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FloridaSB 14042026Senate

Memory Care

Sponsored By: Colleen Burton (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationHealth PolicyAppropriations Committee on Health and Human ServicesFiscal PolicyHouse Calendar

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Stronger care standards for memory care residents

Florida’s health care agency must adopt minimum memory care standards by June 1, 2027. Rules must cover written care policies, admission criteria, minimum care, services, activities, and building standards. Staff training must meet or exceed the requirements in Florida law, section 430.5025. The rules must require at least one awake staff member at all times in areas serving memory care residents. Resident contracts must list memory care services, and the rules must address facilities using the transition exception.

Memory care residents get transition protections

Facilities licensed before the new rules take effect have six months afterward to get a memory care license. A facility may keep serving residents accepted before that date without a license only through a limited exception. It must show the state it cannot reasonably get a license and notify residents and caregivers about licensing and relocation options. It must help find a suitable alternative facility on request and cannot accept new memory care residents without a license. When a resident or caregiver chooses to stay, the facility must update the contract to list memory care services. It must record when and how services are provided and share those records with residents, caregivers, or the state on request. The exception does not remove other requirements that govern whether the facility can safely serve the resident.

New licensing rules for memory care

Florida creates a separate memory care license for assisted living facilities serving residents with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. Facilities licensed on or after the new rules take effect need this license to serve or advertise memory care. The license requires a standard assisted living license and renews with it. Unlicensed facilities may offer only optional supportive services available to all residents, unless they qualify for the transition exception. Their ads must avoid memory care claims and prohibited terms, and be kept for state review at license renewal. The law repeals two prior licensing sections when the state adopts the new minimum-standard rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Colleen Burton

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Fiscal Policy

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Health Policy

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 186 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 111 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/24/2026

Fiscal Policy Vote

Yes: 18 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/18/2026

Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Vote

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/2/2026

Health Policy Vote

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2026-102

    5/26/2026

  2. Approved by Governor

    5/22/2026

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    5/21/2026

  4. Ordered enrolled

    3/17/2026Senate

  5. CS passed; YEAS 111, NAYS 0

    3/10/2026House

  6. Read 3rd time

    3/10/2026House

  7. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    3/10/2026House

  8. Read 2nd time

    3/10/2026House

  9. 1st Reading (Engrossed 1)

    3/9/2026House

  10. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/10/2026)

    3/9/2026House

  11. Bill referred to House Calendar

    3/9/2026House

  12. In Messages

    3/5/2026House

  13. CS passed as amended; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 546

    3/4/2026Senate

  14. Read 3rd time -SJ 546

    3/4/2026Senate

  15. Amendment(s) adopted (620750) -SJ 546

    3/4/2026Senate

  16. Read 2nd time -SJ 546

    3/4/2026Senate

  17. Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/04/26

    3/2/2026Senate

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

    2/25/2026Senate

  19. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    2/25/2026Senate

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

    2/25/2026Senate

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

    2/24/2026Senate

  22. On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 02/24/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building

    2/19/2026Senate

  23. Now in Fiscal Policy

    2/18/2026Senate

  24. Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; YEAS 9 NAYS 0

    2/18/2026Senate

  25. On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, 02/18/26, 8:30 am, 412 Knott Building

    2/13/2026Senate

Bill Text

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