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FloridaHB 472026HouseWALLET

Specific Medical Diagnoses in Child Protective Investigations

Sponsored By: Robin Bartleman (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationHuman Services SubcommitteeJudiciary CommitteeHealth & Human Services CommitteeHouse CalendarRules

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Families receive exam reports and conflict reviews

Beginning July 1, 2026, doctors and advanced practice registered nurses performing requested additional exams must provide written findings and conclusions. Reports must reach Florida's Department of Children and Families and the parent or legal custodian within 10 days after the exam. When the team exam and additional exam disagree, the department must immediately hold a meeting to seek agreement. Required participants include the investigator, supervisor, department legal staff, Child Protection Team representatives, and the community-based care lead agency. Past or current treating clinicians and the additional-exam clinician must join if possible.

Medical records and expert reviews for children

Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida's Department of Children and Families must request medical records related to a reported covered diagnosis. The records must come from the licensed health professional who diagnosed or treated the child. Providers must supply records requested under the child protection investigation rule within 14 days after the request. When evaluating children reported to have rickets, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, or vitamin D deficiency, Child Protection Teams must consult an experienced doctor or advanced practice registered nurse. That clinician must have experience treating children with the listed conditions.

Diagnosis duties and referral delays for parents

Beginning July 1, 2026, parents or legal custodians must immediately report certain existing diagnoses during Florida child protection investigations. These are rickets, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, and vitamin D deficiency. They must provide the diagnosing or treating clinician's name and contact information within 10 days after notice of this duty. Florida's Department of Children and Families may delay police referrals when parents report these diagnoses or request an additional medical exam. If criminal conduct remains alleged when the investigation ends, the department must immediately send the allegation to law enforcement.

Parents gain extra exams but pay costs

Beginning July 1, 2026, parents or legal custodians can request another exam within 10 days after a qualifying child-protection medical exam. This right excludes exams to determine whether a child was sexually abused. If the first exam was not by a Child Protection Team, parents can request a team exam. If the team did the first exam, parents can choose a licensed doctor or advanced practice registered nurse for a second opinion or to consider another diagnosis. The clinician must routinely care for children; for another diagnosis, the clinician must routinely diagnose and treat children with the covered conditions. Parents pay for their chosen provider's exam, including through applicable insurance; the department may also bill them for team findings within 10 days after the alternative exam.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Robin Bartleman

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Health & Human Services Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Human Services Subcommittee

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Patt Maney

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 143 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 109 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2026-165

    6/26/2026

  2. Approved by Governor

    6/25/2026

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    6/12/2026

  4. Ordered enrolled

    3/5/2026House

  5. In Messages

    3/5/2026House

  6. CS passed; YEAS 34 NAYS 0 -SJ 583

    3/5/2026Senate

  7. Read 3rd time -SJ 583

    3/5/2026Senate

  8. Read 2nd time -SJ 583

    3/5/2026Senate

  9. Substituted for CS/CS/SB 42 -SJ 583

    3/5/2026Senate

  10. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    3/5/2026Senate

  11. Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 583

    3/5/2026Senate

  12. Received

    3/3/2026Senate

  13. Referred to Rules

    3/3/2026Senate

  14. In Messages

    3/3/2026Senate

  15. CS passed as amended; YEAS 109, NAYS 0

    3/3/2026House

  16. Read 3rd time

    3/3/2026House

  17. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    3/3/2026House

  18. Amendment 691295 adopted

    3/3/2026House

  19. Read 2nd time

    3/3/2026House

  20. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/3/2026)

    2/26/2026House

  21. Added to Second Reading Calendar

    2/12/2026House

  22. Bill referred to House Calendar

    2/12/2026House

  23. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)

    2/11/2026House

  24. CS Filed

    2/11/2026House

  25. Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

    2/11/2026House

Bill Text

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