The bill aims to address and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in mental health and substance abuse services in Florida. It amends section 381.7355 of the Florida Statutes to include new priority areas for project proposals under the Closing the Gap grant program. Specifically, it adds a focus on decreasing racial and ethnic disparities in morbidity and mortality rates related to mental health and substance use disorders. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of improving neighborhood social determinants of health, such as transportation, safety, and food access.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that priority be given to proposals that represent areas with the greatest documented racial and ethnic disparities in the provision of mental health and substance abuse services. This legislative change is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and aims to enhance the effectiveness of health initiatives by targeting the most affected communities.