Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 By Senator McClain 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 1 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. A bill to be entitled 1

An act relating to the Department of Financial 2 Services; amending s. 17.11, F.S.; revising which 3 subsystem the Chief Financial Officer reports from; 4 amending s. 17.13, F.S.; authorizing the replacement 5 of the Chief Financial Officer’s warrants under 6 certain circumstances; providing that any such 7 replacement warrant has the same validity as the 8 original; amending s. 110.113, F.S.; deleting the 9 department’s authority to make semimonthly salary 10 payments; amending s. 112.215, F.S.; requiring the 11 Chief Financial Officer to adopt specified rules 12 relating to the deferred compensation plan; 13 authorizing certain deferred compensation plans to 14 provide deferral of an employee’s compensation in 15 specified manners; requiring that such plans continue 16 to be included as regular compensation for a specified 17 purpose; prohibiting deferred compensation on a pretax 18 basis from being included in certain computations; 19 requiring that compensation on an after-tax Roth 20 contribution basis be included in certain 21 computations; deleting a provision relating to 22 approval of a deferred compensation plan; revising the 23 conditions under which political subdivisions’ or 24 constitutional county officers’ deferred compensation 25 plans become effective; prohibiting deferred 26 compensation on a pretax basis from being included in 27 certain computations; requiring that compensation on 28 an after-tax Roth contribution basis be included in 29

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 2 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. certain computations; amending s. 215.422, F.S.; 30 authorizing the Chief Financial Officer to adopt rules 31 authorizing advance payments for prepaid multiyear 32 software licenses; authorizing, rather than requiring, 33 specified interest to be paid from specified 34 appropriations; authorizing agencies to pay interest 35 from available appropriations under certain 36 circumstances; amending s. 215.89, F.S.; deleting 37 obsolete provisions; amending s. 215.93, F.S.; 38 revising the contents of the Florida Financial 39 Management Information System; amending s. 215.94, 40 F.S.; specifying that the department is the functional 41 owner of the Financial Management Subsystem; revising 42 the functions of such subsystem; conforming provisions 43 to changes made by the act; amending s. 215.985, F.S.; 44 conforming provisions to changes made by the act; 45 revising the contents of expenditure data; amending 46 ss. 216.102 and 216.141, F.S.; conforming provisions 47 to changes made by the act; amending s. 280.16, F.S.; 48 requiring the qualified public depository of first 49 deposit to investigate, make a certain determination, 50 and return funds under certain circumstances; 51 requiring such funds to be immediately returned to the 52 public depositor in provisional status until a 53 specified time; specifying that failure to complete a 54 certain process may result in suspension or 55 disqualification of the qualified public depositor; 56 amending s. 440.13, F.S.; increasing the timeframe for 57 certain health care providers to petition to resolve 58

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 3 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. utilization and reimbursement disputes; revising 59 requirements for the petitioner; revising the duties 60 of the three-member panel that determines schedules 61 relating to reimbursement allowances; amending s. 62 440.38, F.S.; specifying that an employer may furnish 63 proof that it has the financial strength to pay 64 certain claims on behalf of its wholly or majority 65 owned subsidiaries to secure the payment of 66 compensation; authorizing the department to adopt 67 rules that must be used for certain recommendations; 68 specifying requirements for such rules; making 69 technical changes; amending s. 440.49, F.S.; revising 70 legislative intent and findings; revising the 71 requirements of a required report of the Special 72 Disability Trust Fund; requiring that the report be 73 published on the Division of Workers’ Compensation’s 74 website rather than submitted to the Governor and 75 Legislature; prohibiting, beginning on a specified 76 date, the division from accepting new notices and 77 proofs of claims; specifying that certain proofs of 78 claim are barred from reimbursement; specifying that 79 an accepted claim is only eligible for final 80 reimbursement under certain circumstances; requiring 81 certain determinations in the independent actuarial 82 report; specifying that any claim reimbursement after 83 a certain date will be considered a final request for 84 reimbursement; specifying that the final reimbursement 85 will be a certain amount; requiring that final 86 reimbursements be limited to a specified amount and 87

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 4 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. may include funeral expenses under certain 88 circumstances; requiring the department to pay 89 approved final reimbursement requests in a specified 90 manner; requiring that the final reimbursement 91 extinguishes certain liability; amending s. 440.107, 92 F.S.; authorizing the department to accept a credit 93 card payment for a specified down payment; specifying 94 the result if the credit card is charged back; 95 authorizing the department to issue an order of 96 conditional release from a certain stop-work order and 97 enter into a payment agreement

schedule under certain 98 circumstances; creating s. 497.1411, F.S.; defining 99 terms; specifying that certain applicants are barred 100 from licensure under ch. 497, F.S.; specifying that 101 certain applicants are subject to specified 102 disqualification periods; authorizing certain 103 applicants to apply for a license under certain 104 circumstances; authorizing the Division of Funeral, 105 Cemetery, and Consumer Services within the department 106 to issue the license on a probationary basis for a 107 specified time; requiring the Board of Funeral, 108 Cemetery, and Consumer Services to adopt rules; 109 specifying requirements, authorizations, and 110 prohibitions for such rules; specifying when a 111 disqualifying period begins; prohibiting the 112 department from issuing a license to an applicant 113 until it receives proof of certain payments; 114 specifying that the applicant has certain burdens to 115 demonstrate that he or she is qualified for licensure; 116

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 5 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. specifying that certain applicants who have been 117 granted restoration of civil rights are not barred or 118 disqualified from licensure; specifying that such 119 restoration does not require the department to award a 120 license; authorizing the board to grant an exemption 121 from disqualification under certain circumstances; 122 specifying requirements for the applicant in order for 123 the board to grant an exemption; specifying that the 124 board has discretion whether to grant or deny an 125 exemption; specifying that certain decisions are 126 subject to ch. 120, F.S.; providing applicability and 127 construction; amending s. 497.142, F.S.; prohibiting 128 an application from being deemed complete under 129 certain circumstances; revising the list of crimes to 130 be disclosed on a license application; amending s. 131 497.369, F.S.; revising the circumstances under which 132 a licensing authority must issue a license by 133 endorsement to practice embalming; deleting a 134 presumption regarding state, regional, or national 135 examinations; making technical changes; amending s. 136 497.374, F.S.; revising the circumstances under which 137 a licensing authority must issue a license by 138 endorsement to practice funeral directing; deleting a 139 presumption regarding state, regional, or national 140 examinations; making technical changes; amending s. 141 497.376, F.S.; authorizing a person to obtain a 142 specified combination license by meeting certain 143 requirements; revising the circumstances under which 144 an applicant must hold certain educational 145

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 6 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. credentials; amending s. 497.380, F.S.; prohibiting 146 certain square footage required for funeral 147 establishments from including common areas; amending 148 s. 497.386, F.S.; revising the circumstances under 149 which the department may enter and secure certain 150 establishments or facilities; amending s. 497.604, 151 F.S.; prohibiting certain square footage required for 152 the practice of direct disposition from including 153 common areas; amending s. 554.103, F.S.; requiring the 154 department to adopt a specified code; making a 155 clarifying change; amending s. 554.108, F.S.; revising 156 applicability relating to certain inspection 157 requirements; amending s. 554.114, F.S.; prohibiting 158 persons from taking certain actions relating to 159 boilers; amending s. 554.115, F.S.; revising the 160 circumstances under which the department may deny, 161 refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke a certificate; 162 creating s. 554.116, F.S.; requiring owners and users 163 to install a carbon monoxide detector or alarm on 164 certain boilers and fire pressured vessels; creating 165 s. 554.117, F.S.; authorizing the Division of State 166 Fire Marshall to conduct an examination of certain 167 boilers; requiring the division to review certain 168 complaints; amending s. 624.307, F.S.; specifying a 169 limitation on a required response to consumer 170 complaints; amending s. 624.317, F.S.; requiring 171 certain persons to respond within a specified time to 172 a request for documents and information concerning 173 certain investigations; specifying the requirements of 174

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 7 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. such response; authorizing the department or the 175 Office of Insurance Regulation to impose a penalty; 176 amending s. 626.171, F.S.; deleting reinsurance 177 intermediaries from certain application requirements; 178 revising the list of persons from whom the department 179 is required to accept uniform applications; making 180 clarifying changes regarding the voluntary submission 181 of cellular telephone numbers; revising the exemption 182 from the application filing fee for members of the 183 United States Armed Forces; amending s. 626.2815, 184 F.S.; specifying that certain licensees are not 185 required to complete continuing education elective 186 hours; deleting a provision requiring certain 187 licensees to complete elective continuing education 188 courses; amending s. 626.292, F.S.; revising applicant 189 requirements for a license transfer; amending s. 190 626.611, F.S.; revising the grounds for denying an 191 application for, suspending, revoking, or refusing to 192 renew or continuing certain licenses; amending s. 193 626.621, F.S.; revising the grounds for denying an 194 application for, suspending, revoking, or refusing to 195 renew or continuing certain licenses; authorizing the 196 department to require a licensee to submit to an 197 examination or reexamination under certain 198 circumstances; providing construction; specifying 199 grounds for suspension or revocation of certain 200 licenses; amending s. 626.731, F.S.; revising the 201 qualifications for a general lines agent’s license; 202 amending s. 626.785, F.S.; revising the qualifications 203

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 8 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. for a life agent’s license; amending s. 626.831, F.S.; 204 revising the qualifications for a health agent’s 205 license; amending s. 626.8417, F.S.; making a 206 clarifying change; amending s. 626.843, F.S.; 207 requiring the department to cancel appointments of a 208 title agency under certain circumstances; prohibiting 209 the title insurance agency from being eligible for 210 appointment until a specified payment is made; 211 amending s. 626.8473, F.S.; requiring a title agency 212 to disclose certain fees to the consumer before 213 closing; prohibiting such agency from charging fees 214 that were not disclosed as provided in a certain 215 provision; amending s. 626.878, F.S.; requiring 216 adjusters to adhere to certain requirements; 217 prohibiting waivers of the requirements; authorizing 218 the department to adopt rules; amending s. 626.927, 219 F.S.; revising requirements for the licensing of a 220 surplus lines agent for a specified purpose; amending 221 s. 626.938, F.S.; requiring certain insureds and self-222 insurers to maintain certain records; specifying the 223 contents of such records; requiring that such records 224 be available for examination by certain entities 225 without prior notice; requiring certain insurers or 226 captive insurance companies to file with the Florida 227 Surplus Lines Service Office a specified report; 228 amending s. 626.9541, F.S.; conforming a cross-229 reference; amending s. 627.70151, F.S.; authorizing a 230 challenge of an appraiser’s impartially and 231 disqualification of a proposed appraiser under certain 232

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 10 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. inservice training does not allow a certain person 262 whose certification has lapsed to continue serving as 263 a firesafety inspector; revising requirements for 264 rules regarding an advanced training and certification 265 program for firesafety inspectors; amending s. 266 634.3077, F.S.; making clarifying changes; authorizing 267 contractual liability insurance policies to pay 268 certain claims under certain circumstances; amending 269 s. 634.406, F.S.; making clarifying changes; 270 authorizing a contractual liability insurance policy 271 to pay certain claims under certain circumstances; 272 amending s. 648.33, F.S.; authorizing bail bond agents 273 to collect certain amounts or fees in addition to the 274 premium required by the insurer; amending s. 791.013, 275 F.S.; deleting the requirement for the Division of 276 Investigative and Forensic Services to dispose of 277 certain samples; amending s. 1001.281, F.S.; deleting 278 the FLAIR number for the Operating Trust Fund; 279 amending s. 1001.282, F.S.; deleting the FLAIR number 280 for the Administrative Trust Fund; providing an 281 effective date. 282 283 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 284 285

Section 1. Subsection (2) of

section 17.11, Florida 286 Statutes, is amended to read: 287 17.11 To report disbursements made.— 288

(2) The Chief Financial Officer shall report also cause to 289 have reported from the Financial Management Florida Accounting 290

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 11 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Information Resource Subsystem no less than quarterly the 291 disbursements that which agencies made to small businesses, as 292 defined in the Florida Small and Minority Business Assistance 293 Act; to certified minority business enterprises in the 294 aggregate; and to certified minority business enterprises broken 295 down into categories of minority persons, as well as gender and 296 nationality subgroups.

This report must information shall be 297 made available to the agencies, the Office of Supplier 298 Diversity, the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the 299 Speaker of the House of Representatives. Each agency shall be 300 responsible for the accuracy of information entered into the 301 Financial Management Florida Accounting Information Resource 302 Subsystem for use in this reporting. 303

Section

Section 17.13, Florida Statutes, is amended to 304 read: 305 17.13 Replacement of To duplicate warrants lost or 306 destroyed.— 307

(1) The Chief Financial Officer shall replace is required 308 to duplicate any Chief Financial Officer’s warrant warrants that 309 may have been lost or destroyed, or may hereafter be lost or 310 destroyed, upon the owner thereof or the owner’s agent or 311 attorney submitting to presenting the Chief Financial Officer a 312 the statement, under oath, reciting the number, date, and amount 313 of the any warrant or the best and most definite description in 314 his or her knowledge and the circumstances of its loss.; If the 315 Chief Financial Officer deems it necessary, the owner or the 316 owner’s agent or attorney must shall file in the office of the 317 Chief Financial Officer a surety bond, or a bond with 318 securities, to be approved by a judge one of the judges of the 319

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 12 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. circuit court or a one of the justices of the Supreme Court 320 justice, in a penalty of not less than twice the amount of any 321 warrant warrants so replaced duplicated, conditioned to 322 indemnify the state and any innocent warrant holders thereof 323 from any damages that may accrue from such replacement 324 duplication. 325

(2) The Chief Financial Officer shall replace is required 326 to duplicate any Chief Financial Officer’s warrant that has may 327 have been lost or destroyed, or may hereafter be lost or 328 destroyed, when sent to any payee through via any state agency 329 when such warrant is lost or destroyed before prior to being 330 received by the payee and provided the director of the state 331 agency to whom the warrant was sent submits presents to the 332 Chief Financial Officer a statement, under oath, reciting the 333 number, date, and amount of the warrant lost or destroyed, the 334 circumstances surrounding the loss or destruction of such 335 warrant, and any additional information that the Chief Financial 336 Officer requests shall request in regard to such warrant. 337

(3) Any replacement duplicate Chief Financial Officer’s 338 warrant issued under this

section has in pursuance of the above 339 provisions shall be of the same validity as the original warrant 340 was before its loss. 341

Section 3. Subsection (1) of

section 110.113, Florida 342 Statutes, is amended to read: 343 110.113 Pay periods for state officers and employees; 344 salary payments by direct deposit.— 345

(1) The normal pay period for salaries of state officers 346 and employees is shall be 1 month. The Department of Financial 347 Services shall issue either monthly or biweekly salary payments 348

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 13 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. by state warrants or by direct deposit pursuant to s. 17.076 or 349 make semimonthly salary payments by direct deposit pursuant to 350 s. 17.076, as requested by the head of each state agency and 351 approved by the Executive Office of the Governor and the 352 Department of Financial Services. 353

Section 4. Paragraph (

f) is added to subsection (4) of 354

section 112.215, Florida Statutes, and subsection (6) of that 355

section is amended, to read: 356 112.215 Government employees; deferred compensation 357 program.— 358 (4) 359 (

f) The Chief Financial Officer must adopt rules relating 360 to all the material terms and conditions for benefits under the 361 plan, including optional features of the plan permitted by 26 362 U.S.C. s. 457. 363 (6)(

a) The deferred compensation plans authorized and 364 approved under this

section may provide for the deferral of an 365 employee’s compensation on either a pretax basis or an after-tax 366 Roth contribution basis under a qualified Roth contribution 367 program pursuant to s. 402A of the Internal Revenue Code.

Any 368 compensation deferred under such a deferred compensation plan, 369 including an individual’s compensation deferred on either a 370 pretax basis or an after-tax Roth contribution basis under a 371 qualified Roth contribution program pursuant to s. 402A of the 372 Internal Revenue Code, must continue to be included as regular 373 compensation for the purpose of computing the retirement, 374 pension, or social security contributions made or benefits 375 earned by any employee. Any sum deferred on a pretax basis may 376 not be included in the computation of any federal or state taxes 377

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 14 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. withheld on behalf of any such individual at the time of 378 deferral.

Any sum deferred on an after-tax Roth contribution 379 basis pursuant to a qualified Roth contribution program under s. 380 402A of the Internal Revenue Code must be included in the 381 computation of any federal or state taxes withheld on behalf of 382 any such individual at the time of deferral No deferred 383 compensation plan of the state shall become effective until 384 approved by the State Board of Administration and the Chief 385 Financial Officer is satisfied by opinion from such federal 386 agency or agencies as may be deemed necessary that the 387 compensation deferred thereunder and/or the investment products 388 purchased pursuant to the plan will not be included in the 389 employee’s taxable income under federal or state law until it is 390 actually received by such employee under the terms of the plan, 391 and that such compensation will nonetheless be deemed 392 compensation at the time of deferral for the purposes of social 393 security coverage, for the purposes of the state retirement 394 system, and for any other retirement, pension, or benefit 395 program established by law. 396 (

b) A No deferred compensation plan of a county, 397 municipality, other political subdivision, or constitutional 398 county officer may not shall become effective until the 399 appropriate official or body designated under subsection (5) is 400 satisfied that such plan of deferred compensation may provide 401 for the deferral of an individual’s compensation on either a 402 pretax basis or an after-tax Roth contribution basis under a 403 qualified Roth contribution program pursuant to s. 402A of the 404 Internal Revenue Code by opinion from such federal agency or 405 agencies as may be deemed necessary that the compensation 406

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 15 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. deferred thereunder and/or the investment products purchased 407 pursuant to the plan will not be included in the employee’s 408 taxable income under federal or state law until it is actually 409 received by such employee under the terms of the plan, and that 410 such compensation will nonetheless be deemed compensation at the 411 time of deferral for the purposes of social security coverage, 412 for the purposes of the retirement system of the appropriate 413 county, municipality, political subdivision, or constitutional 414 county officer, and for any other retirement, pension, or 415 benefit program established by law.

Any sum deferred on a pretax 416 basis may not be included in the computation of any federal or 417 state taxes withheld on behalf of any such individual at the 418 time of deferral. Any sum deferred on an after-tax Roth 419 contribution basis pursuant to a qualified Roth contribution 420 program under s. 402A of the Internal Revenue Code must be 421 included in the computation of any federal or state taxes 422 withheld on behalf of any such individual at the time of 423 deferral. 424

Section 5. Subsections (15) and (16) of

section 215.422, 425 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 426 215.422 Payments, warrants, and invoices; processing time 427 limits; dispute resolution; agency or judicial branch 428 compliance.— 429

(15) The Chief Financial Officer may adopt rules to 430 authorize advance payments for goods and services, including, 431 but not limited to, maintenance agreements and subscriptions, 432 including prepaid multiyear software licenses. Such rules must 433 shall provide objective criteria for determining when it is in 434 the best interest of the state to make payments in advance and 435

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 16 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. must shall also provide for adequate protection to ensure that 436 such goods or services will be provided. 437

(16) Nothing contained in This

section may not shall be 438 construed to be an appropriation. Any interest that which 439 becomes due and owing pursuant to this

section may shall only be 440 paid payable from the appropriation charged for such goods or 441 services. If insufficient funds are available within the 442 appropriation charged for such goods or services, the agency 443 must pay the interest from an available appropriation. 444

Section 6. Subsection (3) of

section 215.89, Florida 445 Statutes, is amended to read: 446 215.89 Charts of account.— 447

(3) REPORTING STRUCTURE.— 448 (

a) The Chief Financial Officer shall accept comments from 449 state agencies, local governments, educational entities, 450 entities of higher education, and other interested parties 451 regarding the proposed charts of account until November 1, 2013. 452 (

b) By January 15, 2014, the Chief Financial Officer, after 453 consultation with affected state agencies, local governments, 454 educational entities, entities of higher education, and the 455 Auditor General, shall submit to the Governor, the President of 456 the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a 457 report recommending a uniform charts of account which requires 458 specific enterprise-wide information related to revenues and 459 expenditures of state agencies, local governments, educational 460 entities, and entities of higher education. The report must 461 include the estimated cost of adopting and implementing a 462 uniform enterprise-wide charts of account. 463

Section 7. Paragraph (

b) of subsection (1) of

section 464

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 17 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. 215.93, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 465 215.93 Florida Financial Management Information System.— 466

(1) To provide the information necessary to carry out the 467 intent of the Legislature, there shall be a Florida Financial 468 Management Information System. The Florida Financial Management 469 Information System shall be fully implemented and shall be 470 upgraded as necessary to ensure the efficient operation of an 471 integrated financial management information system and to 472 provide necessary information for the effective operation of 473 state government.

Upon the recommendation of the coordinating 474 council and approval of the board, the Florida Financial 475 Management Information System may require data from any state 476 agency information system or information subsystem or may 477 request data from any judicial branch information system or 478 information subsystem that the coordinating council and board 479 have determined to have statewide financial management 480 significance.

Each functional owner information subsystem within 481 the Florida Financial Management Information System shall be 482 developed in such a fashion as to allow for timely, positive, 483 preplanned, and prescribed data transfers between the Florida 484 Financial Management Information System functional owner 485 information subsystems and from other information systems. The 486 principal unit of the system shall be the functional owner 487 information subsystem, and the system shall include, but shall 488 not be limited to, the following: 489 (

b) Florida Accounting Information Resource Subsystem. 490

Section 8. Subsections (2) and (3) of

section 215.94, 491 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 492 215.94 Designation, duties, and responsibilities of 493

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 18 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. functional owners.— 494

(2) The Department of Financial Services is shall be the 495 functional owner of the Financial Management Florida Accounting 496 Information Resource Subsystem established pursuant to ss. 497 17.03, 215.86, 216.141, and 216.151 and further developed in 498 accordance with the provisions of ss. 215.90-215.96. The 499 subsystem must shall include, but is shall not be limited to, 500 the following functions: 501 (

a) Accounting and reporting so as to provide timely data 502 for producing financial statements for the state in accordance 503 with generally accepted accounting principles. 504 (

b) Auditing and settling claims against the state. 505 (

c) Recording and reconciling credits and debits to 506 treasury fund accounts. 507 (

d) Monitoring cash levels and activities in state bank 508 accounts. 509 (

e) Recording and reconciling credits and debits of 510 investments of cash. 511 (

f) Administering the provisions of the Federal Cash 512 Management Improvement Act of 1990. 513

(3) The Chief Financial Officer shall be the functional 514 owner of the Financial Management Subsystem. The Chief Financial 515 Officer shall design, implement, and operate the subsystem in 516 accordance with the provisions of ss. 215.90-215.96. The 517 subsystem shall include, but shall not be limited to, functions 518 for: 519 (

a) Recording and reconciling credits and debits to 520 treasury fund accounts. 521 (

b) Monitoring cash levels and activities in state bank 522

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 20 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. reserved, and disbursed balances. 552 4. Position and rate information for positions provided in 553 the General Appropriations Act or approved through an amendment 554 to the approved operating budget and position information for 555 positions established in the legislative branch. 556 5.

Allotments for planned expenditures of state 557 appropriations established by state agencies in the Financial 558 Management Florida Accounting Information Resource Subsystem, 559 and the current balances of such allotments. 560 6. Trust fund balance reports, including cash available, 561 investments, and receipts. 562 7. General revenue fund balance reports, including revenue 563 received and amounts disbursed. 564 8. Fixed capital outlay project data, including original 565 appropriation and disbursements throughout the life of the 566 project. 567 9.

A 10-year history of appropriations indicated by agency. 568 10. Links to state audits or reports related to the 569 expenditure and dispersal of state funds. 570 11. Links to program or activity descriptions for which 571 funds may be expended. 572

Section 10. Subsections (1) and (2) and paragraph (

f) of 573 subsection (3) of

section 216.102, Florida Statutes, are amended 574 to read: 575 216.102 Filing of financial information; handling by Chief 576 Financial Officer; penalty for noncompliance.— 577

(1) By September 30 of each year, each agency supported by 578 any form of taxation, licenses, fees, imposts, or exactions, the 579 judicial branch, and, for financial reporting purposes, each 580

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 21 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. component unit of the state as determined by the Chief Financial 581 Officer shall prepare, using generally accepted accounting 582 principles, and file with the Chief Financial Officer the 583 financial and other information necessary for the preparation of 584 annual financial statements for the State of Florida as of June 585 30. In addition, each such agency and the judicial branch shall 586 prepare financial statements showing the financial position and 587 results of agency or branch operations as of June 30 for 588 internal management purposes. 589 (

a) Each state agency and the judicial branch shall record 590 the receipt and disbursement of funds from federal sources in a 591 form and format prescribed by the Chief Financial Officer. The 592 access to federal funds by the administering agencies or the 593 judicial branch may not be authorized until: 594 1. The deposit has been recorded in the Financial 595 Management Florida Accounting Information Resource Subsystem 596 using proper, consistent codes that designate deposits as 597 federal funds. 598 2. The deposit and appropriate recording required by this 599 paragraph have been verified by the office of the Chief 600 Financial Officer. 601 (

b) The Chief Financial Officer shall publish a statewide 602 policy detailing the requirements for recording receipt and 603 disbursement of federal funds into the Financial Management 604 Florida Accounting Information Resource Subsystem and provide 605 technical assistance to the agencies and the judicial branch to 606 implement the policy. 607

(2) Financial information must be contained within the 608 Financial Management Florida Accounting Information Resource 609

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 22 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Subsystem. Other information must be submitted in the form and 610 format prescribed by the Chief Financial Officer. 611 (

a) Each component unit shall file financial information 612 and other information necessary for the preparation of annual 613 financial statements with the agency or branch designated by the 614 Chief Financial Officer by the date specified by the Chief 615 Financial Officer. 616 (

b) The state agency or branch designated by the Chief 617 Financial Officer to receive financial information and other 618 information from component units shall include the financial 619 information in the Financial Management Florida Accounting 620 Information Resource Subsystem and shall include the component 621 units’ other information in its submission to the Chief 622 Financial Officer. 623

(3) The Chief Financial Officer shall: 624 (

f) Consult with and elicit comments from the Executive 625 Office of the Governor on changes to the Financial Management 626 Florida Accounting Information Resource Subsystem which clearly 627 affect the accounting of federal funds, so as to ensure 628 consistency of information entered into the Federal Aid Tracking 629 System by state executive and judicial branch entities.

While 630 efforts must shall be made to ensure the compatibility of the 631 Financial Management Florida Accounting Information Resource 632 Subsystem and the Federal Aid Tracking System, any successive 633 systems serving identical or similar functions must shall 634 preserve such compatibility. 635 636 The Chief Financial Officer may furnish and publish in 637 electronic form the financial statements and the annual 638

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 23 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. comprehensive financial report required under paragraphs (a), 639 (b), and (c). 640

Section 11. Subsection (3) of

section 216.141, Florida 641 Statutes, is amended to read: 642 216.141 Budget system procedures; planning and programming 643 by state agencies.— 644

(3) The Chief Financial Officer, as chief fiscal officer, 645 shall use the Financial Management Florida Accounting 646 Information Resource Subsystem developed pursuant to s. 647 215.94(2) for account purposes in the performance of and 648 accounting for all of his or her constitutional and statutory 649 duties and responsibilities. However, state agencies and the 650 judicial branch continue to be responsible for maintaining 651 accounting records necessary for effective management of their 652 programs and functions. 653

Section 12. Subsection (4) is added to

section 280.16, 654 Florida Statutes, to read: 655 280.16 Requirements of qualified public depositories; 656 confidentiality.— 657

(4) Within 90 days after receipt of an affidavit of fraud 658 against a public deposit account, the qualified public 659 depository of first deposit shall investigate and make a 660 determination on the affidavit’s accuracy and return the funds 661 to the depositor if it has been determined that there is

an act 662 of fraud against the public deposit account. If no determination 663 can be made within 90 days, the funds must be immediately 664 returned to the public depositor, from the qualified public 665 depositor of first deposit, in provisional status until such 666 determination is completed. Failure to complete the 667

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 24 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. determination process or return the funds within 90 days may 668 result in suspension or disqualification of the qualified public 669 depositor. 670

Section 13. Paragraph (

a) of subsection (7) and paragraph 671 (

j) of subsection (12) of

section 440.13, Florida Statutes, are 672 amended to read: 673 440.13 Medical services and supplies; penalty for 674 violations; limitations.— 675

(7) UTILIZATION AND REIMBURSEMENT DISPUTES.— 676 (

a) Any health care provider who elects to contest the 677 disallowance or adjustment of payment by a carrier under 678 subsection (6) must, within 60 45 days after receipt of notice 679 of disallowance or adjustment of payment, petition the 680 department to resolve the dispute. The petitioner must serve, by 681 certified mail or by common carrier with a verifiable tracking 682 number, a copy of the petition on the carrier and on all 683 affected parties listed on the notice of disallowance or 684 adjustment by certified mail.

The petition must be accompanied 685 by all documents and records that support the allegations 686 contained in the petition. Failure of a petitioner to submit 687 such documentation to the department results in dismissal of the 688 petition. 689

(12) CREATION OF THREE-MEMBER PANEL; GUIDES OF MAXIMUM 690 REIMBURSEMENT ALLOWANCES.— 691 (

j) In addition to establishing the uniform

schedule of 692 maximum reimbursement allowances, the panel shall: 693 1. Take testimony, receive records, and collect data to 694 evaluate the adequacy of the workers’ compensation fee schedule, 695 nationally recognized fee schedules and alternative methods of 696

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 25 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. reimbursement to health care providers and health care 697 facilities for inpatient and outpatient treatment and care. 698 2. Survey health care providers and health care facilities 699 to determine the availability and accessibility of workers’ 700 compensation health care delivery systems for injured workers. 701 3. Survey carriers to determine the estimated impact on 702 carrier costs and workers’ compensation premium rates by 703 implementing changes to the carrier reimbursement

schedule or 704 implementing alternative reimbursement methods. 705 4. Submit recommendations on or before January 15, 2030 706 2017, and every 5 years biennially thereafter, to the President 707 of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on 708 methods to improve the workers’ compensation health care 709 delivery system. 710 711 The department, as requested, shall provide data to the panel, 712 including, but not limited to, utilization trends in the 713 workers’ compensation health care delivery system.

The 714 department shall provide the panel with an annual report 715 regarding the resolution of medical reimbursement disputes and 716 any actions pursuant to subsection (8). The department shall 717 provide administrative support and service to the panel to the 718 extent requested by the panel. The department may adopt rules 719 pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement this 720 subsection.

For prescription medication purchased under the 721 requirements of this subsection, a dispensing practitioner shall 722 not possess such medication unless payment has been made by the 723 practitioner, the practitioner’s professional practice, or the 724 practitioner’s practice management company or employer to the 725

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 26 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. supplying manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, or drug 726 repackager within 60 days of the dispensing practitioner taking 727 possession of that medication. 728

Section 14. Subsection (1) of

section 440.38, Florida 729 Statutes, is amended to read: 730 440.38 Security for compensation; insurance carriers and 731 self-insurers.— 732

(1) Every employer shall secure the payment of compensation 733 under this

chapter by doing any of the following: 734 (

a) By Insuring and keeping insured the payment of such 735 compensation with any stock company or mutual company or 736 association or exchange, authorized to do business in the 737 state.; 738 (

b) By Furnishing satisfactory proof to the Florida Self-739 Insurers Guaranty Association, Incorporated, created in s. 740 440.385, that it has the financial strength necessary to ensure 741 timely payment of all current and future claims individually and 742 on behalf of its wholly or majority owned subsidiaries 743 subsidiary and affiliated companies with employees in this state 744 and receiving an authorization from the department to pay such 745 compensation directly.

The association shall review the 746 financial strength of applicants for membership, current 747 members, and former members and make recommendations to the 748 department regarding their qualifications to self-insure in 749 accordance with this

section and ss. 440.385 and 440.386. The 750 department shall act in accordance with the recommendations 751 unless it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the 752 recommendations are erroneous. 753 1. As a condition of authorization under this paragraph 754

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 27 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. paragraph (a), the association may recommend that the department 755 require an employer to deposit with the association a qualifying 756 security deposit.

The association shall recommend the type and 757 amount of the qualifying security deposit and shall prescribe 758 conditions for the qualifying security deposit, which shall 759 include authorization for the association to call the qualifying 760 security deposit in the case of default to pay compensation 761 awards and related expenses of the association. The department 762 may adopt rules under ss. 120.54 and 120.536(1) regarding the 763 requirements that the association must use when recommending the 764 amount and conditions of the qualifying security deposit.

Such 765 rules must reference long-term issuer credit ratings from 766 Moody’s Ratings, S&P Global Ratings, Fitch Ratings, or an 767 equivalent rating calculated using the methodology of one of 768 these credit rating services. As a condition to authorization to 769 self-insure, the employer shall provide proof that the employer 770 has provided for competent personnel with whom to deliver 771 benefits and to provide a safe working environment.

The employer 772 shall also provide evidence that it carries reinsurance at 773 levels that will ensure the financial strength and actuarial 774 soundness of such employer in accordance with rules adopted by 775 the department. The department may by rule require that, in the 776 event of an individual self-insurer’s insolvency, such 777 qualifying security deposits and reinsurance policies are 778 payable to the association.

Any employer securing compensation 779 in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph shall be 780 known as a self-insurer and shall be classed as a carrier of her 781 or his own insurance. The employer shall, if requested, provide 782 the association an actuarial report signed by a member of the 783

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 28 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. American Academy of Actuaries providing an opinion of the 784 appropriate present value of the reserves, using a 4-percent 785 discount rate, for current and future compensation claims. If 786 any member or former member of the association refuses to timely 787 provide such a report, the association may obtain an order from 788 a circuit court requiring the member to produce such a report 789 and ordering any other relief that the court determines is 790 appropriate.

The association may recover all reasonable costs 791 and attorney’s fees in such proceedings. 792 2.

If the employer fails to maintain the foregoing 793 requirements, the association shall recommend to the department 794 that the department revoke the employer’s authority to self-795 insure, unless the employer provides to the association the 796 certified opinion of an independent actuary who is a member of 797 the American Academy of Actuaries as to the actuarial present 798 value of the employer’s determined and estimated future 799 compensation payments based on cash reserves, using a 4-percent 800 discount rate, and a qualifying security deposit equal to 1.5 801 times the value so certified.

The employer shall thereafter 802 annually provide such a certified opinion until such time as the 803 employer meets the requirements of subparagraph 1. The 804 qualifying security deposit shall be adjusted at the time of 805 each such annual report.

Upon the failure of the employer to 806 timely provide such opinion or to timely provide a security 807 deposit in an amount equal to 1.5 times the value certified in 808 the latest opinion, the association shall provide that 809 information to the department along with a recommendation, and 810 the department shall then revoke such employer’s authorization 811 to self-insure. Failure to comply with this subparagraph 812

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 29 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. constitutes an immediate serious danger to the public health, 813 safety, or welfare sufficient to justify the

summary suspension 814 of the employer’s authorization to self-insure pursuant to s. 815 120.68. 816 3. Upon the suspension or revocation of the employer’s 817 authorization to self-insure, the employer shall provide to the 818 association the certified opinion of an independent actuary who 819 is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries of the 820 actuarial present value of the determined and estimated future 821 compensation payments of the employer for claims incurred while 822 the member exercised the privilege of self-insurance, using a 823 discount rate of 4 percent.

The employer shall provide such an 824 opinion at 6-month intervals thereafter until such time as the 825 latest opinion shows no remaining value of claims. With each 826 such opinion, the employer shall deposit with the association a 827 qualifying security deposit in an amount equal to the value 828 certified by the actuary. The association has a cause of action 829 against an employer, and against any successor of the employer, 830 who fails to timely provide such opinion or who fails to timely 831 maintain the required security deposit with the association.

The 832 association shall recover a judgment in the amount of the 833 actuarial present value of the determined and estimated future 834 compensation payments of the employer for claims incurred while 835 the employer exercised the privilege of self-insurance, together 836 with attorney’s fees. For purposes of this section, the 837 successor of an employer means any person, business entity, or 838 group of persons or business entities, which holds or acquires 839 legal or beneficial title to the majority of the assets or the 840 majority of the shares of the employer. 841

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 30 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. 4. A qualifying security deposit shall consist, at the 842 option of the employer, of: 843 a. Surety bonds, in a form and containing such terms as 844 prescribed by the association, issued by a corporation surety 845 authorized to transact surety business by the office, and whose 846 policyholders’ and financial ratings, as reported in A.M. Best’s 847 Insurance Reports, Property-Liability, are not less than “A” and 848 “V”, respectively. 849 b.

Irrevocable letters of credit in favor of the 850 association issued by financial institutions located within this 851 state, the deposits of which are insured through the Federal 852 Deposit Insurance Corporation. 853 5. The qualifying security deposit shall be held by the 854 association exclusively for the benefit of workers’ compensation 855 claimants. The security shall not be subject to assignment, 856 execution, attachment, or any legal process whatsoever, except 857 as necessary to guarantee the payment of compensation under this 858 chapter.

No surety bond may be terminated, and no letter of 859 credit may be allowed to expire, without 90 days’ prior written 860 notice to the association and deposit by the self-insuring 861 employer of some other qualifying security deposit of equal 862 value within 10 business days after such notice.

Failure to 863 provide such written notice or failure to timely provide 864 qualifying replacement security after such notice shall 865 constitute grounds for the association to call or sue upon the 866 surety bond or to exercise its rights under a letter of credit. 867 Current self-insured employers must comply with this

section on 868 or before December 31, 2001, or upon the maturity of existing 869 security deposits, whichever occurs later. The department may 870

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 31 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. specify by rule the amount of the qualifying security deposit 871 required prior to authorizing an employer to self-insure and the 872 amount of net worth required for an employer to qualify for 873 authorization to self-insure.; 874 (

c) By entering into a contract with a public utility under 875 an approved utility-provided self-insurance program as set forth 876 in s. 624.46225 in effect as of July 1, 1983. The department 877 shall adopt rules to implement this paragraph.; 878 (

d) By entering into an interlocal agreement with other 879 local governmental entities to create a local government pool 880 pursuant to s. 624.4622.; or 881 (

e) By entering into a contract with an individual self-882 insurer under an approved individual self-insurer-provided self-883 insurance program as set forth in s. 624.46225. The department 884 may adopt rules to administer this subsection. 885

Section 15. Subsection (1) and paragraph (

d) of subsection 886 (8) of

section 440.49, Florida Statutes, are amended, and 887 subsection (12) is added to that section, to read: 888 440.49 Limitation of liability for subsequent injury 889 through Special Disability Trust Fund.— 890

(1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT AND FINDINGS.— 891 (

a) Whereas it is often difficult for workers with 892 disabilities to achieve employment or to become reemployed 893 following an injury, and it is the desire of the Legislature to 894 facilitate the return of these workers to the workplace, it is 895 the purpose of this

section to encourage the employment, 896 reemployment, and accommodation of the physically disabled by 897 reducing an employer’s insurance premium for reemploying an 898 injured worker, to decrease litigation between carriers on 899

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 32 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. apportionment issues, and to protect employers from excess 900 liability for compensation and medical expense when an injury to 901 a physically disabled worker merges with, aggravates, or 902 accelerates her or his preexisting permanent physical impairment 903 to cause either a greater disability or permanent impairment, or 904 an increase in expenditures for temporary compensation or 905 medical benefits than would have resulted from the injury alone. 906 The department or the administrator shall inform all employers 907 of the existence and function of the fund and shall interpret 908 eligibility requirements liberally.

However, this subsection may 909 shall not be construed to create or provide any benefits for 910 injured employees or their dependents not otherwise provided by 911 this chapter. The entitlement of an injured employee or her or 912 his dependents to compensation under this

chapter must shall be 913 determined without regard to this subsection, the provisions of 914 which shall be considered only in determining whether an 915 employer or carrier who has paid compensation under this

chapter 916 is entitled to reimbursement from the Special Disability Trust 917 Fund. 918 (

b) Whereas this

section does not apply to accidents or 919 injuries causing subsequent injury or disability occurring on or 920 after January 1, 1998. The Legislature finds that the indefinite 921 existence of the fund creates administrative costs for the 922 administration of a decreasing number of claims. The Legislature 923 further finds that the fund is maintained by assessments on all 924 carriers. Florida workers’ compensation carriers authorized on 925 or after January 1, 1998, are subject to the fund assessment but 926 do not have any claims eligible for reimbursement by the fund. 927 Beginning July 1, 2025, it is the intent of the Legislature that 928

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 33 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. the liabilities of the fund be extinguished and the fund be 929 closed in an orderly fashion. 930

(8) SPECIAL DISABILITY TRUST FUND.— 931 (

d) The department or administrator shall report annually 932 on the status of the Special Disability Trust Fund.

The report 933 must shall update the estimated undiscounted and discounted fund 934 liability, as determined by an independent actuary, change in 935 the total number of notices of claim on file with the fund in 936 addition to the number of newly filed notices of claim, change 937 in the number of proofs of claim processed by the fund, the 938 estimated outstanding losses per claim using a life annuity 939 method, the fee revenues refunded and revenues applied to pay 940 down the liability of the fund, the average time required to 941 reimburse accepted claims, and the average administrative costs 942 per claim.

The department or administrator shall submit its 943 report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the 944 Speaker of the House of Representatives By December 1 of each 945 year, the report must be published on the division’s website. 946

(12) FINAL REIMBURSEMENT.— 947 (

a) Notwithstanding subsection (7), beginning July 1, 2026, 948 the division may not accept new notices or proofs of claim. Any 949 proof of claim that has not received an offer letter on or 950 before December 31, 2026, is barred from reimbursement. 951 (

b) Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, an 952 accepted claim is only eligible for final reimbursement if the 953 carrier submitted a request for reimbursement on an accepted 954 claim in fiscal years 2026-2027 or 2027-2028. 955 (

c) The department’s or administrator’s status report as 956 specified in paragraph (8)(

d) must estimate the outstanding 957

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 34 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. losses for each claim. On or after July 1, 2028, any claim 958 reimbursement will be considered a final request for 959 reimbursement. The final reimbursement amount for the requested 960 claim will be the estimated outstanding loss value for the claim 961 as calculated in the 2028 edition of the report, discounted to a 962 present value of 4 percent. 963 (

d) A request for final reimbursement after the death of 964 the claimant must be limited to the eligible benefits paid on or 965 before the date of death and may include funeral expenses. 966 (

e) The department shall pay the approved final 967 reimbursement requests on a first-in, first-out basis reflecting 968 the order in which the reimbursement requests were received, as 969 funds are or become available. 970 (

f) The final reimbursement made pursuant to this 971 subsection extinguishes the liability of the fund as to that 972 claim. 973

Section 16. Paragraph (

a) of subsection (7) of

section 974 440.107, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 975 440.107 Department powers to enforce employer compliance 976 with coverage requirements.— 977 (7)(

a) Whenever the department determines that an employer 978 who is required to secure the payment to his or her employees of 979 the compensation provided for by this

chapter has failed to 980 secure the payment of workers’ compensation required by this 981

chapter or to produce the required business records under 982 subsection (5) within 21 days after receipt of the written 983 request of the department, such failure shall be deemed an 984 immediate serious danger to public health, safety, or welfare 985 sufficient to justify service by the department of a stop-work 986

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 35 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. order on the employer, requiring the cessation of all business 987 operations. If the department makes such a determination, the 988 department must shall issue a stop-work order within 72 hours. 989 The order shall take effect when served upon the employer or, 990 for a particular employer worksite, when served at that 991 worksite.

In addition to serving a stop-work order at a 992 particular worksite which shall be effective immediately, the 993 department shall immediately proceed with service upon the 994 employer which shall be effective upon all employer worksites in 995 the state for which the employer is not in compliance. A stop-996 work order may be served with regard to an employer’s worksite 997 by posting a copy of the stop-work order in a conspicuous 998 location at the worksite.

Information related to an employer’s 999 stop-work order must shall be made available on the division’s 1000 website and remain on the website for at least 5 years. The 1001 order must shall remain in effect until the department issues an 1002 order releasing the stop-work order upon a finding that the 1003 employer has come into compliance with the coverage requirements 1004 of this

chapter and has paid any penalty assessed under this 1005 section. The department may issue an order of conditional 1006 release from a stop-work order to an employer upon a finding 1007 that the employer has complied with the coverage requirements of 1008 this chapter, paid a penalty of $1,000 as a down payment, and 1009 agreed to remit periodic payments of the remaining penalty 1010 amount pursuant to a payment agreement

schedule with the 1011 department or pay the remaining penalty amount in full. An 1012 employer may not enter into a payment agreement

schedule unless 1013 the employer has fully paid any previous penalty assessed under 1014 this section. If an order of conditional release is issued, 1015

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 36 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. failure by the employer to pay the penalty in full or enter into 1016 a payment agreement with the department within 21 days after 1017 service of the first penalty assessment calculation upon the 1018 employer, or to meet any term or condition of such penalty 1019 payment agreement, must shall result in the immediate 1020 reinstatement of the stop-work order and the entire unpaid 1021 balance of the penalty becoming shall become immediately due. 1022 The department may accept a credit card payment for the $1,000 1023 down payment.

Chargeback of the credit card payment must result 1024 in the immediate reinstatement of the stop-work order and, if a 1025 penalty assessment calculation has been served on the employer, 1026 the entire unpaid balance of the penalty becomes immediately 1027 due, or if a penalty assessment calculation has not been served 1028 on the employer, the entire balance of the penalty becomes 1029 immediately due upon service.

The department may issue an order 1030 of conditional release from the reinstated stop-work order upon 1031 payment of the $1,000 down payment by cashier’s check or money 1032 order and if otherwise eligible, may enter into a payment 1033 agreement

schedule for periodic payment of the remaining penalty 1034 amount. 1035

Section

Section 497.1411, Florida Statutes, is created 1036 to read: 1037 497.1411 Disqualification of applicants and licenses; 1038 penalties against licensees; rulemaking.— 1039

(1) For purposes of this section, the term: 1040 (a) “Applicant” means an individual applying for licensure 1041 or relicensure under this chapter, and an officer, a director, a 1042 majority owner, a partner, a manager, or other person who 1043 manages or controls an entity applying for licensure or 1044

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 37 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. relicensure under this chapter. 1045 (b) “Felony of the first degree” and “capital felony” 1046 include such classified felonies as defined in s. 775.081. 1047

(2) An applicant who has been found guilty of or has 1048 pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to any of the following 1049 crimes, regardless of adjudication, is permanently barred from 1050 licensure under this chapter: 1051 (

a) A felony of the first degree. 1052 (

b) A felony directly or indirectly involving conduct 1053 regulated under this chapter. 1054

(3) An applicant who has been found guilty of or has 1055 pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to a crime not included in 1056 subsection (2), regardless of adjudication, is subject to: 1057 (

a) A 10-year disqualifying period for all felonies 1058 involving moral turpitude which are not specifically included in 1059 the permanent bar contained in subsection (2). 1060 (

b) A 5-year disqualifying period for all felonies to which 1061 neither the permanent bar in subsection (2) nor the 10-year 1062 disqualifying period in paragraph (

a) applies. Notwithstanding 1063 subsection (4), an applicant who served at least half of the 1064 disqualifying period may apply for a license, if during that 1065 time, the applicant has not been found guilty of or has not 1066 pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to a crime. The division may 1067 issue the license on a probationary basis for the remainder of 1068 the disqualifying period. The applicant’s probationary period 1069 ends at the end of the disqualifying period. 1070 (

c) A 5-year disqualifying period for all misdemeanors 1071 directly related to this chapter. 1072

(4) The board shall adopt rules to administer this section. 1073

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 38 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. The rules must specify additional disqualification periods for 1074 applicants who have committed multiple crimes and may consider 1075 other relevant factors related to their criminal history. The 1076 rules must provide for mitigating and aggravating factors. 1077 However, mitigation may not result in a period of 1078 disqualification of less than 5 years and may not mitigate the 1079 disqualifying periods in paragraphs (3)(

b) and (c). 1080

(5) For purposes of this section, a disqualifying period 1081 begins upon the applicant’s final release from supervision or 1082 upon completion of the applicant’s criminal sentence. The 1083 department may not issue a license to an applicant until the 1084 applicant provides proof that all related fines, court costs and 1085 fees, and court-ordered restitution have been paid. 1086

(6) After the disqualifying period has expired, the burden 1087 is on the applicant to demonstrate that he or she has been 1088 rehabilitated, does not pose a risk to the public, is fit and 1089 trustworthy to engage in business regulated by this chapter, and 1090 is otherwise qualified for licensure. 1091

(7) Notwithstanding subsections (2) and (3), an applicant 1092 who has been found guilty of, or has pleaded guilty or nolo 1093 contendere to, a crime in subsection (2) or subsection (3), and 1094 who has subsequently been granted a pardon or the restoration of 1095 civil rights pursuant to

chapter 940 and s. 8, Art. IV of the 1096 State Constitution, or a pardon or the restoration of civil 1097 rights under the laws of another jurisdiction with respect to a 1098 conviction in that jurisdiction, is not barred or disqualified 1099 from licensure under this chapter; however, such a pardon or 1100 restoration of civil rights does not require the department to 1101 award such license. 1102

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 39 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. (8)(

a) The board may grant an exemption from 1103 disqualification to any person disqualified from licensure under 1104 subsection (3) if: 1105 1. The applicant has paid in full any fee, fine, fund, 1106 lien, civil judgment, restitution, or cost of prosecution 1107 imposed by the court as part of the judgment and sentence for 1108 any disqualifying offense; and 1109 2. At least 5 years have elapsed since the applicant 1110 completed or has been lawfully released from confinement, 1111 supervision, or nonmonetary condition imposed by the court for a 1112 disqualifying offense. 1113 (

b) For the board to grant an exemption under this 1114 subsection, the applicant must clearly and convincingly 1115 demonstrate that he or she would not pose a risk to persons or 1116 property if licensed under this chapter, evidence of which must 1117 include, but need not be limited to, facts and circumstances 1118 surrounding the disqualifying offense, the time that has elapsed 1119 since the offense, the nature of the offense and harm caused to 1120 the victim, the applicant’s history before and after the 1121 offense, and any other evidence or circumstances indicating that 1122 the applicant will not present a danger if licensed or 1123 certified. 1124 (

c) The board has discretion whether to grant or deny an 1125 exemption under this subsection. The board’s decision of whether 1126 to grant or deny an exemption is subject to

chapter 120. 1127

(9) The disqualification periods provided in this

section 1128 do not apply to the renewal of a license or to a new application 1129 for licensure if the applicant has an active license as of July 1130 1, 2021, and the applicable criminal history was considered by 1131

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 40 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. the board on the prior approval of any active license held by 1132 the applicant. This

section does not affect any criminal history 1133 disclosure requirements of this chapter. 1134

Section 18. Subsection (9) and paragraph (

c) of subsection 1135 (10) of

section 497.142, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1136 497.142 Licensing; fingerprinting and criminal background 1137 checks.— 1138

(9) If any applicant under this

chapter has been, within 1139 the 10 years preceding the application under this chapter, 1140 convicted or found guilty of, or entered a plea of nolo 1141 contendere to, regardless of adjudication, any crime in any 1142 jurisdiction, the application may shall not be deemed complete 1143 until such time as the applicant provides such certified true 1144 copies of the court records evidencing the conviction, finding, 1145 or plea, as required in this

section or as the licensing 1146 authority may by rule require. 1147 (10) 1148 (

c) Crimes to be disclosed are: 1149 1. Any felony or misdemeanor, no matter when committed, 1150 that was directly or indirectly related to or involving any 1151 aspect of the practice or business of funeral directing, 1152 embalming, direct disposition, cremation, funeral or cemetery 1153 preneed sales, funeral establishment operations, cemetery 1154 operations, or cemetery monument or marker sales or 1155 installation. 1156 2. Any misdemeanor, no matter when committed, which was 1157 directly or indirectly related to the practice or activities 1158 regulated under this

chapter Any other felony not already 1159 disclosed under subparagraph 1. that was committed within the 20 1160

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 41 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. years immediately preceding the application under this chapter. 1161 3. Any other misdemeanor not already disclosed under 1162 subparagraph 2. which 1. that was committed within the 5 years 1163 immediately preceding the application under this chapter. 1164

Section 19. Present paragraphs (

c) and (

d) of subsection 1165 (1) of

section 497.369, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as 1166 paragraphs (

d) and (e), respectively, a new paragraph (

c) is 1167 added to that subsection, and paragraph (

b) of that subsection, 1168 subsection (2), and paragraph (

a) of present subsection (5) of 1169 that

section are amended, to read: 1170 497.369 Embalmers; licensure as an embalmer by endorsement; 1171 licensure of a temporary embalmer.— 1172

(1) The licensing authority shall issue a license by 1173 endorsement to practice embalming to an applicant who has 1174 remitted an examination fee set by rule of the licensing 1175 authority not to exceed $200 and who the licensing authority 1176 certifies: 1177 (b)1. Has submitted proof satisfactory to the licensing 1178 authority that the applicant is at least 18 years of age and is 1179 a recipient of a high school diploma or its equivalent; or 1180 2.

Holds a valid license in good standing to practice 1181 embalming in another state of the United States and has engaged 1182 in the full-time, licensed practice of embalming in that state 1183 for at least 5 years.; or 1184 (c)1. Has submitted an application for licensure by 1185 endorsement based upon experience acquired in the deathcare 1186 industry in another state. To meet the qualifications for such 1187 licensure based upon experience, an applicant must hold a valid 1188 license in good standing to practice embalming in another state 1189

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 42 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. of the United States and have engaged in the full-time, licensed 1190 practice of embalming in that state for at least 5 years.

If the 1191 applicant’s proven experience is more than 5 years but less than 1192 10 years, the applicant must additionally have passed an 1193 examination on the subjects of the theory and practice of 1194 embalming, restorative art, pathology, anatomy, microbiology, 1195 chemistry, hygiene, public health and sanitation, and local, 1196 state, and federal laws and rules relating to the disposition of 1197 dead human bodies; however, the licensing authority may by rule 1198 approve the use of a national examination, such as the embalming 1199 examination prepared by the Conference of Funeral Service 1200 Examining Boards, in lieu of part of this examination 1201 requirement.

If the applicant’s proven experience in the 1202 deathcare industry of another state exceeds 10 years, the 1203 applicant does not need to meet this examination requirement. 1204 2. Alternatively, an applicant may submit an application 1205 for licensure by endorsement based upon education related to the 1206 deathcare industry obtained in another state.

To meet the 1207 qualifications for such licensure based upon education, an 1208 applicant must meet Meets the qualifications for licensure in s. 1209 497.368, have except that the internship requirement shall be 1210 deemed to have been satisfied by 1 year’s practice as a licensed 1211 embalmer in another state, and has, within 10 years before the 1212 date of application, successfully completed a state, regional, 1213 or national examination in mortuary science which, as determined 1214 by rule of the licensing authority, and have completed a 1-year 1215 internship under a licensed embalmer, except that the internship 1216 requirement is deemed to have been satisfied if the applicant 1217 has held a valid license in good standing to practice embalming 1218

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 43 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. in another state of the United States and has engaged in the 1219 full-time, licensed practice of embalming in that state for at 1220 least 1 year is substantially equivalent to or more stringent 1221 than the examination given by the licensing authority. 1222

(2) State, regional, or national examinations and 1223 requirements for licensure in another state shall be presumed to 1224 be substantially equivalent to or more stringent than the 1225 examination and requirements in this state unless found 1226 otherwise by rule of the licensing authority. 1227 (4)(a)(5)(

a) There may be adopted by The licensing 1228 authority may adopt rules authorizing an applicant who has met 1229 the requirements of subsection (1) paragraphs (1)(

b) and (

c) and 1230 who is awaiting an opportunity to take the examination required 1231 by subsection (3) (4) to be licensed as a temporary licensed 1232 embalmer. A temporary licensed embalmer may work as an embalmer 1233 in a licensed funeral establishment under the general 1234 supervision of a licensed embalmer. Such temporary license shall 1235 expire 60 days after the date of the next available examination 1236 required under subsection (3) (4); however, the temporary 1237 license may be renewed one time under the same conditions as 1238 initial issuance.

The fee for issuance or renewal of an embalmer 1239 temporary license shall be set by rule of the licensing 1240 authority but may not exceed $200. The fee required in this 1241 subsection shall be nonrefundable and in addition to the fee 1242 required in subsection (1). 1243

Section 20. Present paragraphs (b), (c), and (

d) of 1244 subsection (1) of

section 497.374, Florida Statutes, are 1245 redesignated as paragraphs (c), (d), and (e), respectively, a 1246 new paragraph (

b) is added to that subsection, and present 1247

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b) of that subsection and subsections (3) and (5) are 1248 amended, to read: 1249 497.374 Funeral directing; licensure as a funeral director 1250 by endorsement; licensure of a temporary funeral director.— 1251

(1) The licensing authority shall issue a license by 1252 endorsement to practice funeral directing to an applicant who 1253 has remitted a fee set by rule of the licensing authority not to 1254 exceed $200 and who: 1255 (

b) Submitted proof satisfactory to the licensing authority 1256 that the applicant is at least 18 years of age and is a 1257 recipient of a high school diploma or equivalent. 1258 (c)1.(b)1. Submitted an application for licensure by 1259 endorsement based upon experience acquired in the deathcare 1260 industry in another state.

To meet the qualifications for such 1261 licensure based upon experience, an applicant must hold a valid 1262 license in good standing to practice funeral directing in 1263 another state of the United States and have engaged in the full-1264 time, licensed practice of funeral directing in that state for 1265 at least 5 years.

If the applicant’s proven experience is more 1266 than 5 years but less than 10 years, the applicant must 1267 additionally have passed an examination on the theory and 1268 practice of funeral directing and funeral service arts; however, 1269 the licensing authority may approve by rule the use of a 1270 national examination, such as the funeral services arts 1271 examination prepared by the Conference of Funeral Service 1272 Examining Boards, in lieu of this examination requirement.

If 1273 the applicant’s proven experience in the deathcare industry of 1274 another state exceeds 10 years, the applicant does not need to 1275 meet this examination requirement. Holds a valid license in good 1276

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 45 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. standing to practice funeral directing in another state of the 1277 United States and has engaged in the full-time, licensed 1278 practice of funeral directing in that state for at least 5 1279 years; or 1280 2. Alternatively, an applicant may submit an application 1281 for licensure by endorsement based upon education related to the 1282 deathcare industry obtained in another state.

To meet the 1283 qualifications for such licensure based upon education, an 1284 applicant must meet Meets the qualifications for licensure in s. 1285 497.373, except that the applicant need not hold an associate 1286 degree or higher if the applicant holds a diploma or certificate 1287 from an accredited program of mortuary science, and have has 1288 successfully completed a state, regional, or national 1289 examination in mortuary science or funeral service arts which, 1290 as determined by rule of the licensing authority and have 1291 completed a 1-year internship under a licensed funeral director, 1292 except that the internship requirement shall be deemed to have 1293 been satisfied if the applicant has held a valid license in good 1294 standing to practice funeral directing in another state of the 1295 United States and engaged in the full-time, licensed practice of 1296 funeral directing in that state for at least 1 year, is 1297 substantially equivalent to or more stringent than the 1298 examination given by the licensing authority. 1299

(3) State, regional, or national examinations and 1300 requirements for licensure in another state shall be presumed to 1301 be substantially equivalent to or more stringent than the 1302 examination and requirements in this state unless found 1303 otherwise by rule of the licensing authority. 1304 (4)

(5) The licensing authority may adopt There may be 1305

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 46 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. adopted rules authorizing an applicant who has met the 1306 requirements of subsection (1) paragraphs (1)(

b) and (

c) and who 1307 is awaiting an opportunity to take the examination required by 1308 subsection (3) (4) to obtain a license as a temporary funeral 1309 director. A licensed temporary funeral director may work as a 1310 funeral director in a licensed funeral establishment under the 1311 general supervision of a funeral director licensed under 1312 subsection (1) or s. 497.373.

Such license shall expire 60 days 1313 after the date of the next available examination required under 1314 subsection (3) (4); however, the temporary license may be 1315 renewed one time under the same conditions as initial issuance. 1316 The fee for initial issuance or renewal of a temporary license 1317 under this subsection shall be set by rule of the licensing 1318 authority but may not exceed $200. The fee required in this 1319 subsection shall be nonrefundable and in addition to the fee 1320 required in subsection (1).

A member of the United States Armed 1321 Forces, such member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States 1322 Armed Forces who separated from service within the 2 years 1323 preceding application for licensure are exempt from the initial 1324 issuance fee.

To qualify for the initial issuance fee exemption, 1325 an applicant must provide a copy of a military identification 1326 card, military dependent identification card, military service 1327 record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge 1328 paper, or separation document that indicates such member is 1329 currently in good standing or such veteran was honorably 1330 discharged. 1331

Section

Section 497.376, Florida Statutes, is amended 1332 to read: 1333 497.376 License as funeral director and embalmer 1334

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(1) This

chapter does not prohibit a person from holding a 1336 license as an embalmer and a license as a funeral director at 1337 the same time. There may be issued and renewed by the licensing 1338 authority a combination license as both funeral director and 1339 embalmer to persons meeting the separate requirements for both 1340 licenses as set forth in this chapter. The licensing authority 1341 may adopt rules providing procedures for applying for and 1342 renewing such combination license. Such combination license may 1343 be obtained by meeting the requirements for licensure by 1344 examination set out in ss. 497.368 and 497.374. 1345

(2) The licensing authority may by rule establish 1346 application, renewal, and other fees for such combination 1347 license, which fees may not exceed the sum of the maximum fees 1348 for the separate funeral director and embalmer license 1349 categories as provided in this chapter. A person holding a 1350 combination license as a funeral director and an embalmer is 1351 subject to regulation under this

chapter both as a funeral 1352 director and an embalmer. 1353

(2) Except as provided in s. 497.377, an applicant for a 1354 combination license as both a funeral director and an embalmer, 1355 obtained by meeting the requirements for licensure by 1356 examination set out in ss. 497.368 and 497.374, must hold the 1357 educational credentials required for licensure of a funeral 1358 director under s. 497.373(1)(d). 1359

Section 22. Subsection (1) of

section 497.380, Florida 1360 Statutes, is amended to read: 1361 497.380 Funeral establishment; licensure; display of 1362 license.— 1363

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(1) A funeral establishment shall be a place at a specific 1364 street address or location consisting of at least 1,250 1365 contiguous interior square feet and shall maintain or make 1366 arrangements for capacity for the refrigeration and storage of 1367 dead human bodies handled and stored by the establishment and a 1368 preparation room equipped with necessary ventilation and 1369 drainage and containing necessary instruments for embalming dead 1370 human bodies or shall make arrangements for a preparation room 1371 as established by rule.

For purposes of this subsection, the 1372 1,250 contiguous interior square feet may not include any square 1373 footage designated in the cooperative documents as common areas. 1374

Section 23. Subsection (5) of

section 497.386, Florida 1375 Statutes, is amended to read: 1376 497.386 Storage, preservation, and transportation of human 1377 remains.— 1378

(5) In the event of an emergency situation, including the 1379 abandonment of any establishments or facilities licensed under 1380 this

chapter or any medical examiner’s facility, morgue, or 1381 cemetery holding facility, the department may enter and secure 1382 such establishment or, facility, or morgue during or outside of 1383 normal business hours and remove human remains and cremated 1384 remains from the establishment or, facility, or morgue. For 1385 purposes of this subsection, the department shall determine 1386 whether if a facility is abandoned and whether if there is an 1387 emergency situation.

A licensee or licensed facility that 1388 accepts transfer of human remains and cremated remains from the 1389 department pursuant to this subsection may not be held liable 1390 for the condition of any human remains or cremated remains at 1391 the time of transfer. 1392

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Section 24. Paragraph (

b) of subsection (9) of

section 1393 497.604, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1394 497.604 Direct disposal establishments, license required; 1395 licensing procedures and criteria; license renewal; regulation; 1396 display of license.— 1397

(9) REGULATION OF DIRECT DISPOSAL ESTABLISHMENTS.— 1398 (

b) The practice of direct disposition must be engaged in 1399 at a fixed location of at least 625 contiguous interior 1400 contiguous square feet and must maintain or make arrangements 1401 for suitable capacity for the refrigeration and storage of dead 1402 human bodies handled and stored by the establishment. For 1403 purposes of this subsection, the 625 contiguous interior square 1404 feet may not include any square footage designated in the 1405 cooperative documents as common areas. 1406

Section 25. Subsections (1) and (2) of

section 554.103, 1407 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1408 554.103 Boiler code.—The department shall adopt by rule a 1409 State Boiler Code for the safe construction, installation, 1410 inspection, maintenance, and repair of boilers in this state. 1411 The rules adopted shall be based upon and shall at all times 1412 follow generally accepted nationwide engineering standards, 1413 formulas, and practices pertaining to boiler construction and 1414 safety. 1415

(1) The department shall adopt the latest version of the an 1416 existing code for new construction and installation known as the 1417 Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code of the American Society of 1418 Mechanical Engineers, including all amendments and 1419

interpretations to the A.S.M.E. Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code 1420 approved by the A.S.M.E. Council on Codes and Standards 1421

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 50 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. subsequent to the adoption of the State Boiler Code, and when so 1422 adopted by the department, such amendments and

interpretations 1423 become a part of the State Boiler Code. 1424

(2) The installer of any boiler placed in use in this state 1425 after January 1, 2018, must, before installing the boiler, apply 1426 on a form adopted by rule of the department for an application a 1427 permit to install the boiler from the chief boiler inspector. 1428 The application must include the boiler’s A.S.M.E. 1429 manufacturer’s data report and other documents required by the 1430 State Boiler Code before the boiler is placed in service. The 1431 installer must contact the chief boiler inspector to

schedule an 1432 inspection for each boiler no later than 7 days before the 1433 boiler is placed in service. 1434

Section 26. Subsection (1) of

section 554.108, Florida 1435 Statutes, is amended to read: 1436 554.108 Inspection.— 1437

(1) The inspection requirements of this

chapter apply only 1438 to boilers that are regulated by this

chapter located in public 1439 assembly locations. A boiler with an input of 200,000 British 1440 thermal units (Btu) per hour and above, up to an input not 1441 exceeding 400,000 Btu per hour, is exempt from inspection; 1442 however, such an exempt boiler, if manufactured after July 1, 1443 2022, must be stamped with the A.S.M.E. code symbol. 1444 Additionally, the A.S.M.E. data report of a boiler with an input 1445 of 200,000 to 400,000 Btu per hour must be filed as required 1446 under s. 554.103(2). 1447

Section 27. Subsection (1) of

section 554.114, Florida 1448 Statutes, is amended to read: 1449 554.114 Prohibitions; penalties.— 1450

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(1) A person may not do any of the following: 1451 (

a) Operate a boiler that is regulated by this

chapter at a 1452 public assembly location without a valid certificate of 1453 operation for that boiler.; 1454 (

b) Use a certificate of operation for any boiler other 1455 than for the boiler for which it was issued.; 1456 (

c) Operate a boiler for which the certificate of operation 1457 has been suspended, revoked, or not renewed.; or 1458 (

d) Inspect any boiler regulated under this

chapter without 1459 having a valid certificate of competency. 1460

Section 28. Paragraph (

d) of subsection (1) of

section 1461 554.115, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1462 554.115 Disciplinary proceedings.— 1463

(1) The department may deny, refuse to renew, suspend, or 1464 revoke a certificate of operation upon proof that: 1465 (

d) The owner of a boiler: 1466 1. Operated a boiler that is regulated by this

chapter at a 1467 public assembly location without a valid certificate of 1468 operation for that boiler; 1469 2. Used a certificate of operation for a boiler other than 1470 the boiler for which the certificate of operation was issued; 1471 3. Gave false or forged information to the department, to 1472 an authorized inspection agency, or to another boiler inspector 1473 for the purpose of obtaining a certificate of operation; 1474 4. Operated a boiler after the certificate of operation for 1475 the boiler expired, was not renewed, or was suspended or 1476 revoked; 1477 5. Operated a boiler that is in an unsafe condition; or 1478 6. Operated a boiler in a manner that is contrary to the 1479

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chapter or any rule adopted under this 1480 chapter. 1481

Section

Section 554.116, Florida Statutes, is created 1482 to read: 1483 554.116 Carbon monoxide.—The owner or user shall install a 1484 carbon monoxide detector or alarm on all boilers and fire 1485 pressured vessels that are regulated by this chapter. 1486

Section

Section 554.117, Florida Statutes, is created 1487 to read: 1488 554.117 Conduct of an examination of any boiler.— 1489

(1) In accordance with s. 633.112, the Division of State 1490 Fire Marshal may conduct an examination of any boiler covered by 1491 this chapter. 1492

(2) The division shall, upon receipt of a complaint, review 1493 the nature of the complaint and conduct an examination if 1494 necessary. 1495

Section 31. Paragraph (

b) of subsection (10) of

section 1496 624.307, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1497 624.307 General powers; duties.— 1498 (10) 1499 (

b) Notwithstanding any provision in

chapter 634, any 1500 person licensed or issued a certificate of authority or made an 1501 eligible surplus lines insurer by the department or the office 1502 shall respond, in writing or electronically, to the division 1503 within 14 days after receipt of a written request for documents 1504 and information from the division concerning a consumer 1505 complaint. The response must address the issues and allegations 1506 raised in the complaint and include any requested documents 1507 concerning the consumer complaint not subject to attorney-client 1508

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 53 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. or work-product privilege. The division may impose an 1509 administrative penalty for failure to comply with this paragraph 1510 of up to $5,000 per violation upon any entity licensed by the 1511 department or the office and up to $1,000 per violation by any 1512 individual licensed by the department or the office. 1513

Section

Section 624.317, Florida Statutes, is amended 1514 to read: 1515 624.317 Investigation of agents, adjusters, administrators, 1516 service companies, and others.— 1517

(1) If it has reason to believe that any person has 1518 violated or is violating any provision of this code, or upon the 1519 written complaint signed by any interested person indicating 1520 that any such violation may exist: 1521 (a)

(1) The department must shall conduct such investigation 1522 as it deems necessary of the accounts, records, documents, and 1523 transactions pertaining to or affecting the insurance affairs of 1524 any agent, adjuster, insurance agency, customer representative, 1525 service representative, or other person subject to its 1526 jurisdiction, subject to the requirements of s. 626.601. 1527 (b)

(2) The office must shall conduct such investigation as 1528 it deems necessary of the accounts, records, documents, and 1529 transactions pertaining to or affecting the insurance affairs of 1530 any: 1531 1.(

a) Administrator, service company, or other person 1532 subject to its jurisdiction. 1533 2.(

b) Person having a contract or power of attorney under 1534 which she or he enjoys in fact the exclusive or dominant right 1535 to manage or control an insurer. 1536 3.(

c) Person engaged in or proposing to be engaged in the 1537

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 54 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. promotion or formation of: 1538 a.1. A domestic insurer; 1539 b.2. An insurance holding corporation; or 1540 c.3. A corporation to finance a domestic insurer or in the 1541 production of the domestic insurer’s business. 1542

(2) Any person licensed or issued a certificate of 1543 authority by the department or the office shall, in writing or 1544 electronically, respond to the department or office within 14 1545 days after receipt of a written request for documents and 1546 information from the department or office concerning records 1547 pertinent to an ongoing investigation. The response must address 1548 the issues and allegations raised in the investigation and 1549 include any requested documents not subject to attorney-client 1550 or work-product privilege.

The department or office may impose 1551 an administrative penalty for failure to comply with this 1552 subsection of up to $5,000 per violation upon any person 1553 licensed or issued a certificate of authority by the department 1554 or office. 1555

Section

Section 626.171, Florida Statutes, is amended 1556 to read: 1557 626.171 Application for license as an agent, customer 1558 representative, adjuster, or service representative, or 1559 reinsurance intermediary.— 1560

(1) The department may not issue a license as agent, 1561 customer representative, adjuster, or service representative, or 1562 reinsurance intermediary to any person except upon written 1563 application filed with the department, meeting the 1564 qualifications for the license applied for as determined by the 1565 department, and payment in advance of all applicable fees. The 1566

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 55 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. application must be made under the oath of the applicant and be 1567 signed by the applicant. An applicant may permit a third party 1568 to complete, submit, and sign an application on the applicant’s 1569 behalf, but is responsible for ensuring that the information on 1570 the application is true and correct and is accountable for any 1571 misstatements or misrepresentations.

The department shall accept 1572 the uniform application for resident and nonresident agent and 1573 adjuster licensing. The department may adopt revised versions of 1574 the uniform application by rule. 1575

(2) In the application, the applicant must include shall 1576 set forth: 1577 (

a) The applicant’s His or her full name, age, social 1578 security number, residence address, business address, mailing 1579 address, contact telephone numbers, including a business 1580 telephone number, and e-mail address. 1581 (

b) A statement indicating the method the applicant used or 1582 is using to meet any required prelicensing education, knowledge, 1583 experience, or instructional requirements for the type of 1584 license applied for. 1585 (

c) Whether the applicant he or she has been refused or has 1586 voluntarily surrendered or has had suspended or revoked a 1587 license to solicit insurance by the department or by the 1588 supervising officials of any state. 1589 (

d) Whether any insurer or any managing general agent 1590 claims the applicant is indebted under any agency contract or 1591 otherwise and, if so, the name of the claimant, the nature of 1592 the claim, and the applicant’s defense thereto, if any. 1593 (

e) Proof that the applicant meets the requirements for the 1594 type of license for which he or she is applying. 1595

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f) The applicant’s gender (male or female). 1596 (

g) The applicant’s native language. 1597 (

h) The highest level of education achieved by the 1598 applicant. 1599 (

i) The applicant’s race or ethnicity (African American, 1600 white, American Indian, Asian, Hispanic, or other). 1601 (

j) Such other or additional information as the department 1602 may deem proper to enable it to determine the character, 1603 experience, ability, and other qualifications of the applicant 1604 to hold himself or herself out to the public as an insurance 1605 representative. 1606 1607 However, the application must contain a statement that an 1608 applicant is not required to disclose his or her race or 1609 ethnicity, gender, or native language, that he or she will not 1610 be penalized for not doing so, and that the department will use 1611 this information exclusively for research and statistical 1612 purposes and to improve the quality and fairness of the 1613 examinations.

The department may shall make provisions for 1614 applicants, voluntarily, to submit their cellular telephone 1615 numbers as part of the application process solely on a voluntary 1616 basis only for the purpose of two-factor authentication of 1617 secure login credentials only. 1618

(3) Each application must be accompanied by payment of any 1619 applicable fee. 1620

(4) An applicant for a license issued by the department 1621 under this

chapter must submit a set of the individual 1622 applicant’s fingerprints, or, if the applicant is not an 1623 individual, a set of the fingerprints of the sole proprietor, 1624

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 57 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. majority owner, partners, officers, and directors, to the 1625 department and must pay the fingerprint processing fee set forth 1626 in s. 624.501. Fingerprints must be processed in accordance with 1627 s. 624.34 and used to investigate the applicant’s qualifications 1628 pursuant to s. 626.201. The fingerprints must be taken by a law 1629 enforcement agency or other department-approved entity.

The 1630 department may not approve an application for licensure as an 1631 agent, customer service representative, adjuster, or service 1632 representative, or reinsurance intermediary if fingerprints have 1633 not been submitted. 1634

(5) The application for license filing fee prescribed in s. 1635 624.501 is not subject to refund. 1636

(6) Members of the United States Armed Forces and their 1637 spouses, and veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have 1638 separated from service within 24 months before application for 1639 licensure, are exempt from the application filing fee prescribed 1640 in s. 624.501. Qualified individuals must provide a copy of a 1641 military identification card, military dependent identification 1642 card, military service record, military personnel file, veteran 1643 record, discharge paper or separation document that indicates 1644 such members are currently in good standing or such veterans 1645 were honorably discharged. 1646

(7) Pursuant to the federal Personal Responsibility and 1647 Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, each party is 1648 required to provide his or her social security number in 1649 accordance with this section. Disclosure of social security 1650 numbers obtained through this requirement must be limited to the 1651 purpose of administration of the Title IV-D program for child 1652 support enforcement. 1653

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Section 34. Paragraph (

c) of subsection (3) of

section 1654 626.2815, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1655 626.2815 Continuing education requirements.— 1656

(3) Each licensee except a title insurance agent must 1657 complete a 4-hour update course every 2 years which is specific 1658 to the license held by the licensee. The course must be 1659 developed and offered by providers and approved by the 1660 department.

The content of the course must address all lines of 1661 insurance for which examination and licensure are required and 1662 include the following subject areas: insurance law updates, 1663 ethics for insurance professionals, disciplinary trends and case 1664 studies, industry trends, premium discounts, determining 1665 suitability of products and services, and other similar 1666 insurance-related topics the department determines are relevant 1667 to legally and ethically carrying out the responsibilities of 1668 the license granted.

A licensee who holds multiple insurance 1669 licenses must complete an update course that is specific to at 1670 least one of the licenses held. Except as otherwise specified, 1671 any remaining required hours of continuing education are 1672 elective and may consist of any continuing education course 1673 approved by the department under this section. 1674 (

c) A licensee who has been licensed for 25 years or more 1675 is not required to complete any continuing education elective 1676 hours if it is determined that the licensee also possesses one 1677 of the following qualifications: 1678 1. Has received a chartered life underwriter designation; 1679 2. Has received a chartered property and casualty 1680 underwriter designation; or 1681 3. Has received a bachelor of science degree or higher in 1682

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Section 35. Paragraph (

c) of subsection (2) of

section 1690 626.292, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1691 626.292 Transfer of license from another state.— 1692

(2) To qualify for a license transfer, an individual 1693 applicant must meet the following requirements: 1694 (

c) The individual must submit a completed application for 1695 this state which is received by the department within 90 days 1696 after the date the individual became a resident of this state, 1697 along with payment of the applicable fees set forth in s. 1698 624.501 and submission of the following documents: 1699 1.

A certification issued by the appropriate official of 1700 the applicant’s home state identifying the type of license and 1701 lines of authority under the license and stating that, at the 1702 time the license from the home state was canceled, the applicant 1703 was in good standing in that state or that the state’s Producer 1704 Database records, maintained by the National Association of 1705 Insurance Commissioners, its affiliates, or subsidiaries, 1706 indicate that the agent or all-lines adjuster is or was licensed 1707 in good standing for the line of authority requested. 1708 2.

A set of the applicant’s fingerprints in accordance with 1709 s. 626.171(4). 1710

Section 36. Paragraph (

h) of subsection (1) of

section 1711

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 60 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. 626.611, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1712 626.611 Grounds for compulsory refusal, suspension, or 1713 revocation of agent’s, title agency’s, adjuster’s, customer 1714 representative’s, service representative’s, or managing general 1715 agent’s license or appointment.— 1716

(1) The department shall deny an application for, suspend, 1717 revoke, or refuse to renew or continue the license or 1718 appointment of any applicant, agent, title agency, adjuster, 1719 customer representative, service representative, or managing 1720 general agent, and it shall suspend or revoke the eligibility to 1721 hold a license or appointment of any such person, if it finds 1722 that as to the applicant, licensee, or appointee any one or more 1723 of the following applicable grounds exist: 1724 (

h) Demonstrated lack of technical ability reasonably 1725 adequate knowledge and technical competence in the duties and 1726 responsibilities deemed necessary by the department to engage in 1727 the transactions authorized by the license or appointment. 1728

Section 37. Subsections (10) and (16) of

section 626.621, 1729 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1730 626.621 Grounds for discretionary refusal, suspension, or 1731 revocation of agent’s, adjuster’s, customer representative’s, 1732 service representative’s, or managing general agent’s license or 1733 appointment.—The department may, in its discretion, deny an 1734 application for, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew or continue 1735 the license or appointment of any applicant, agent, adjuster, 1736 customer representative, service representative, or managing 1737 general agent, and it may suspend or revoke the eligibility to 1738 hold a license or appointment of any such person, if it finds 1739 that as to the applicant, licensee, or appointee any one or more 1740

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(10) Failure to inform the department in writing within 30 1744 days after pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, or being 1745 convicted or found guilty of, any felony or a crime punishable 1746 by imprisonment of 1 year or more, or a misdemeanor directly 1747 related to the financial services business, under the law of the 1748 United States or of any state thereof, or under the law of any 1749 other country without regard to whether a judgment of conviction 1750 has been entered by the court having jurisdiction of the case. 1751

(16) Taking an action that allows the personal financial or 1752 medical information of a consumer or customer to be made 1753 available or accessible to the general public, regardless of the 1754 format in which the record is stored. 1755 (

a) The department, having good cause to believe that a 1756 licensee does not possess the proper knowledge as to the kinds 1757 of insurance for which the person is licensed, and of the 1758 pertinent provisions of the laws of this state, may, at any 1759 time, require him or her to submit to an examination or 1760 reexamination. Good cause as used in this paragraph must be 1761 construed to mean that a licensee’s history of consumer 1762 complaints, violations of the insurance code, warnings, or other 1763 evidence is sufficient to indicate that he or she is not 1764 qualified to be licensed to transact insurance in this state. 1765 (

b) Refusal or neglect of the licensee to submit to, or 1766 failing to secure a passing grade on, such examination or 1767 reexamination within 30 days after a written demand to retest 1768 shall be grounds for suspension or revocation of his or her 1769

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Section 38. Subsection (1) of

section 626.731, Florida 1771 Statutes, is amended to read: 1772 626.731 Qualifications for general lines agent’s license.— 1773

(1) The department may shall not grant or issue a license 1774 as general lines agent to any individual found by it to be 1775 untrustworthy or incompetent or who does not meet each all of 1776 the following qualifications: 1777 (

a) The applicant is a natural person at least 18 years of 1778 age. 1779 (

b) The applicant is a United States citizen or legal alien 1780 who possesses work authorization from the United States Bureau 1781 of Citizenship and Immigration Services and is a bona fide 1782 resident of this state.

An individual who is a bona fide 1783 resident of this state shall be deemed to meet the residence 1784 requirement of this paragraph, notwithstanding the existence at 1785 the time of application for license of a license in his or her 1786 name on the records of another state as a resident licensee of 1787 such other state, if the applicant furnishes a letter of 1788 clearance satisfactory to the department that the resident 1789 licenses have been canceled or changed to a nonresident basis 1790 and that he or she is in good standing. 1791 (

c) The applicant’s place of business will be located in 1792 this state and he or she will be actively engaged in the 1793 business of insurance and will maintain a place of business, the 1794 location of which is identifiable by and accessible to the 1795 public. 1796 (

d) The license is not being sought for the purpose of 1797 writing or handling controlled business, in violation of s. 1798

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 63 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. 626.730. 1799 (

e) The applicant is qualified as to knowledge, experience, 1800 or instruction in the business of insurance and meets the 1801 requirements provided in s. 626.732. 1802 (

f) The applicant has passed any required examination for 1803 license required under s. 626.221. 1804

Section 39. Subsection (2) of

section 626.785, Florida 1805 Statutes, is amended to read: 1806 626.785 Qualifications for license.— 1807

(2) An individual who is a bona fide resident of this state 1808 shall be deemed to meet the residence requirement of paragraph 1809 (1)(b), notwithstanding the existence at the time of application 1810 for license of a license in his or her name on the records of 1811 another state as a resident licensee of such other state, if the 1812 applicant furnishes a letter of clearance satisfactory to the 1813 department that the resident licenses have been canceled or 1814 changed to a nonresident basis and that he or she is in good 1815 standing. 1816

Section

Section 626.831, Florida Statutes, is amended 1817 to read: 1818 626.831 Qualifications for license.— 1819

(1) The department may shall not grant or issue a license 1820 as health agent as to any individual found by it to be 1821 untrustworthy or incompetent, or who does not meet all of the 1822 following qualifications: 1823 (1)(

a) Is Must be a natural person of at least 18 years of 1824 age. 1825 (2)(

b) Is Must be a United States citizen or legal alien 1826 who possesses work authorization from the United States Bureau 1827

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 64 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. of Citizenship and Immigration Services and is a bona fide 1828 resident of this state. 1829 (3)(

c) Is Must not be an employee of the United States 1830 Department of Veterans Affairs or state service office, as 1831 referred to in s. 626.833. 1832 (4)(

d) Has taken Must take and passed pass any examination 1833 for license required under s. 626.221. 1834 (5)(

e) Is Must be qualified as to knowledge, experience, or 1835 instruction in the business of insurance and meets meet the 1836 requirements relative thereto provided in s. 626.8311. 1837

(2) An individual who is a bona fide resident of this state 1838 shall be deemed to meet the residence requirement of paragraph 1839 (1)(b), notwithstanding the existence at the time of application 1840 for license of a license in his or her name on the records of 1841 another state as a resident licensee of such other state, if the 1842 applicant furnishes a letter of clearance satisfactory to the 1843 department that the resident licenses have been canceled or 1844 changed to a nonresident basis and that he or she is in good 1845 standing. 1846

Section 41. Subsection (6) of

section 626.8417, Florida 1847 Statutes, is amended to read: 1848 626.8417 Title insurance agent licensure; exemptions.— 1849

(6) If an attorney owns a corporation or other legal entity 1850 that is doing business as a title insurance agency, other than 1851 an entity engaged in the active practice of law, the agency must 1852 be licensed and appointed as a title insurance agency agent. 1853

Section 42. Subsection (4) is added to

section 626.843, 1854 Florida Statutes, to read: 1855 626.843 Renewal, continuation, reinstatement, termination 1856

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 65 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. of title insurance agent’s and title insurance agency’s 1857 appointments.— 1858

(4) The department must cancel appointments of a title 1859 insurance agency if the agency fails to pay the annual title 1860 insurance agency administrative surcharge under s. 624.501 by 1861 April 1 of each reporting year. The title insurance agency is 1862 not eligible for appointment until the title insurance agency 1863 pays the administrative surcharge. 1864

Section 43. Subsection (5) of

section 626.8473, Florida 1865 Statutes, is amended to read: 1866 626.8473 Escrow; trust fund.— 1867

(5) The title insurance agency shall maintain separate 1868 records of all receipts and disbursements of escrow, settlement, 1869 or closing funds. The title insurance agency shall disclose all 1870 fees associated with closing services to the consumer before 1871 closing. The title insurance agency may not charge any fee that 1872 was not disclosed to the consumer as provided in this 1873 subsection. 1874

Section 44. Subsections (4) and (5) are added to

section 1875 626.878, Florida Statutes, to read: 1876 626.878 Rules; code of ethics.— 1877

(4) In order to ensure fair dealing in estimating losses, 1878 an adjuster shall adhere to any requirement established by rule 1879 when preparing and submitting a written estimate of loss. Such 1880 requirements cannot be waived by the insured or the insurance 1881 company. 1882

(5) The department may adopt rules to implement this 1883 section. 1884

Section 45. Subsection (1) of

section 626.927, Florida 1885

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1522 9-01082A-25 20251522__ Page 66 of 79 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Statutes, is amended to read: 1886 626.927 Licensing of surplus lines agent.— 1887

(1) Any individual, while licensed as a general lines agent 1888 under this code, and who has a minimum of 1 year of experience 1889 working for a licensed surplus lines agent, who has received a 1890 degree in insurance from an accredited institution of higher 1891 learning approved by the department which included 3 credit 1892 hours of instruction in surplus and excess lines, or wh