TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The bill was written by the nursing home industry, but that’s not the end of the story.
That was the assurance given by Sen. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, the lawmaker backing Senate Bill 804 — which would make substantial changes to the way the state regulates nursing home staffing levels. Albritton pledged he would work to bring all parties with a vested interest to the table to compromise on the industry-backed legislation. Rep. Lauren Melo, R-Naples, who sponsored similar legislation, House Bill 1239, would do the same.
Now, two amended versions of the bills are making their way through the House and Senate. It appears the lawmakers have built some consensus. The nursing home industry and the trial lawyers who sue those facilities on behalf of residents and their families now both support the bill.
