Ron DeSantis thought he could quietly sweep Florida’s most controversial law under the rug.
One grieving father had other plans.
And now this eye-catching billboard has Ron DeSantis seething with rage.
Father’s billboard exposes DeSantis’ protection of "free kill" law
Daryl Perritt lost his 33-year-old son Cameron in November 2024 when UF Health Flagler Hospital allegedly ignored warnings about his susceptibility to blood clots.
"He effectively died over a four-day period in their care from exactly what he told [the problem] was and where it was," Perritt explained. "They waited nearly three days to call a surgeon."¹
But here’s where Florida’s legal system gets truly sick.
Because Cameron was over 25, unmarried, and had no children under 25, Florida law prevented his father from suing for medical negligence under the state’s so-called "free kill" provision.
That’s right – Florida literally has a law that makes it legal to kill certain patients through medical malpractice without consequences.
Now Perritt has erected a massive billboard on Interstate 95 at the Florida-Georgia border that reads: "Welcome to the Free Kill State of Florida" – complete with DeSantis’ photo.
The message is already driving millions of visitors into Florida crazy as they realize what they’re walking into.
DeSantis chose special interests over grieving families
This year, Florida lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to repeal the "free kill" law – passing it 104-6 in the House and 33-4 in the Senate.²
Both Republicans and Democrats agreed the 35-year-old law was morally bankrupt.
But DeSantis vetoed the bill after meeting with insurance companies and hospital lobbyists who wanted to keep their legal protection.
Newly obtained public records reveal the ugly truth about whose voices DeSantis actually listened to before his veto.
The Governor’s calendar shows he met with Chamber of Commerce President Mark Wilson on March 31 – just days after the House approved the repeal.³
He also met with the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida in late April, about 10 days before the Senate’s final vote.
Meanwhile, grieving families like Perritt who desperately requested meetings with DeSantis were completely ignored.
"We’ve requested meetings with him, but to no avail," one family member said. "We have not even received a response to our requests for a meeting."⁴
Florida’s unique protection for medical killers
Here’s what makes this law so twisted.
Florida is the only state in America that prevents families from suing for pain and suffering when medical malpractice kills unmarried adults over 25 with no young children.
The law doesn’t apply if you’re married or have kids under 25 – your life suddenly becomes worth something in the eyes of Florida’s legal system.
But if you’re a single adult over 25? Congratulations, you’re now classified as a "free kill" patient.
"Adults with Down Syndrome and autism rarely get married or have children, but on their 25th birthday, they lose all rights in Florida medical facilities," Perritt pointed out.⁵
Even worse, tourists and new residents have no idea they’re losing legal protections just by crossing into Florida.
"My own mother-in-law has been a widow for over 25 years, but when we moved her to Florida a few years ago to be closer to family and help care for her, she lost the rights she had in New Jersey," Perritt explained. "No one told us, and no one tells tourists that simply by crossing the state line, you lose your rights."⁶
The real reason DeSantis protected the law
DeSantis claimed he vetoed the repeal because it lacked caps on damages and would drive up healthcare costs.
But that’s complete garbage, and the evidence proves it.
Insurance rates haven’t dropped one penny despite the "free kill" protection being in place for 35 years.
The real reason is simple – DeSantis chose to protect the profits of hospitals and insurance companies over the lives of Florida families.
During his veto press conference, he was literally flanked by doctors, hospital executives, and lobbyists who have fought to keep this legal protection for decades.
Meanwhile, nearly 7,000 Floridians wrote to his office begging him not to veto the bill – letters he apparently never bothered to read.
Families fight back with political action
Perritt isn’t stopping with one billboard.
He’s formed a political action committee and created FloridaFreeKill.org to educate people about this twisted law.
"The goal is to have a billboard at every interstate entrance going into Florida and one at each district of every Senator and Representative who voted against overriding ‘free kill,’" Perritt said.⁷
He’s also raising money to hold politicians accountable since he can’t hold the hospitals and insurance companies accountable in court.
Rep. Dana Trabulsy has already refiled legislation (HB 6003) for the 2026 session to repeal the "free kill" law.
But with DeSantis still in the Governor’s mansion and insurance lobbyists still writing his talking points, families like Perritt know they have to take their fight directly to the people.
"No one knows that this law exists until somebody is dead and then it’s too late to do anything about it," Perritt said. "I’m dedicating my time and my efforts, so that nobody has to go through what I’ve been through."⁸
DeSantis thought he could quietly protect his special interest donors while Florida families suffered in silence.
This billboard proves he was dead wrong.
¹ Jesse Scheckner, "New billboard welcomes visitors to the ‘Free Kill State of Florida,’" Florida Politics, October 8, 2025.
² Jesse Scheckner, "Lawmaker revives bill to repeal Florida’s ‘free kill’ law after Gov. DeSantis veto," Florida Politics, September 26, 2025.
³ Katie LaGrone, "Records show Governor DeSantis met with opponents not families before veto over FL’s ‘free kill’ law," WFTS-TV, October 8, 2025.
⁴ Ibid.
⁵ Jesse Scheckner, "New billboard welcomes visitors to the ‘Free Kill State of Florida,’" Florida Politics, October 8, 2025.
⁶ Ibid.
⁷ Ibid.
⁸ Riley Phillips, "St. Augustine father continues fight to repeal Florida’s ‘Free Kill’ law," WTLV-TV, October 8, 2025.
