HB 1819 2003
   
1 CHAMBER ACTION
2         
3         
4         
5         
6          The Committee on State Administration recommends the following:
7         
8          Committee Substitute
9          Remove the entire bill and insert:
10 A bill to be entitled
11          An act relating to motor vehicle insurance affordability
12    reform; creating the Motor Vehicle Insurance Affordability
13    Reform Act of 2003; providing legislative findings and
14    declarations; providing purposes; amending s. 119.105,
15    F.S.; requiring certain persons to maintain confidential
16    and exempt status of certain information under certain
17    circumstances; providing construction; prohibiting use of
18    certain confidential or exempt information relating to
19    motor vehicle accident victims for certain commercial
20    solicitation activities; deleting provisions relating to
21    police reports as public records; amending s. 316.066,
22    F.S.; specifying conditions precedent to providing access
23    to crash reports to persons entitled to such access;
24    providing construction; providing for enforcement;
25    providing a criminal penalty for using certain
26    confidential information; creating s. 408.7058, F.S.;
27    providing definitions; creating a dispute resolution
28    organization for disputes between health care
29    practitioners and insurers; providing duties of the Agency
30    for Health Care Administration; providing duties of the
31    dispute resolution organization; providing procedures,
32    requirements, limitations, and restrictions for resolving
33    disputes; providing agency rulemaking authority; amending
34    s. 456.0375, F.S.; revising definitions; providing
35    additional requirements relating to the registration of
36    certain clinics; limiting participation by disqualified
37    persons; providing for voluntary registration of exempt
38    status; providing rulemaking authority; specifying
39    unlawful charges; prohibiting the filing of certain false
40    or misleading forms or information; providing criminal
41    penalties; providing for inspections of and access to
42    clinics under certain circumstances; providing for
43    emergency suspension of registration; amending s. 456.072,
44    F.S.; providing additional grounds for discipline of
45    health professionals; amending s. 627.732, F.S.; providing
46    a definition; amending s. 627.736, F.S.; revising
47    provisions relating to required personal injury protection
48    benefits and payment thereof; specifying conditions of
49    insurance fraud and recovery of certain charges; providing
50    for recovery of costs and attorney's fees in certain
51    insurer actions; specifying certain charges that are
52    uncollectible and unenforceable; limiting charges for
53    certain services; providing procedures and requirements
54    for correcting certain information relating to processing
55    claims; prohibiting an insurer from taking certain actions
56    with respect to a claim submitted by a health care
57    provider; prohibiting an insurer from taking certain
58    actions with respect to an independent medical
59    examination; requiring certain recordkeeping; deleting
60    provisions relating to arbitration of certain disputes
61    between insurers and medical providers; providing certain
62    statements and forms requirements, limitations, and
63    restrictions; specifying factors for court consideration
64    in applying attorney contingency fee multipliers;
65    extending the time within which an insurer may respond to
66    a demand letter; expanding civil actions for insurance
67    fraud; amending s. 627.745, F.S.; expanding the
68    availability of mediation of certain claims; creating s.
69    627.747, F.S.; providing for legislative oversight of
70    motor vehicle insurance; requiring the Office of Insurance
71    Regulation of the Financial Services Commission and the
72    Division of Insurance Fraud of the Department of Financial
73    Services to regularly report certain data and analysis of
74    certain information to specified officers of the
75    Legislature; amending s. 817.234, F.S.; increasing
76    criminal penalties for certain acts of solicitation of
77    accident victims; providing mandatory minimum penalties;
78    prohibiting certain solicitation of accident victims;
79    providing criminal penalties; prohibiting a person from
80    organizing, planning, or participating in a staged motor
81    vehicle accident; providing criminal penalties, including
82    mandatory minimum penalties; amending s. 817.236, F.S.;
83    increasing a criminal penalty for false and fraudulent
84    motor vehicle insurance application; creating s. 817.2361,
85    F.S.; prohibiting marketing or presenting false or
86    fraudulent motor vehicle insurance cards; providing
87    criminal penalties; creating s. 817.413, F.S.; prohibiting
88    certain sale of used motor vehicle goods as new; providing
89    criminal penalties; amending s. 860.15, F.S.; providing a
90    criminal penalty for charging for certain motor vehicle
91    repairs and parts to be paid from a motor vehicle
92    insurance policy; amending s. 921.0022, F.S.; revising the
93    offense severity ranking chart to reflect changes in
94    criminal penalties and the creation of additional offenses
95    under the act; providing that the amendment to s.
96    456.0375(1)(b)1., F.S., is intended to clarify existing
97    intent; providing retroactive operation; requiring the
98    Office of Insurance Regulation to report to the
99    Legislature on the economic condition of private passenger
100    automobile insurance in this state; providing for October
101    1, 2005, repeal of ss. 627.730, 627.731, 627.732, 627.733,
102    627.734, 627.736, 627.737, 627.739, 627.7401, 627.7403,
103    and 627.7405, F.S., relating to the Florida Motor Vehicle
104    No-Fault Law, unless reenacted during the 2004 Regular
105    Session, and specifying certain effect; authorizing
106    insurers to include in policies a notice of termination
107    relating to such repeal; providing effective dates.
108         
109          Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
110         
111          Section 1. Florida Motor Vehicle Insurance Affordability
112    Reform Act of 2003; findings; purpose.--
113          (1) This act may be referred to as the Florida Motor
114    Vehicle Insurance Affordability Reform Act of 2003.
115          (2) The Legislature finds and declares as follows:
116          (a) Maintaining a healthy market for motor vehicle
117    insurance, in which consumers may obtain affordable coverage,
118    insurers may operate profitably and competitively, and providers
119    of services may be compensated fairly, is a matter of great
120    public importance.
121          (b) After many years of relative stability, the market has
122    in recent years failed to achieve these goals, resulting in
123    substantial premium increases to consumers and a decrease in the
124    availability of coverage.
125          (c) The failure of the market is in part the result of
126    fraudulent acts and other abuses of the system, including, among
127    other things, staged accidents, vehicle repair fraud, fraudulent
128    insurance applications and claims, solicitation of accident
129    victims, and the growing role of medical clinics that exist
130    primarily to provide services to persons involved in crashes.
131    While many of these issues were brought to light by the
132    Fifteenth Statewide Grand Jury and were addressed by the
133    Legislature in 2001 in chapter 2001-271, Laws of Florida,
134    further action is now appropriate.
135          (3) The purpose of this act is to restore the health of
136    the market and the affordability of motor vehicle insurance by
137    comprehensively addressing issues of fraud, clinic regulation,
138    and related matters.
139          Section 2. Section 119.105, Florida Statutes, is amended
140    to read:
141          119.105 Protection of victims of crimes or accidents.--Any
142    person who is authorized by law to have access to confidential
143    or exempt information contained in police reports that identify
144    motor vehicle accident victims must maintain the confidential or
145    exempt status of such information received, except as otherwise
146    expressly provided in the law creating the exemption. Nothing in
147    this section shall be construed to prohibit the publication of
148    such information to the general public by any news media legally
149    entitled to possess that information. Under no circumstances may
150    any person, including the news media, use confidential or exempt
151    information contained in police reports for any commercial
152    solicitation of the victims or relatives of the victims of the
153    reported crimes or accidents.Police reports are public records
154    except as otherwise made exempt or confidential by general or
155    special law. Every person is allowed to examine nonexempt or
156    nonconfidential police reports. No person who inspects or copies
157    police reports for the purpose of obtaining the names and
158    addresses of the victims of crimes or accidents shall use any
159    information contained therein for any commercial solicitation of
160    the victims or relatives of the victims of the reported crimes
161    or accidents. Nothing herein shall prohibit the publication of
162    such information by any news media or the use of such
163    information for any other data collection or analysis purposes.
164          Section 3. Subsection (3) of section 316.066, Florida
165    Statutes, is amended to read:
166          316.066 Written reports of crashes.--
167          (3)(a) Every law enforcement officer who in the regular
168    course of duty investigates a motor vehicle crash:
169          1. Which crash resulted in death or personal injury shall,
170    within 10 days after completing the investigation, forward a
171    written report of the crash to the department or traffic records
172    center.
173          2. Which crash involved a violation of s. 316.061(1) or s.
174    316.193 shall, within 10 days after completing the
175    investigation, forward a written report of the crash to the
176    department or traffic records center.
177          3. In which crash a vehicle was rendered inoperative to a
178    degree which required a wrecker to remove it from traffic may,
179    within 10 days after completing the investigation, forward a
180    written report of the crash to the department or traffic records
181    center if such action is appropriate, in the officer's
182    discretion.
183         
184          However, in every case in which a crash report is required by
185    this section and a written report to a law enforcement officer
186    is not prepared, the law enforcement officer shall provide each
187    party involved in the crash a short-form report, prescribed by
188    the state, to be completed by the party. The short-form report
189    must include, but is not limited to: the date, time, and
190    location of the crash; a description of the vehicles involved;
191    the names and addresses of the parties involved; the names and
192    addresses of witnesses; the name, badge number, and law
193    enforcement agency of the officer investigating the crash; and
194    the names of the insurance companies for the respective parties
195    involved in the crash. Each party to the crash shall provide the
196    law enforcement officer with proof of insurance to be included
197    in the crash report. If a law enforcement officer submits a
198    report on the accident, proof of insurance must be provided to
199    the officer by each party involved in the crash. Any party who
200    fails to provide the required information is guilty of an
201    infraction for a nonmoving violation, punishable as provided in
202    chapter 318 unless the officer determines that due to injuries
203    or other special circumstances such insurance information cannot
204    be provided immediately. If the person provides the law
205    enforcement agency, within 24 hours after the crash, proof of
206    insurance that was valid at the time of the crash, the law
207    enforcement agency may void the citation.
208          (b) One or more counties may enter into an agreement with
209    the appropriate state agency to be certified by the agency to
210    have a traffic records center for the purpose of tabulating and
211    analyzing countywide traffic crash reports. The agreement must
212    include: certification by the agency that the center has
213    adequate auditing and monitoring mechanisms in place to ensure
214    the quality and accuracy of the data; the time period in which
215    the traffic records center must report crash data to the agency;
216    and the medium in which the traffic records must be submitted to
217    the agency. In the case of a county or multicounty area that has
218    a certified central traffic records center, a law enforcement
219    agency or driver must submit to the center within the time limit
220    prescribed in this section a written report of the crash. A
221    driver who is required to file a crash report must be notified
222    of the proper place to submit the completed report. Fees for
223    copies of public records provided by a certified traffic records
224    center shall be charged and collected as follows:
225         
226          For a crash report...........................$2 per copy.
227          For a homicide report.......................$25 per copy.
228          For a uniform traffic citation............$0.50 per copy.
229         
230          the fees collected for copies of the public records provided by
231    a certified traffic records center shall be used to fund the
232    center or otherwise as designated by the county or counties
233    participating in the center.
234          (c) Crash reports required by this section which reveal
235    the identity, home or employment telephone number or home or
236    employment address of, or other personal information concerning
237    the parties involved in the crash and which are received or
238    prepared by any agency that regularly receives or prepares
239    information from or concerning the parties to motor vehicle
240    crashes are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s.
241    24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution for a period of 60 days
242    after the date the report is filed. However, such reports may be
243    made immediately available to the parties involved in the crash,
244    their legal representatives, their licensed insurance agents,
245    their insurers or insurers to which they have applied for
246    coverage, persons under contract with such insurers to provide
247    claims or underwriting information, prosecutorial authorities,
248    radio and television stations licensed by the Federal
249    Communications Commission, newspapers qualified to publish legal
250    notices under ss. 50.011 and 50.031, and free newspapers of
251    general circulation, published once a week or more often,
252    available and of interest to the public generally for the
253    dissemination of news. As conditions precedent to accessing
254    crash reports within 60 days after the date the report is filed,
255    a person must present a driver’s license or other photographic
256    identification and proof of status that demonstrates his or her
257    qualifications to access that information and must also file a
258    written sworn statement with the state or local agency in
259    possession of the information stating that no information from
260    any crash report made confidential by this section will be used
261    for any prohibited commercial solicitations of accident victims
262    or knowingly disclosed to any third party for the purpose of
263    such solicitation during the period of time that the information
264    remains confidential. Nothing in this paragraph shall be
265    construed to prevent the dissemination or publication of news to
266    the general public by any media organization entitled to access
267    confidential information pursuant to this section. Any law
268    enforcement officer as defined in s. 943.10(1) shall have the
269    authority to enforce this subsection.For the purposes of this
270    section, the following products or publications are not
271    newspapers as referred to in this section: those intended
272    primarily for members of a particular profession or occupational
273    group; those with the primary purpose of distributing
274    advertising; and those with the primary purpose of publishing
275    names and other personally identifying information concerning
276    parties to motor vehicle crashes. Any local, state, or federal
277    agency, agent, or employee that is authorized to have access to
278    such reports by any provision of law shall be granted such
279    access in the furtherance of the agency's statutory duties
280    notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph. Any local,
281    state, or federal agency, agent, or employee receiving such
282    crash reports shall maintain the confidential and exempt status
283    of those reports and shall not disclose such crash reports to
284    any person or entity. Any person attempting to access crash
285    reports within 60 days after the date the report is filed must
286    present legitimate credentials or identification that
287    demonstrates his or her qualifications to access that
288    information. This exemption is subject to the Open Government
289    Sunset Review Act of 1995 in accordance with s. 119.15, and
290    shall stand repealed on October 2, 2006, unless reviewed and
291    saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
292          (d) Any employee of a state or local agency in possession
293    of information made confidential by this section who knowingly
294    discloses such confidential information to a person not entitled
295    to access such information under this section commitsis guilty
296    ofa felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s.
297    775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
298          (e) Any person, knowing that he or she is not entitled to
299    obtain information made confidential by this section, who
300    obtains or attempts to obtain such information commitsis guilty
301    ofa felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s.
302    775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
303          (f) Any person who knowingly uses information made
304    confidential by this section in violation of a filed, written,
305    and sworn statement required by this section commits a felony of
306    the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.
307    775.083, or s. 775.084.
308          Section 4. Section 408.7058, Florida Statutes, is created
309    to read:
310          408.7058 Statewide health care practitioner and personal
311    injury protection insurer claim dispute resolution program.--
312          (1) As used in this section:
313          (a) "Agency" means the Agency for Health Care
314    Administration.
315          (b) "Resolution organization" means a qualified
316    independent third-party claim dispute resolution entity selected
317    by and contracted with the Agency for Health Care
318    Administration.
319          (c) "Health care practitioner” means a health care
320    practitioner defined in s. 456.001(4).
321          (d) "Claim” means a claim for payment for services
322    submitted under s. 627.736(5).
323          (e) "Claim dispute” means a dispute between a health care
324    practitioner and an insurer as to the proper coding of a charge
325    submitted on a claim under s. 627.736(5) by a health care
326    practitioner, or the reasonableness of the amount charged by the
327    health care practitioner.
328          (f) "Insurer” means an insurer providing benefits under s.
329    627.736.
330          (2)(a) The agency shall establish a program by January 1,
331    2004, to provide assistance to health care practitioners and
332    insurers for resolution of claim disputes that are not resolved
333    by the health care practitioner and the insurer. The agency
334    shall contract with a resolution organization to timely review
335    and consider claim disputes submitted by health care
336    practitioners and insurers and recommend to the agency an
337    appropriate resolution of those disputes.
338          (b) The resolution organization shall review claim
339    disputes filed by health care practitioners and insurers
340    pursuant to this section when a notice of participation is
341    submitted pursuant to subsection (3), unless a demand letter has
342    been submitted to the insurer under s. 627.736(11) or a suit has
343    been filed on the claim against the insurer relating to the
344    disputed claim.
345          (3) Resolutions by the resolution organization shall be
346    initiated as follows:
347          (a) A health care practitioner may initiate a dispute
348    resolution by submitting a notice of dispute within 10 days
349    after receipt of a payment under s. 627.736(5)(b), which payment
350    is less than the amount of the charge submitted on the claim.
351    The notice of dispute shall be submitted to both the agency and
352    the insurer by United States certified mail or registered mail,
353    return receipt requested. The health care practitioner shall
354    include with the notice of dispute any documentation that the
355    health care practitioner wishes the resolution organization to
356    consider, demonstrating that the charge or charges submitted on
357    the claim are reasonable. The insurer shall have 10 days after
358    the date of receipt of the notice of dispute within which to
359    submit both to the resolution organization and the health care
360    practitioner by United States certified mail or registered mail,
361    return receipt requested, a notice of participation in the
362    dispute resolution and any documentation that the insurer wishes
363    the resolution organization to consider demonstrating that the
364    charge or charges submitted on the claim are not reasonable.
365          (b) An insurer may initiate a dispute resolution prior to
366    the claim being overdue, including any additional time the
367    insurer has to pay the claim pursuant to paragraph (4)(b), by
368    submitting a notice of dispute together with a payment to the
369    health care practitioner under s. 627.736(5)(b) of the amount
370    the insurer contends is the highest proper reasonable charge for
371    the claim. The notice of dispute shall be submitted to both the
372    agency and the health care practitioner by United States
373    certified mail or registered mail, return receipt requested. The
374    insurer shall include with the notice of dispute any
375    documentation which the insurer wishes the resolution
376    organization to consider demonstrating that the charge or
377    charges submitted on the claim are not reasonable. The health
378    care practitioner shall have 10 days after the date of receipt
379    of the notice of dispute within which to submit both to the
380    resolution organization and the insurer by United States
381    certified mail or registered mail, return receipt requested, a
382    notice of participation in the dispute resolution and any
383    documentation which the health care practitioner wishes the
384    resolution organization to consider, demonstrating that the
385    charge or charges submitted on the claim are reasonable.
386          (c) An insurer or health care practitioner may refuse to
387    participate in a dispute resolution by not submitting a notice
388    of participation in the dispute resolution pursuant to paragraph
389    (a) or (b). An insurer or health care practitioner shall not be
390    liable for the review costs, as established pursuant to
391    subsection (8), of the dispute resolution conducted pursuant to
392    this section unless it has participated in the dispute
393    resolution pursuant to this subsection and is liable for such
394    costs pursuant to subsection (6).
395          (d) Upon initiation of a dispute resolution pursuant to
396    this section, no demand letter under s. 627.736(11) may be sent
397    in regard to the subject matter of the dispute resolution
398    unless:
399          1. A notice of participation has not been timely submitted
400    pursuant to paragraphs (a) or (b);
401          2. The dispute resolution organization or the agency has
402    not been able to issue a notice of resolution or final order
403    within the time provided pursuant to subsection (6); or
404          3. The insurer has failed to pay the reasonable amount
405    pursuant to the final order adopting the notice of resolution
406    together with the interest and penalties of subsection (6), if
407    applicable.
408          (e) The applicable statute of limitations shall be tolled
409    while a dispute resolution is pending and for a period of 15
410    business days following:
411          1. Expiration of time for the submission of a notice of
412    participation pursuant to paragraphs (a) or (b);
413          2. Expiration of time for the filing of the final order
414    adopting the notice of resolution pursuant to subsection (6); or
415          3. The filing, with the agency clerk, of the final order
416    adopting the notice of resolution.
417          (4)(a) The resolution organization shall issue a notice of
418    resolution within 10 business days after the date the
419    organization receives all documentation from the health care
420    practitioner or the insurer pursuant to subsection (3).
421          (b) The resolution organization shall dismiss a notice of
422    dispute if:
423          1. The resolution organization has not received a notice
424    of participation pursuant to subsection (3) within 15 days after
425    receiving a notice of dispute; or
426          2. The dispute resolution organization is unable to issue
427    a notice of resolution within the time provided by subsection
428    (5), provided, the parties may with mutual agreement extend the
429    time for the issuance of the notice of resolution by sending the
430    dispute resolution organization a written notice of extension
431    signed by both parties and specifying the date by which a notice
432    of resolution must be issued or the notice of dispute will be
433    deemed dismissed.
434          (c) The resolution organization may, in its discretion,
435    schedule and conduct a telephone conference with the health care
436    practitioner and the insurer to facilitate the dispute
437    resolution in a cost-effective, efficient manner.
438          (d) In determining the reasonableness of a charge or
439    charges, the resolution organization may consider whether a
440    billing code or codes submitted on the claim are the codes that
441    accurately reflect the diagnostic or treatment service on the
442    claim or whether the billing code or codes should be bundled or
443    unbundled.
444          (e) In determining the reasonableness of a charge or
445    charges, the resolution organization shall determine whether the
446    charge or charges are less than or equal to the highest
447    reasonable charge or charges that represent the usual and
448    customary rates charged by similar health care practitioners
449    licensed under the same chapter for the geographic area of the
450    health care practitioner involved in the dispute, and, if the
451    charges in dispute are less than or equal to such charges, the
452    resolution organization shall find them reasonable. In
453    determining the usual and customary rates in accordance with
454    this paragraph, the dispute resolution organization may not take
455    into consideration any information relating to, or based wholly
456    or partially on, any governmentally set fee schedule, or any
457    contracted-for or discounted rates charged by health care
458    practitioners who contract with health insurers, health
459    maintenance organizations, or managed care organizations.
460          (f) A health care practitioner, who must be licensed under
461    the same chapter as the health care practitioner involved in the
462    dispute, may be used to advise the resolution organization if
463    such advice will assist the resolution organization to resolve
464    the dispute in a more cost-effective, efficient manner.
465          (5)(a) The resolution organization shall issue a notice of
466    resolution within 10 business days after receipt of the notice
467    of participation pursuant to subsection (3). The notice of
468    resolution shall be based upon findings of fact and shall be
469    considered a recommended order. The notice of resolution shall
470    be submitted to the health care practitioner and the insurer by
471    United States certified mail or registered mail, return receipt
472    requested, and to the agency.
473          (b) The notice of resolution shall state:
474          1. Whether the charge or charges submitted on the claim
475    are reasonable; or
476          2. If the resolution organization finds that any charge or
477    charges submitted on the claim are not reasonable, the highest
478    amount for such charge or charges that the resolution
479    organization finds to be reasonable.
480          (6)(a) In the event that the notice of resolution finds
481    that any charge or charges submitted on the claim are not
482    reasonable but that the highest reasonable charge or charges are
483    more than the amount or amounts paid by the insurer, the insurer
484    shall pay the additional amount found to be reasonable within 10
485    business days after receipt of the final order adopting the
486    notice of resolution, together with applicable interest under s.
487    627.736(4)(c), a penalty of 10 percent of the additional amount
488    found to be reasonable, subject to a maximum penalty of $250.
489          (b) In the event that the notice of resolution finds that
490    the charge or charges submitted on the claim are reasonable, the
491    insurer shall pay the additional amount or amounts found to be
492    reasonable within 10 business days after receipt of the final
493    order adopting the notice of resolution, together with
494    applicable interest under s. 627.736(4)(c), a penalty of 20
495    percent of the additional amount found to be reasonable, subject
496    to a maximum penalty of $500.
497          (c) In the event that the final order adopting the notice
498    of resolution finds that the amount or amounts paid by the
499    insurer are equal to or greater than the highest reasonable
500    charge, the insurer shall not be liable for any interest or
501    penalties.
502          (d) The agency shall issue a final order adopting the
503    notice of resolution within 10 days after receipt of the notice
504    of resolution. The final order shall be submitted to the health
505    care practitioner and the insurer by United States certified
506    mail or registered mail, return receipt requested.
507          (7)(a) If the insurer has paid the highest reasonable
508    amount or amounts as determined by the final order adopting the
509    notice of resolution, together with the interest and penalties
510    provided in subsection (6), if applicable, then no civil action
511    by the health care practitioner shall lie against the insurer on
512    the basis of the reasonableness of the charge or charges, and no
513    attorney's fees may be awarded for legal assistance related to
514    the charge or charges. The injured party is not liable for, and
515    the health care practitioner shall not bill the injured party
516    for, any amounts other than the copayment and any applicable
517    deductible based on the highest reasonable amount as determined
518    by the final order adopting the notice of resolution.
519          (b) The notice of dispute and all documents submitted by
520    the health care practitioner and the insurer, together with the
521    notice of resolution and the final order adopting the notice of
522    resolution, may be introduced into evidence in any civil action
523    if such documents are admissible pursuant to the Florida
524    Evidence Code.
525          (8) The insurer shall be responsible for payment of the
526    entirety of the review costs established pursuant to subsection
527    (9).
528          (9) The agency shall adopt rules to establish a process to
529    be used by the resolution organization in considering claim
530    disputes submitted by a health care practitioner or insurer and
531    the fees which may be charged by the agency for processing
532    disputes under this section. Such fees shall not exceed $75.00
533    for each review.
534          Section 5. Section 456.0375, Florida Statutes, is amended
535    to read:
536          456.0375 Registration of certain clinics; requirements;
537    discipline; exemptions.--
538          (1)(a) As used in this section, the term:
539          1."Clinic" means a business operating in a single
540    structure or facility, or in a group of adjacent structures or
541    facilities operating under the same business name or management,
542    at which health care services are provided to individuals and
543    which tender charges for reimbursement for such services. The
544    term also includes an entity that performs such functions from a
545    vehicle or otherwise having no fixed location.
546          2. "Disqualified person” means any individual who, within
547    the last 10 years, has been convicted of or who, regardless of
548    adjudication, has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to any
549    felony under federal law or under the law of any state.
550          3. "Participate in the business of” a clinic means to be a
551    medical director in a clinic, to be an independent contractor of
552    a clinic, or to control any interest in a clinic.
553          4. "Independent diagnostic testing facility” means an
554    individual, partnership, firm, or other business entity that
555    provides diagnostic imaging services but does not include an
556    individual or entity that has a disqualified person under
557    subparagraph 2. as an investor.
558          (b) For purposes of this section, the term "clinic" does
559    not include and the registration requirements herein do not
560    apply to:
561          1.a.Entities licensed or registered by the state pursuant
562    to chapter 390, chapter 394, chapter 395, chapter 397, chapter
563    400, chapter 463, chapter 465, chapter 466, chapter 478, chapter
564    480, or chapter 484.
565          b. Entities that own, directly or indirectly, entities
566    licensed pursuant to chapter 390, chapter 394, chapter 395,
567    chapter 397, chapter 400, chapter 463, chapter 465, chapter 466,
568    chapter 478, chapter 480, or chapter 484.
569          c. Entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, by an
570    entity licensed pursuant to chapter 390, chapter 394, chapter
571    395, chapter 397, chapter 400, chapter 463, chapter 465, chapter
572    466, chapter 478, chapter 480, or chapter 484.
573          d. Entities which are under common ownership, directly or
574    indirectly, with an entity licensed pursuant to chapter 390,
575    chapter 394, chapter 395, chapter 397, chapter 400, chapter 463,
576    chapter 465, chapter 466, chapter 478, chapter 480, or chapter
577    484.
578          2. Entities exempt from federal taxation under 26 U.S.C.
579    s. 501(c)(3).
580          3. Sole proprietorships, group practices, partnerships, or
581    corporations that provide health care services by licensed
582    health care practitioners pursuant to chapters 457, 458, 459,
583    460, 461, 462, 463, 466, 467, 484, 486, 490, 491, or part I,
584    part III, part X, part XIII, or part XIV of chapter 468, or s.
585    464.012, which are wholly owned by licensed health care
586    practitioners or the licensed health care practitioner and the
587    spouse, parent, or child of a licensed health care practitioner,
588    so long as one of the owners who is a licensed health care
589    practitioner is supervising the services performed therein and
590    is legally responsible for the entity's compliance with all
591    federal and state laws. However, no health care practitioner may
592    supervise services beyond the scope of the practitioner's
593    license.
594          (2)(a) Every clinic, as defined in paragraph (1)(a), must
595    register, and must at all times maintain a valid registration,
596    with the Department of Health. Each clinic location shall be
597    registered separately even though operated under the same
598    business name or management, and each clinic shall appoint a
599    medical director or clinical director.
600          (b)1.The department shall adopt rules necessary to
601    implement the registration program, including rules establishing
602    the specific registration procedures, forms, and fees.
603    Registration fees must be reasonably calculated to cover the
604    cost of registration and must be of such amount that the total
605    fees collected do not exceed the cost of administering and
606    enforcing compliance with this section. Registration may be
607    conducted electronically. The registration program must require:
608          a.1.The clinic to file the registration form with the
609    department within 60 days after the effective date of this
610    section or prior to the inception of operation. The registration
611    expires automatically 2 years after its date of issuance and
612    must be renewed biennially.
613          b.2.The registration form to contain the name, residence
614    and business address, phone number, and license number of the
615    medical director or clinical director for the clinic, and of
616    each person who owns a controlling interest in the clinic.
617          c.3.The clinic to display the registration certificate in
618    a conspicuous location within the clinic readily visible to all
619    patients.
620          2. Any business that becomes a clinic after commencing
621    other operations shall, within 30 days after becoming a clinic,
622    file a registration statement under this subsection and shall be
623    subject to all provisions of this section applicable to a
624    clinic.
625          (c) A disqualified person may not participate in the
626    business of the clinic. This paragraph does not apply to any
627    participation in the business of the clinic that existed as of
628    the effective date of this paragraph. A disqualified person may
629    participate in the business of the clinic if such person has the
630    written consent of the department, which consent specifically
631    refers to this subsection. Effective October 1, 2003, the
632    registration statement required by this section must include, or
633    be amended to include, information about each disqualified
634    person participating in the business of the clinic, including
635    any person participating with the written consent of the
636    department. A clinic must make a diligent effort to determine
637    whether any disqualified person is participating in the business
638    of the clinic, to include conducting background investigations
639    on medical directors and control persons. Certification of
640    accreditation and reaccredidation by the appropriate accrediting
641    entity or entities shall be conclusive proof of compliance with
642    this paragraph, unless it is shown that such accreditation has
643    been suspended, withdrawn, or revoked. Such certification and
644    each subsequent certificate of reaccreditation shall be provided
645    by the clinic to the insurer one time, prior to the filing of
646    the first claim for payment after accreditation or
647    reaccreditation. Each claim seeking reimbursement based on such
648    accreditation shall bear the statement: "This clinic is
649    currently accredited by American College of Radiology and was so
650    at the time services were rendered,” or "This clinic is
651    currently accredited by American College of Radiology and the
652    Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations
653    and was so at the time services were rendered.”
654          (d) Every clinic engaged in the provision of magnetic
655    resonance imaging services must be accredited by the American
656    College of Radiology or the Joint Commission on Accreditation of
657    Health Care Organizations by January 1, 2005. Subsequent
658    providers engaged in the provision of magnetic resonance imaging
659    services must be accredited by the American College of Radiology
660    or the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care
661    Organizations within 18 months after the effective date of
662    registration.
663          (3)(a) Each clinic must employ or contract with a
664    physician maintaining a full and unencumbered physician license
665    in accordance with chapter 458, chapter 459, chapter 460, or
666    chapter 461 to serve as the medical director. However, if the
667    clinic is limited to providing health care services pursuant to
668    chapter 457, chapter 484, chapter 486, chapter 490, or chapter
669    491 or part I, part III, part X, part XIII, or part XIV of
670    chapter 468, the clinic may appoint a health care practitioner
671    licensed under that chapter to serve as a clinical director who
672    is responsible for the clinic's activities. A health care
673    practitioner may not serve as the clinical director if the
674    services provided at the clinic are beyond the scope of that
675    practitioner's license.
676          (b) The medical director or clinical director shall agree
677    in writing to accept legal responsibility for the following
678    activities on behalf of the clinic. The medical director or the
679    clinical director shall:
680          1. Have signs identifying the medical director or clinical
681    director posted in a conspicuous location within the clinic
682    readily visible to all patients.
683          2. Ensure that all practitioners providing health care
684    services or supplies to patients maintain a current active and
685    unencumbered Florida license.
686          3. Review any patient referral contracts or agreements
687    executed by the clinic.
688          4. Ensure that all health care practitioners at the clinic
689    have active appropriate certification or licensure for the level
690    of care being provided.
691          5. Serve as the clinic records holder as defined in s.
692    456.057.
693          6. Ensure compliance with the recordkeeping, office
694    surgery, and adverse incident reporting requirements of this
695    chapter, the respective practice acts, and rules adopted
696    thereunder.
697          7. Conduct systematic reviews of clinic billings to ensure
698    that the billings are not fraudulent or unlawful. Upon discovery
699    of an unlawful charge, the medical director shall take immediate
700    corrective action.
701          (c) Any contract to serve as a medical director or a
702    clinical director entered into or renewed by a physician or a
703    licensed health care practitioner in violation of this section
704    is void as contrary to public policy. This section shall apply
705    to contracts entered into or renewed on or after October 1,
706    2001.
707          (d) The department, in consultation with the boards, shall
708    adopt rules specifying limitations on the number of registered
709    clinics and licensees for which a medical director or a clinical
710    director may assume responsibility for purposes of this section.
711    In determining the quality of supervision a medical director or
712    a clinical director can provide, the department shall consider
713    the number of clinic employees, clinic location, and services
714    provided by the clinic.
715          (4)(a) Any person or entity providing medical services or
716    treatment that is not a clinic may voluntarily register its
717    exempt status with the department on a form that sets forth its
718    name or names and addresses, a statement of the reasons why it
719    is not a clinic, and such other information deemed necessary by
720    the department.
721          (b) The department shall adopt rules necessary to
722    implement the registration program, including rules establishing
723    the specific registration procedures, forms, and fees.
724    Registration fees must be reasonably calculated to cover the
725    cost of registration and must be of such amount that the total
726    fees collected do not exceed the cost of administering and
727    enforcing compliance with this section. Registration may be
728    conducted electronically.
729          (5)(4)(a) All charges or reimbursement claims made by or
730    on behalf of a clinic that is required to be registered under
731    this section, but that is not so registered, or that is
732    otherwise operating in violation of this section,are unlawful
733    charges and therefore are noncompensable and unenforceable.
734          (b) Any person establishing, operating, or managing an
735    unregistered clinic otherwise required to be registered under
736    this section, or any person who knowingly files a false or
737    misleading registration or false or misleading information
738    required by subsection (2), subsection (4), or department rule,
739    commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in
740    s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
741          (c) Any licensed health care practitioner who violates
742    this section is subject to discipline in accordance with this
743    chapter and the respective practice act.
744          (d) The department shall revoke the registration of any
745    clinic registered under this section for operating in violation
746    of the requirements of this section or the rules adopted by the
747    department.
748          (e) The department shall investigate allegations of
749    noncompliance with this section and the rules adopted pursuant
750    to this section. The Division of Insurance Fraud of the
751    Department of Financial Services, at the request of the
752    department, may provide assistance in investigating allegations
753    of noncompliance with this section and the rules adopted
754    pursuant to this section.
755          (f) The department may make unannounced inspections of
756    clinics registered pursuant to this section to determine
757    compliance with this section.
758          (g) A clinic registered under this section shall allow
759    full and complete access to the premises and to billing records
760    or information to any representative of the department who makes
761    a request to inspect the clinic to determine compliance with
762    this section.
763          (h) Failure by a clinic registered under this section to
764    allow full and complete access to the premises and to billing
765    records or information to any representative of the department
766    who makes a request to inspect the clinic to determine
767    compliance with this section or which fails to employ a
768    qualified medical director or clinical director shall constitute
769    a ground for emergency suspension of the registration by the
770    department pursuant to s. 120.60(6).
771          Section 6. Paragraphs (dd) and (ee) are added to
772    subsection (1) of section 456.072, Florida Statutes, to read:
773          456.072 Grounds for discipline; penalties; enforcement.--
774          (1) The following acts shall constitute grounds for which
775    the disciplinary actions specified in subsection (2) may be
776    taken:
777          (dd) With respect to making a claim for personal injury
778    protection as required by s. 627.736:
779          1. Intentionally submitting a claim, statement, or bill
780    using a billing code that would result in payment greater in
781    amount than would be paid using a billing code that accurately
782    describes the actual services performed, which practice is
783    commonly referred to as "upcoding.” Global diagnostic imaging
784    billing by the technical component provider is not considered
785    upcoding.
786          2. Intentionally filing a claim for payment of services
787    that were not performed.
788          3. Intentionally using information obtained in violation
789    of s. 119.105 or s. 316.066 to solicit or obtain patients
790    personally or through an agent, regardless of whether the
791    information is derived directly from an accident report, derived
792    from a summary of an accident report, from another person, or
793    otherwise.
794          4. Intentionally submitting a claim for a diagnostic
795    treatment or submitting a claim for a diagnostic treatment or
796    procedure that is properly billed under one billing code but
797    which has been separated into two or more billing codes, which
798    practice is commonly referred to as "unbundling.”
799          (ee) Treating a person for injuries resulting from a
800    staged motor vehicle accident with knowledge that the person was
801    a participant in the staged motor vehicle accident.
802          Section 7. Subsection (8) is added to section 627.732,
803    Florida Statutes, to read:
804          627.732 Definitions.--As used in ss. 627.730-627.7405, the
805    term:
806          (8) "Global diagnostic imaging billing” means the
807    submission of a statement or bill related to the completion of a
808    diagnostic imaging test that includes a charge which encompasses
809    both the production of the diagnostic image, the "technical
810    component,” and the interpretation of the diagnostic image, the
811    "professional component,” whether or not the individual or
812    entity providing the professional component was performing these
813    services as an independent contractor or employee of the entity
814    providing the technical component.
815          Section 8. Paragraph (g) is added to subsection (4) of
816    section 627.736, Florida Statutes, and subsection (5), paragraph
817    (a) of subsection (7), subsection (8), paragraph (d) of
818    subsection (11), and subsection (12) of said section are
819    amended, to read:
820          627.736 Required personal injury protection benefits;
821    exclusions; priority; claims.--
822          (4) BENEFITS; WHEN DUE.--Benefits due from an insurer
823    under ss. 627.730-627.7405 shall be primary, except that
824    benefits received under any workers' compensation law shall be
825    credited against the benefits provided by subsection (1) and
826    shall be due and payable as loss accrues, upon receipt of
827    reasonable proof of such loss and the amount of expenses and
828    loss incurred which are covered by the policy issued under ss.
829    627.730-627.7405. When the Agency for Health Care Administration
830    provides, pays, or becomes liable for medical assistance under
831    the Medicaid program related to injury, sickness, disease, or
832    death arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a
833    motor vehicle, benefits under ss. 627.730-627.7405 shall be
834    subject to the provisions of the Medicaid program.
835          (g) Benefits shall not be due or payable to an insured
836    person if that person has committed, by a material act or
837    omission, any insurance fraud relating to personal injury
838    protection coverage under his or her policy if the fraud is
839    admitted to in a sworn statement by the insured or claimant or
840    is established in a court of competent jurisdiction. Any
841    benefits paid prior to the discovery of the insured’s or
842    claimant’s insurance fraud shall be recoverable in their
843    entirety by the insurer from the insured or claimant who
844    perpetrated the fraud upon demand for such benefits. The
845    prevailing party shall be entitled to its costs and attorney’s
846    fees in any action under this paragraph. However, payments to a
847    health care practitioner, who is without knowledge of such
848    fraud, for services rendered in good faith pursuant to this
849    section shall not be subject to recovery.
850          (5) CHARGES FOR TREATMENT OF INJURED PERSONS.--
851          (a) Any physician, hospital, clinic, or other person or
852    institution lawfully rendering treatment to an injured person
853    for a bodily injury covered by personal injury protection
854    insurance may charge only a reasonable amount for the services
855    and supplies rendered, and the insurer providing such coverage
856    may pay for such charges directly to such person or institution
857    lawfully rendering such treatment, if the insured receiving such
858    treatment or his or her guardian has countersigned the invoice,
859    bill, or claim form approved by the Department of Insurance upon
860    which such charges are to be paid for as having actually been
861    rendered, to the best knowledge of the insured or his or her
862    guardian. In no event, however, may such a charge be in excess
863    of the amount the person or institution customarily charges for
864    like services or supplies in cases involving no insurance.
865          (b)1. An insurer or insured is not required to pay a claim
866    or charges:
867          a.Made by a broker or by a person making a claim on
868    behalf of a broker.
869          b. For services or treatment by a clinic as defined in s.
870    456.0375, if, at the time the service or treatment was rendered,
871    the clinic was not in compliance with any applicable provision
872    of that section or rules adopted under such section.
873          c. For services or treatment by a clinic, as defined in s.
874    456.0375, if, at the time the services or treatment were
875    rendered, a person controlled the clinic or its medical
876    director, had been convicted of, or who, regardless of
877    adjudication of guilt, had pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to
878    a felony under federal law or the law of any state.
879          d. For any service or treatment that was not lawful at the
880    time it was rendered.
881          e. To any person or entity who knowingly submits false or
882    misleading statements and bills for medical services, or for any
883    statement or bill.
884          f. For medical services or treatment unless such services
885    are rendered by the physician or are incident to professional
886    services and are included on the physician’s bills. This sub-
887    subparagraph does not apply to services furnished in a licensed
888    health care facility or in an independent diagnostic testing
889    facility as defined in s. 456.0375.
890          2. Charges for medically necessary cephalic thermograms,
891    peripheral thermograms, spinal ultrasounds, extremity
892    ultrasounds, video fluoroscopy, and surface electromyography
893    shall not exceed the maximum reimbursement allowance for such
894    procedures as set forth in the applicable fee schedule or other
895    payment methodology established pursuant to s. 440.13.
896          3. Allowable amounts that may be charged to a personal
897    injury protection insurance insurer and insured for medically
898    necessary nerve conduction testing when done in conjunction with
899    a needle electromyography procedure and both are performed and
900    billed solely by a physician licensed under chapter 458, chapter
901    459, chapter 460, or chapter 461 who is also certified by the
902    American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine or by a board
903    recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the
904    American Osteopathic Association or who holds diplomate status
905    with the American Chiropractic Neurology Board or its
906    predecessors or the American Chiropractic Academy of Neurology
907    or its predecessorsshall not exceed 200 percent of the
908    allowable amount under Medicare Part B for year 2001, for the
909    area in which the treatment was rendered, adjusted annually by
910    an additional amount equal to the medical Consumer Price Index
911    for Florida.
912          4. Allowable amounts that may be charged to a personal
913    injury protection insurance insurer and insured for medically
914    necessary nerve conduction testing that does not meet the
915    requirements of subparagraph 3. shall not exceed the applicable
916    fee schedule or other payment methodology established pursuant
917    to s. 440.13.
918          5. Effective upon this act becoming a law and before
919    November 1, 2001, allowable amounts that may be charged to a
920    personal injury protection insurance insurer and insured for
921    magnetic resonance imaging services shall not exceed 200 percent
922    of the allowable amount under Medicare Part B for year 2001, for
923    the area in which the treatment was rendered. Beginning November
924    1, 2001, allowable amounts that may be charged to a personal
925    injury protection insurance insurer and insured for magnetic
926    resonance imaging services shall not exceed 175 percent of the
927    allowable amount under Medicare Part B for year 2001, for the
928    area in which the treatment was rendered, adjusted annually by
929    an additional amount equal to the medical Consumer Price Index
930    for Florida based on the month of January for each year, except
931    that allowable amounts that may be charged to a personal injury
932    protection insurance insurer and insured for magnetic resonance
933    imaging services provided in facilities accredited by the
934    American College of Radiology or the Joint Commission on
935    Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations shall not exceed 200
936    percent of the allowable amount under Medicare Part B for year
937    2001, for the area in which the treatment was rendered, adjusted
938    annually by an additional amount equal to the medical Consumer
939    Price Index for Florida based on the month of January for each
940    year. Allowable amounts that may be charged to a personal injury
941    protection insurance insurer and insured for magnetic resonance
942    imaging services provided in facilities accredited by both the
943    American College of Radiology and the Joint Commission on
944    Accreditation of Health Care Organizations shall be 225 percent
945    of the allowable amount for Medicare Part B for 2001 for the
946    area in which the treatment was rendered, adjusted annually by
947    an amount equal to the Consumer Price Index for Florida.This
948    paragraph does not apply to charges for magnetic resonance
949    imaging services and nerve conduction testing for inpatients and
950    emergency services and care as defined in chapter 395 rendered
951    by facilities licensed under chapter 395.
952          (c)1.With respect to any treatment or service, other than
953    medical services billed by a hospital or other provider for
954    emergency services as defined in s. 395.002 or inpatient
955    services rendered at a hospital-owned facility, the statement of
956    charges must be furnished to the insurer by the provider and may
957    not include, and the insurer is not required to pay, charges for
958    treatment or services rendered more than 35 days before the
959    postmark date of the statement, except for past due amounts
960    previously billed on a timely basis under this paragraph, and
961    except that, if the provider submits to the insurer a notice of
962    initiation of treatment within 21 days after its first
963    examination or treatment of the claimant, the statement may
964    include charges for treatment or services rendered up to, but
965    not more than, 75 days before the postmark date of the
966    statement. The injured party is not liable for, and the provider
967    shall not bill the injured party for, charges that are unpaid
968    because of the provider's failure to comply with this paragraph.
969    Any agreement requiring the injured person or insured to pay for
970    such charges is unenforceable.
971          2.If, however, the insured fails to furnish the provider
972    with the correct name and address of the insured's personal
973    injury protection insurer, the provider has 35 days from the
974    date the provider obtains the correct information to furnish the
975    insurer with a statement of the charges. The insurer is not
976    required to pay for such charges unless the provider includes
977    with the statement documentary evidence that was provided by the
978    insured during the 35-day period demonstrating that the provider
979    reasonably relied on erroneous information from the insured and
980    either:
981          a.1.A denial letter from the incorrect insurer; or
982          b.2.Proof of mailing, which may include an affidavit
983    under penalty of perjury, reflecting timely mailing to the
984    incorrect address or insurer.
985          3.For emergency services and care as defined in s.
986    395.002 rendered in a hospital emergency department or for
987    transport and treatment rendered by an ambulance provider
988    licensed pursuant to part III of chapter 401, the provider is
989    not required to furnish the statement of charges within the time
990    periods established by this paragraph; and the insurer shall not
991    be considered to have been furnished with notice of the amount
992    of covered loss for purposes of paragraph (4)(b) until it
993    receives a statement complying with paragraph (d)(e), or copy
994    thereof, which specifically identifies the place of service to
995    be a hospital emergency department or an ambulance in accordance
996    with billing standards recognized by the Health Care Finance
997    Administration.
998          4.Each notice of insured's rights under s. 627.7401 must
999    include the following statement in type no smaller than 12
1000    points:
1001          BILLING REQUIREMENTS.--Florida Statutes provide that with
1002    respect to any treatment or services, other than certain
1003    hospital and emergency services, the statement of charges
1004    furnished to the insurer by the provider may not include, and
1005    the insurer and the injured party are not required to pay,
1006    charges for treatment or services rendered more than 35 days
1007    before the postmark date of the statement, except for past due
1008    amounts previously billed on a timely basis, and except that, if
1009    the provider submits to the insurer a notice of initiation of
1010    treatment within 21 days after its first examination or
1011    treatment of the claimant, the statement may include charges for
1012    treatment or services rendered up to, but not more than, 75 days
1013    before the postmark date of the statement.
1014          (d) Every insurer shall include a provision in its policy
1015    for personal injury protection benefits for binding arbitration
1016    of any claims dispute involving medical benefits arising between
1017    the insurer and any person providing medical services or
1018    supplies if that person has agreed to accept assignment of
1019    personal injury protection benefits. The provision shall specify
1020    that the provisions of chapter 682 relating to arbitration shall
1021    apply. The prevailing party shall be entitled to attorney's fees
1022    and costs. For purposes of the award of attorney's fees and
1023    costs, the prevailing party shall be determined as follows:
1024          1. When the amount of personal injury protection benefits
1025    determined by arbitration exceeds the sum of the amount offered
1026    by the insurer at arbitration plus 50 percent of the difference
1027    between the amount of the claim asserted by the claimant at
1028    arbitration and the amount offered by the insurer at
1029    arbitration, the claimant is the prevailing party.
1030          2. When the amount of personal injury protection benefits
1031    determined by arbitration is less than the sum of the amount
1032    offered by the insurer at arbitration plus 50 percent of the
1033    difference between the amount of the claim asserted by the
1034    claimant at arbitration and the amount offered by the insurer at
1035    arbitration, the insurer is the prevailing party.
1036          3. When neither subparagraph 1. nor subparagraph 2.
1037    applies, there is no prevailing party. For purposes of this
1038    paragraph, the amount of the offer or claim at arbitration is
1039    the amount of the last written offer or claim made at least 30
1040    days prior to the arbitration.
1041          4. In the demand for arbitration, the party requesting
1042    arbitration must include a statement specifically identifying
1043    the issues for arbitration for each examination or treatment in
1044    dispute. The other party must subsequently issue a statement
1045    specifying any other examinations or treatment and any other
1046    issues that it intends to raise in the arbitration. The parties
1047    may amend their statements up to 30 days prior to arbitration,
1048    provided that arbitration shall be limited to those identified
1049    issues and neither party may add additional issues during
1050    arbitration.
1051          (d)(e)All statements and bills for medical services
1052    rendered by any physician, hospital, clinic, or other person or
1053    institution shall be submitted to the insurer on a properly
1054    completed Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
1055    Health Care Finance Administration1500 form, UB 92 forms, or
1056    any other standard form approved by the department for purposes
1057    of this paragraph. All billings for such services by
1058    noninstitutional providersshall, to the extent applicable,
1059    follow the Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology(CPT) or
1060    Healthcare Correct Procedural Coding System (HCPCS) in effect
1061    for the year in which services are rendered, and comply with the
1062    Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 1500 form
1063    instructions and the American Medical Association Current
1064    Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel and Healthcare
1065    Correct Procedural Coding System (HCPCS). In determining
1066    compliance with applicable CPT and HCPCS coding, guidance shall
1067    be provided by the Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology
1068    (CPT) or Healthcare Correct Procedural Coding System (HCPCS) in
1069    effect for the year in which services were rendered, the Officer
1070    of the Inspector General (OIG), Physicians Compliance
1071    Guidelines, and other authoritative treatises as may be defined
1072    by rule of the Department of Health.No statement of medical
1073    services may include charges for medical services of a person or
1074    entity that performed such services without possessing the valid
1075    licenses required to perform such services. For purposes of
1076    paragraph (4)(b), an insurer shall not be considered to have
1077    been furnished with notice of the amount of covered loss or
1078    medical bills due unless the statements or bills comply with
1079    this paragraph, and unless the statements or bills are properly
1080    completed in their entirety with all information being provided
1081    in such statements or bills, which means that the statement or
1082    bill contains all of the information required by the Centers for
1083    Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 1500 form instructions and
1084    the American Medical Association Current Procedural Terminology
1085    Editorial Panel and Healthcare Correct Procedural Coding System.
1086    An insurer shall not deny or reduce claims based upon compliance
1087    with s. 456.0375(2)(d) unless the insurer can show the required
1088    certification was not provided to the insurer.
1089          (e) Each physician, clinic, or other medical institution,
1090    except for a hospital, providing medical services upon which a
1091    claim for personal injury protectin benefits is based shall
1092    require an insured person to either sign a form acknowledging
1093    that the diagnostic or treatment services listed on the form
1094    were provided to the insured on the date that the insured signs
1095    the form, or in the alternative, the insured may sign the
1096    patient records generated that day reflecting the diagnostic or
1097    treatment procedures received.
1098          (f) An insurer may not bundle codes or change a diagnosis
1099    or diagnosis code on a claim submitted by a health care provider
1100    without the consent of the health care provider. Such action
1101    constitutes a material misrepresentation under s.
1102    626.9541(1)(i)2.
1103          (7) MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF INJURED PERSON;
1104    REPORTS.--
1105          (a) Whenever the mental or physical condition of an
1106    injured person covered by personal injury protection is material
1107    to any claim that has been or may be made for past or future
1108    personal injury protection insurance benefits, such person
1109    shall, upon the request of an insurer, submit to mental or
1110    physical examination by a physician or physicians. The costs of
1111    any examinations requested by an insurer shall be borne entirely
1112    by the insurer. Such examination shall be conducted within the
1113    municipality where the insured is receiving treatment, or in a
1114    location reasonably accessible to the insured, which, for
1115    purposes of this paragraph, means any location within the
1116    municipality in which the insured resides, or any location
1117    within 10 miles by road of the insured's residence, provided
1118    such location is within the county in which the insured resides.
1119    If the examination is to be conducted in a location reasonably
1120    accessible to the insured, and if there is no qualified
1121    physician to conduct the examination in a location reasonably
1122    accessible to the insured, then such examination shall be
1123    conducted in an area of the closest proximity to the insured's
1124    residence. Personal protection insurers are authorized to
1125    include reasonable provisions in personal injury protection
1126    insurance policies for mental and physical examination of those
1127    claiming personal injury protection insurance benefits. An
1128    insurer may not withdraw payment of a treating physician without
1129    the consent of the injured person covered by the personal injury
1130    protection, unless the insurer first obtains a valid report by a
1131    physician licensed under the same chapter as the treating
1132    physician whose treatment authorization is sought to be
1133    withdrawn, stating that treatment was not reasonable, related,
1134    or necessary. A valid report is one that is prepared and signed
1135    by the physician examining the injured person or reviewing the
1136    treatment records of the injured person and is factually
1137    supported by the examination and treatment records if reviewed
1138    and that has not been modified by anyone other than the
1139    physician. The physician preparing the report must be in active
1140    practice, unless the physician is physically disabled. Active
1141    practice means that for during the 3 consecutiveyears
1142    immediately preceding the date of the physical examination or
1143    review of the treatment records the physician must have devoted
1144    professional time to the active clinical practice of evaluation,
1145    diagnosis, or treatment of medical conditions or to the
1146    instruction of students in an accredited health professional
1147    school or accredited residency program or a clinical research
1148    program that is affiliated with an accredited health
1149    professional school or teaching hospital or accredited residency
1150    program. The physician preparing a report at the request of an
1151    insurer, or on behalf of an insurer through an attorney or
1152    another entity, shall maintain, for at least 3 years, copies of
1153    all examination reports as medical records and shall maintain,
1154    for at least 3 years, records of all payments for the
1155    examinations and reports. Neither an insurer nor any person
1156    acting at the direction of or on behalf of an insurer may change
1157    an opinion in a report prepared under this paragraph or direct
1158    the physician preparing the report to change such opinion. The
1159    denial of a payment as the result of such a changed opinion
1160    constitutes a material misrepresentation under s.
1161    626.9541(1)(i)2.
1162          (8) APPLICABILITY OF PROVISION REGULATING ATTORNEY'S
1163    FEES.--With respect to any dispute under the provisions of ss.
1164    627.730-627.7405 between the insured and the insurer, or between
1165    an assignee of an insured's rights and the insurer, the
1166    provisions of s. 627.428 shall apply, except as provided in
1167    subsection (11), provided a court must receive evidence and
1168    consider the following factors prior to awarding any multiplier:
1169          (a) Whether the relevant market requires a contingency fee
1170    multiplier to obtain competent counsel.
1171          (b) Whether the attorney was able to mitigate the risk of
1172    nonpayment in any way.
1173          (c) Whether any of the following factors are applicable:
1174          1. The time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty
1175    of the question involved, and the skill requisite to perform the
1176    legal service properly.
1177          2. The likelihood, if apparent to the client, that the
1178    acceptance of the particular employment will preclude other
1179    employment by the lawyer.
1180          3. The fee customarily charged in the locality for similar
1181    legal services.
1182          4. The amount involved and the results obtained.
1183          5. The time limitations imposed by the client or by the
1184    circumstances.
1185          6. The nature and length of the professional relationship
1186    with the client.
1187          7. The experience, reputation, and ability of the lawyer
1188    or lawyers performing the services.
1189          8. Whether the fee is fixed or contingent.
1190         
1191          If the court determines, pursuant to this subsection, that a
1192    multiplier is appropriate, and if the court determines that
1193    success was more likely than not at the outset, the court may
1194    apply a multiplier of 1 to 1.5; if the court determines that the
1195    likelihood of success was approximately even at the outset, the
1196    court may apply a multiplier of 1.5 to 2.0; and if the court
1197    determines that success was unlikely at the outset of the case,
1198    the court may apply a multiplier of 2.0 to 2.5.
1199          (11) DEMAND LETTER.--
1200          (d) If, within 107business days after receipt of notice
1201    by the insurer, the overdue claim specified in the notice is
1202    paid by the insurer together with applicable interest and a
1203    penalty of 10 percent of the overdue amount paid by the insurer,
1204    subject to a maximum penalty of $250, no action for nonpayment
1205    or late payment may be brought against the insurer. To the
1206    extent the insurer determines not to pay the overdue amount, the
1207    penalty shall not be payable in any action for nonpayment or
1208    late payment. For purposes of this subsection, payment shall be
1209    treated as being made on the date a draft or other valid
1210    instrument that is equivalent to payment is placed in the United
1211    States mail in a properly addressed, postpaid envelope, or if
1212    not so posted, on the date of delivery. The insurer shall not be
1213    obligated to pay any attorney's fees if the insurer pays the
1214    claim within the time prescribed by this subsection.
1215          (12) CIVIL ACTION FOR INSURANCE FRAUD.--
1216          (a) An insurer and an insuredshall have a cause of action
1217    against any person who has committedconvicted of, or who,
1218    regardless of adjudication of guilt, pleads guilty or nolo
1219    contendere toinsurance fraud under s. 817.234, patient
1220    brokering under s. 817.505, or kickbacks under s. 456.054,
1221    associated with a claim for personal injury protection benefits
1222    in accordance with this section. Any partyAn insurerprevailing
1223    in an action brought under this subsection may recover treble
1224    compensatory damages, consequential damages, and punitive
1225    damages subject to the requirements and limitations of part II
1226    of chapter 768, and attorney's fees and costs incurred in
1227    litigating a cause of action underagainst any person convicted
1228    of, or who, regardless of adjudication of guilt, pleads guilty
1229    or nolo contendere to insurance fraud under s. 817.234, patient
1230    brokering under s. 817.505, or kickbacks under s. 456.054,
1231    associated with a claim for personal injury protection benefits
1232    in accordance withthis section.
1233          (b) Notwithstanding its payment, neither an insurer nor an
1234    insured shall be precluded from maintaining a civil cause of
1235    action against any person or business entity to recover payment
1236    for services later determined to have not been lawfully rendered
1237    or otherwise in violation of any provision of this section.
1238          Section 9. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
1239    627.745, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1240          627.745 Mediation of claims.--
1241          (1)(a) In any claim filed with an insurer for personal
1242    injury in an amount of $10,000 or lessor any claim for property
1243    damage in any amount, arising out of the ownership, operation,
1244    use, or maintenance of a motor vehicle, either party may demand
1245    mediation of the claim prior to the institution of litigation.
1246          Section 10. Section 627.747, Florida Statutes, is created
1247    to read:
1248          627.747 Legislative oversight; reporting of
1249    information.--In order to ensure continuing legislative
1250    oversight of motor vehicle insurance in general and the personal
1251    injury protection system in particular, the following agencies
1252    shall, on January 1 and July 1 of each year, provide the
1253    information required by this section to the President of the
1254    Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the
1255    minority party leaders of the Senate and the House of
1256    Representatives, and the chairs of the standing committees of
1257    the Senate and the House of Representatives having authority
1258    over insurance matters.
1259          (1) The Office of Insurance Regulation of the Financial
1260    Services Commission shall provide data and analysis on motor
1261    vehicle insurance loss cost trends and premium trends, together
1262    with such other information as the office deems appropriate to
1263    enable the Legislature to evaluate the effectiveness of the
1264    reforms contained in the Florida Motor Vehicle Insurance
1265    Affordability Reform Act of 2003, and such other information as
1266    may be requested from time to time by any of the officers
1267    referred to in this section.
1268          (2) The Division of Insurance Fraud of the Department of
1269    Financial Services shall provide data and analysis on the
1270    incidence and cost of motor vehicle insurance fraud, including
1271    violations, investigations, and prosecutions, together with such
1272    other information as the division deems appropriate to enable
1273    the Legislature to evaluate the effectiveness of the reforms
1274    contained in the Florida Motor Vehicle Insurance Affordability
1275    Reform Act of 2003, and such other information as may be
1276    requested from time to time by any of the officers referred to
1277    in this section.
1278          Section 11. Subsections (8) and (9) of section 817.234,
1279    Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1280          817.234 False and fraudulent insurance claims.--
1281          (8)(a)1. It is unlawful for any person, intending to
1282    defraud any other person,in his or her individual capacity or
1283    in his or her capacity as a public or private employee, or for
1284    any firm, corporation, partnership, or association, to solicit
1285    or cause to be solicited any business from a person involved in
1286    a motor vehicle accident by any means of communication other
1287    than advertising directed to the public for the purpose of
1288    making motor vehicle tort claims or claims for personal injury
1289    protection benefits required by s. 627.736. Charges for any
1290    services rendered by a health care provider or attorney who
1291    violates this subsection in regard to the person for whom such
1292    services were rendered are noncompensable and unenforceable as a
1293    matter of law. Any person who violates the provisions of this
1294    paragraphsubsection commits a felony of the secondthird
1295    degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s.
1296    775.084. Such person shall be sentenced to a minimum term of
1297    imprisonment of 2 years.
1298          2. Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 948.01 with
1299    respect to any person who is found to have violated this
1300    paragraph, adjudication of guilt or imposition of sentence shall
1301    not be suspended, deferred, or withheld nor shall such person be
1302    eligible for parole prior to serving the mandatory minimum term
1303    of imprisonment prescribed by this paragraph. A person sentenced
1304    to a mandatory term of imprisonment under this paragraph is not
1305    eligible for any form of discretionary early release, except
1306    pardon or executive clemency or conditional medical release
1307    under s. 947.149, prior to serving the mandatory minimum term of
1308    imprisonment.
1309          3. The state attorney may move the sentencing court to
1310    reduce or suspend the sentence of any person who is convicted of
1311    a violation of this paragraph and who provides substantial
1312    assistance in the identification, arrest, or conviction of any
1313    of that person’s accomplices, accessories, coconspirators, or
1314    principals. The arresting agency shall be given an opportunity
1315    to be heard in aggravation or mitigation in reference to any
1316    such motion. Upon good cause shown, the motion may be filed and
1317    heard in camera. The judge hearing the motion may reduce or
1318    suspend the sentence if the judge finds that the defendant
1319    rendered such substantial assistance.
1320          (b)1. It is unlawful for any person to solicit or cause to
1321    be solicited any business from a person involved in a motor
1322    vehicle accident, by any means of communication other than
1323    advertising directed to the public, for the purpose of making,
1324    settling, or adjusting motor vehicle tort claims or claims for
1325    personal injury protection benefits required by s. 627.736,
1326    within 60 days after the occurrence of the motor vehicle
1327    accident. Any person who violates the provisions of this
1328    subparagraph commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as
1329    provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
1330          2. It is unlawful for any person, at any time after 60
1331    days have elapsed from the occurrence of a motor vehicle
1332    accident, to solicit or cause to be solicited any business from
1333    a person involved in a motor vehicle accident, by means of any
1334    personal or telephone contact at the person's residence, other
1335    than by mail or by advertising directed to the public, for the
1336    purpose of making motor vehicle tort claims or claims for
1337    personal injury protection benefits required by s. 627.736. Any
1338    person who violates the provisions of this subparagraph commits
1339    a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s.
1340    775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
1341          (c) Charges for any services rendered by any person who
1342    violates this subsection in regard to the person for whom such
1343    services were rendered are noncompensable and unenforceable as a
1344    matter of law. Any contract, release or other document executed
1345    by a person involved in a motor vehicle accident, or a family
1346    member of such person, related to a violation of this section is
1347    unenforceable by the person who violated this section or that
1348    person’s principal or successor in interest.
1349          (d) For purposes of this section, the term “solicit” does
1350    not include an insurance company making contact with its
1351    insured, nor does it include an insurance company making contact
1352    with a person involved in a motor vehicle accident where the
1353    person involved in a motor vehicle accident has directly or
1354    indirectly requested to be contacted by the insurance company.
1355          (9)(a) It is unlawful for any person to organize, plan, or
1356    in any way participate in an intentional motor vehicle crash for
1357    the purpose of making motor vehicle tort claims or claims for
1358    personal injury protection benefits as required by s. 627.736
1359    attorney to solicit any business relating to the representation
1360    of a person involved in a motor vehicle accident for the purpose
1361    of filing a motor vehicle tort claim or a claim for personal
1362    injury protection benefits required by s. 627.736. The
1363    solicitation by advertising of any business by an attorney
1364    relating to the representation of a person injured in a specific
1365    motor vehicle accident is prohibited by this section. Any person
1366    attorney who violates the provisions of this paragraph
1367    subsection commits a felony of the secondthirddegree,
1368    punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
1369    A person who is convicted of a violation of this subsection
1370    shall be sentenced to a minimum term of imprisonment of 2 years.
1371          (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 948.01, with
1372    respect to any person who is found to have violated this
1373    subsection, adjudication of guilt or imposition of sentence
1374    shall not be suspended, deferred, or withheld nor shall such
1375    person be eligible for parole prior to serving the mandatory
1376    minimum term of imprisonment prescribed by this subsection. A
1377    person sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment
1378    under this subsection is not eligible for any form of
1379    discretionary early release, except pardon, executive clemency,
1380    or conditional medical release under s. 947.149, prior to
1381    serving the mandatory minimum term of imprisonment.
1382          (c) The state attorney may move the sentencing court to
1383    reduce or suspend the sentence of any person who is convicted of
1384    a violation of this subsection and who provides substantial
1385    assistance in the identification, arrest, or conviction of any
1386    of that person’s accomplices, accessories, coconspirators, or
1387    principals. The arresting agency shall be given an opportunity
1388    to be heard in aggravation or mitigation in reference to any
1389    such motion. Upon good cause shown, the motion may be filed and
1390    heard in camera. The judge hearing the motion may reduce or
1391    suspend the sentence if the judge finds that the defendant
1392    rendered such substantial assistance.Whenever any circuit or
1393    special grievance committee acting under the jurisdiction of the
1394    Supreme Court finds probable cause to believe that an attorney
1395    is guilty of a violation of this section, such committee shall
1396    forward to the appropriate state attorney a copy of the finding
1397    of probable cause and the report being filed in the matter. This
1398    section shall not be interpreted to prohibit advertising by
1399    attorneys which does not entail a solicitation as described in
1400    this subsection and which is permitted by the rules regulating
1401    The Florida Bar as promulgated by the Florida Supreme Court.
1402          Section 12. Section 817.236, Florida Statutes, is amended
1403    to read:
1404          817.236 False and fraudulent motor vehicle insurance
1405    application.--Any person who, with intent to injure, defraud, or
1406    deceive any motor vehicle insurer, including any statutorily
1407    created underwriting association or pool of motor vehicle
1408    insurers, presents or causes to be presented any written
1409    application, or written statement in support thereof, for motor
1410    vehicle insurance knowing that the application or statement
1411    contains any false, incomplete, or misleading information
1412    concerning any fact or matter material to the application
1413    commits a felonymisdemeanor of the thirdfirstdegree,
1414    punishable as provided in s. 775.082,or s. 775.083, or s.
1415    775.084.
1416          Section 13. Section 817.2361, Florida Statutes, is created
1417    to read:
1418          817.2361 False or fraudulent motor vehicle insurance
1419    card.--Any person who, with intent to deceive any other person,
1420    creates, markets, or presents a false or fraudulent motor
1421    vehicle insurance card commits a felony of the third degree,
1422    punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
1423          Section 14. Section 817.413, Florida Statutes, is created
1424    to read:
1425          817.413 Sale of used motor vehicle goods as new;
1426    penalty.--
1427          (1) With respect to a transaction for which any charges
1428    will be paid from the proceeds of a motor vehicle insurance
1429    policy and in which the purchase price of motor vehicle goods
1430    exceeds $100, it is unlawful for the seller to misrepresent
1431    orally, in writing, or by failure to speak that the goods are
1432    new or original when they are used or repossessed or have been
1433    used for sales demonstration.
1434          (2) A person who violates the provisions of this section
1435    commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in
1436    s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
1437          Section 15. Section 860.15, Florida Statutes, is amended
1438    to read:
1439          860.15 Overcharging for repairs and parts; penalty.--
1440          (1) It is unlawful for a person to knowingly charge for
1441    any services on motor vehicles which are not actually performed,
1442    to knowingly and falsely charge for any parts and accessories
1443    for motor vehicles not actually furnished, or to knowingly and
1444    fraudulently substitute parts when such substitution has no
1445    relation to the repairing or servicing of the motor vehicle.
1446          (2) Any person willfully violating the provisions of this
1447    section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree,
1448    punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
1449          (3) If the charges referred to in subsection (1) will be
1450    paid from the proceeds of a motor vehicle insurance policy, a
1451    person who willfully violates the provisions of this section
1452    commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in
1453    s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
1454          Section 16. Paragraphs (c) and (e) of subsection (3) of
1455    section 921.0022, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1456          921.0022 Criminal Punishment Code; offense severity
1457    ranking chart.--
1458          (3) OFFENSE SEVERITY RANKING CHART
1459         
1460         
Florida Statute Felony DegreeDescription
1461         
(c) LEVEL 3
1462         
119.10(3) 3rd Unlawful use of confidential information from police reports.
1463         
316.066(3)(d)-(f)3rd Unlawfully obtaining or using confidential crash reports.
1464         
316.193(2)(b) 3rd Felony DUI, 3rd conviction.
1465         
316.1935(2) 3rd Fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement officer in marked patrol vehicle with siren and lights activated.
1466         
319.30(4) 3rd Possession by junkyard of motor vehicle with identification number plate removed.
1467         
319.33(1)(a) 3rd Alter or forge any certificate of title to a motor vehicle or mobile home.
1468         
319.33(1)(c) 3rd Procure or pass title on stolen vehicle.
1469         
319.33(4) 3rd With intent to defraud, possess, sell, etc., a blank, forged, or unlawfully obtained title or registration.
1470         
327.35(2)(b) 3rd Felony BUI.
1471         
328.05(2) 3rd Possess, sell, or counterfeit fictitious, stolen, or fraudulent titles or bills of sale of vessels.
1472         
328.07(4) 3rd Manufacture, exchange, or possess vessel with counterfeit or wrong ID number.
1473         
376.302(5) 3rd Fraud related to reimbursement for cleanup expenses under the Inland Protection Trust Fund.
1474         
456.0375(4)(b) 3rd Operating a clinic without registration or filing false registration or other required information.
1475         
501.001(2)(b) 2nd Tampers with a consumer product or the container using materially false/misleading information.
1476         
697.08 3rd Equity skimming.
1477         
790.15(3) 3rd Person directs another to discharge firearm from a vehicle.
1478         
796.05(1) 3rd Live on earnings of a prostitute.
1479         
806.10(1) 3rd Maliciously injure, destroy, or interfere with vehicles or equipment used in firefighting.
1480         
806.10(2) 3rd Interferes with or assaults firefighter in performance of duty.
1481         
810.09(2)(c) 3rd Trespass on property other than structure or conveyance armed with firearm or dangerous weapon.
1482         
812.014(2)(c)2. 3rd Grand theft; $5,000 or more but less than $10,000.
1483         
812.0145(2)(c) 3rd Theft from person 65 years of age or older; $300 or more but less than $10,000.
1484         
815.04(4)(b) 2nd Computer offense devised to defraud or obtain property.
1485         
817.034(4)(a)3. 3rd Engages in scheme to defraud (Florida Communications Fraud Act), property valued at less than $20,000.
1486         
817.233 3rd Burning to defraud insurer.
1487         
817.234(8)(b)&(9)3rd Certain unlawful solicitation of persons involved in motor vehicle accidents.
1488         
817.234(11)(a) 3rd Insurance fraud; property value less than $20,000.
1489         
817.236 3rd False and fraudulent motor vehicle insurance application.
1490         
817.2361 3rd False and fraudulent motor vehicle insurance card.
1491         
817.413 3rd Sale of used motor vehicle goods as new.
1492         
817.505(4) 3rd Patient brokering.
1493         
828.12(2) 3rd Tortures any animal with intent to inflict intense pain, serious physical injury, or death.
1494         
831.28(2)(a) 3rd Counterfeiting a payment instrument with intent to defraud or possessing a counterfeit payment instrument.
1495         
831.29 2nd Possession of instruments for counterfeiting drivers' licenses or identification cards.
1496         
838.021(3)(b) 3rd Threatens unlawful harm to public servant.
1497         
843.19 3rd Injure, disable, or kill police dog or horse.
1498         
860.15(3) 3rd Overcharging for motor vehicle repairs and parts; insurance involved.
1499         
870.01(2) 3rd Riot; inciting or encouraging.
1500         
893.13(1)(a)2. 3rd Sell, manufacture, or deliver cannabis (or other s. 893.03(1)(c), (2)(c)1., (2)(c)2., (2)(c)3., (2)(c)5.,(2)(c)6., (2)(c)7., (2)(c)8., (2)(c)9., (3), or (4) drugs).
1501         
893.13(1)(d)2. 2nd Sell, manufacture, or deliver s. 893.03(1)(c),(2)(c)1., (2)(c)2., (2)(c)3., (2)(c)5., (2)(c)6., (2)(c)7.,(2)(c)8., (2)(c)9., (3), or (4) drugs within 200 feet of university or public park.
1502         
893.13(1)(f)2. 2nd Sell, manufacture, or deliver s. 893.03(1)(c),(2)(c)1., (2)(c)2., (2)(c)3., (2)(c)5., (2)(c)6., (2)(c)7.,(2)(c)8., (2)(c)9., (3), or (4) drugs within 200 feet of public housing facility.
1503         
893.13(6)(a) 3rd Possession of any controlled substance other than felony possession of cannabis.
1504         
893.13(7)(a)8. 3rd Withhold information from practitioner regarding previous receipt of or prescription for a controlled substance.
1505         
893.13(7)(a)9. 3rd Obtain or attempt to obtain controlled substance by fraud, forgery, misrepresentation, etc.
1506         
893.13(7)(a)10. 3rd Affix false or forged label to package of controlled substance.
1507         
893.13(7)(a)11. 3rd Furnish false or fraudulent material information on any document or record required by chapter 893.
1508         
893.13(8)(a)1. 3rd Knowingly assist a patient, other person, or owner of an animal in obtaining a controlled substance through deceptive, untrue, or fraudulent representations in or related to the practitioner's practice.
1509         
893.13(8)(a)2. 3rd Employ a trick or scheme in the practitioner's practice to assist a patient, other person, or owner of an animal in obtaining a controlled substance.
1510         
893.13(8)(a)3. 3rd Knowingly write a prescription for a controlled substance for a fictitious person.
1511         
893.13(8)(a)4. 3rd Write a prescription for a controlled substance for a patient, other person, or an animal if the sole purpose of writing the prescription is a monetary benefit for the practitioner.
1512         
918.13(1)(a) 3rd Alter, destroy, or conceal investigation evidence.
1513         
944.47(1)(a)1.-2. 3rd Introduce contraband to correctional facility.
1514         
944.47(1)(c) 2nd Possess contraband while upon the grounds of a correctional institution.
1515         
985.3141 3rd Escapes from a juvenile facility (secure detention or residential commitment facility).
1516         
(e) LEVEL 5
1517         
316.027(1)(a) 3rd Accidents involving personal injuries, failure to stop; leaving scene.
1518         
316.1935(4) 2nd Aggravated fleeing or eluding.
1519         
322.34(6) 3rd Careless operation of motor vehicle with suspended license, resulting in death or serious bodily injury.
1520         
327.30(5) 3rd Vessel accidents involving personal injury; leaving scene.
1521         
381.0041(11)(b) 3rd Donate blood, plasma, or organs knowing HIV positive.
1522         
790.01(2) 3rd Carrying a concealed firearm.
1523         
790.162 2nd Threat to throw or discharge destructive device.
1524         
790.163(1) 2nd False report of deadly explosive or weapon of mass destruction.
1525         
790.221(1) 2nd Possession of short-barreled shotgun or machine gun.
1526         
790.23 2nd Felons in possession of firearms or electronic weapons or devices.
1527         
800.04(6)(c) 3rd Lewd or lascivious conduct; offender less than 18 years.
1528         
800.04(7)(c) 2nd Lewd or lascivious exhibition; offender 18 years or older.
1529         
806.111(1) 3rd Possess, manufacture, or dispense fire bomb with intent to damage any structure or property.
1530         
812.0145(2)(b) 2nd Theft from person 65 years of age or older; $10,000 or more but less than $50,000.
1531         
812.015(8) 3rd Retail theft; property stolen is valued at $300 or more and one or more specified acts.
1532         
812.019(1) 2nd Stolen property; dealing in or trafficking in.
1533         
812.131(2)(b) 3rd Robbery by sudden snatching.
1534         
812.16(2) 3rd Owning, operating, or conducting a chop shop.
1535         
817.034(4)(a)2. 2nd Communications fraud, value $20,000 to $50,000.
1536         
817.234(8)(a) 2nd Unlawful solicitation of persons involved in motor vehicle accidents intending to defraud.
1537         
817.234(9) 2nd Intentional motor vehicle crashes.
1538         
817.234(11)(b) 2nd Insurance fraud; property value $20,000 or more but less than $100,000.
1539         
817.568(2)(b) 2nd Fraudulent use of personal identification information; value of benefit, services received, payment avoided, or amount of injury or fraud, $75,000 or more.
1540         
817.625(2)(b) 2nd Second or subsequent fraudulent use of scanning device or reencoder.
1541         
825.1025(4) 3rd Lewd or lascivious exhibition in the presence of an elderly person or disabled adult.
1542         
827.071(4) 2nd Possess with intent to promote any photographic material, motion picture, etc., which includes sexual conduct by a child.
1543         
839.13(2)(b) 2nd Falsifying records of an individual in the care and custody of a state agency involving great bodily harm or death.
1544         
843.01 3rd Resist officer with violence to person; resist arrest with violence.
1545         
874.05(2) 2nd Encouraging or recruiting another to join a criminal street gang; second or subsequent offense.
1546         
893.13(1)(a)1. 2nd Sell, manufacture, or deliver cocaine (or other s. 893.03(1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(d), (2)(a), (2)(b), or(2)(c)4. drugs).
1547         
893.13(1)(c)2. 2nd Sell, manufacture, or deliver cannabis (or other s. 893.03(1)(c), (2)(c)1., (2)(c)2., (2)(c)3., (2)(c)5.,(2)(c)6., (2)(c)7., (2)(c)8., (2)(c)9., (3), or (4) drugs) within 1,000 feet of a child care facility or school.
1548         
893.13(1)(d)1. 1st Sell, manufacture, or deliver cocaine (or other s. 893.03(1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(d), (2)(a), (2)(b), or(2)(c)4. drugs) within 200 feet of university or public park.
1549         
893.13(1)(e)2. 2nd Sell, manufacture, or deliver cannabis or other drug prohibited under s. 893.03(1)(c), (2)(c)1., (2)(c)2.,(2)(c)3., (2)(c)5., (2)(c)6., (2)(c)7., (2)(c)8., (2)(c)9.,(3), or (4) within 1,000 feet of property used for religious services or a specified business site.
1550         
893.13(1)(f)1. 1st Sell, manufacture, or deliver cocaine (or other s. 893.03(1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(d), or (2)(a), (2)(b), or (2)(c)4. drugs) within 200 feet of public housing facility.
1551         
893.13(4)(b) 2nd Deliver to minor cannabis (or other s. 893.03(1)(c),(2)(c)1., (2)(c)2., (2)(c)3., (2)(c)5., (2)(c)6., (2)(c)7.,(2)(c)8., (2)(c)9., (3), or (4) drugs).
1552          Section 17. The amendment to s. 456.0375(1)(b)1., Florida
1553    Statutes, in this act is intended to clarify the legislative
1554    intent of that provision as it existed at the time the provision
1555    initially took effect. Accordingly, the amendment to s.
1556    456.0375(1)(b)1., Florida Statutes, in this act shall operate
1557    retroactively to October 1, 2001.
1558          Section 18. The Office of Insurance Regulation is directed
1559    to undertake and complete not later than January 1, 2004, a
1560    report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the
1561    President of the Senate evaluating the costs citizens of this
1562    state are required to pay for the private passenger automobile
1563    insurance that is presently mandated by law, in relation to the
1564    benefits of such mandates to citizens of this state. Such report
1565    shall include, but not be limited to, an evaluation of the costs
1566    and benefits of the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law.
1567          (1) Effective October 1, 2005, ss. 627.730, 627.731,
1568    627.732, 627.733, 627.734, 627.736, 627.737, 627.739, 627.7401,
1569    627.7403, and 627.7405, Florida Statutes, constituting the
1570    Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, are repealed, unless
1571    reenacted by Legislature during the 2004 Regular Session and
1572    such reenactment becomes law to take effect for policies issued
1573    or renewed on or after October 1, 2004.
1574          (2) Insurers are authorized to provide, in all policies
1575    issues or renewed after October 1, 2003, that such policies may
1576    terminate on or after October 1, 2005, as provided in subsection
1577    (1).
1578          Section 19. Except as otherwise provided herein, this act
1579    shall take effect October 1. 2003.