summary
Introduced
01/06/2026
01/06/2026
In Committee
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to background screenings; amending s. 435.04, F.S.; specifying additional disqualifying offenses under the background screening requirements for certain persons; amending s. 435.12, F.S.; requiring the Agency for Health Care Administration, beginning on a specified date or as soon as practicable thereafter, to review and determine eligibility for all criminal history checks submitted to the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse by specified agencies; requiring the clearinghouse to share eligibility determinations with specified agencies; requiring specified agencies and qualified entities to process exemptions from disqualification pursuant to a specified provision; requiring the implementation of a specified provision of the act by a specified date, or as soon as practicable thereafter as determined by the agency; amending s. 943.0438, F.S.; making a technical change; providing that, beginning on a specified date, an independent sanctioning authority is considered a qualified entity for the purpose of participating in the clearinghouse; authorizing a person who has not undergone certain background screening to act as an athletic coach if he or she is under the direct supervision of an athletic coach who meets certain background screening requirements; reenacting and amending s. 943.0542, F.S.; requiring qualified entities conducting background criminal history checks to designate a user administrator for a specified purpose; authorizing such qualified entities to designate additional authorized users with certain delegated authority; authorizing the clearinghouse, beginning on a specified date, to provide national criminal history record information to qualified entities, rather than only under certain circumstances; amending ss. 943.0585 and 943.059, F.S.; prohibiting certain persons from denying or failing to acknowledge certain criminal history records that have been expunged or sealed, respectively; amending ss. 44.407 and 501.9741, F.S.; conforming cross-references; reenacting ss. 397.487(6) and (8)(d), 397.4871(5) and (6)(b), 409.913(13), 435.03(2), 1012.22(1)(j), 1012.315(1), 1012.797, and 1012.799(2), F.S., relating to voluntary certification of recovery residences; recovery residence administrator certification; oversight of the integrity of the Medicaid program; level 1 screening standards; public school personnel and powers and duties of the district school board; screening standards; notification of certain charges against employees; and reporting and self-reporting certain offenses, respectively, to incorporate the amendment made to s. 435.04, F.S., in references thereto; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Florida's background screening laws to enhance public safety by expanding the list of disqualifying criminal offenses for individuals working in sensitive positions, including adding DUI manslaughter and domestic violence to the list of offenses that can prevent someone from being hired or licensed. It also requires the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to take over the review and determination of eligibility for criminal history checks submitted to the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse, a system used for background checks on healthcare providers, by July 1, 2028, and mandates that this clearinghouse share these eligibility determinations with specified agencies and qualified entities, which are organizations that conduct background checks. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that independent sanctioning authorities, such as those overseeing youth sports, are considered qualified entities for participating in the clearinghouse and allows individuals who haven't undergone a full background check to coach if directly supervised by a qualified coach. It also streamlines access to national criminal history records for qualified entities and clarifies that individuals with expunged or sealed criminal records cannot deny or fail to acknowledge these records when seeking employment or licensure in certain sensitive fields, including those screened through the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. Finally, the bill makes technical changes and updates cross-references to ensure consistency with the amended provisions.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (1)
Other Sponsors (1)
Health Policy (S)
Last Action
Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Hearing (08:30:00 2/18/2026 412 Knott Building) (on 02/18/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1168 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1168/BillText/c1/HTML |
| Analysis - Health Policy (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1168/Analyses/2026s01168.hp.PDF |
| https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1168/Amendment/266302/HTML | |
| Analysis - Health Policy (Pre-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1168/Analyses/2026s01168.pre.hp.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1168/BillText/Filed/HTML |
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