SB1580 Protections of Medical Conscience: Allows healthcare providers and payors to refuse to provide healthcare services to Floridians based on their “personal beliefs,” effectively creating a license to discriminate. Additionally, the bill grants providers full immunity from liability over any negative consequences resulting from their denial of care.
SB1580 encompasses a wide range of healthcare professionals and facilities, as it applies to individuals and institutions governed by multiple statutes. These include physicians, nurses, mental health providers, clinical lab personnel, pharmacies, hospitals, medical transport services, nursing homes, and more. The bill's definition of healthcare service is sweeping, encompassing activities to include medical research, medical procedures, testing, diagnosis, referral, dispensing medications, therapy, recordkeeping, and any other form of care or service.
SB254 Treatments for “Sex Reassignment”: Criminalizes gender-affirming care (GAC) for minors, and severely restricts access for many adults. The law grants emergency jurisdiction when trans youth are deemed "at risk" of receiving GAC, essentially legalizing the potential kidnapping of transgender youth from affirming parents. The law restricts adults from accessing care by preventing qualified, licensed professionals like physician’s assistants and nurse practitioners from providing this care and limiting the use of telehealth for prescribing gender-affirming medications.
The bill also requires the immediate license suspension for health care practitioners arrested for providing gender-affirming care to minors or “attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to” provide such care.
HB1521 Facility Requirements Based On Sex: Criminalizes trans people using the bathroom. Prohibits willfully entering restrooms or changing facilities unless the gender designation aligns with the individuals assigned sex at birth. Trans people are required to leave the restroom or gendered facility when asked to do so.
While not applicable to private businesses, HB1521 affects government-owned buildings, including airports, convention centers, stadiums, state parks, beaches, and educational facilities. Failure to enforce this discriminatory policy could lead to the revocation of operating licenses or legal action by the state Attorney General.
HB1069 Education: An expansion of the previous “Don’t Say Gay” legislation to 8th grade and to all private schools. The prior law was already expanded to 12th grade via administrative rules by the Florida Department of Education. Specifies “age-appropriate” curriculum restrictions for all ages from prekindergarten through 12th grade. This law prohibits any instruction on the topics of human gender and sexuality for all students between prekindergarten and 8th grade.
HB1069 includes a definition of “sex” for Florida Early Learning-20 Education Code, as well as requirements for instruction relating to topics such as gender identity, human sexuality, and reproductive health. It prevents district school boards from imposing or enforcing requirements that personnel or students be referenced with pronouns that do not correspond with the individual’s biological sex - as defined in the bill.
SB1438 Protection of Children: Sweeping ban of drag performances through the use of vague and obscure language targeting “adult-oriented performances.” Particularly concerning is the provision that imposes criminal penalties on public officials who approve permits for events featuring drag.
SB1438 provision is expected to result in event cancellations and refusals to grant permits for pride celebrations. Additionally, it grants the state extensive powers to target venues through administrative agencies, as has been witnessed previously by Governor DeSantis' administration.
As the oldest and largest association of LGBTQ+ and allied health professionals, GLMA calls on lawmakers and advocates alike to join us in opposing these harmful measures and work towards a future where every person, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can access the healthcare they need and deserve.
Together, we will continue to advocate for a healthcare system that is fair, compassionate, and inclusive for all. To support GLMA’s advocacy to advance LGBTQ+ health equity, consider making a donation today.