Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
The Florida Mental Health Advocacy Coalition is pleased to report that these behavioral health
bills we supported passed and were signed into law! We applaud the efforts of the bill sponsors
and Legislature and thank the Governor.
CS/CS/HB 1091 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Care sponsored by the Health and Human Services Committee, Human Services Subcommittee, and Rep. Karen Gonzalez Pittman. The Governor signed the bill on June 13, 2025, and it went into effect on July 1, 2025. The
Companion Senate bill, CS/CS/CS/SB 1240, was sponsored by the Rules and Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, Children, Families, Elder Affairs, and Sen. Alexis Calatayud.
Highlights include:
SB 116 Veterans, sponsored by the Rules and Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services. The Governor signed the services and Sen. Danny Burgess on June 19, 2025, and they went into effect on July 1, 2025. The companion House bill, HB 1043, was sponsored by Rep. Rachel Saunders Plakon. The bill includes this improvement related to behavioral health:
CS/CS/SB 1620 Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders sponsored by Fiscal Policy; and
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, and the Governor signed Senator Darryl Rouson on
June 25, 2025, and went into effect on July 1, 2025. Human Services Subcommittee and Rep. Christine Hunschofsky sponsored the companion House bill, CS/HB 1439. The Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder recommended most items on the bill.
Highlights include:
Adds for the Louis de la Parte Institute of Mental Health at the University of South Florida:
(* indicates this item is part of the recommendations of the Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders.)
CS/CS/SB 168 Mental Health (aka the "Tristin Murphy Act") sponsored by Appropriations and
The Governor signed Criminal Justice and Sen. Jennifer Bradley on June 25, 2025, and
Goes into effect on October 1, 2025. The House bill, HB 1207, was sponsored by Reps. Nan Cobb
and Dan Daley.
FLMHAC is very thankful for this bill that offers diversion options to qualifying inmates with
mental illness. We especially thank Cindy Murphy, Tristin's mom, who advocated tirelessly for
this lifesaving legislation.
Highlights include:
Establishes legislative intent that:
CS/CS/HB 969 Reporting of Student Mental Health Outcomes sponsored by Human Services
Subcommittee, Education Administration Subcommittee, and Rep. Hillary Cassel was signed by
The Governor signed the bill on May 30, 2025, and it took effect upon being signed.
The companion Senate bill, CS/SB 1310, was sponsored by Children, Families, Elder Affairs, and Sen. Jennifer Bradley.
Three large health bills supported by the Florida Mental Health Advocacy Coalition were signed
into law by Governor DeSantis in 2024. They all received overwhelming bipartisan support by
the Florida legislature. In addition, for the first time, $2.6 million of recurring funds were
included in the state budget for 988 Florida Lifeline call centers.
1. CS/SB 330: Behavioral Health Teaching Hospitals
2. CS/CS/HB 7021: Mental Health and Substance Abuse (Baker and Marchman Acts)
3. Improved Discharge Planning that includes:
New Requirements for Patient Communication Protocols:
Changes Related to Minors:
Changes to the Marchman Act:
CS/SB 7016: Health Care ("Live Healthy Act")
Behavioral Health Initiatives within the Bill:
Nine behavioral health bills supported by the Florida Mental Health Advocacy Coalition were signed into law by Governor DeSantis. They all received overwhelming bipartisan support by the Florida legislature.
"Excludes from the definition “drug paraphernalia” narcotic-drug-testing products used solely to determine whether a controlled substance contains fentanyl or other substances. This exclusion does not apply to a narcotic-drug-testing product that can measure or determine a controlled substance's quantity, weight, or potency. substance's
Requires the Department of Children and Families to update the handbook and FAQs on the website for the Baker Act. The last manual on the Baker Act was published in 2014, and the legislature has amended the law several times since.
Authorizes psychologists in compact states to practice telepsychology in other compact states. Includes bill to exempt confidential information from public records.
Addresses application and credentialing requirements for recovery residences, including proof of a prohibition on the premises against alcohol, marijuana, illegal drugs, and the use of prescribed medications by an individual other than the individual for whom the medication is prescribed.
Establishes the Certified Peer Specialist Gateway 3-year Pilot Program within the Department of Corrections for four institutions: Gadsden Re-entry (north of Tallahassee), Baker Re-entry (west of Jacksonville), Lowell Annex in Ocala, and Marion Correctional. Provides participating inmates with a path to become Certified Recovery Peer Specialists.
Expands eligibility for voluntary problem-solving courts such as Drug and Mental Health Courts and bases the time in the adjudicated treatment program on clinical criteria.