The Florida Senate

415.113  Statutory construction; treatment by spiritual means.--Nothing in ss. 415.101-415.112 shall be construed to mean a person is abused, neglected, or in need of emergency or protective services for the sole reason that the person relies upon and is, therefore, being furnished treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone in accordance with the tenets and practices of a well-recognized church or religious denomination or organization; nor shall anything in such sections be construed to authorize, permit, or require any medical care or treatment in contravention of the stated or implied objection of such person. Such construction does not:

(1)  Eliminate the requirement that such a case be reported to the department;

(2)  Prevent the department from investigating such a case; or

(3)  Preclude a court from ordering, when the health of the individual requires it, the provision of medical services by a licensed physician or treatment by a duly accredited practitioner who relies solely on spiritual means for healing in accordance with the tenets and practices of a well-recognized church or religious denomination or organization.

History.--s. 1, ch. 85-143; s. 114, ch. 95-418; s. 43, ch. 2000-349.