applicable grounds exist: 1730
2572	2572	(h) Demonstrated lack of technical ability reasonably 1731
2573	2573	adequate knowledge and technical competence in the duties and 1732
2574	2574	responsibilities deemed necessary by the department to engage in 1733
2575	2575	the transactions authorized by the license or appointment. 1734
2576	2576	Section 37. Subsections (10) and (16) of section 626.621, 1735
2577	2577	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1736
2578	2578	626.621 Grounds for discretionary refusal, suspension, or 1737
2579	2579	revocation of agent's, adjuster's, customer representative's, 1738
2580	2580	service representative's, or managing general agent's license or 1739
2581	2581	appointment.—The department may, in its discretion, deny an 1740
2582	2582	application for, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew or continue 1741
2583	2583	the license or appointment of any applicant, agent, adjuster, 1742
2584	2584	customer representative, service representative, or managing 1743
2585	2585	general agent, and it may sus pend or revoke the eligibility to 1744
2586	2586	hold a license or appointment of any such person, if it finds 1745
2587	2587	that as to the applicant, licensee, or appointee any one or more 1746
2588	2588	of the following applicable grounds exist under circumstances 1747
2589	2589	for which such denial, suspension , revocation, or refusal is not 1748
2590	2590	mandatory under s. 626.611: 1749
2591	2591	(10) Failure to inform the department in writing within 30 1750
2592	2592
2593	2593	HB 1281 2025
2594	2594
2595	2595
2596	2596
2597	2597	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2598	2598	hb1281-00
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2600	2600	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
2601	2601
2602	2602
2603	2603
2604	2604	days after pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, or being 1751
2605	2605	convicted or found guilty of, any felony or a crime punishable 1752
2606	2606	by imprisonment of 1 year or more , or a misdemeanor directly 1753
2607	2607	related to the financial services business, under the law of the 1754
2608	2608	United States or of any state thereof, or under the law of any 1755
2609	2609	other country without regard to whether a judgment of conviction 1756
2610	2610	has been entered by the court having jurisdiction of the case. 1757
2611	2611	(16) Taking an action that allows the personal financial 1758
2612	2612	or medical information of a consumer or customer to be made 1759
2613	2613	available or accessible to the general public, regardless of the 1760
2614	2614	format in which the reco rd is stored. 1761
2615	2615	(a) The department, having good cause to believe that a 1762
2616	2616	licensee does not possess the proper knowledge as to the kinds 1763
2617	2617	of insurance for which the person is licensed, and of the 1764
2618	2618	pertinent provisions of the laws of this state, may, at any 1765
2619	2619	time, require him or her to submit to an examination or 1766
2620	2620	reexamination. Good cause as used in this paragraph must be 1767
2621	2621	construed to mean that a licensee's history of consumer 1768
2622	2622	complaints, violations of the insurance code, warnings, or other 1769
2623	2623	evidence is sufficient to indicate that he or she is not 1770
2624	2624	qualified to be licensed to transact insurance in this state. 1771
2625	2625	(b) Refusal or neglect of the licensee to submit to, or 1772
2626	2626	failing to secure a passing grade on, such examination or 1773
2627	2627	reexamination within 30 days after a wri tten demand to retest 1774
2628	2628	shall be grounds for suspension or revocation of his or her 1775
2629	2629
2630	2630	HB 1281 2025
2631	2631
2632	2632
2633	2633
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2637	2637	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
2638	2638
2639	2639
2640	2640
2641	2641	license. 1776
2642	2642	Section 38. Subsection (1) of section 626.731, Florida 1777
2643	2643	Statutes, is amended to read: 1778
2644	2644	626.731 Qualifications for general lines agent's license. — 1779
2645	2645	(1) The department may shall not grant or issue a license 1780
2646	2646	as general lines agent to any individual found by it to be 1781
2647	2647	untrustworthy or incompetent or who does not meet each all of 1782
2648	2648	the following qualifications: 1783
2649	2649	(a) The applicant is a natural person at least 18 years of 1784
2650	2650	age. 1785
2651	2651	(b) The applicant is a United States citizen or legal 1786
2652	2652	alien who possesses work authorization from the United States 1787
2653	2653	Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and is a bona 1788
2654	2654	fide resident of this state. An individual who is a bona fide 1789
2655	2655	resident of this state shall be deemed to meet the residence 1790
2656	2656	requirement of this paragraph, notwithstanding the existence at 1791
2657	2657	the time of application for license of a license in his or her 1792
2658	2658	name on the records of another state as a resident licensee of 1793
2659	2659	such other state, if the applicant furnishes a letter of 1794
2660	2660	clearance satisfactory to the department that the resident 1795
2661	2661	licenses have been canceled or changed to a nonresident basis 1796
2662	2662	and that he or she is in good standing. 1797
2663	2663	(c) The applicant's place of business will be loca ted in 1798
2664	2664	this state and he or she will be actively engaged in the 1799
2665	2665	business of insurance and will maintain a place of business, the 1800
2666	2666
2667	2667	HB 1281 2025
2668	2668
2669	2669
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2674	2674	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
2675	2675
2676	2676
2677	2677
2678	2678	location of which is identifiable by and accessible to the 1801
2679	2679	public. 1802
2680	2680	(d) The license is not being sought for the purpose of 1803
2681	2681	writing or handling controlled business, in violation of s. 1804
2682	2682	626.730. 1805
2683	2683	(e) The applicant is qualified as to knowledge, 1806
2684	2684	experience, or instruction in the business of insurance and 1807
2685	2685	meets the requirements provided in s. 626.732. 1808
2686	2686	(f) The applicant has passed an y required examination for 1809
2687	2687	license required under s. 626.221. 1810
2688	2688	Section 39. Subsection (2) of section 626.785, Florida 1811
2689	2689	Statutes, is amended to read: 1812
2690	2690	626.785 Qualifications for license. — 1813
2691	2691	(2) An individual who is a bona fide resident of this 1814
2692	2692	state shall be deemed to meet the residence requirement of 1815
2693	2693	paragraph (1)(b), notwithstanding the existence at the time of 1816
2694	2694	application for license of a license in his or her name on the 1817
2695	2695	records of another state as a resident licensee of such other 1818
2696	2696	state, if the applicant furnishes a letter of clearance 1819
2697	2697	satisfactory to the department that the resident licenses have 1820
2698	2698	been canceled or changed to a nonresident basis and that he or 1821
2699	2699	she is in good standing. 1822
2700	2700	Section 40. Section 626.831, Florida Statutes, is amended 1823
2701	2701	to read: 1824
2702	2702	626.831 Qualifications for license. — 1825
2703	2703
2704	2704	HB 1281 2025
2705	2705
2706	2706
2707	2707
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2711	2711	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
2712	2712
2713	2713
2714	2714
2715	2715	(1) The department may shall not grant or issue a license 1826
2716	2716	as health agent as to any individual found by it to be 1827
2717	2717	untrustworthy or incompetent, or who does not meet all of the 1828
2718	2718	following qualifications: 1829
2719	2719	(1)(a) Is Must be a natural person of at least 18 years of 1830
2720	2720	age. 1831
2721	2721	(2)(b) Is Must be a United States citizen or legal alien 1832
2722	2722	who possesses work authorization from the United States Bureau 1833
2723	2723	of Citizenship and Immigration Services and is a bona fide 1834
2724	2724	resident of this sta te. 1835
2725	2725	(3)(c) Is Must not be an employee of the United States 1836
2726	2726	Department of Veterans Affairs or state service office, as 1837
2727	2727	referred to in s. 626.833. 1838
2728	2728	(4)(d) Has taken Must take and passed pass any examination 1839
2729	2729	for license required under s. 626.221. 1840
2730	2730	(5)(e) Is Must be qualified as to knowledge, experience, 1841
2731	2731	or instruction in the business of insurance and meets meet the 1842
2732	2732	requirements relative thereto provided in s. 626.8311. 1843
2733	2733	(2) An individual who is a bona fide resident of this 1844
2734	2734	state shall be deemed to meet th e residence requirement of 1845
2735	2735	paragraph (1)(b), notwithstanding the existence at the time of 1846
2736	2736	application for license of a license in his or her name on the 1847
2737	2737	records of another state as a resident licensee of such other 1848
2738	2738	state, if the applicant furnishes a lette r of clearance 1849
2739	2739	satisfactory to the department that the resident licenses have 1850
2740	2740
2741	2741	HB 1281 2025
2742	2742
2743	2743
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2748	2748	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
2749	2749
2750	2750
2751	2751
2752	2752	been canceled or changed to a nonresident basis and that he or 1851
2753	2753	she is in good standing. 1852
2754	2754	Section 41. Subsection (6) of section 626.8417, Florida 1853
2755	2755	Statutes, is amended to read: 1854
2756	2756	626.8417 Title insurance agent licensure; exemptions. — 1855
2757	2757	(6) If an attorney owns a corporation or other legal 1856
2758	2758	entity that is doing business as a title insurance agency, other 1857
2759	2759	than an entity engaged in the active practice of law, the agency 1858
2760	2760	must be licensed and appointed as a title insurance agency 1859
2761	2761	agent. 1860
2762	2762	Section 42. Subsection (4) is added to section 626.843, 1861
2763	2763	Florida Statutes, to read: 1862
2764	2764	626.843 Renewal, continuation, reinstatement, termination 1863
2765	2765	of title insurance agent's and title insurance agency's 1864
2766	2766	appointments.— 1865
2767	2767	(4) The department must cancel appointments of a title 1866
2768	2768	insurance agency if the agency fails to pay the annual title 1867
2769	2769	insurance agency administrative surcharge under s. 624.501 by 1868
2770	2770	April 1 of each reporting year. The title insurance agency is 1869
2771	2771	not eligible for appointment until the title insurance agency 1870
2772	2772	pays the administrative surcharge. 1871
2773	2773	Section 43. Subsection (5) of section 626.8473, Florida 1872
2774	2774	Statutes, is amended to read: 1873
2775	2775	626.8473 Escrow; trust fund. — 1874
2776	2776	(5) The title insurance agency shall maintain separate 1875
2777	2777
2778	2778	HB 1281 2025
2779	2779
2780	2780
2781	2781
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2785	2785	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
2786	2786
2787	2787
2788	2788
2789	2789	records of all receipts and disbursements of escrow, settlement, 1876
2790	2790	or closing funds. The title insurance agency shall disclose all 1877
2791	2791	fees associated with closing services to the consumer before 1878
2792	2792	closing. The title insurance agency may not charge any fee that 1879
2793	2793	was not disclosed to the consumer as provided in this 1880
2794	2794	subsection. 1881
2795	2795	Section 44. Subsections (4) and (5) are added to section 1882
2796	2796	626.878, Florida Statutes, to read: 1883
2797	2797	626.878 Rules; code of ethics. — 1884
2798	2798	(4) In order to ensure fair dealing in estimating losses, 1885
2799	2799	an adjuster shall adhere to any requirement established by rule 1886
2800	2800	when preparing and submitting a written estimate of loss. Such 1887
2801	2801	requirements cannot be waived by the insured or the insurance 1888
2802	2802	company. 1889
2803	2803	(5) The department may adopt rules to implement this 1890
2804	2804	section. 1891
2805	2805	Section 45. Subsection (1) of section 626.927, Florida 1892
2806	2806	Statutes, is amended to read: 1893
2807	2807	626.927 Licensing of surplus lines agent. — 1894
2808	2808	(1) Any individual, while licensed as a general lines 1895
2809	2809	agent under this code, and who has a minimum of 1 year of 1896
2810	2810	experience working for a licensed surplus lines agent , who has 1897
2811	2811	received a degree in insurance from an accredited institution of 1898
2812	2812	higher learning approved by the department which included 3 1899
2813	2813	credit hours of instruction in surplus and excess lines, or who 1900
2814	2814
2815	2815	HB 1281 2025
2816	2816
2817	2817
2818	2818
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2822	2822	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
2823	2823
2824	2824
2825	2825
2826	2826	has successfully completed 60 class hours in surplus and excess 1901
2827	2827	lines in a course approved by the department, may, upon taking 1902
2828	2828	and successfully passing a written examination as to surplus 1903
2829	2829	lines, as given by the department, be licensed as a surplus 1904
2830	2830	lines agent solely for the purpose of placing with surplus lines 1905
2831	2831	insurers property, marine, casualty, or surety coverages 1906
2832	2832	originated by general lines agents. 1907
2833	2833	Section 46. Subsections (11), (12), and (13) are adde d to 1908
2834	2834	section 626.938, Florida Statutes, to read: 1909
2835	2835	626.938 Report and tax of independently procured 1910
2836	2836	coverages.— 1911
2837	2837	(11) Each insured who in this state procures or causes to 1912
2838	2838	be procured or continues or renews insurance from another state 1913
2839	2839	or country with an u nauthorized, foreign, or alien insurer 1914
2840	2840	legitimately licensed in that jurisdiction, or any self -insurer 1915
2841	2841	who in this state so procures or continues excess loss, 1916
2842	2842	catastrophe, or other insurance, upon a subject of insurance 1917
2843	2843	resident, located, or to be performe d within this state shall 1918
2844	2844	maintain in his or her office in this state for a period of 3 1919
2845	2845	years a full and true record of each insurance contract, 1920
2846	2846	including applications and all certificates, cover notes, and 1921
2847	2847	other forms of confirmation of insurance coverage and any 1922
2848	2848	substitutions or endorsements relative to the contract procured 1923
2849	2849	by the insured and showing any of the following items as may be 1924
2850	2850	applicable: 1925
2851	2851
2852	2852	HB 1281 2025
2853	2853
2854	2854
2855	2855
2856	2856	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2857	2857	hb1281-00
2858	2858	Page 78 of 92
2859	2859	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
2860	2860
2861	2861
2862	2862
2863	2863	(a) Amount of the insurance and perils insured against. 1926
2864	2864	(b) Brief general description of property insur ed and 1927
2865	2865	where located. 1928
2866	2866	(c) Gross premium charged. 1929
2867	2867	(d) Return premium collected, if any. 1930
2868	2868	(e) Rate of premium charged upon the several items of 1931
2869	2869	property. 1932
2870	2870	(f) Effective date of the contract, and the terms of the 1933
2871	2871	contract. 1934
2872	2872	(g) Name and address of the insured. 1935
2873	2873	(h) Name and home office address of the insurer. 1936
2874	2874	(i) Amount paid to the insurer. 1937
2875	2875	(j) Other information as may be required by the department 1938
2876	2876	or the Florida Surplus Lines Service Office. 1939
2877	2877	(12) The records must at all times be available for 1940
2878	2878	examination by the department or the Florida Surplus Lines 1941
2879	2879	Service Office, without prior notice, and must be maintained as 1942
2880	2880	provided in subsection (11). 1943
2881	2881	(13) Each unauthorized, foreign, or alien insurer or 1944
2882	2882	captive insurance company receiving premiums under this section 1945
2883	2883	shall, in accordance with s. 626.931(3) and (4) or, if not 1946
2884	2884	applicable, on or before March 31 of each year, file with the 1947
2885	2885	Florida Surplus Lines Service Office in the manner and form 1948
2886	2886	directed by the Florida Surplus Lines Service Office a verifie d 1949
2887	2887	report of all insurance transacted by such entity for insurance 1950
2888	2888
2889	2889	HB 1281 2025
2890	2890
2891	2891
2892	2892
2893	2893	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2894	2894	hb1281-00
2895	2895	Page 79 of 92
2896	2896	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
2897	2897
2898	2898
2899	2899
2900	2900	risks located in this state during the preceding calendar year. 1951
2901	2901	Section 47. Paragraph (t) of subsection (1) of section 1952
2902	2902	626.9541, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1953
2903	2903	626.9541 Unfair methods of competition and unfair or 1954
2904	2904	deceptive acts or practices defined. — 1955
2905	2905	(1) UNFAIR METHODS OF COMPETITION AND UNFAIR OR DECEPTIVE 1956
2906	2906	ACTS.—The following are defined as unfair methods of competition 1957
2907	2907	and unfair or deceptive acts or practices: 1958
2908	2908	(t) Certain life insurance relations with funeral 1959
2909	2909	directors prohibited. — 1960
2910	2910	1. No life insurer shall permit any funeral director or 1961
2911	2911	direct disposer to act as its representative, adjuster, claim 1962
2912	2912	agent, special claim agent, or agent for such insurer in 1963
2913	2913	soliciting, negotiating, or effecting contracts of life 1964
2914	2914	insurance on any plan or of any nature issued by such insurer or 1965
2915	2915	in collecting premiums for holders of any such contracts except 1966
2916	2916	as prescribed in s. 626.785(2) s. 626.785(3). 1967
2917	2917	2. No life insurer shall: 1968
2918	2918	a. Affix, or permit to be affixed, advertising matter of 1969
2919	2919	any kind or character of any licensed funeral director or direct 1970
2920	2920	disposer to such policies of insurance. 1971
2921	2921	b. Circulate, or permit to be circulated, any such 1972
2922	2922	advertising matter with such insurance policies. 1973
2923	2923	c. Attempt in any manner or form to influence 1974
2924	2924	policyholders of the insurer to employ the services of any 1975
2925	2925
2926	2926	HB 1281 2025
2927	2927
2928	2928
2929	2929
2930	2930	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2931	2931	hb1281-00
2932	2932	Page 80 of 92
2933	2933	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
2934	2934
2935	2935
2936	2936
2937	2937	particular licensed funeral director or direct disposer. 1976
2938	2938	3. No such insurer shall maintain, or permit its agent to 1977
2939	2939	maintain, an office or place of business in the office, 1978
2940	2940	establishment, or place of business of any funeral director or 1979
2941	2941	direct disposer in this state. 1980
2942	2942	Section 48. Section 627.70151, Florida Statutes, is 1981
2943	2943	amended to read: 1982
2944	2944	627.70151 Appraisal; conflicts of interest. —An insurer 1983
2945	2945	that offers residential coverage as defined in s. 627.4025, or a 1984
2946	2946	policyholder that uses an appraisal clause in a property 1985
2947	2947	insurance contract to establish a process for estimating or 1986
2948	2948	evaluating the amount of loss through the use of an impartial 1987
2949	2949	appraiser or umpire, may challenge an appraiser's or umpire's 1988
2950	2950	impartiality and disquali fy the proposed appraiser or umpire 1989
2951	2951	only if: 1990
2952	2952	(1) A familial relationship within the third degree exists 1991
2953	2953	between the appraiser or umpire and a party or a representative 1992
2954	2954	of a party; 1993
2955	2955	(2) The appraiser or umpire has previously represented a 1994
2956	2956	party in a professional capacity in the same claim or matter 1995
2957	2957	involving the same property; 1996
2958	2958	(3) The appraiser or umpire has represented another person 1997
2959	2959	in a professional capacity on the same or a substantially 1998
2960	2960	related matter that includes the claim, the same property or a n 1999
2961	2961	adjacent property, and the other person's interests are 2000
2962	2962
2963	2963	HB 1281 2025
2964	2964
2965	2965
2966	2966
2967	2967	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2968	2968	hb1281-00
2969	2969	Page 81 of 92
2970	2970	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
2971	2971
2972	2972
2973	2973
2974	2974	materially adverse to the interests of a party; or 2001
2975	2975	(4) The appraiser or umpire has worked as an employer or 2002
2976	2976	employee of a party within the preceding 5 years. 2003
2977	2977	Section 49. Paragraphs (j), (k), a nd (l) of subsection (1) 2004
2978	2978	of section 627.776, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as 2005
2979	2979	paragraphs (k), (l), and (m), respectively, paragraph (a) of 2006
2980	2980	subsection (2) is amended, and a new paragraph (j) is added to 2007
2981	2981	subsection (1) of that section, to read: 2008
2982	2982	627.776 Applicability or inapplicability of Florida 2009
2983	2983	Insurance Code provisions to title insurers. — 2010
2984	2984	(1) In addition to any other provisions of law applicable 2011
2985	2985	to title insurers, title insurers are subject to the following 2012
2986	2986	provisions of this code: 2013
2987	2987	(j) Section 626.451. 2014
2988	2988	(2) The following provisions of this code do not apply to 2015
2989	2989	title insurance: 2016
2990	2990	(a) Part I of chapter 626 (insurance representatives; 2017
2991	2991	licensing procedures and general requirements) , except s. 2018
2992	2992	626.451. 2019
2993	2993	Section 50. Paragraphs (b) and (f) of subse ction (1) of 2020
2994	2994	section 631.271, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 2021
2995	2995	631.271 Priority of claims. — 2022
2996	2996	(1) The priority of distribution of claims from the 2023
2997	2997	insurer's estate shall be in accordance with the order in which 2024
2998	2998	each class of claims is set forth in t his subsection. Every 2025
2999	2999
3000	3000	HB 1281 2025
3001	3001
3002	3002
3003	3003
3004	3004	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3005	3005	hb1281-00
3006	3006	Page 82 of 92
3007	3007	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
3008	3008
3009	3009
3010	3010
3011	3011	claim in each class shall be paid in full or adequate funds 2026
3012	3012	shall be retained for such payment before the members of the 2027
3013	3013	next class may receive any payment. No subclasses may be 2028
3014	3014	established within any class. The order of distribution of 2029
3015	3015	claims shall be: 2030
3016	3016	(b) Class 2.—All claims under policies for losses 2031
3017	3017	incurred, including third -party claims, all claims against the 2032
3018	3018	insurer for liability for bodily injury or for injury to or 2033
3019	3019	destruction of tangible property which claims are not under 2034
3020	3020	policies, all claims of a guaranty association or foreign 2035
3021	3021	guaranty association, and all claims related to a patient's 2036
3022	3022	health care coverage by physicians, hospitals, and other 2037
3023	3023	providers of a health insurer or health maintenance 2038
3024	3024	organization. All claims under life insurance and annuity 2039
3025	3025	policies, whether for death proceeds, annuity proceeds, or 2040
3026	3026	investment values, shall be treated as loss claims. That portion 2041
3027	3027	of any loss, indemnification for which is provided by other 2042
3028	3028	benefits or advantages recovered by the clai mant, may not be 2043
3029	3029	included in this class, other than benefits or advantages 2044
3030	3030	recovered or recoverable in discharge of familial obligations of 2045
3031	3031	support or by way of succession at death or as proceeds of life 2046
3032	3032	insurance, or as gratuities. No payment by an employ er to her or 2047
3033	3033	his employee may be treated as a gratuity. Notwithstanding any 2048
3034	3034	other provision of this part, the following claims are excluded 2049
3035	3035	from Class 2 priority and must be paid as claims in Class 6: 2050
3036	3036
3037	3037	HB 1281 2025
3038	3038
3039	3039
3040	3040
3041	3041	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3042	3042	hb1281-00
3043	3043	Page 83 of 92
3044	3044	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
3045	3045
3046	3046
3047	3047
3048	3048	1. Obligations of the insolvent insurer arising out o f 2051
3049	3049	reinsurance contracts; and 2052
3050	3050	2. Claims against the insurer for bad faith or wrongful 2053
3051	3051	settlement practices. 2054
3052	3052	(f) Class 6.—Claims of general creditors , including claims 2055
3053	3053	under reinsurance contracts and claims of other unsecured 2056
3054	3054	creditors not included in Cl asses 1-5 or Classes 7-11. 2057
3055	3055	Section 51. Section 633.139, Florida Statutes, is created 2058
3056	3056	to read: 2059
3057	3057	633.139 Firefighter recruitment and retention bonus 2060
3058	3058	program.— 2061
3059	3059	(1) For the purposes of this section, the term: 2062
3060	3060	(a) "Division" means the Division of State Fire Marshal 2063
3061	3061	within the Department of Financial Services. 2064
3062	3062	(b) "Fire service provider" means a municipality or 2065
3063	3063	county, the state, the division, or any political subdivision of 2066
3064	3064	the state, including authorities and special districts, that 2067
3065	3065	employs firefighters to provide fire extinguishment or fire 2068
3066	3066	prevention services for the protection of life and property. The 2069
3067	3067	term includes any organization under contract or other agreement 2070
3068	3068	with such entity to provide such services. 2071
3069	3069	(c) "Firefighter" has the sam e meaning as provided in s. 2072
3070	3070	633.102. 2073
3071	3071	(d) "Newly employed firefighter" means a person who gains 2074
3072	3072	or is appointed to full -time employment as a certified 2075
3073	3073
3074	3074	HB 1281 2025
3075	3075
3076	3076
3077	3077
3078	3078	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3079	3079	hb1281-00
3080	3080	Page 84 of 92
3081	3081	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
3082	3082
3083	3083
3084	3084
3085	3085	firefighter with a fire service provider on or after July 1, 2076
3086	3086	2025, and who has never before been employe d as a firefighter in 2077
3087	3087	this state. 2078
3088	3088	(e) "Program" means the Florida Firefighter Recruitment 2079
3089	3089	Bonus Payment Program. 2080
3090	3090	(2) There is created within the department the Florida 2081
3091	3091	Firefighter Recruitment Bonus Payment Program to aid in the 2082
3092	3092	recruitment of firefight ers within this state. The purpose of 2083
3093	3093	the program is to administer one -time bonus payments of up to 2084
3094	3094	$5,000 to each newly employed firefighter within this state. 2085
3095	3095	Bonus payments provided to eligible newly employed firefighters 2086
3096	3096	are contingent upon legislative appropriations and must be 2087
3097	3097	prorated subject to the amount appropriated for the program. 2088
3098	3098	(3) Each bonus payment must be adjusted to include 7.65 2089
3099	3099	percent for the newly employed firefighter's share of Federal 2090
3100	3100	Insurance Contributions Act tax on the payment. 2091
3101	3101	(4) The department shall develop an annual plan for the 2092
3102	3102	administration of the program and distribution of bonus 2093
3103	3103	payments. Applicable employing fire service providers shall 2094
3104	3104	assist the department with the collection of any data necessary 2095
3105	3105	to determine bonus payment amounts and to distribute the bonus 2096
3106	3106	payments and shall otherwise provide the department with any 2097
3107	3107	information or assistance needed to fulfill the requirements of 2098
3108	3108	this section. At a minimum, the plan must include: 2099
3109	3109	(a) The method for determining t he estimated number of 2100
3110	3110
3111	3111	HB 1281 2025
3112	3112
3113	3113
3114	3114
3115	3115	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3116	3116	hb1281-00
3117	3117	Page 85 of 92
3118	3118	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
3119	3119
3120	3120
3121	3121
3122	3122	newly employed firefighters to gain or be appointed to full -time 2101
3123	3123	employment during the applicable fiscal year. 2102
3124	3124	(b) The minimum eligibility requirements that a newly 2103
3125	3125	employed firefighter must meet to receive and retain a bonus 2104
3126	3126	payment, which must include all of the following: 2105
3127	3127	1. Obtain certification for employment or appointment as a 2106
3128	3128	firefighter pursuant to s. 633.408. 2107
3129	3129	2. Gain full-time employment with a fire service provider. 2108
3130	3130	3. Maintain continuous full -time employment with a fire 2109
3131	3131	service provider for at least 2 years from the date on which the 2110
3132	3132	firefighter obtained certification. The required 2 -year 2111
3133	3133	employment period must be with the same employing fire service 2112
3134	3134	provider. 2113
3135	3135	(c) The method that will be used to determine the bonus 2114
3136	3136	payment amount to be distributed to each newly employed 2115
3137	3137	firefighter. 2116
3138	3138	(d) The method that will be used to distribute bonus 2117
3139	3139	payments to applicable employing fire service providers for 2118
3140	3140	distribution to eligible firefighters. Such method should 2119
3141	3141	prioritize distributing bonus payments to eligible firefighters 2120
3142	3142	in the most efficient and expedient manner possible. 2121
3143	3143	(e) The estimated cost to the department associated with 2122
3144	3144	developing and administering the program and distributing bonus 2123
3145	3145	payment funds. 2124
3146	3146	(f) The method by which a firefighter must reimburse the 2125
3147	3147
3148	3148	HB 1281 2025
3149	3149
3150	3150
3151	3151
3152	3152	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3153	3153	hb1281-00
3154	3154	Page 86 of 92
3155	3155	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
3156	3156
3157	3157
3158	3158
3159	3159	state if he or she receives a bonus payment under the program 2126
3160	3160	but fails to maintain continuous employment for the required 2 - 2127
3161	3161	year period. Reimbursement may not be required if a firefighter 2128
3162	3162	is discharged by his or her employing fire service provider for 2129
3163	3163	a reason other than misconduct. The department may establish 2130
3164	3164	other criteria deemed necessary to determine bonus payment 2131
3165	3165	eligibility and distribution. 2132
3166	3166	(5) The department shall consult quarterly with the 2133
3167	3167	division to verify the certification of newly employed 2134
3168	3168	firefighters and any separation from employment of newly 2135
3169	3169	employed firefighters submitted to the division. 2136
3170	3170	(6) The department shall submit the plan to the Executive 2137
3171	3171	Office of the Governor's Office of Policy an d Budget, the chair 2138
3172	3172	of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and the chair of the 2139
3173	3173	House Appropriations Committee by October 1 annually. The 2140
3174	3174	department is authorized to submit budget amendments pursuant to 2141
3175	3175	chapter 216 as necessary to release appropriated fun ds for 2142
3176	3176	distribution to applicable employing agencies under this 2143
3177	3177	program. 2144
3178	3178	(7) The funding allocation for the bonus payments must be 2145
3179	3179	used solely to comply with the requirements of this section, but 2146
3180	3180	applicable collective bargaining units are not otherwise 2147
3181	3181	precluded from wage negotiation. 2148
3182	3182	(8) The department shall adopt rules to implement this 2149
3183	3183	section. 2150
3184	3184
3185	3185	HB 1281 2025
3186	3186
3187	3187
3188	3188
3189	3189	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3190	3190	hb1281-00
3191	3191	Page 87 of 92
3192	3192	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
3193	3193
3194	3194
3195	3195
3196	3196	(9) This section expires July 1, 2028. 2151
3197	3197	Section 52. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) and 2152
3198	3198	subsections (3) and (7) of section 633.216, Florida Statutes, 2153
3199	3199	are amended to read: 2154
3200	3200	633.216 Inspection of buildings and equipment; orders; 2155
3201	3201	firesafety inspection training requirements; certification; 2156
3202	3202	disciplinary action. —The State Fire Marshal and her or his 2157
3203	3203	agents or persons authorized to enforce laws and rules of the 2158
3204	3204	State Fire Marshal shall, at any reasonable hour, when the State 2159
3205	3205	Fire Marshal has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of 2160
3206	3206	this chapter or s. 509.215, or a rule adopted thereunder, or a 2161
3207	3207	minimum firesafety code adopted by the State Fire Marshal or a 2162
3208	3208	local authority, may exist, inspect any and all buildings and 2163
3209	3209	structures which are subject to the requirements of this chapter 2164
3210	3210	or s. 509.215 and rules adopted thereunder. The authority to 2165
3211	3211	inspect shall extend to all equipment, vehicles, and chemicals 2166
3212	3212	which are located on or within the premises of any such building 2167
3213	3213	or structure. 2168
3214	3214	(2) Except as provided in s. 633.312(2), every firesafety 2169
3215	3215	inspection conducted pursuant to state or local firesafety 2170
3216	3216	requirements shall be by a person certified as having met the 2171
3217	3217	inspection training requirements set by the State Fire Marshal. 2172
3218	3218	Such person shall meet the requirements of s. 633.412(1) -(4), 2173
3219	3219	and: 2174
3220	3220	(b)1. Have satisfactorily completed, as determined by 2175
3221	3221
3222	3222	HB 1281 2025
3223	3223
3224	3224
3225	3225
3226	3226	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3227	3227	hb1281-00
3228	3228	Page 88 of 92
3229	3229	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
3230	3230
3231	3231
3232	3232
3233	3233	division rule, a firesafety inspector training program of at 2176
3234	3234	least 200 hours established by the department and administered 2177
3235	3235	by education or training providers approved by the department 2178
3236	3236	for the purpose of providing basic certification training for 2179
3237	3237	firesafety inspectors; or 2180
3238	3238	2. Have received training in another state which i s 2181
3239	3239	determined by the division to be at least equivalent to that 2182
3240	3240	required by the department for approved firesafety inspector 2183
3241	3241	education and training programs in this state. 2184
3242	3242	(3) A firefighter certified pursuant to s. 633.408 may 2185
3243	3243	conduct firesafety inspectio ns, under the supervision of a 2186
3244	3244	certified firesafety inspector, while on duty as a member of a 2187
3245	3245	fire department company conducting inservice firesafety 2188
3246	3246	inspections without being certified as a firesafety inspector, 2189
3247	3247	if such firefighter has satisfactorily comp leted an inservice 2190
3248	3248	fire department company inspector training program of at least 2191
3249	3249	24 hours' duration as provided by rule of the department. The 2192
3250	3250	inservice training does not allow a certified inspector whose 2193
3251	3251	certification has lapsed to continue serving as a firesafety 2194
3252	3252	inspector. 2195
3253	3253	(7) The State Fire Marshal shall develop by rule an 2196
3254	3254	advanced training and certification program for firesafety 2197
3255	3255	inspectors having fire code management responsibilities. The 2198
3256	3256	program must be consistent with the appropriate provisions o f 2199
3257	3257	NFPA 1030 1037, or similar standards adopted by rule, by the 2200
3258	3258
3259	3259	HB 1281 2025
3260	3260
3261	3261
3262	3262
3263	3263	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3264	3264	hb1281-00
3265	3265	Page 89 of 92
3266	3266	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
3267	3267
3268	3268
3269	3269
3270	3270	division, and establish minimum training, education, and 2201
3271	3271	experience levels for firesafety inspectors having fire code 2202
3272	3272	management responsibilities. 2203
3273	3273	Section 53. Subsection (3) of section 634.3077, Florida 2204
3274	3274	Statutes, is amended to read: 2205
3275	3275	634.3077 Financial requirements. — 2206
3276	3276	(3) An association may not be required to set up an 2207
3277	3277	unearned premium reserve if it has purchased contractual 2208
3278	3278	liability insurance which demonstrates to the satisfaction of 2209
3279	3279	the office that 100 percent of its claim exposure is covered by 2210
3280	3280	the liability insura nce policy such insurance. Such contractual 2211
3281	3281	liability insurance must shall be obtained from an insurer or 2212
3282	3282	insurers that hold a certificate of authority to do business 2213
3283	3283	within the state or from an insurer or insurers approved by the 2214
3284	3284	office as financially cap able of meeting the obligations 2215
3285	3285	incurred pursuant to the policy. For purposes of this 2216
3286	3286	subsection, the contractual liability policy must shall contain 2217
3287	3287	the following provisions: 2218
3288	3288	(a) In the event that the home warranty association is 2219
3289	3289	unable to fulfill its o bligation under its contracts issued in 2220
3290	3290	this state for any reason, including insolvency, bankruptcy, or 2221
3291	3291	dissolution, the contractual liability insurer will pay losses 2222
3292	3292	and unearned premiums under such plans directly to persons 2223
3293	3293	making claims under such contr acts. 2224
3294	3294	(b) The insurer issuing the policy shall assume full 2225
3295	3295
3296	3296	HB 1281 2025
3297	3297
3298	3298
3299	3299
3300	3300	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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3303	3303	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
3304	3304
3305	3305
3306	3306
3307	3307	responsibility for the administration of claims in the event of 2226
3308	3308	the inability of the association to do so. 2227
3309	3309	(c) The policy may not be canceled or not renewed by the 2228
3310	3310	insurer or the association un less 60 days' written notice 2229
3311	3311	thereof has been given to the office by the insurer before the 2230
3312	3312	date of such cancellation or nonrenewal. 2231
3313	3313	(d) The contractual liability insurance policy must shall 2232
3314	3314	insure all covered home warranty contracts that were issued 2233
3315	3315	while the policy was in effect regardless of whether or not the 2234
3316	3316	premium has been remitted to the insurer. 2235
3317	3317	(e) The contractual liability insurance policy may either 2236
3318	3318	pay 100 percent of claims as they are incurred or pay 100 2237
3319	3319	percent of claims due in the event of the association's failure 2238
3320	3320	to pay such claims when due. 2239
3321	3321	Section 54. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 2240
3322	3322	634.406, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (g) is 2241
3323	3323	added to that subsection, to read: 2242
3324	3324	634.406 Financial requirements. — 2243
3325	3325	(3) An association will not be required to establish an 2244
3326	3326	unearned premium reserve if it has purchased contractual 2245
3327	3327	liability insurance which demonstrates to the satisfaction of 2246
3328	3328	the office that 100 percent of its claim exposure is covered by 2247
3329	3329	such policy. The contrac tual liability insurance shall be 2248
3330	3330	obtained from an insurer that holds a certificate of authority 2249
3331	3331	to do business within the state. For the purposes of this 2250
3332	3332
3333	3333	HB 1281 2025
3334	3334
3335	3335
3336	3336
3337	3337	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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3340	3340	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
3341	3341
3342	3342
3343	3343
3344	3344	subsection, the contractual liability policy shall contain the 2251
3345	3345	following provisions: 2252
3346	3346	(a) In the event that the service warranty association 2253
3347	3347	does not fulfill its obligation under covered contracts issued 2254
3348	3348	in this state for any reason, including insolvency, bankruptcy, 2255
3349	3349	or dissolution, the contractual liability insurer will pay 2256
3350	3350	losses and unearned premium r efunds under such plans directly to 2257
3351	3351	the person making a claim under the contract. 2258
3352	3352	(g) The contractual liability insurance policy may either 2259
3353	3353	pay 100 percent of claims as they are incurred or pay 100 2260
3354	3354	percent of claims due in the event of the failure of the 2261
3355	3355	association to pay such claims when due. 2262
3356	3356	Section 55. Subsection (2) of section 648.33, Florida 2263
3357	3357	Statutes, is amended to read: 2264
3358	3358	648.33 Bail bond rates. — 2265
3359	3359	(2) It is unlawful for a bail bond agent to execute a bail 2266
3360	3360	bond without charging a premium theref or, and the premium rate 2267
3361	3361	may not exceed or be less than the premium rate as filed with 2268
3362	3362	and approved by the office. Bail bond agents may collect the 2269
3363	3363	exact amount of any discount, or other such fee charged by a 2270
3364	3364	credit card facility in connection with the use of a credit 2271
3365	3365	card, in addition to the premium required by the insurer. 2272
3366	3366	Section 56. Subsection (3) of section 791.013, Florida 2273
3367	3367	Statutes, is amended to read: 2274
3368	3368	791.013 Testing and approval of sparklers; penalties. — 2275
3369	3369
3370	3370	HB 1281 2025
3371	3371
3372	3372
3373	3373
3374	3374	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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3377	3377	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
3378	3378
3379	3379
3380	3380
3381	3381	(3) For purposes of the testing requi rement by this 2276
3382	3382	section, the division shall perform such tests as are necessary 2277
3383	3383	to determine compliance with the performance standards in the 2278
3384	3384	definition of sparklers, pursuant to s. 791.01. The State Fire 2279
3385	3385	Marshal shall adopt, by rule, procedures for testing products to 2280
3386	3386	determine compliance with this chapter. The Division of 2281
3387	3387	Investigative and Forensic Services shall dispose of any samples 2282
3388	3388	which remain after testing. 2283
3389	3389	Section 57. Subsection (1) of section 1001.281, Florida 2284
3390	3390	Statutes, is amended to read: 2285
3391	3391	1001.281 Operating Trust Fund. — 2286
3392	3392	(1) The Operating Trust Fund , FLAIR number 48-2-510, is 2287
3393	3393	created within the Department of Education. 2288
3394	3394	Section 58. Subsection (1) of section 1001.282, Florida 2289
3395	3395	Statutes, is amended to read: 2290
3396	3396	1001.282 Administrative Trust Fu nd.— 2291
3397	3397	(1) The Administrative Trust Fund , FLAIR number 48-2-021, 2292
3398	3398	is created within the Department of Education. 2293
3399	3399	Section 59. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025. 2294