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 by adding new requirements and review criteria for the Closing the Gap grant program. Specifically, it introduces a new priority area focused on decreasing disparities in morbidity and mortality rates related to mental health and substance abuse disorders. Additionally, it revises the existing criteria to prioritize proposals that represent areas with significant documented disparities in these services.

The bill also redesignates existing paragraphs within the statute to accommodate the new provisions. It emphasizes the importance of addressing these disparities as part of broader public health objectives, which include various health outcomes such as maternal health, cancer, and chronic diseases. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.