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 maternal health and early learning; providing a short title; creating s. 383.012, F.S.; requiring the Department of Health to establish a certain home visit program for expectant mothers; providing program requirements; amending s. 383.305, F.S.; authorizing the Agency for Health Care Administration to authorize reduced fees for an applicant or licensee for certain birthing centers; amending s. 383.31, F.S.; removing acceptance criteria for birthing centers; creating s. 383.55, F.S.; defining the term "blood pressure monitor and cuff"; requiring the department to provide a blood pressure monitor and cuff to an expectant mother for certain purposes; requiring the department to create certain educational materials; creating ss. 395.3043 and 395.6071, F.S.; defining the terms "doula" and "midwife"; authorizing a doula or midwife to be present with his or her client during childbirth inside of a hospital; creating s. 402.822, F.S.; requiring the Department of Children and Families to provide certain incentives for certain early learning centers; creating ss. 458.355 and 459.075, F.S.; revising continuing education requirements for physicians to include a review of certain Medicaid payments for certain persons; amending s. 1002.83, F.S.; providing requirements for child care facilities that receive support from early learning coalitions; amending s. 1003.21, F.S.; revising the date by which children must attain a certain age to be required to attend school regularly; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill, titled "The Motherhood Initiative," aims to improve maternal and early learning services by establishing a home visit program for expectant mothers through the Department of Health, which will include screenings for depression and substance abuse, blood pressure monitoring, and newborn care education, with health insurance and Medicaid covering these services. It also allows the Agency for Health Care Administration to reduce fees for birthing centers in underserved areas, removes certain acceptance criteria for birthing centers, and requires the Department of Health to provide expectant mothers with blood pressure monitors and cuffs along with educational materials on their use and maternal warning signs. The bill further permits doulas, who are nonmedical professionals providing childbirth support, and midwives to be present with their clients during hospital births, and authorizes incentives for early learning centers to offer 24-hour care for children of essential workers. Additionally, physicians will be required to complete continuing education on Medicaid payments for pregnant women and postpartum care, child care facilities receiving support from early learning coalitions will be designated as early learning centers with ensured curriculum standards, and the age at which children are required to attend school regularly will be lowered to 5 years old.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
1st Reading (Original Filed Version) (on 01/13/2026)
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/2026/1029 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1029/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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