This bill aims to enhance pediatric patient care in hospital emergency departments across Florida by amending several sections of the Florida Statutes. It mandates that hospitals with emergency departments develop and implement specific policies and procedures for pediatric care, including training staff annually, designating a pediatric emergency care coordinator, and conducting the National Pediatric Readiness Assessment. Additionally, hospitals are authorized to conduct the National Pediatric Readiness Projects Open Assessment in years when the main assessment is not performed.

Furthermore, the bill requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to establish minimum standards for pediatric patient care in emergency departments and to adopt rules for comprehensive emergency management plans that address the needs of pediatric and neonatal patients. It also stipulates that the agency must collect and publish assessment scores from hospitals, providing transparency and comparison to national averages. The effective date for these provisions is set for July 1, 2025.