PRIA Logo™
FloridaHB 7972025House

Veteran and Spouse Nursing Home Beds

Sponsored By: Chip LaMarca (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationIntergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeHealth Care Facilities & Systems SubcommitteeHealth Care Budget SubcommitteeState Affairs CommitteeFiscal Policy

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Easier construction approval for veterans’ nursing homes

Beginning July 1, 2025, state veterans’ nursing home projects qualify for a certificate-of-need exemption with state or federally funded construction. This replaces the requirement that federal money cover at least 50% of construction costs. Homes must operate for or through Florida’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs under state veterans’ nursing home rules. The federal daily care payment must not exceed half the cost of veterans’ care. Exempt beds do not count toward the state nursing home bed inventory; the law does not guarantee construction or admission.

New nursing bed options for veterans

Beginning July 1, 2025, licensed skilled nursing homes can request state designation of beds for veterans, spouses, and surviving spouses. Homes must be on a tax-exempt nonprofit retirement campus that houses only these groups. Residents must meet state eligibility rules, and beds must follow the federal Veterans Affairs Community Nursing Home Program. Florida’s veterans’ affairs executive director can approve or change designations, and the department can issue rules; admission is not guaranteed. Combining facilities or transferring these beds is exempt from state certificate-of-need approval when facilities share controlling ownership and are within 100 miles.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Chip LaMarca

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 151 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/28/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 36 • No: 0

House vote • 4/24/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 115 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2025-129

    6/6/2025

  2. Approved by Governor

    6/6/2025

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    6/4/2025

  4. Ordered enrolled

    4/28/2025House

  5. In Messages

    4/28/2025House

  6. CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 591

    4/28/2025Senate

  7. Read 3rd time -SJ 591

    4/28/2025Senate

  8. Read 2nd time -SJ 591

    4/28/2025Senate

  9. Substituted for SB 788 -SJ 591

    4/28/2025Senate

  10. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    4/28/2025Senate

  11. Withdrawn from Fiscal Policy -SJ 591

    4/28/2025Senate

  12. Received

    4/25/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Fiscal Policy

    4/25/2025Senate

  14. In Messages

    4/24/2025Senate

  15. CS passed; YEAS 115, NAYS 0

    4/24/2025House

  16. Read 3rd time

    4/24/2025House

  17. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    4/24/2025House

  18. Placed on 3rd reading

    4/24/2025House

  19. Read 2nd time

    4/24/2025House

  20. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (4/24/2025)

    4/17/2025House

  21. Added to Second Reading Calendar

    4/8/2025House

  22. Bill released to House Calendar

    4/8/2025House

  23. Reported out of State Affairs Committee

    4/8/2025House

  24. Favorable by State Affairs Committee

    4/8/2025House

  25. Added to State Affairs Committee agenda

    4/4/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation