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Subcommittee reports six additional measures favorably, including child-welfare and claims bills
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Summary
Beyond three heavily debated measures, the subcommittee favorably reported PCS/HB949 (child welfare), HB6509 (claims relief for Mark Legatta, amended), HB587 (medical review committees, technical amendment), and PCS/HB689 (narrow employer immunity for medical marijuana cases). Vote counts and amendment summaries listed.
The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee advanced several additional bills on Feb. 12. Highlights:
- PCS/HB 949 (Representative Salzman) — Child-welfare measure clarifying that evidence of acute or chronic parental drug abuse may constitute harm or neglect when a parent's intoxication creates ongoing risk to a child. Reported favorably, 15-0.
- HB 6509 (Representative Groh) — Claims bill for relief to the estate of Mark Legatta tied to alleged Florida Department of Transportation negligence. Sponsor reduced the requested relief in an amendment from $2.2 million to $1.2 million; amendment adopted and the committee reported the bill favorably, 14-0.
- HB 587 (Representative Barnaby) — Revises the definition of "medical review committee" for clarity and adjusts the effective date by amendment to Oct. 1, 2026; reported favorably, 14-0.
- PCS/HB 689 (Representative Oliver) — Limits civil liability for employers where adverse action is taken related to medical-marijuana possession or use under narrow circumstances, while preserving the employer's ability to address reasonable-suspicion impairment; reported favorably, 11-3.
Each measure was accompanied by committee Q&A, limited public testimony or waivers of testimony, and, where applicable, technical or funding-related amendments. The committee adjourned following final votes.
