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CS/CS/SB 768 — Foreign Countries of Concern
by Judiciary Committee; Health Policy Committee; and Senator Calatayud
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Health Policy Committee (HP)
The bill prohibits Florida’s public health laboratories from using operational or research software used for genetic sequencing that is produced in or by a foreign country of concern, a state-owned enterprise of a foreign country of concern, or a company domiciled within a foreign country of concern. Foreign countries of concern include China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, the Venezuelan regime of Nicolas Maduro, and Syria. Scrutinized companies may include those that boycott Israel or have prohibited operations in Cuba, Iran, Sudan, or Syria.
Preexisting law requires AHCA licensees (health care facilities and providers) to ensure that a person or entity possessing a controlling interest in the licensee does not also hold, either directly or indirectly, regardless of ownership structure, an interest in an entity that has a business relationship with a foreign country of concern or that is subject to s. 287.135, F.S., prohibiting contracting with scrutinized companies. The bill provides that a licensee’s failure to obtain assurances to ensure compliance with this requirement will no longer affect licensure or insurability, nor will it subject the licensee to civil or criminal liability, unless the licensee has actual knowledge that an indirect interest holder is a principal from a foreign country of concern and is not in compliance with the minimum licensure requirements. The bill also defines the term “indirect interest holder” as a person owning less than a five-percent interest in the licensee, generally.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2025.
Vote: Senate 37-0; House 114-0