FL H1069

Creates a new "Qualified Compensation Alternative Employer" (QCARE) designation allowing Florida employers to opt out of traditional workers' compensation and instead adopt a written occupational injury benefit plan providing no-fault benefits to employees, effective September 1, 2026

Requires QCARE occupational injury benefit plans to provide at least 156 weeks of medical expense coverage (up to $300,000 per employee), lost wage compensation of at least 75% of average weekly wages for at least 156 weeks, death benefits of at least $150,000, and funeral expenses of at least $10,000

Employees of QCARE employers may sue the employer for negligence causing an injury, but the employee bears the burden of proving negligence and the employer may use any general law tort defense; the employer receives an offset for benefits already paid under the plan, and those payments may not be treated as collateral source payments

Requires QCARE employers to insure benefits and liabilities with an authorized carrier rated "A-" or higher by A.M. Best, with a minimum coverage limit of $1 million per occurrence; employers with net worth under $10 million may self-insure retentions of the greater of $50,000 or 1.5% of net worth, while those with $10 million or more may retain the greater of $500,000 or 1.5% of net worth

Excludes employees of QCARE employers from the statutory definition of "employee" under the workers' compensation chapter, and exempts QCARE employers from most provisions of Chapter 440 except those specifically referenced in the new sections