FloridaHB 10912025HouseWALLET

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Care

Sponsored By: Karen Gonzalez Pittman (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationHuman Services SubcommitteeHealth Care Budget SubcommitteeHealth & Human Services CommitteeHouse CalendarRules

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

More coordinated help through 988

Florida includes 988 call centers in its crisis-care system. Centers must meet national accreditation rules and get approval from the Department of Children and Families. Approved centers must plan how to work with 911 so people can reach appropriate care quickly. The department sets service and training standards and can require fixes or suspend approval.

More safeguards in involuntary care hearings

A court or administrative law judge can continue involuntary inpatient or outpatient services for up to six months when a hearing shows the patient still meets the criteria. Eligible patients without a lawyer receive a public defender at the hearing. A judge can excuse a patient from attending only after a valid waiver or a finding that attendance is not in the patient’s best interests, unless counsel objects. The judge’s order is final, but parties can seek judicial review.

Stronger training for court evaluators

Beginning July 1, 2025, court-appointed experts must be psychiatrists, licensed psychologists, or physicians. They must complete initial and yearly training on competency restoration, evidence-based practices, and less restrictive treatment options. Experts evaluating juveniles must also complete yearly juvenile evaluation training. Evaluators active on July 1, 2024, must complete annual training by July 1, 2026, to stay on the state’s expert list.

New rules for involuntary mental health care

A designated facility can keep a transferred patient for the rest of the 72-hour examination period if the patient still meets the criteria, even when transfer deadlines were missed. A guardian advocate’s role ends when the patient leaves involuntary treatment or moves to voluntary status. A psychologist assessing a discharge request must have at least three years of clinical experience. Petitioners recommending involuntary outpatient placement must prepare a services plan, and county courts can handle cases involving outpatient services only.

Medication treatment funding depends on funds

The Department of Children and Families no longer decides whether more medication-assisted treatment providers are needed. Publicly funded providers may receive money for these services only when funds are available. The law does not guarantee funding or treatment availability.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Karen Gonzalez Pittman
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Health & Human Services Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Human Services Subcommittee
Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 264 • No: 0

House vote • 4/30/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 112 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/29/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

House vote • 4/24/2025