HB 1393 creates a new section of Florida law governing nurse registries and the status of certain health care practitioners who contract with them. The bill provides that registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants working under contract with a nurse registry are to be treated as independent contractors, not employees, for purposes of Medicaid provider reimbursement. It also states that these practitioners are not eligible for overtime or holiday pay from the nurse registry under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable state or federal law governing employees.
The bill would affect Chapter 400 of the Florida Statutes by adding section 400.507 and would apply beginning July 1, 2025. Its practical effect would be to limit wage-and-hour obligations for nurse registries and to clarify how contracted nursing personnel are classified when services are reimbursed through Medicaid. By expressly overriding other state or federal law for this purpose, the bill seeks to reduce uncertainty over employment status in this setting and potentially lower labor costs for registries that use contracted nursing staff.
HB 1393 would amend Florida law by creating s. 400.507, F.S., specifically addressing nurse registries and the classification of contracted registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants. The bill would deem these workers independent contractors for Medicaid reimbursement purposes and bar claims for overtime or holiday pay from the nurse registry, thereby affecting both Medicaid provider reimbursement rules and employment-related compensation rights in this sector.
The available record suggests limited public debate, as no committee transcripts or recorded votes are provided, and the bill ultimately died in the Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee. The bill’s text indicates a policy preference for clearer independent-contractor treatment of nurse registry workers, which may have appealed to registry operators and some providers. However, the absence of advancement beyond subcommittee suggests the proposal did not secure enough support to move forward.
The main point of contention is worker classification: the bill would treat nurses and nursing assistants under contract with nurse registries as independent contractors rather than employees, which directly affects eligibility for overtime and holiday pay. Supporters would likely favor the reduced regulatory and reimbursement uncertainty for registries, while opponents could argue that the bill weakens wage protections for health care workers and may conflict with broader labor-law standards. The bill’s express statement that it applies notwithstanding other state or federal law signals that this preemption issue is central to the controversy.