Broward lawmakers revive effort to strengthen Florida uterine fibroid research law

Sunrise Rep. Lisa Dunkley is taking another run at passing legislation that would compel the state to fully follow through on the intent of a years-old law with important bearings on women’s health.

This time, she has help from Sen. Barbara Sharief, a fellow Broward Democrat.

They’ve filed twin bills (SB 196, HB 327) that would require the Department of Health (DOH) to include uterine fibroids on its list of diseases determined to be “a threat to public health.”

That small change, they said, would reestablish and clarify requirements for Florida’s existing research database for uterine fibroids, the most common benign tumors affecting women, which can lead to heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, frequent urination or no symptoms at all.

Sharief is also carrying a companion bill (SB 864), which would ensure personal identifying information in the database remains confidential while enabling access to actionable data remains available.

Lawmakers in 2022 unanimously approved a law (HB 543) by former Senate Democratic Leader Audrey Gibson and ex-Rep. Anika Omphroy that established the database and earmarked funds for its operations and maintenance. The measure, which Gov. Ron DeSantis signed on April 6, 2022, required that DOH include in the database information on the incidence and prevalence of fibroids among women in Florida, their demographic attributes and the procedures physicians use to treat them.

HB 543 expressly prohibited DOH from including any personal identifying information of women with fibroids in its database. But the way that stipulation was written, Dunkley said, led to DOH “not properly” implementing the law.

Dunkley and Tampa Republican Rep. Susan Valdés succeeded in getting a 2025 version of Dunkley’s proposal passed in the House with uniform support. But it stalled in the Senate, where a companion bill carried by Doral Republican Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez died without a hearing.

“Now we’re back again to get it across the finish line,” Dunkley said in a statement. “This legislation will finally ensure the uterine fibroid research database is implemented the right way so women across Florida can get the answers, research, and care they deserve.”

Sharief, a doctor of nursing practice who previously served in government at the municipal and county levels, said her and Dunkley’s bills “provide the structure and clarity needed to support responsible data collection, transparency, and long-term research efforts.”

“By strengthening this framework,” she said, “we can help improve understanding of uterine fibroids and support better health outcomes for women across Florida.”

If passed, Dunkley and Sharief’s bills would take effect July 1.