The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance mental health and substance use disorder services, focusing on improving assessment and treatment standards. It mandates the use of the Daily Living Activities-20 (DLA-20) functional assessment tool for patients requiring functional assessments and revises the minimum standards for mobile crisis response services to include specialized training for older adults and timely intervention protocols. Additionally, it requires facilities to update treatment plans within specified timeframes and outlines discharge planning requirements, including the administration of long-acting injectable medications when appropriate. The legislation also emphasizes person-first language and trauma-informed care, mandates biennial reviews of school-based behavioral health access through telehealth, and tasks the Department of Children and Families with identifying needs for short-term residential treatment facilities.

Moreover, the bill establishes new provisions to enhance mental health services and workforce development, including a requirement for a report analyzing substance abuse and mental health services provided through publicly funded programs, due by June 30, 2026. This report will assess care quality, cost management, and service gaps. The bill also creates the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce to research the current workforce and expand the number of professionals in the field. It amends existing laws related to school-based mental health assistance programs, requiring each school district to implement a program that includes staff training to detect and respond to mental health issues, utilizing the DLA-20 assessment tool, and ensuring timely access to mental health services for students.

Statutes affected:
S 1620 Filed: 394.457, 394.459, 394.468, 394.495, 394.659, 394.9086, 1004.44, 1006.041, 394.9085
S 1620 c1: 394.457, 394.459, 394.495, 394.659, 394.9086, 1004.44, 1006.041, 394.9085
S 1620 c2: 394.459, 394.468, 394.659, 1004.44, 1006.041
S 1620 e1: 394.459, 394.468, 394.659, 1006.041
S 1620 e2: 394.459, 394.468, 394.659, 1004.44, 1006.041
S 1620 er: 394.459, 394.468, 394.659, 1004.44, 1006.041