Florida 2024 Regular Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 1 R · 1 D cosponsors

HB 1295 — Health Care Practitioner Titles and Abbreviations

Last action — Laid on Table

Track this bill free

No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Health Care Practitioner Titles and Abbreviations; Specifies which titles & abbreviations health care practitioners may use in their advertisements, communications, & personal identification; prohibits health care practitioners from using deceptive or misleading terms or false representations in their advertisements; requires certain health care practitioners to prominently display copy of their license in conspicuous area of their practices; provides for denial of licensure & disciplinary action.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

149 added · 150 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Bill HB 1295 has expanded the list of medical specialties by specifically naming various types of doctors, including emergency physicians, family physicians, and cardiologists, among others. In the previous version, the term "physician" was used generally without specifying these roles. This change matters because it clarifies the different types of medical professionals covered under the bill, ensuring that each specialty is represented and potentially improving healthcare delivery and oversight in those areas.

→
Previous
Latest
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB1295 2024 A bill to be entitled An act relating to health care practitioner titles and abbreviations;
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB1295 2024 A bill to be entitled An act relating to health care practitioner titles and abbreviations;
hb1295-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB1295 2024 Section 1.
hb1295-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB1295 2024 Section 1.
hb1295-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB1295 2024 (d) "Practitioner" means a health care practitioner as defined in s.
hb1295-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB1295 2024 (d) "Practitioner" means a health care practitioner as defined in s.
(e) Physician.
(e) Emergency physician.
(f) Emergency physician.
(f) Family physician.
hb1295-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB1295 2024 (g) Family physician.
hb1295-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB1295 2024 (g) Interventional pain physician.
(h) Interventional pain physician.
(h) Medical doctor.
(i) Medical doctor.
(i) Osteopath.
(j) Osteopath.
(j) Osteopathic physician.
(k) Osteopathic physician.
(k) Doctor of osteopathic medicine.
(l) Doctor of osteopathic medicine.
(l) Surgeon.
(m) Surgeon.
(m) Neurosurgeon.
(n) Neurosurgeon.
(n) General surgeon.
(o) General surgeon.
(o) Resident physician.
(p) Resident physician.
(p) Medical resident.
(q) Medical resident.
(q) Medical intern.
(r) Medical intern.
(r) Anesthesiologist.
(s) Anesthesiologist.
(s) Cardiologist.
(t) Cardiologist.
(t) Dermatologist.
(u) Dermatologist.
(u) Endocrinologist.
(v) Endocrinologist.
(v) Gastroenterologist.
(w) Gastroenterologist.
(w) Gynecologist.
(x) Gynecologist.
(x) Hematologist.
(y) Hematologist.
(y) Hospitalist.
(z) Hospitalist.
(z) Intensivist.
(aa) Intensivist.
(aa) Internist.
(bb) Internist.
(bb) Laryngologist.
(cc) Laryngologist.
(cc) Nephrologist.
(dd) Nephrologist.
(dd) Neurologist.
(ee) Neurologist.
(ee) Obstetrician.
hb1295-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB1295 2024 (ff) Obstetrician.
hb1295-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB1295 2024 (ff) Oncologist.
(gg) Oncologist.
(gg) Ophthalmologist.
(hh) Ophthalmologist.
(hh) Orthopedic surgeon.
(ii) Orthopedic surgeon.
(ii) Orthopedist.
(jj) Orthopedist.
(jj) Otologist.
(kk) Otologist.
(kk) Otolaryngologist.
(ll) Otolaryngologist.
(ll) Otorhinolaryngologist.
(mm) Otorhinolaryngologist.
(mm) Pathologist.
(nn) Pathologist.
(nn) Pediatrician.
(oo) Pediatrician.
(oo) Primary care physician.
Show all 60 changed rows (20 more)
Previous
Latest
(pp) Primary care physician.
(pp) Proctologist.
(qq) Proctologist.
(qq) Psychiatrist.
(rr) Psychiatrist.
(rr) Radiologist.
(ss) Radiologist.
(ss) Rheumatologist.
(tt) Rheumatologist.
(tt) Rhinologist.
(uu) Rhinologist.
(uu) Urologist.
(vv) Urologist.
(b) A licensed practitioner who has a specialty area of practice authorized under his or her practice act may use the Page 5of 9 CODING:
(b) A licensed practitioner who has a specialty area of practice authorized under his or her practice act may use the following format to identify himself or herself or describe his Page 5of 9 CODING:
hb1295-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB1295 2024 following format to identify himself or herself or describe his or her practice:
hb1295-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB1295 2024 or her practice:
"doctor of medicine in dentistry," "doctor of dental medicine," "D.M.D.," "doctor of dental surgery," "D.D.S.," "oral surgeon," "maxillofacial Page 6of 9 CODING:
"doctor of medicine in dentistry," "doctor of dental medicine," "D.M.D.," "doctor of dental surgery," "D.D.S.," "oral surgeon," "maxillofacial surgeon," "oral and maxillofacial surgeon," "O.M.S.," "oral Page 6of 9 CODING:
hb1295-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB1295 2024 surgeon," "oral and maxillofacial surgeon," "O.M.S.," "oral radiologist," "dental anesthesiologist," "oral pathologist," and other titles or abbreviations authorized under his or her practice act.
hb1295-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB1295 2024 radiologist," "dental anesthesiologist," "oral pathologist," and other titles or abbreviations authorized under his or her practice act.
The information on the name tag must Page 7of 9 CODING:
The information on the name tag must be consistent with the specifications of s.
456.0651(2) such Page 7of 9 CODING:
hb1295-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB1295 2024 be consistent with the specifications of s.
hb1295-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB1295 2024 that it does not constitute the unlicensed practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine.
456.0651(2) such that it does not constitute the unlicensed practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine.
Page 8of 9 CODING:
4.
Each board, or the department if where there is no Page 8of 9 CODING:
hb1295-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB1295 2024 4.
hb1295-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB1295 2024 board, shall is authorized by rule to determine how its practitioners must may comply with this paragraph disclosure requirement.
Each board, or the department if where there is no board, shall is authorized by rule to determine how its practitioners must may comply with this paragraph disclosure requirement.
hb1295-00
hb1295-01-c1
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (2)

How this bill changes current law

10 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes new requirements for health care practitioners regarding the titles they use and mandates specific identification practices with patients.

  • 456.072

    Failing to identify through written notice, which may include the wearing of a name tag the practitioner's name and, or orally to a patient the profession, as defined in s. 456.0651, type of license under which the practitioner is practicing. → A practitioner's failure, when treating or consulting with a patient, to identify through written notice, which may include the wearing of a name tag, the practitioner's name and orally to a patient the profession, as defined in s. 456.0651, type of license under which the practitioner is practicing.

    Clarifies the language regarding a practitioner's obligation to identify themselves and their profession.

  • 456.072

    must identify the profession, as defined in s. 456.0651, under which the practitioner is practicing and the practitioner's educational degree, as defined in s. 456.0651, in relation to the services featured in the advertisement type of license the practitioner holds. → must identify the profession, as defined in s. 456.0651, under which the practitioner is practicing and the practitioner's educational degree, as defined in s. 456.0651, in relation to the services featured in the advertisement.

    Updates the requirements for what must be included in advertisements by health care practitioners.

  • 456.072

    is authorized by rule to determine how its practitioners must may comply with this paragraph disclosure requirement. → shall is authorized by rule to determine how its practitioners must may comply with this paragraph disclosure requirement.

    Changes the authority of boards regarding rule adoption related to practitioner identification.

  • 456.0651

    456.0651 Health care practitioner titles and designations.—

    Establishes a new section defining the titles and designations that constitute the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine.

  • 456.0651

    Notwithstanding subsection (2): A licensed practitioner may use the name or title of his or her profession which is authorized under his or her practice act, and any corresponding designations or initials so authorized, to describe himself or herself and his or her practice.

    Legally permits licensed practitioners to use their professional titles as defined by their practice acts.

  • 456.0651

    A licensed practitioner who has a specialty area of practice authorized under his or her practice act may use the following format to identify himself or herself or describe his or her practice: '...(name or title of the practitioner's profession)..., specializing in ...(name of the practitioner's specialty)...'.

    Allows practitioners to specify their specialty area in their professional identification.

  • 456.0651

    A chiropractic physician licensed under chapter 460 may use the titles 'chiropractic physician,' 'doctor of chiropractic medicine,' 'chiropractic radiologist,' and other titles, abbreviations, or designations authorized under his or her practice act or reflecting those chiropractic specialty areas in which the chiropractic physician has attained diplomate status...

    Explicitly lists the permitted titles for chiropractic physicians.

  • 456.0651

    A podiatric physician licensed under chapter 461 may use the following titles and abbreviations as applicable to his or her license, specialty, and certification: 'podiatric physician,' 'podiatric surgeon,'...

    Explicitly lists the permitted titles for podiatric physicians.

  • 456.0651

    An anesthesiologist assistant licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459 may use only the titles 'anesthesiologist assistant' or 'certified anesthesiologist assistant' and the abbreviation 'C.A.A.'

    Clarifies title usage for anesthesiologist assistants.

  • 456.0651

    An optometrist licensed under chapter 463 may use the following titles and abbreviations as applicable to his or her license, specialty, and certification: 'doctor of optometry,' 'optometric physician,' and other titles or abbreviations authorized under his or her practice act.

    Clarifies title usage for optometrists.

Action History

  1. Laid on Table

  2. Added to Second Reading Calendar

  3. Bill released to House Calendar

  4. Reported out of Health & Human Services Committee

  5. Favorable by Health & Human Services Committee

  6. Added to Health & Human Services Committee agenda

  7. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)

  8. Now in Health & Human Services Committee

  9. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee

  10. CS Filed

  11. Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

  12. Reported out of Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee

  13. Favorable with CS by Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee

  14. Added to Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee agenda

  15. Now in Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee

  16. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee

  17. Referred to Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee

  18. 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)

  19. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

2 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 157 not signed on

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (157)

157 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 157 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Favorable (Health & Human Services Committee)

Passed 19 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 3000
Republican 10002
Democrat 6000
Total 19002
% of votes cast 90%0%0%10%
How each member voted (21)
Member Party Vote
Amesty — Yea
Fine — Yea
Grant — Yea
Cross, Lindsay Democrat Yea
Dunkley, Lisa Democrat Yea
Edmonds, Jervonte "Tae" Democrat Yea
Hart-Lowman, Dianne "Ms Dee" Democrat Yea
Skidmore, Kelly Democrat Yea
Woodson, Marie Paule Democrat Yea
Anderson, Adam Republican Yea
Baker, Jessica Republican Yea
Borrero, David Republican Yea
Koster, Traci Republican Not Voting
Massullo, Ralph E., Jr. Republican Yea
Persons-Mulicka, Jenna Republican Yea
Plakon, Rachel Saunders Republican Yea
Salzman, Michelle Republican Yea
Snyder, John Republican Yea
Trabulsy, Dana Republican Yea
Tuck, Kaylee Republican Not Voting
Yarkosky, Taylor Michael Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Favorable With Committee Substitute (Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee)

Passed 17 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 11001
Democrat 5000
Unaffiliated 1001
Total 17002
% of votes cast 89%0%0%11%
How each member voted (19)
Member Party Vote
Bell — Not Voting
Rudman — Yea
Bartleman, Robin Democrat Yea
Franklin II, Gallop Democrat Yea
Hunschofsky, Christine Democrat Yea
Skidmore, Kelly Democrat Yea
Tant, Allison Democrat Yea
Abbott, Shane G. Republican Yea
Anderson, Adam Republican Yea
Baker, Jessica Republican Yea
Berfield, Kimberly Republican Yea
Black, Dean Republican Not Voting
Botana, Adam Republican Yea
Chaney, Linda Republican Yea
Persons-Mulicka, Jenna Republican Yea
Redondo, Mike Republican Yea
Salzman, Michelle Republican Yea
Snyder, John Republican Yea
Trabulsy, Dana Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

healthcare health-insurance
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 1295 do?
Health Care Practitioner Titles and Abbreviations; Specifies which titles & abbreviations health care practitioners may use in their advertisements, communications, & personal identification; prohibits health care practitioners from using deceptive or misleading terms or false representations in their advertisements; requires certain health care practitioners to prominently display copy of their license in conspicuous area of their practices; provides for denial of licensure & disciplinary action.
Who sponsors HB 1295?
HB 1295 is sponsored by Massullo, Ralph E., Jr. (Republican), López, Johanna (Democrat), and Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee.
What is the current status of HB 1295?
This bill died with 2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 1295?
Track HB 1295 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on HB 1295

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of HB 1295

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →