This bill amends Florida Statutes to redefine and regulate community residences and recovery communities, establishing them as supportive living arrangements for individuals with disabilities. It introduces new definitions, including "reasonable accommodation" and "recovery community," and outlines the responsibilities of sponsoring entities, which must ensure residents receive necessary care. The bill allows community residences to operate similarly to family units under local zoning codes and specifies that they may not be subject to certain zoning provisions if they meet specific conditions. Significant deletions include the removal of proximity requirements for community residential homes, promoting greater integration of individuals with disabilities into the community.

Additionally, the bill sets forth regulations for the establishment of recovery community housing, detailing required distances from existing facilities based on occupancy. It mandates that local governments respond to compliance requests from sponsoring entities and emphasizes reasonable accommodations for recovery communities. The legislation also clarifies licensing requirements and replaces the term "residential home" with "community residence." The act is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, aiming to enhance the support and integration of individuals with disabilities and those in recovery within their communities.

Statutes affected:
S 1238 Filed: 419.001, 393.501, 400.464, 400.9972, 429.11, 429.67, 1003.57