Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

Requires use of Daily Living Activities-20 (DLA-20) functional assessment tool for patients requiring functional assessment, with flexibility for departments to specify alternative tools in rules.

Establishes new minimum standards for mobile crisis response services including triage within 60 minutes, evidence-based service referrals, and confirmation of service connections.

Requires discharge planning to include specific elements such as long-acting injectable medication administration before discharge and care coordination referrals for priority populations.

Mandates biennial reviews of school-based behavioral health access through telehealth, with findings submitted to state leadership by January 1, 2026, expiring June 30, 2030.

Requires managing entities to promote person-first language and trauma-informed care, with specific definitions provided for these terms.

Establishes the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce to research workforce needs, expand educational pathways, and promote behavioral health professions.

Requires school-based mental health assistance programs to include specific plan components including direct employment of mental health services providers and reduced student-to-staff ratios.

Changes treatment plan update requirements from unspecified intervals to at least every 30 days during facility stays, with 60-day intervals for patients retained longer than 24 months.

Creates the Senator Darryl E. Rouson Center for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Research within the Florida Mental Health Institute to conduct research and submit annual reports.

Adds competitive bidding requirements for community-based Baker Act services if requested by county commissions by January 15 of the contracting year, with 3-year contract terms.

Requires providers to use the Daily Living Activities-20 (DLA-20) functional assessment tool for patients requiring functional assessment, with exceptions for department-authorized alternatives.

Adds specific requirements for mobile crisis response services including triage within 60 minutes, evidence-based service referrals, and confirmation of service connection.

Establishes competitive sealed bid requirements for community-based Baker Act services if requested by county commission by January 15 of the contracting year.

Requires the Center for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Research to submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature by July 1.

Requires managing entities to promote person-first language and trauma-informed care among providers and family members.

Updates treatment plan update requirements from unspecified intervals to at least every 30 days (or every 60 days for patients retained longer than 24 months).

Sets expiration date for school-based telehealth review at June 30, 2030, with findings due by January 1, 2026.

Requires Baker Act funds for community inpatient, crisis stabilization, short-term residential treatment, and screening services to be allocated to each county per department methodology.

Defines 'person-first language' as language emphasizing the individual as a person rather than their disability, illness, or condition.

Creates the Senator Darryl E. Rouson Center for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Research within the Florida Mental Health Institute.

Mandates use of the Daily Living Activities-20 (DLA-20) functional assessment tool for patients requiring functional assessment in community-based Baker Act services and school mental health programs.

Requires facilities to administer long-acting injectable medications before discharge when clinically appropriate and addresses barriers to accessing these medications after discharge.

Establishes biennial reviews of school-based behavioral health access through telehealth with emphasis on underserved and rural communities, expiring June 30, 2030.

Creates the Center for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Research within the Florida Mental Health Institute to conduct research on substance abuse and mental health issues.

Requires managing entities to promote person-first language and trauma-informed care among providers, peer organizations, and family members.

Establishes new requirements for involuntary examination procedures, including contacting mental health professionals before initiating involuntary examinations unless imminent danger exists.

Changes treatment plan update frequency from unspecified to at least every 30 days (or 60 days for patients retained longer than 24 months) and requires mobile crisis response triage within 60 minutes.

Defines 'person-first language' as language emphasizing the individual as a person rather than their disability, illness, or condition.

Individualized treatment plans must now be reevaluated no less than every 6 months to ensure recommended care remains necessary for patients.

Mobile crisis response services must now ensure access for persons 65 years of age or older and include triage within 60 minutes.

The Department of Children and Families must review discharge procedures and policies for all receiving facilities, including medication adherence and readmission rates.

New definition of 'person-first language' added to emphasize treating patients as people rather than focusing on their disability or illness.

New centers created for behavioral health research and workforce development within the Florida Mental Health Institute.

Reports on school-based behavioral health access must now be submitted by January 1 every other year, beginning in 2026.