Spring Hill Republican Rep. Jeff Holcomb is pushing to expand patient rights for unvaccinated Florida residents.
HB 917 would add vaccination status to Florida’s Patient’s Bill of Rights, meaning patients could not be denied care, accommodations or services based on vaccination status. It also contains new consent requirements before children receive vaccines and allows pharmacists to provide ivermectin without a prescription.
The bill would require that medical providers explain the risks, benefits, safety and effectiveness of each vaccine to a parent or legal guardian before vaccinating a child under 18. Those explanations would have to use materials approved by state medical boards. The proposal requires a parent or guardian signature acknowledging receipt of vaccine information before administration. If approved, parents would also have the option to choose an alternative vaccination schedule.
Violation of the rule could result in disciplinary action against licensed health care practitioners.
Another section of the bill would allow pharmacists to provide ivermectin without a prescription, as long as it remains a behind-the-counter medication. Ivermectin, a drug sometimes used to treat parasitic worms in humans and animals, drew attention as a potential COVID treatment during the early days of the pandemic. Pharmacists would have to give patients written information about proper use, dosing and when to seek follow-up care from a doctor.
HB 917, filed Monday, also revises state law to clarify that vaccinations are not considered “treatment” for purposes of certain public health emergency statutes.
In schools, the bill expands parental opt-out options. Parents could exempt their children from required health exams or immunizations based on “religious grounds or conscience.”
The bill was filed Monday and has not yet been heard in committee. If approved, HB 917 would take effect July 1.
