The bill proposes the creation of a new section, 296.415, in the Florida Statutes, which authorizes certain licensed skilled nursing facilities located on the campus of nonprofit retirement communities to request the designation or alteration of specific beds as veteran and spouse nursing home beds. This request can be approved by the executive director of the Department of Veterans' Affairs if it meets certain criteria, including compliance with existing regulations and the operation of the beds in accordance with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Community Nursing Home Program. Additionally, the Department of Veterans' Affairs is granted the authority to adopt rules to implement this section.

Furthermore, the bill amends section 408.036 of the Florida Statutes to specify conditions under which certain state veterans' nursing homes or licensed skilled nursing facilities are exempt from needing a certificate of need from the Agency for Health Care Administration. Notably, it removes the requirement that at least 50 percent of the construction cost be state or federally funded for state veterans' nursing homes and introduces a new exemption for the consolidation or transfer of beds between licensed skilled nursing facilities dedicated to veterans and their families, provided certain conditions are met. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 797 Filed: 408.036
H 797 c1: 408.036