Mother pushes Florida senators to hear new evidence before ‘Free Kill Law’ repeal bill dies

“I will never see the inside of a courtroom,” St. Johns County mother Cindy Jenkins said. “Our justice is making sure nobody else has to live this nightmare.”

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A St. Johns County mother is renewing her push to repeal Florida’s so‑called “Free Kill Law,” a decades‑old statute that limits who can pursue pain and suffering damages in cases of medical negligence.

Cindy Jenkins lost her 25‑year‑old daughter, Taylor, in 2023 to what she describes as fatal hospital negligence. Since then, she’s been lobbying lawmakers to overturn the law, which bars families of unmarried adults over 25 with no minor children from filing for non-economic damages when their loved ones die due to medical malpractice.

“The evidence has the right to be heard, debated, and the bill deserves a fair vote,” Jenkins said.

The Florida House passed a bill last session to repeal the statute, but Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed it. Jenkins is now urging the state Senate to schedule a hearing before the 60‑day regular session ends in March. She cites new research from the Florida Medical Rights Association that, she says, challenges concerns raised by lobbying groups who opposed the measure last year.

Medical malpractice defense attorney Andy Bolin said physicians would support a repeal if lawmakers restored caps on non-economic damages in such cases.

“Then the bill would probably be favored by everyone and it could be passed,” Bolin said.

State Sen. Clay Yarborough sent First Coast News the following statement:

“While the decision to place a bill on the floor for consideration does not rest with me, I do not believe the Senate is inclined to take up HB 6003 at this time because an acceptable compromise has not been agreed upon between the House, Senate, and Governor. This same situation existed last Session, which is why the bill did not become law. Moving forward, I am hopeful we can reach a solution.”

Jenkins says the fight isn’t about her, it’s about justice for other families.

“I will never see the inside of a courtroom,” she said. “Our justice is making sure nobody else has to live this nightmare.”

If the bill fails to make the Senate agenda before the end of the session, it will die. Jenkins is urging families to contact Senate leadership to request a hearing.