summary
Introduced
01/08/2026
01/08/2026
In Committee
03/09/2026
03/09/2026
Crossed Over
03/05/2026
03/05/2026
Passed
03/17/2026
03/17/2026
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to memory care; amending s. 429.02, F.S.; defining terms; amending s. 429.07, F.S.; requiring licenses for assisted living facilities that provide memory care services; making technical changes; creating s. 429.076, F.S.; requiring an assisted living facility that serves memory care residents or holds itself out as providing memory care services to obtain a memory care services license; providing an exception; requiring an assisted living facility to maintain certain licensure and meet certain requirements in order to obtain a memory care services license; requiring that a memory care license be renewed at the same time as the assisted living facility’s standard license; requiring the Agency for Health Care Administration to adopt rules governing memory care services licenses by a specified date; specifying requirements for such rules; requiring an assisted living facility licensed on or after the effective date of such rules to obtain a memory care services license to carry out certain functions; requiring an assisted living facility licensed before the effective date of such rules to obtain a memory care services license within a specified timeframe after the effective date of such rules; authorizing a facility that served memory care residents without a memory care services license before a specified date to continue to do so if certain requirements are met; requiring a facility without a memory care services license to meet specified requirements if a memory care resident decides to remain at the facility despite the absence of such license; providing construction; amending s. 492.17, F.S.; providing that a memory care license expires at the same time as the facility’s standard license; repealing ss. 429.177 and 429.178, F.S., relating to patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other related disorders and certain disclosures and special care for persons with Alzheimer’s disease or other related disorders, respectively, upon the adoption of certain rules; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a new licensing requirement for assisted living facilities (ALFs) that provide specialized care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, referred to as "memory care residents." These facilities will need to obtain a "memory care services license" in addition to their standard ALF license. The bill defines "memory care resident" as someone with Alzheimer's or a related dementia who resides in an ALF that claims to offer specialized care for their condition, and "memory care services" as the specific care and activities provided to support these residents, distinct from general supportive services offered to all residents. The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is mandated to create rules for these memory care licenses by June 1, 2027, which will include standards for policies, admission criteria, care levels, staff training, safety, physical plant requirements, and advertising. Facilities licensed after these rules take effect must obtain the memory care license to provide such services, while existing facilities will have a six-month grace period after the rules are adopted. There are provisions allowing facilities that were already serving memory care residents before the new rules to continue doing so under specific conditions, including notifying residents and assisting with relocation if necessary, and amending contracts to reflect the services provided. The bill also clarifies that the memory care license will expire and be renewed concurrently with the facility's standard license, and repeals older statutes related to Alzheimer's care disclosures and special care upon the adoption of the new rules.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (1)
Other Sponsors (2)
Fiscal Policy (Senate), Health Policy (Senate)
Last Action
Ordered enrolled (on 03/17/2026)
Official Document
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