Policy Perspectives: An Overview of Florida's 2024 Legislative Session

The Strategos Government Advocacy team continues to monitor the progress of education and health care bills. We also await the signed budget, which Governor Ron DeSantis will approve in the coming months. We'll continue to update you between now and the release of Strategos Group's comprehensive legislative report. Here are a few highlights from this year's Legislative Session

Online Protections for Minors (HB 3)

On March 25, Governor DeSantis signed HB 3 into law, prohibiting children under 14 from having social media accounts and allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to do so with parental consent. Speaker Paul Renner emphasized the bill's importance in safeguarding children from online dangers. HB 3 aims to protect minors online, empower parental control, and ensure Floridians' online anonymity. Additionally, the bill mandates age verification for certain websites to prevent minors from accessing inappropriate content.

Education and Deregulation of Public Schools (SB 7002, SB 7004):

The Florida Senate sent two bills, SB 7002 and SB 7004, to Governor Ron DeSantis after amendments by the House. These bills included changes originally recommended by the Senate, such as altering the age for taking the high school equivalency test, introducing new retention requirements, and implementing teaching interventions for kindergarten through second-grade students struggling with English and math. Additionally, many remaining provisions primarily impact school districts rather than students and teachers, including removing some reporting and advertising requirements. Both of these bills are pending the Governor's signature.

Health Care (SB 7016)

This bill included the revision of the Dental Student Loan Repayment Program, the creation of the Dr. and Mrs. Alfonse and Kathleen Cinotti Health Care Screening and Services Grant Program, and the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. Additionally, there were provisions for birth centers, psychiatric nurses, and a new funding program called the Training, Education, and Clinicals in Health (TEACH) Funding Program. Governor DeSantis signed the bill on March 22, 2024. 

Health Care Innovation (SB 7018):

This bill established the Health Care Innovation Council within the Department of Health to promote innovation in health care. It included provisions for annual reporting, administering a revolving loan program for healthcare innovations, and contracting with third parties for program management. Governor DeSantis signed the bill on March 21, 2024.  

We look forward to sharing the annual legislative report in the coming weeks! 

Tara Reid-Cherry, Strategos Partner

Government Advocacy