2022 Florida Legislature

The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing the future of a Mississippi law that inspired the Florida bills.

The comments on Dr. Joseph Ladapo were in an FDLE background check requested by the state Senate as part his confirmation process and made public just before his second confirmation hearing.

The bill would allow naloxone to be administered by school staff trained to recognize an opioid overdose.

Bill sponsor Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, defended the decision to reject a proposed amendment to make exceptions for victims of rape and incest.

Abortion is currently legal in Florida up to 24 weeks of gestation. It is only allowed beyond that if the pregnancy threatens a woman's life and physical health.

Florida senators next week will start considering a proposal that would prevent physicians from performing abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

The bill in part would permit physicians to use telemedicine when issuing a renewal of certain drugs that are classified as controlled substances, including ketamine, anabolic steroids and codeine.

The House Judiciary Committee voted 15-5 to approve the proposal, which would provide legal protections through June 1, 2023. An identical version of the bill has already been passed by the Senate.

Republicans on the Health Policy Committee voted unanimously to back Dr. Joseph Ladapo’s confirmation, which ultimately needs approval from the full Senate.

Supporters say it would protect medical professionals who object to treating patients because of their faith or morals, while opponents contended it could open the door to discrimination.