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Summary Information Regarding Significant Legislation <br />Legislation Passed <br />911 Services <br />HB 441 (E911 Systems) by Rep. Dubose requires each county to develop a plan to implement countywide text -to -911 service and, <br />by January 1, 2022, to enact a system that allows for text -to -911 service. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety <br />Commission reviewed the 911 and first responder dispatch communications related to the shootings that occurred at the school on <br />February 14, 2018. Among other things, the Commission recommended that counties be required to develop and implement com- <br />munications systems that allow direct radio communication between public -safety access points (PSAP) and first responders out- <br />side the PSAP's normal service area to provide for more efficient dispatch of first responders. <br />Currently, 35 counties in Florida provide fully active and operational text -to -911 service. By the end of this calendar year, an addi- <br />tional 27 counties are expected to implement text -to -911 service. The remaining 5 counties have indicated an estimated completion <br />date for text -to -911 service by the end of 2021. <br />Recommendations of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission <br />With a close party line vote (Senate: 22/17 House: 65/47) the Florida Legislature passed SB 7030 (Implementation of Legislative <br />Recommendations of the Marion/ Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission), which contains a provision that would <br />allow public school teachers to carry firearms in schools. - No Funding Changes <br />Nonemergency Medical Transportation Services <br />HB 411 (Nonemergency Medical Transportation Services) by Rep. Perez allows a transportation network company (TNC) to provide <br />non -emergency transportation services (NEMT) to Medicaid patients if: the transportation network company is under contract with a <br />Medicaid managed care plan; the transportation network company is under contract with a transportation broker that is under con- <br />tract with a Medicaid managed care plan or the Agency for Health Care Administration; it receives referrals from a transportation <br />broker contracted with a Medicaid managed care plan or the Agency for Health Care Administration. <br />The federal government sets the minimum mandatory populations to be included in every state Medicaid program. The federal gov- <br />ernment also sets the minimum mandatory benefits to be covered in every state Medicaid program. These benefits include Medicaid <br />transportation services. Non -emergency medical transportation (NEMT) includes transportation services offered to health care con- <br />sumers who face barriers getting to their medical appointments. Depending on the recipient's individual needs, NEMT services can <br />range from taxis, city buses to air ambulances equipped for advanced life support. <br />Firefighters <br />SB 426 (Firefighters) by Sen. Flores allows firefighters who are diagnosed with certain cancers eligible to receive certain disability or <br />death benefits. Specifically, in lieu of pursuing workers' compensation coverage, a firefighter is entitled to cancer treatment and a <br />one-time cash payout of $25,000, upon the firefighter's initial diagnosis of cancer. To be entitled to such benefits, the firefighter <br />must: <br />Be employed full-time as a firefighter <br />Be employed by the state, university, city, county, port authority, special district, or fire control district <br />Have been employed by his or her employer for at least five continuous years <br />Not have used tobacco products for at least the preceding five year <br />Have not been employed in any other position in the preceding five years which is proven to create a higher risk for cancer <br />In addition, the employer must provide coverage within an employer-sponsored health plan or through a group health insurance trust <br />fund. The employer must timely reimburse the firefighter for any out-of-pocket deductible, co -payment, or coinsurance costs incurred <br />due to the treatment of cancer. <br />94 <br />15 <br />