The bill amends Florida Statutes to establish definitions and regulations regarding veteran- and spouse-designated nursing home beds. It introduces a new definition for these beds, specifying that they are reserved for residents admitted to licensed skilled nursing facilities within retirement communities that cater exclusively to veterans, their spouses, and surviving spouses. Additionally, the bill creates a new section that empowers the executive director of the Department of Veterans Affairs to approve requests for the creation or modification of these designated beds, provided they comply with existing federal and state requirements.

Furthermore, the bill revises exemptions from certificate of need requirements for certain projects related to veterans nursing homes. It removes the stipulation that at least 50 percent of construction costs must be federally funded, instead allowing funding from either the state or federal government. The bill also introduces a new exemption for the consolidation or transfer of beds between licensed nursing homes dedicated solely to veterans and their families, as long as the relocation is within 100 miles of the original site. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 788 Filed: 408.036