CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 56(L&C) - Summary

• Extends the governor's COVID-19 public health disaster emergency declaration from January 15, 2021, to March 15, 2021, with early termination possible if the health commissioner certifies no outbreak exists.

• Approves a financing plan allowing use of prior appropriations and up to $10,000,000 in state disaster relief funds to respond to the pandemic, with monthly expenditure reporting required.

• Temporarily suspends professional licensing fee increases, allows expedited licenses for out-of-state health professionals, waives in-person examination requirements for telehealth services, and expedites fingerprinting processes during the emergency.

• Permits online charitable gaming ticket sales with age and location verification, allows electronic shareholder and member meetings for corporations and nonprofits, and temporarily waives certain healthcare provider regulations.

• Requires informed consent for COVID-19 vaccines and prohibits requiring justification for vaccine objections based on religious, medical, or other personal grounds.