URGENT UPDATE: FLORIDA LEGISLATION SB 1192: Medical Specialty Designations

On Tuesday, March 8th, 2022 the Florida Senate Rules Committee is scheduled to hear SB1192: Medical Specialties Designation bill.
The stated intention of the bill is to prevent the inappropriate use of “Medical Titles” by non-medical healthcare providers. This piece of legislation could potentially penalize Registered Nurses, and other healthcare providers, who utilize titles that are typically affiliated with medical specialties. For example, a Nurse Anesthesiologist (A recognized advanced nursing title) could be penalized for using the word “anesthesiologist”. In addition, nurses who refer to themselves as “cardiology nurses”, “emergency nurse” or “pediatric nurse” could potentially face punitive action under the bill for using titles that our physician colleagues designate “medical titles” bestowed upon them through completion of a residency program. (The major text of the bill is listed below)

Those who support the legislation argue that it better informs the public in the roles of healthcare providers and prevents misrepresentation of healthcare provider roles.

However, if passed the bill could have negative consequences for healthcare delivery in Florida. Punitive legislation such as this legislation could have a detrimental effect on nurses moving to Florida. The legislation could also result in the Boards of Medicine and Nursing spending valuable time, and resources, investigating frivolous claims of misuse of title where no harm has occurred.

Many would also argue that the bills is redundant and unnecessary. Florida Statutes (Chapter XXXII, Title 458 Medical Practice and Chapter XXXII, Title 464 Nurse Practice Act clearly define the roles and scope of practice for both professions. These long-held state statutes clearly lay out the roles of each profession and provide for punitive action if providers violate their licensed roles.

BELOW FIND A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE BILL LANGUAGE

“Using a term in connection with the licensee’s credentials which designates a medical specialty that the American Council for Graduate Medical Education accredits or recognizes through a residency or a fellowship program unless the licensee has completed such residency or fellowship program or unless otherwise expressly authorized by law. The department shall enforce this paragraph and has the same enforcement authority as the applicable board. The department may adopt rules to implement this paragraph.”

If you have an opinion on this Legislation please share it with the committee members prior to consideration of this legislation. Your knowledge and experience can help our elected representatives make prudent legislative decisions.

The committee members are listed below:

Committee on Rules

Members
Chair: Senator Kathleen Passidomo (R) Vice Chair: Senator Ileana Garcia (R)
Senator Ben Albritton (R)
Senator Dennis Baxley (R)
Senator Aaron Bean (R)
Senator Lauren Book (D)
Senator Jim Boyd (R)
Senator Randolph Bracy (D)
Senator Jeff Brandes (R)
Senator Manny Diaz, Jr. (R)
Senator Gary M. Farmer, Jr. (D)
Senator Audrey Gibson (D)
Senator Joe Gruters (R)
Senator Travis Hutson (R)
Senator Debbie Mayfield (R)
Senator Bobby Powell (D)
Senator Kelli Stargel (R)