TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida could require every health care facility in the state to put in place a policy mandating employees report acts or suspected acts of sexual misconduct involving patients.
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee unanimously approved a bill Monday that would make the sexual misconduct reporting policy a condition for licensure.
The vote came after 75-year-old Ed Bowman told the committee his wife was sexually assaulted by a male nurse 13 years ago and he has since fought to change law to protect patients.
Health care employees who fail to report sexual misconduct could be charged with a misdemeanor.
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Corrects a previous version that said the bill was approved Tuesday. It was approved Monday.
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