Understanding the Florida Legislative Process
For a bill to become law in Florida, it must pass through both the House of Representatives and the Senate in identical form. Here's how the process works:
House Bill 649 (HB 649)
HB 649, titled "Autonomous Practice by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist," has already passed the Florida House of Representatives with a vote of 77 yeas and 30 nays on April 3, 2025.
Senate Bill 718 (SB 718)
SB 718 is the Senate companion bill to HB 649. It contains identical language and intent. For the legislation to become law, SB 718 must also pass the Senate, or the Senate must take up and pass HB 649 directly.
Senate Committee Process
Before reaching the Senate floor for a full vote, SB 718 must pass through three committees:
- Health Policy Committee - Reviews the bill's implications on health policies
- Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services - Assesses the bill's financial impact
- Rules Committee - Considers the bill's adherence to legislative rules before it proceeds to the full Senate
Each committee operates independently, and the bill must pass through each one separately in the sequence listed above.
Current Status of Legislation
HB 649 Status
PASSED HOUSE
HB 649 passed the Florida House on April 3, 2025, with a vote of 77 yeas and 30 nays.
Current location: In Messages (transmitted to the Senate)
SB 718 Status
IN COMMITTEE
SB 718 was introduced on March 4, 2025, and has been referred to three Senate committees.
Current location: Awaiting scheduling in Health Policy Committee
SB 718 Progress Tracker
SB 718 has been filed with the Senate and referred to committees.
Awaiting scheduling for a hearing in the Health Policy Committee.
After passing Health Policy, the bill will move to the Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services.
After passing Appropriations, the bill will move to the Rules Committee.
After passing all committees, the bill will go to the full Senate for a vote.
What Needs to Happen Next
For HB 649/SB 718 to become law, one of the following must occur:
Option 1: Senate Passes SB 718
- SB 718 needs to be scheduled for a hearing in the Health Policy Committee
- After passing Health Policy, it moves to the Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
- After passing Appropriations, it moves to the Rules Committee
- After passing Rules, it goes to the full Senate for a vote
- If passed by the Senate, the House must concur with any amendments, or the bills must be reconciled in conference committee
Option 2: Senate Takes Up HB 649 Directly
- The Senate could choose to take up HB 649 (which has already passed the House)
- HB 649 would still need to go through the Senate committee process
- If passed without changes, it would go directly to the Governor for signature
The most immediate next step is for SB 718 to be scheduled for a hearing in the Health Policy Committee.
Take Action Now
The most effective action Florida CRNAs can take right now is to contact members of the Health Policy Committee to urge them to schedule a hearing for SB 718.
Priority Action: Contact Health Policy Committee
Please contact the following committee members to respectfully request that SB 718 be scheduled for a hearing:
Chair and Vice Chair:
Committee Members:
When Contacting Committee Members:
- Be respectful and professional
- Identify yourself as a CRNA and Florida constituent
- Briefly explain why autonomous practice for CRNAs is important
- Request that SB 718 be scheduled for a committee hearing
- Thank them for their consideration
Benefits of Autonomous Practice for CRNAs
Autonomous practice for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists would provide numerous benefits to Florida's healthcare system, as recognized by the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (FANA) and the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA):
Expanded Access to Care
CRNAs bring critical anesthesia services to rural and underserved areas where there are shortages of physician anesthesiologists. Autonomous practice allows CRNAs to serve communities that would otherwise lack access to essential anesthesia care.
Cost-Effective Healthcare
CRNAs provide high-quality anesthesia care at a lower cost, helping to control healthcare expenses for patients, facilities, and the state. This cost-effectiveness is particularly important as Florida addresses its growing healthcare needs.
Efficient Healthcare Delivery
Removing unnecessary supervision requirements allows for more efficient delivery of anesthesia services. CRNAs are advanced practice registered nurses licensed as independent practitioners, fully qualified to make decisions about patient care.
Recognition of Advanced Education and Training
CRNAs complete extensive education and training, including a minimum of 7-8 years of education and thousands of hours of clinical experience. Autonomous practice appropriately recognizes this advanced preparation and expertise.
Alignment with National Trends
Many states already allow CRNAs to practice autonomously, and Florida would join this growing national trend. CRNAs already practice autonomously in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of this model.
Enhanced Emergency Response
Autonomous CRNAs can more readily respond to healthcare crises, disasters, and pandemics without bureaucratic barriers, strengthening Florida's emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
Professional Autonomy and Leadership
CRNAs with autonomous practice can fully utilize their training to serve as patient advocates, healthcare administrators, educators, researchers, and policymakers, contributing to the advancement of healthcare in Florida.
Advanced Pain Management Options
CRNAs provide multimodal pain management strategies and opioid-sparing techniques, helping address the opioid crisis while ensuring patients receive effective pain control through regional anesthesia and other advanced approaches.
Supporting SB 718 means supporting better healthcare access, quality, and cost-effectiveness for all Floridians while recognizing the expertise and capabilities of CRNAs as independent practitioners.