House Bill 903 amends various sections of Florida Statutes to improve the treatment and legal processes for prisoners, particularly focusing on mental health care. The bill establishes a one-year limitation for actions concerning prison conditions and requires the exhaustion of administrative remedies before initiating such actions. It introduces a definition for "prisoner" and sets conditions for lawsuits related to confinement, including a requirement for demonstrating physical injury for mental or emotional injury claims. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the need for humane mental health treatment, ensuring inmates can participate in their treatment plans and are informed about the process.

The legislation also addresses the management of self-injurious behaviors among inmates, mandating involuntary mental health examinations if an inmate refuses medication for 72 hours without consent. It allows for the use of physical force by department employees when necessary for treatment and establishes new sections to facilitate health care decision-making for incapacitated inmates. The bill ensures that inmates are presumed capable of making their own health care decisions unless a physician determines otherwise and provides a framework for appointing proxies to make decisions on their behalf. Overall, HB 903 aims to enhance the rights and treatment of inmates while ensuring their mental health needs are adequately addressed. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 903 Filed: 57.085, 775.087, 922.10, 922.105, 945.41, 945.42, 945.43, 945.44, 945.45, 945.47, 945.48, 945.49, 947.02, 947.021, 947.12, 957.09