In Honor of Anthony

 Anthony Mejias was only 19 years old. On the night of April 2, 2021, he lost his phone and identification, a few hours after he was hit by a driver that left him lying in the street. He was then transported to the hospital. His mother and family immediately searched for him and went to the very hospital he was fighting for his life. She gave them his description and told them he would not have identification on him, and showed a current picture of him, the hospital said they had no one there with that description and turned her away. Anthony in fact was in that very hospital still alive just a few feet away from his mother, fighting for his life. Unfortunately, Anthony died alone the following day.

The lack of hospital policy for unidentified persons or John Does, robbed her from being able to be with her son and even possibly make a medical decision that might have saved his life, we will never know.  We thought all hospitals had a policy in place that would be a voice to those without identification. In the State of Florida if you do not have any prior convictions, your fingerprint will not suffice hospital personnel to know who you are, therefore there is no way of identifying you unless your loved ones come searching for you. This leaves the hospital holding a high standard and responsibility to have the proper policy and a system in place.  

Senator Jason Brodeur has filed Florida Bill SB900 https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/900 

AND

Representative Webster Barnaby filed Bill HB1313 https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=76228 

The Bills require hospitals to maintain a directory of unidentified persons containing specified information, requiring hospitals to make the directory available to the public upon request. This bill will enforce Florida hospitals to adhere to a standard policy that will allow unidentified victim’s families to find their loved one if admitted to a hospital without identification. No family should go through the added heartache of not being by their loved one's side and having them die alone.

HOW TO HELP

Please help support to pass this bill by contacting the following committees assigned to vote on both Senate and House bills:

FL SENATE - SB900 COMMITTIES

Health Policy: https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/HP/

Children, Families, and Elder Affairs: https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/CF/

Rules: https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/RC/

FL HOUSE - HB1313 COMMITTIES

Health & Human Service: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Committees/committeesdetail.aspx?CommitteeId=3085

Judiciary: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Committees/committeesdetail.aspx?CommitteeId=3095

Finance & Facilities: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Committees/committeesdetail.aspx?CommitteeId=3090