House Bill 1457 proposes comprehensive reforms to the management and delivery of aging and disability services in Florida. The bill repeals section 400.0067 concerning the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Council and amends various sections of Florida Statutes to revise Medicaid requirements for long-term care services. Key provisions include the establishment of a statewide preenrollment list maintained by the Department of Elderly Affairs, a new screening process prioritizing individuals based on their needs, and automatic priority enrollment for certain high-risk individuals. Additionally, the bill revises the responsibilities of the Department of Elderly Affairs, allowing it to provide direct services when appropriate, and introduces stricter guidelines for area agencies on aging, including competitive procurement of contracts and a salary cap for administrative employees.

The bill also enhances the role of aging resource centers by expanding their responsibilities to include adults with disabilities and requiring them to have a governing body and an executive director. It establishes the Florida Alzheimer's Center of Excellence to improve care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and mandates annual independent audits for offices of public guardians. Furthermore, the bill introduces new requirements for guardians in real property transactions, emphasizing transparency and accountability, and clarifies the responsibilities of the state ombudsman in handling complaints. Overall, HB 1457 aims to improve service delivery, oversight, and protection for vulnerable populations in Florida.

Statutes affected:
H 1457 Filed: 430.03, 430.04, 430.2053, 430.503, 430.605, 430.901, 744.2004, 744.2103, 744.3701, 744.441, 400.0060, 400.0065, 400.0073, 400.0087, 430.504