This bill mandates that by January 1, 2026, each county or municipality in Florida must adopt an ordinance to establish procedures for the review and approval of certified recovery residences. The ordinance must include a process for requesting reasonable accommodations from local land use regulations that may hinder the establishment of such residences. It specifies that the ordinance should be consistent with federal laws, including the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and must include a written application process, timelines for responses, and criteria for approval or denial of requests. Additionally, the ordinance may not require public hearings beyond the minimum required by law and can include provisions for revocation of accommodations if certain conditions are not met.

The bill also amends the requirements for certified recovery residence administrators, allowing those managing Level IV residences to oversee a greater number of residents under specific conditions. It stipulates that the personnel-to-resident ratio must be maintained only when residents are present at the residence, and it modifies the previous requirement for 24/7 onsite supervision to a more flexible approach based on the presence of residents. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 954 Filed: 397.403, 397.415, 397.4871
S 954 c1: 397.4871
S 954 c2: 397.4871
S 954 c3: 397.4871