Bill > H0883

This bill amends Florida Statutes to expand the autonomous practice capabilities of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Currently, APRNs can engage in autonomous practice only in primary care settings like family medicine, pediatrics, and internal medicine. The bill adds a new provision that allows APRNs who are specifically certified as psychiatric mental health advanced practice nurses to independently provide mental health services, as defined by board rules. This means these specially certified nurses can now autonomously diagnose, treat, and manage mental health conditions without direct physician supervision. The expanded autonomous practice aligns with broader efforts to increase healthcare access and provider flexibility, particularly in mental health services where there are often provider shortages. The new provisions will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving professional boards and healthcare organizations time to prepare for the change. The bill maintains existing APRN autonomous practice rights in other areas, such as admitting and discharging patients from healthcare facilities and providing certain professional certifications and signatures.

Health and Social Services

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/883