House Bill 1177 amends Florida's labor regulations to enhance safety and support for employees, particularly those working outdoors. The bill allows all certified employee organizations to deduct dues from employees' salaries and eliminates the need for certain organizations to petition for recertification. It introduces a requirement for employers in outdoor industries to implement a heat exposure safety program, which includes specific responsibilities for both employers and employees, as well as annual training on heat illness. The legislation also establishes definitions related to heat illness, mandates access to drinking water and shade, and outlines conditions for recovery periods and training on heat illness prevention.

Additionally, the bill requires that training materials be available in multiple languages and covers essential topics such as environmental risk factors for heat illness and hydration importance. It also creates a new section that mandates contracting agents facilitating services for at least 50 workers to contribute funds to qualified benefit providers for employee benefits, including health insurance and paid time off. The contribution is capped at 25% of the total fee collected or $6 per hour worked, whichever is less. The bill repeals Section 542.335 of the Florida Statutes and amends laws related to public employer certification for mass transit employees, with an effective date of October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 1177 Filed: 447.303, 447.207, 542.335