Governor DeSantis Signs bill!

 Tallahassee – Proactive legislation advanced by the FCA finally won the approval of Governor Ron DeSantis late yesterday, one of the last of 18 bills on his desk passed early this year by Florida’s Legislature. Effective with his signing, this new law, House Bill 1063, corrects difficulties some DC students face in getting licensed by virtue of having earned their undergraduate degree from colleges outside the U.S., while also providing statutory clarification that dry needling procedures are clearly within the scope of chiropractic for DC’s practicing in Florida. DeSantis’ signing marks a big win for the chiropractic profession -- and for the FCA.

Despite overwhelming support for the new law by both the full House and Senate -- with just a single House member casting a dissenting vote -- the path to become a new law in Florida was needlessly slowed by a last-minute, post-session veto campaign fronted by a vendor of online CE and a retired DC, Albert “Rick” Warner, of Spring Hill. Though Warner never appeared or voiced opposition to the measure as it was being considered by House and Senate Committees during the 2024 Session, his misguided efforts following its passage clearly created enough confusion to delay the Governor’s prompt action on the measure. We applaud Gov. DeSantis and his staff for understanding the importance of this new legislation, both to our currently practicing, and to our aspiring, DC’s. 

The FCA would like to once again thank those legislators responsible for helping to advance this legislation including our House sponsor, Rep. Christine Hunschofsky (D-Parkland), and Senate sponsor Sen. Jay Trumbull (R-Panama City). We also appreciate the efforts of Dr. Bill Heyser, DC, MD of Tallahassee, current president of the Florida Chiropractic Physicians Association, who testified before both Senate and House committees in full support of the bill and for the FCPA’s many members who likewise joined our many FCA members in urging the Governor’s favorable support of this important legislation.

More details on this exciting development will follow. Be sure to stay tuned.