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 these residences. It outlines specific criteria for the ordinance, including consistency with federal laws such as the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, a written application process, and timelines for local government responses. 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 personnel-to-resident ratio requirements for certified recovery residences, allowing a Level IV certified recovery residence to manage more residents under specific conditions related to personnel-to-patient ratios and onsite supervision. The new language specifies that the personnel-to-resident ratio must be met only when residents are present at the residence, and it increases the maximum number of residents that can be managed based on the service provider's staffing levels. 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
S 954 er: 397.4871