Bill > H1033

This bill, titled the "Bridging Systems to Housing Act," aims to prevent individuals from becoming homeless upon discharge from certain facilities and institutions. It encourages hospitals, crisis stabilization units, residential treatment facilities, assisted living facilities, and detoxification centers to collaborate with a local Continuum of Care lead agency (a network of organizations working to end homelessness) to develop and implement procedures for discharging individuals. A pilot program will be conducted in Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties, with the Department of Children and Families required to submit quarterly and then annual reports on its progress and effectiveness. The bill mandates that these procedures, for consenting individuals, include early screening to identify those at risk of homelessness, a discharge plan that connects them to the Continuum of Care for housing or support services, and communication with receiving entities. It also requires coordination and sharing of "client-level data" (detailed, individual information about a person's needs for housing and related services) through systems like the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to ensure continuous and coordinated care, while adhering to privacy laws. Facilities will also need to verify HMIS registration and make referrals if necessary, and provide information about available resources. The Continuum of Care lead agency will evaluate these procedures and identify areas for improvement in its annual plan, with guidance available from the State Office on Homelessness and the Council on Homelessness. This bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and clarifies that it is not an entitlement and does not create a cause of action for failure to follow its recommended procedures.

Health and Social Services

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1033