This bill establishes a new section in Florida law, specifically Section 409.9746, which focuses on pediatric behavioral and mental health screenings. It mandates the Agency for Health Care Administration to create rules that set practice parameters and protocols for early periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services for children and young adults up to 21 years of age. The bill outlines specific requirements, including the use of validated diagnostic tools, the involvement of mobile response teams and community mental health centers, and the encouragement of parental participation in mental health programs. Additionally, health care providers are required to provide parents or legal guardians with information on sleep, screen time, and nutrition, which will be developed by the Department of Health and made available for download.

Furthermore, the bill requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to adopt performance measures related to these services by January 1, 2027, and to report on these measures and outcome data to the Governor and the Legislature starting January 1, 2028, and annually thereafter. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.