SB 1212 Florida Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Firefighter Health and Safety

Summary

Firefighter Health and Safety; Requiring the Division of State Fire Marshal within the Department of Financial Services to assist in decreasing the frequency and severity of fatalities; authorizing the division to recommend a phased approach in adopting certain rules related to firefighting gear; requiring the division to adopt rules relating to education on chemical hazards and toxic substances in protective gear and employers’ mental health best practices, etc.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 4, 2025 Last action Apr 30, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

S 1212 c1 → S 1212 c2 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill version (c2) expands the committee's oversight from Banking and Insurance to include Fiscal Policy, adds several new senators to the sponsor list, and introduces new substantive requirements for firefighter safety. Key additions include a new 42-hour workweek limit for firefighters, expanded mental health best practices requirements, and a new section requiring the department to investigate safety devices and prescribe protective measures.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include Fiscal Policy committee oversight and additional senators, while substantive scope increased with new work hour limits and expanded mental health requirements.

ELIGIBILITY

Committee oversight expanded from Banking and Insurance to include Fiscal Policy committee, with additional senators added to the sponsor list.

REQUIREMENT

New requirement limiting firefighter work schedules to not exceed 42 hours per workweek.

New section requiring the department to investigate and prescribe safety devices, safeguards, and protective measures for firefighter workplaces.

Expanded mental health best practices to include resiliency, stress management, peer support, and access to mental health care.

New requirement for employers to purchase firefighting gear without chemical hazards when readily available on the commercial market.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions requiring firefighter employers with high injury rates to establish workplace safety committees or designate safety coordinators.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Apr 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 04/22/25, 11:00 am, 412 Knott Building

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; YEAS 11 NAYS 0

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, 04/10/25, 11:00 am, 412 Knott Building

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

Now in Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Banking and Insurance, 03/17/25, 1:30 pm, 412 Knott Building

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

upper

Mar 3, 2025

Committee

Referred to Banking and Insurance; Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; Fiscal Policy

upper

1 primary · 12 co-sponsors