Overview

• The Florida Senate passed HB 6017 with a 33-4 vote, repealing the 1990 law that barred certain survivors from seeking non-economic damages in wrongful death medical malpractice cases.
• The repeal follows decades of advocacy by families and patient groups who argued the law denied justice to millions of Floridians.
• Earlier in the day, a Senate amendment to cap non-economic damages at $1 million was narrowly defeated in a 19-18 vote.
• Opponents, including health-care and business groups, warn the repeal could increase malpractice insurance costs and worsen physician shortages.
• The bill now awaits Governor Ron DeSantis’s signature, with advocates urging swift approval to restore access to the courts for affected families.