Bill > S0012

This bill makes several changes to Florida's mental health and substance abuse laws. It expands the state courts system's case management to include services for treatment-based mental health court programs, and requires that assessment findings for children in residential treatment be shared with the entity financially responsible for their care, such as a Medicaid managed care plan. The bill also clarifies who is prohibited from being appointed as a guardian advocate, such as professionals providing clinical services to the patient or employees of the facility. Additionally, it allows courts to order involuntary outpatient services and makes various updates to definitions and procedures related to mental health and substance abuse treatment, including clarifying criteria for involuntary admissions and expanding the scope of professionals who can initiate emergency admissions. The bill also aims to improve the coordination of care and integrate behavioral health services with primary care, and includes provisions for revenue maximization to increase federal Medicaid funding for behavioral health services.