The 2025 legislative session in Florida was far from ordinary. Lawmakers reconvened for a special session, which concluded on June 15, 2025, to address unresolved issues from the regular session. No significant workers’ compensation reforms were enacted during this session, despite several notable proposals introduced earlier in the year.
Workers’ Compensation Bills
Despite early momentum, several bills aimed at reforming or expanding Florida’s workers’ compensation system failed to make it through the legislative process:
- HB 87
- Status: Died in the Government Operations Subcommittee
- Sponsor: Rep. Joe Casello (D)
- The bill aimed to expand the list of cancers covered under a statutory benefits program for firefighters, offering an alternative to workers’ compensation. The proposed legislation would include acute myeloid leukemia.
- SB 366
- Status: Died in the Community Affairs Committee
- Sponsor: Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez (R)
- This bill would have enhanced disability benefits for firefighters, law enforcement officers, and correctional officers by establishing a presumption that certain health conditions, such as heart disease, tuberculosis, and hypertension, are incurred in the line of duty unless proven otherwise.
- HB 1281
- Status: Died in Insurance & Banking Subcommittee
- Sponsor: Rep. Kim Berfield (R)
- This bill proposed streamlining the workers’ compensation system by revising the duties of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to improve administrative efficiency and oversight.
- HB 1069
- Status: Died in Insurance & Banking Subcommittee
- Sponsor: Rep. Tom Fabricio (R)
- This bill would have allowed businesses to create alternative compensation programs for occupational injuries outside the state’s workers’ compensation system. Theat least 156 weeks of medical coverage and indemnity benefits equal to a minimum of 75% of the worker’s average weekly wage.
What’s Next for Workers’ Compensation in Florida?
Although the 2025 legislative session ended without major changes to Florida’s workers’ compensation laws, the conversation is not yet over.
Florida’s next regular legislative session is scheduled to begin on January 13, 2026, running for 60 consecutive days. Lawmakers can begin pre-filing bills in the fall of 2025, which means some familiar proposals may return.
Legislation often takes multiple attempts before becoming law. Many successful bills are introduced two or even three times before they gain enough traction to pass. This cycle allows lawmakers to refine language, build broader coalitions, and respond to feedback from stakeholders across the spectrum.
The upcoming 2026 elections are already casting a long shadow over Florida’s political landscape and could significantly influence the tone and priorities of the next legislative session. With Governor Ron DeSantis’ term limited, the race to succeed him is gearing up—as of today, 26 candidates have filed to run. On the state level, all 120 seats in the Florida House of Representatives and 20 of the 40 seats in the Florida Senate are also up for reelection. This political dynamic could lead to a more cautious or performative session, where lawmakers prioritize headline-grabbing proposals over complex reforms like those in the workers’ compensation space. However, it could also open the door for new leadership and fresh momentum behind previously stalled bills.
Justyn Needel, Legislative Specialist at Injured Workers Pharmacy
Full Service Workers Compensation Pharmacy | Injured Workers Pharmacy