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Committee clears 'Emily Atkins Family Protection Act' to strengthen screening, registry and assisted‑living rules for blood clots
Summary
The committee approved CS/SB 890 (the Emily Atkins Family Protection Act), which would create a statewide venous thromboembolism registry, require screening and training for hospitals and nursing staff and add assisted‑living identification and response requirements. Assisted‑living providers asked to be excluded or for tailored language.
CS/SB 890 (the Emily Atkins Family Protection Act) was reported favorably after the committee considered a strike‑all amendment that added a statewide venous thromboembolism registry, screening and training standards and amendments to assisted‑living rules.
Sponsor Senator Yarbrough and supporters framed the bill as implementing recommended actions from a prior workgroup on blood clot prevention and treatment. Former Representative Janet Atkins and other family members testified about lives lost and prevented by improved screening and education; they urged support for three of the workgroup’s recommendations.
Key provisions discussed - Establish a statewide VTE registry under the Agency for Health Care Administration and require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to screen for VTE risk at admission; require specified training for certified nursing assistants in nursing homes. - Require the Agency for Health Care Administration to include identification of at‑risk residents and response protocols in assisted‑living facility rules.
Assisted‑living industry concerns Representatives of the Florida Assisted Living Association and long‑time assisted‑living regulators explained ALFs are community residential settings regulated under Chapter 400 (social‑welfare statute) and said expectations to identify clinically silent clots or to implement clinical screening exceed the intended scope and capability of ALFs. They requested removal of assisted‑living facilities from certain provisions or more tailored language to avoid liability and operational disruption.
Outcome The strike‑all was adopted and CS/SB 890 was reported favorably. Sponsors said they will continue to work with assisted‑living stakeholders to refine language and avoid unintended consequences while maintaining the bill’s core patient‑safety goals.
Ending: Committee passage moves the Emily Atkins Family Protection Act forward; sponsors committed to further stakeholder discussions on assisted‑living provisions.
