Published 4 days ago • Florida, United States • Updated 2 days ago

‘A declaration of humanity’: House passes bill to repeal Florida’s ‘free kill’ law

On Wednesday, the Florida House passed a bill by a vote of 104 to 6 to repeal the state's 35-year-old "Free Kill" law, which restricts who can sue for medical malpractice.
The existing law, passed in 1990, only allows spouses and children under 25 to pursue claims for pain and suffering due to loss of life in medical malpractice cases, a restriction intended to reduce insurance rates.
Cindy Jenkins, Sabrina Davis, and other families have been advocating for the repeal after finding they could not sue for medical negligence following the deaths of their loved ones, including Jenkins' father, Keith Davis, in a Florida hospital.
During the House floor vote on March 26, 2025, family members attended, and Cindy Jenkins expressed relief, stating, "oh, their life had no value," while Sabrina Davis emphasized, "I don't want anyone to find out about this like I did."
While the bill, HB 6017, has passed the Florida House and a similar bill, Senate Bill 734 sponsored by State Senator Clay Yarborough, has cleared Senate committees, it still needs to pass the Florida Senate and be signed by Governor Ron DeSantis to take effect on July 1, 2025, and has faced pushback from medical and business organizations concerned about increased lawsuits and insurance costs.

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WESH

Center

Florida's 'Free Kill' law could soon be out

A woman wanted to sue after he dad died, but couldn't under a wrongful death law unique to Florida.

2 days ago·Florida, United States

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Tampa Bay Times

Center

Florida should repeal ‘free kill’ law

It should be a bright, red flag that Florida is the only state with this special protection for negligent practitioners.

2 days ago·Tampa, United States

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WFTX

Center

Florida House passes bill to repeal "Free Kill" law

The Florida House of Representatives passed HB 6017, a bill to repeal Florida's "Free Kill" law on March 26.The law shielded medical providers from accountability in cases of deadly malpractice involving unmarried without dependents.It was originally passed to help attract doctors to Florida and prevent families from suing a doctor or hospital if their loved one died of medical malpractice and they were at least 25 years old and unmarried at the…

3 days ago

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Florida Phoenix

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Medical malpractice changes inch closer to final passage

(iStock /Getty Images Plus)Bills that would increase the potential for wrongful death lawsuits to be filed against Florida doctors and hospitals inched closer to final passage Wednesday. With very little fanfare, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to approve HB 6017 , with “no” votes cast by just six members. The Senate companion, SB 734, cleared the Senate Rules Committee with one dissenting vote cast by Sen. Gayle Harrell. Harre…

3 days ago

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WTSP

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First Coast

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'It felt like their life did matter' | Families celebrate house vote to repeal Florida's 'Free Kill' law

Families celebrate as Florida House passes bill to repeal 'Free Kill' law. Awaiting Senate approval next week. Change set for July 1, 2025.

3 days ago·Washington, United States

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Florida Politics

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‘A declaration of humanity’: House passes bill to repeal Florida’s ‘free kill’ law

A unique law in Florida that bars adult children over 25 and their parents from pursuing medical malpractice claims is close to repeal, following an overwhelming vote to do so on the House floor. Members of the chamber voted 104-6 for HB 6017, which would delete from Florida Statutes the provision, known derisively as “free kill,” after 35 years on the books. “It’s taken a long time to get here, but I’m so glad that we’ve made it,” said Fort Pie…

3 days ago·Florida, United States

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