TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- The Florida Home of Representatives concluded its first week of the 2026 legislative season by passing payments that advance public security, strengthen accountability and protections for weak Floridians. All the payments now transfer to the Florida Senate for consideration.
Employment Eligibility
HB 197 expands Florida’s E-verify necessities with a mandate that every one personal employers use the system to confirm that new hires are legally approved to work in the USA. Employers should additionally certify compliance when submitting annual tax returns which might reinforce transparency and accountability in Florida’s workforce.
This invoice was filed by Republican Rep. Berny Jacques.
Minimal Age for Firearm Buy or Switch
HB 133 reduces the minimal age to buy firearms from 21 to 18. Underneath the present regulation, Floridians ages 18 to twenty might legally personal, possess, and use lengthy weapons however prohibited from buying them.
This invoice was introduced by Republican Rep. Tyler Sirois.
Civil legal responsibility for the wrongful dying of an unborn baby
HB 289 expands Florida’s Wrongful Loss of life Act to permit mother and father to get better civil damages for wrongful dying of an unborn baby, whereas additionally defending moms and well being care suppliers from legal responsibility associated to lawful medical care.
Present Florida regulation doesn’t acknowledge wrongful dying claims for unborn youngsters. This invoice brings Florida according to nearly all of states and affirms the worth of unborn life.
This invoice was filed by Republican Rep. Sam Greco.
Restoration of damages for medical negligence leading to dying
HB 6003 permits households to hunt justice when medical negligence results in the dying of a liked one. Underneath present regulation, sure households reminiscent of mother and father of youngsters over 25 or grownup youngsters of fogeys who die, are prevented from recovering damages if a physician, nursing dwelling or hospital makes a deadly mistake. This invoice would take away these limitations.
This invoice was filed by Republican Rep. Dana Trabulsy.
Nursing schooling
HB 121 will increase oversight and accountability for pre-licensure nursing teaching programs by tightening approval and probation requirements, shortening accreditation timelines, in addition to increasing enforcement authority for the Board of Nursing. The invoice additionally requires free remediation or tuition reimbursement when applications fail to adequately put together college students for licensure exams.
This invoice was pushed by Republican Rep. Toby Overdorf.
Well being care affected person safety
HB 355 establishes statewide pediatric readiness requirements for hospital emergency departments. It might require pediatric-specific insurance policies, coaching, designated care coordinators, and common readiness assessments. It additionally promotes transparency by means of public reporting of pediatric readiness scores.
Solely 18 of Florida’s 350 hospitals are thought-about “pediatric prepared.” Analysis reveals youngsters are considerably much less prone to die when handled in emergency departments with excessive pediatric readiness.
This invoice was filed by Republican Rep. Vanessa Oliver.
Speaker Feedback
Speaker Daniel Perez praised the Home’s productive first week, saying, “From defending Florida jobs and enhancing well being care outcomes to strengthening public security and standing up for households, the Florida Home hit the bottom operating. These payments mirror our shared mission: to control responsibly, remedy actual issues, and ship significant outcomes for Floridians. This productive first week set the tone for a session centered on common sense options and accountability.”
On working with the Senate, Perez added, “I’d like to work with the Senate. I’d like to have a associate within the Senate. That’s our aim. That’s what we would like… We would like the partnerships. It’s our job. It’s what the folks elected us to do… It’s a lot simpler for us to steer the state when the three of us are speaking, even when it’s to disagree. That’s wholesome, that’s all proper. It must be accepted, it must be wished.”
