FloridaFlorida podiatrists may use certain unapproved products under safeguards
Florida podiatric physicians may use certain FDA-unapproved products for specified treatments, if they meet safety checks and patients sign consent forms.
What it does
Podiatric physicians may use certain FDA-unapproved products for specified treatments, if the products meet requirements for their facilities, certification, and live cells.
For covered procedures, podiatric physicians must advertise that the products lack FDA approval and get signed consent after explaining the treatment, risks, benefits, and alternatives.
The board may discipline physicians who violate this section. Willfully taking part in specified fetal-tissue treatment or research, or certain computer-product activities, is a third-degree felony.
Argument forSome patients may have another option for wounds, pain, or tendon and ligament repair if the products meet the required safety checks.
Argument againstPatients may face extra steps before treatment because podiatrists must advertise the products’ FDA status and get signed consent first.
More detail
Podiatric physicians may use certain products that the FDA has not approved for specified treatments. The treatment must be within the physician’s scope of practice and relate to connective tissue, ligament, or tendon repair, wound care, or pain management. Products must come from facilities registered and regulated by the FDA and certified or accredited by a listed organization. Products must contain live cells after thawing, and the physician must receive a report confirming this before use.
Podiatric physicians must include an FDA status notice in advertisements and get signed patient consent before treatment. These duties apply when a podiatric physician performs a covered procedure. The patient signs the form, or a representative signs if the patient is not legally competent. The notice must be easy to read and at least as large as the largest type in the advertisement. The consent must explain the treatment, expected results, serious possible risks and benefits, and alternatives, including no treatment. It must encourage the patient to consult a primary care provider. The patient or the patient’s representative must sign the consent before the procedure.
The Board of Podiatric Medicine may discipline a physician for a violation; willfully taking part in specified conduct is a third-degree felony. A violation may lead to discipline by the Board of Podiatric Medicine. The felony applies to willfully performing or actively taking part in treatment or research using cells or tissues from a fetus or embryo after an abortion, or selling, making, or distributing computer products created using human cells, tissues, or related products. This section does not apply to physicians with FDA approval for an investigational drug or device, or to physicians performing procedures under contract for institutions accredited by a listed organization.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 12Chapter No. 2026-124Latest
- Jun 11Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 9Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 17Ordered enrolledMinor
- Mar 10CS passed; YEAS 112, NAYS 0Passed House
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 10Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 10Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Mar 10Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 91st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)Minor
- Mar 9Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/10/2026)
- Mar 9Bill referred to House Calendar
- Feb 26In Messages
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 26Immediately certified
- Feb 26CS passed; YEAS 35 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Feb 26Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 26Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 25Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/26/26
- Feb 25Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Feb 24Favorable by- Rules; YEAS 23 NAYS 0Minor
- Vote recorded Favorable. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 19CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services read 1st time
- Feb 19On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/24/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
- Feb 19Now in Rules
- Feb 19Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
- Feb 18CS by Health Policy read 1st time
- Vote recorded Favorable with Committee Substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 18CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; YEAS 9 NAYS 0
- Feb 13On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, 02/18/26, 8:30 am, 412 Knott Building
- Feb 12Now in Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
- Feb 12Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
- Feb 11CS by Health Policy; YEAS 11 NAYS 0
- Vote recorded Favorable with Committee Substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 6On Committee agenda-- Health Policy, 02/11/26, 3:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
- Jan 13IntroducedMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Health Policy; Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; RulesMinor
- Jan 5FiledIntroduced
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