SB 408 passed unanimously through the Florida House recently. The bill amends the statute which requires clinical laboratories to accept human specimens on the order of an allopathic or osteopathic physician, physician assistant, dentist, naturopath, podiatrist, or chiropractor to include orders from advanced registered nurse practitioners. ARNPs have been authorized to order laboratory tests under Florida law since 1996. Laboratory results from clinical laboratories are an integral part of the healthcare team’s ability to diagnose and treat. The Senate bill was passed in April in the Senate and House and was presented to Governor Charlie Crist in May.