summary
Introduced
01/08/2026
01/08/2026
In Committee
01/16/2026
01/16/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to the Agency for Health Care Administration; creating part XII of ch. 400, F.S., entitled “Medically Complex Children’s Homes”; creating s. 400.9991, F.S.; providing legislative intent; creating s. 400.9992, F.S.; defining the terms “agency” and “medically complex children’s home”; creating s. 400.9993, F.S.; providing licensure requirements; providing an exception; creating s. 400.9994, F.S.; providing application requirements; requiring the Agency for Health Care Administration to require certain background screening for certain persons; requiring that a medically complex children’s home be accessible at reasonable times for certain persons; providing for provisional and conditional licensure; requiring the agency to conduct inspections at a specified frequency; creating s. 400.9995, F.S.; authorizing the agency to adopt certain rules; creating s. 400.9996, F.S.; providing eligibility requirements for admission to a medically complex children’s home; creating s. 400.9997, F.S.; providing uniform firesafety standards, emergency preparedness requirements, and construction standards; creating s. 400.9998, F.S.; providing for the denial, suspension, and revocation of a license; providing for administrative fines; specifying classification of fines; amending s. 435.12, F.S.; requiring the agency, by a specified date, to review and determine eligibility for specified criminal history checks; requiring the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse to share eligibility determinations with specified agencies; amending ss. 400.051, 408.802, 408.820, and 408.823, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a new licensure category for "Medically Complex Children's Homes" under the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), which is the state agency responsible for overseeing healthcare facilities. These homes are intended to provide a safe, family-centered, home-like setting for up to six children who are medically dependent or technologically dependent on medical equipment or procedures, serving as an alternative to institutional care and prioritizing children whose families reside in Florida. The bill outlines requirements for licensure applications, including background screening for personnel, and mandates that these homes be accessible for inspections by various state agencies. It also details provisions for provisional and conditional licenses, specifies that AHCA will conduct inspections and adopt rules for minimum standards covering safety, sanitation, staffing, and resident care, and sets eligibility criteria for children admitted to these homes, requiring physician orders and consultation with parents or guardians. Furthermore, the bill mandates uniform fire safety standards, emergency preparedness, and construction compliance, and establishes procedures for license denial, suspension, revocation, and administrative fines for violations, with specific classifications and penalties. It also makes conforming changes to existing laws regarding background screening, exemptions from other licensing requirements, and visitation policies for these new facilities, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced (on 01/22/2026)
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/2026/1438 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1438/BillText/Filed/HTML |
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