The bill amends Section 542.336 of the Florida Statutes to declare that restrictive covenants preventing physicians from practicing medicine within a specified geographic area for a certain period after the termination of their professional relationships are void and unenforceable. The new legal language specifies that such covenants are not supported by a legitimate business interest and aims to enhance patient access to medical services by eliminating barriers created by these agreements.

Additionally, the bill removes previous provisions that allowed for the enforcement of such covenants under certain conditions, including a three-year limitation after a competing entity begins offering similar services in the same county. The effective date for this legislation is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 485 Filed: 542.336