Prominent Florida Personal Injury Attorney Comments on Three Florida Laws That Took Effect January 1, 2017

Miami, FL (Law Firm Newswire) February 13, 2017 – Three new laws became effective in Florida on January 1, 2017. One law forbids individuals under age 18 from purchasing specific over-the-counter cough suppressants. Another concerns insurance policy coverage of opioid medications while the third introduces restrictions on the ways in which financial institutions may accept summonses and subpoenas.

Prominent Florida personal injury attorney Jason Chalik at Chalik & Chalik says, “People should be aware of the new laws taking effect because of the potential liability that could result from an injury or death for failure to comply.”

Cough medicines

SB 938 forbids the sale of cough medicines that contain the synthetically produced dextromethorphan to individuals under age 18. The bill also requires those believed to be under age 25 to present identification when purchasing such cough medicines. Dextromethorphan is an ingredient found in several cough medicines, such as Robitussin, Alka Seltzer Plus, Tylenol Cough and Cold, and Vicks Nyquil. Sellers of drugs that contain dextromethorphan, or minors who purchase such drugs will receive a civil citation in the maximum amount of $100 for each violation.

The bill was recommended after it was reported that teens were using cough medicines to achieve highs. The American Association of Poison Control Centers disclosed that there were six fatalities in 2014 that were relevant to the use of dextromethorphan.

Opioid insurance coverage

SB 422 forbids insurance policies that provide coverage for opioid medications, from demanding previous authorization before acquiring abuse-deterring versions of the medication.

Those in favor of the Bill contended that the objective of the modification is, partly to facilitate the process of obtaining medication that, in all likelihood, will not result in addiction. In committee meetings, advocates of the bill also maintained that requiring the pre-authorization could dissuade physicians from making the necessary first prescriptions. Opponents of the Bill countered that it could be perceived as a directive and could cause insurance costs to rise.

Financial institutions

In response to a Fourth District Court of Appeals ruling in 2010, SB 1104 permits financial institutions to appoint locations or registered agents where documents, including summonses and subpoenas, can be delivered.

Learn more at http://www.chaliklaw.com/. Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers 28 W Flagler St, #1000 Miami, FL 33130 Phone: (305) 944-2035

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