Human Trafficking Education For Initial Nurse Licensure

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text specifies an effective date of July 1, 2026 for the act itself, but the training requirement specifically begins on July 1, 2027.

Human Trafficking Training for New Nurses

This law requires new registered and licensed practical nurses in Florida to finish a two-hour human trafficking course before they can get their first license.

What This Bill Does

• Adds a requirement for all applicants seeking initial nurse licensure as of July 1, 2027.
• Requires completion of a specific 2-hour course on human trafficking.
• Mandates that the new course include content from existing continuing education rules.

Who It Names or Affects

• People applying to become registered nurses in Florida for the first time.
• People applying to become licensed practical nurses in Florida for the first time.

Terms To Know

Initial licensure

Getting a professional license for the first time before starting work.

Registered nurse (RN)

A type of licensed healthcare provider who cares for patients in hospitals and clinics.

Licensed practical nurse (LPN)

A type of licensed healthcare provider who provides basic nursing care under supervision.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law does not say which specific organizations will teach the required course.
• The text does not explain what happens if an applicant fails to complete the training by July 1, 2027.
• The bill amends existing laws but refers readers to another section for details on human trafficking content.

Official Summary Text

Human Trafficking Education For Initial Nurse Licensure; Requires completion of course on human trafficking for initial licensure of registered nurses or licenses practical nurses, beginning on specified date.

Current Bill Text

CS/HB 303 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb303-01-c1
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to human trafficking education for 2
initial nurse licensure; amending s. 464.008, F.S.; 3
requiring completion of a course on human trafficking 4
for the initial licensure of registered nurses or 5
licenses practical nurses, beginning on a specified 6
date; providing an effective date. 7
8
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 9
10
Section 1. Paragraph (e) is added to subsection (1) of 11
section 464.008, Florida Statutes, to read: 12
464.008 Licensure by examination.— 13
(1) Any person desiring to be licensed as a registered 14
nurse or licensed practical nurse shall apply to the department 15
to take the licensure examination. The department shall examine 16
each applicant who: 17
(e) Beginning July 1, 2027, has completed a 2-hour course 18
on human trafficking. The course must include the content 19
required of the human trafficking continuing education course 20
required under s. 464.013(3)(c). 21
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 22