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FloridaSB 11562025SenateWALLET

Home Health Aide for Medically Fragile Children Program

Sponsored By: Gayle Harrell (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationHealth PolicyAppropriations Committee on Health and Human ServicesFiscal PolicyHouse Calendar

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Protecting family aides' Medicaid eligibility

Florida must seek federal approval to keep program aide earnings out of Medicaid income calculations, including low-income-family eligibility calculations. The exclusion depends on federal approval; the law does not make it automatic. Family income and resources remain compared with the July 1996 Aid to Families with Dependent Children standards. Within 60 days after enactment, Florida must submit federal requests for the income exclusion and other program changes. It must also start any needed rulemaking.

More daily aide care, but weekly limits

Florida Medicaid must reimburse participating home health agencies at least $25 per hour; this is not a guaranteed aide wage. The law raises each child's daily aide-care limit from 8 to 12 hours and sets a 40-hour weekly cap. Extra weekly hours require a justified lack of another qualified provider and approval from the agency and managed care plan. Florida must seek federal approval to let Medicaid private-duty nursing specialty providers and home health services providers join and receive payment. Their participation and payment depend on that approval.

Safety reporting for children's home aide care

Home health agencies must report adverse incidents during program aide care to Florida's health agency and the child's managed care plan. Reports are due within 48 hours. Incidents include death, brain or spinal damage, permanent disfigurement, fractures or dislocations, lost or limited function, and events referred to police. Florida must assess caregiver satisfaction, adverse incidents, and aides' support needs each year. It must compare hospitalization rates for children receiving aide care with those receiving registered or practical nursing care without aides. Managed care plans must supply needed data; reports go to the Governor and legislative leaders each January 1, starting in 2025.

Family aides get shorter training, broader duties

Family aides must finish approved training before serving an eligible relative; minimum training falls from 85 to 76 hours. Programs require at least 40 hours of aide training, 20 hours of child-specific nursing skills, and 16 clinical hours. A registered nurse must directly supervise clinical training tied to the relative's needs. Programs need state approval in consultation with the Board of Nursing; aides need HIV/AIDS training and current CPR certification. Employing agencies must keep training records, have a registered nurse check skills, and update training and checks as care needs change. Qualified family aides can perform broader oxygen and intravenous support tasks, but these tasks must be delegated under nursing law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Gayle Harrell

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Fiscal Policy

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Health Policy

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 186 • No: 0

House vote • 4/30/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 113 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/29/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

Fiscal Policy Vote

Yes: 18 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Vote

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Health Policy Vote

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2025-171

    6/24/2025

  2. Approved by Governor

    6/23/2025

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    6/18/2025

  4. Ordered enrolled

    4/30/2025Senate

  5. CS passed; YEAS 113, NAYS 0

    4/30/2025House

  6. Read 3rd time

    4/30/2025House

  7. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    4/30/2025House

  8. Placed on 3rd reading

    4/30/2025House

  9. Read 2nd time

    4/30/2025House

  10. 1st Reading (Engrossed 1)

    4/29/2025House

  11. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (4/30/2025)

    4/29/2025House

  12. Bill referred to House Calendar

    4/29/2025House

  13. In Messages

    4/29/2025House

  14. CS passed as amended; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 615

    4/29/2025Senate

  15. Read 3rd time -SJ 615

    4/29/2025Senate

  16. Amendment(s) adopted (347492) -SJ 614

    4/29/2025Senate

  17. Read 2nd time -SJ 614

    4/29/2025Senate

  18. CS/CS by Fiscal Policy read 1st time

    4/24/2025Senate

  19. Placed on Special Order Calendar, 04/29/25

    4/23/2025Senate

  20. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    4/23/2025Senate

  21. Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

    4/23/2025Senate

  22. CS/CS by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 18 NAYS 0

    4/22/2025Senate

  23. On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 04/22/25, 11:00 am, 412 Knott Building

    4/17/2025Senate

  24. Now in Fiscal Policy

    4/11/2025Senate

  25. Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; YEAS 8 NAYS 0

    4/10/2025Senate

Bill Text

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