All Roll Calls
Yes: 145 • No: 0
FloridaHB 5692026HouseWALLET
Forensic Client Services
Sponsored By: Linda Chaney (Republican)
Signed by Governor
AppropriationHuman Services SubcommitteeHealth Care Budget SubcommitteeHealth & Human Services CommitteeAppropriations
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
After dismissal: services and secure placement
Beginning July 1, 2026, when charges are dismissed after a finding of incompetence due to intellectual disability or autism, the next steps are set. If the person cannot give informed consent and lacks basic self-care skills or is likely to hurt self or others, the agency, state attorney, or defense lawyer must ask the court to admit them to residential services under s. 393.11. If they need those services and are likely to hurt someone or to escape, and no less-restrictive option fits, the court can keep them in a secure facility on request. The court reviews that placement at least once a year, with notice to both sides, and checks safety, need, and whether care and medication are adequate. Time in a secure facility cannot be longer than the maximum sentence for the original charge.
Who counts as a forensic client
Beginning July 1, 2026, the law broadens who is a “forensic client.” It now includes any defendant committed to the department or the agency under s. 916.13, s. 916.15, s. 916.302, or s. 916.303(3). This status guides how courts and agencies handle care, placement, and services for these defendants.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Linda Chaney
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 36 • No: 0
House vote • 2/17/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 109 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
• Chapter No. 2026-8
3/30/2026• Approved by Governor
3/27/2026• Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/18/2026• In Messages • Ordered enrolled
3/4/2026House• Withdrawn from Appropriations -SJ 528 • Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading • Substituted for SB 778 -SJ 528 • Read 2nd time -SJ 528 • Read 3rd time -SJ 528 • Passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 528
3/4/2026Senate• Referred to Appropriations • Received
2/18/2026Senate• In Messages
2/17/2026Senate• Read 2nd time • Added to Third Reading Calendar • Read 3rd time • Passed; YEAS 109, NAYS 0
2/17/2026House• Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/17/2026)
2/10/2026House• Favorable by Health & Human Services Committee • Reported out of Health & Human Services Committee • Bill released to House Calendar • Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/3/2026House• Added to Health & Human Services Committee agenda
1/30/2026House• Favorable by Health Care Budget Subcommittee • Reported out of Health Care Budget Subcommittee • Now in Health & Human Services Committee
1/20/2026House• Added to Health Care Budget Subcommittee agenda
1/15/2026House• Reported out of Human Services Subcommittee • Now in Health Care Budget Subcommittee
1/14/2026House• Favorable by Human Services Subcommittee • 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/13/2026House• Added to Human Services Subcommittee agenda
1/9/2026House• Referred to Human Services Subcommittee • Referred to Health Care Budget Subcommittee • Referred to Health & Human Services Committee • Now in Human Services Subcommittee
12/12/2025House• Filed
12/1/2025House
Bill Text
er
7/1/2026
Filed
12/1/2025