Florida Senate - 2024                          SENATOR AMENDMENT
       Bill No. CS/CS/HB 975, 1st Eng.
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                Ì667080$Î667080                         
       
                              LEGISLATIVE ACTION                        
                    Senate             .             House              
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                Floor: 1/AE/2R         .            Floor: C            
             03/06/2024 07:40 PM       .      03/07/2024 08:34 PM       
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       Senator Grall moved the following:
       
       
    1         Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
    2  
    3  
    4         Delete everything after the enacting clause
    5  and insert:
    6         Section 1. Effective July 1, 2024, present subsection (6)
    7  of section 420.621, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as
    8  subsection (7), and a new subsection (6) is added to that
    9  section, to read:
   10         420.621 Definitions.—As used in ss. 420.621-420.628, the
   11  term:
   12         (6) “Person with lived experience” means any person with
   13  current or past experience of homelessness, as defined in 24
   14  C.F.R. s. 578.3, including persons who have accessed or sought
   15  homeless services while fleeing domestic violence.
   16         Section 2. Effective July 1, 2024, section 420.6241,
   17  Florida Statutes, is created to read:
   18         420.6241 Persons with lived experience.—
   19         (1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—The Legislature finds that the
   20  ability to provide adequate homeless services is limited due to
   21  a shortage of professionals and paraprofessionals in the field.
   22  Persons with lived experience of homelessness are uniquely
   23  qualified to provide effective support services because they
   24  share common life experiences with the persons they assist. A
   25  person with lived experience may have a criminal history that
   26  prevents him or her from meeting background screening
   27  requirements.
   28         (2) QUALIFICATIONS.—A person may seek certification as a
   29  person with lived experience if he or she has received homeless
   30  services. A continuum of care lead agency serving the homeless
   31  must include documentation of the homeless services such person
   32  received when requesting a background check of the applicant.
   33         (3) DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT.—The department shall ensure
   34  that an applicant’s background screening required to achieve
   35  certification is conducted as provided in subsection (4).
   36         (4) BACKGROUND SCREENING.—
   37         (a) The background screening conducted under this
   38  subsection must ensure that the qualified applicant has not,
   39  during the preceding 3 years, been arrested for and is not
   40  awaiting final disposition of, has not been found guilty of,
   41  regardless of adjudication, or entered a plea of nolo contendere
   42  or guilty to, or has not been adjudicated delinquent and the
   43  record has been sealed or expunged for, any felony.
   44         (b) The background screening conducted under this
   45  subsection must ensure that the qualified applicant has not been
   46  arrested for and is not awaiting final disposition of, has not
   47  been found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or entered a
   48  plea of nolo contendere or guilty to, or has not been
   49  adjudicated delinquent and the record has been sealed or
   50  expunged for, any offense prohibited under any of the following
   51  state laws or similar laws of another jurisdiction:
   52         1. Section 393.135, relating to sexual misconduct with
   53  certain developmentally disabled clients and reporting of such
   54  sexual misconduct.
   55         2. Section 394.4593, relating to sexual misconduct with
   56  certain mental health patients and reporting of such sexual
   57  misconduct.
   58         3. Section 409.920, relating to Medicaid provider fraud, if
   59  the offense is a felony of the first or second degree.
   60         4. Section 415.111, relating to criminal penalties for
   61  abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
   62         5. Any offense that constitutes domestic violence, as
   63  defined in s. 741.28.
   64         6. Section 777.04, relating to attempts, solicitation, and
   65  conspiracy to commit an offense listed in this paragraph.
   66         7. Section 782.04, relating to murder.
   67         8. Section 782.07, relating to manslaughter, aggravated
   68  manslaughter of an elderly person or a disabled adult,
   69  aggravated manslaughter of a child, or aggravated manslaughter
   70  of an officer, a firefighter, an emergency medical technician,
   71  or a paramedic.
   72         9. Section 782.071, relating to vehicular homicide.
   73         10. Section 782.09, relating to killing of an unborn child
   74  by injury to the mother.
   75         11. Chapter 784, relating to assault, battery, and culpable
   76  negligence, if the offense is a felony.
   77         12. Section 787.01, relating to kidnapping.
   78         13. Section 787.02, relating to false imprisonment.
   79         14. Section 787.025, relating to luring or enticing a
   80  child.
   81         15. Section 787.04(2), relating to leading, taking,
   82  enticing, or removing a minor beyond the state limits, or
   83  concealing the location of a minor, with criminal intent pending
   84  custody proceedings.
   85         16. Section 787.04(3), relating to leading, taking,
   86  enticing, or removing a minor beyond the state limits, or
   87  concealing the location of a minor, with criminal intent pending
   88  dependency proceedings or proceedings concerning alleged abuse
   89  or neglect of a minor.
   90         17. Section 790.115(1), relating to exhibiting firearms or
   91  weapons within 1,000 feet of a school.
   92         18. Section 790.115(2)(b), relating to possessing an
   93  electric weapon or device, a destructive device, or any other
   94  weapon on school property.
   95         19. Section 794.011, relating to sexual battery.
   96         20. Former s. 794.041, relating to prohibited acts of
   97  persons in familial or custodial authority.
   98         21. Section 794.05, relating to unlawful sexual activity
   99  with certain minors.
  100         22. Section 794.08, relating to female genital mutilation.
  101         23. Section 796.07, relating to procuring another to commit
  102  prostitution, except for those offenses expunged pursuant to s.
  103  943.0583.
  104         24. Section 798.02, relating to lewd and lascivious
  105  behavior.
  106         25. Chapter 800, relating to lewdness and indecent
  107  exposure.
  108         26. Section 806.01, relating to arson.
  109         27. Section 810.02, relating to burglary, if the offense is
  110  a felony of the first degree.
  111         28. Section 810.14, relating to voyeurism, if the offense
  112  is a felony.
  113         29. Section 810.145, relating to video voyeurism, if the
  114  offense is a felony.
  115         30. Section 812.13, relating to robbery.
  116         31. Section 812.131, relating to robbery by sudden
  117  snatching.
  118         32. Section 812.133, relating to carjacking.
  119         33. Section 812.135, relating to home-invasion robbery.
  120         34. Section 817.034, relating to communications fraud, if
  121  the offense is a felony of the first degree.
  122         35. Section 817.234, relating to false and fraudulent
  123  insurance claims, if the offense is a felony of the first or
  124  second degree.
  125         36. Section 817.50, relating to fraudulently obtaining
  126  goods or services from a health care provider and false reports
  127  of a communicable disease.
  128         37. Section 817.505, relating to patient brokering.
  129         38. Section 817.568, relating to fraudulent use of personal
  130  identification, if the offense is a felony of the first or
  131  second degree.
  132         39. Section 825.102, relating to abuse, aggravated abuse,
  133  or neglect of an elderly person or a disabled adult.
  134         40. Section 825.1025, relating to lewd or lascivious
  135  offenses committed upon or in the presence of an elderly person
  136  or a disabled person.
  137         41. Section 825.103, relating to exploitation of an elderly
  138  person or a disabled adult, if the offense is a felony.
  139         42. Section 826.04, relating to incest.
  140         43. Section 827.03, relating to child abuse, aggravated
  141  child abuse, or neglect of a child.
  142         44. Section 827.04, relating to contributing to the
  143  delinquency or dependency of a child.
  144         45. Former s. 827.05, relating to negligent treatment of
  145  children.
  146         46. Section 827.071, relating to sexual performance by a
  147  child.
  148         47. Section 831.30, relating to fraud in obtaining
  149  medicinal drugs.
  150         48. Section 831.31, relating to the sale, manufacture,
  151  delivery, or possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or
  152  deliver any counterfeit controlled substance, if the offense is
  153  a felony.
  154         49. Section 843.01, relating to resisting arrest with
  155  violence.
  156         50. Section 843.025, relating to depriving a law
  157  enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officer of
  158  the means of protection or communication.
  159         51. Section 843.12, relating to aiding in an escape.
  160         52. Section 843.13, relating to aiding in the escape of
  161  juvenile inmates of correctional institutions.
  162         53. Chapter 847, relating to obscenity.
  163         54. Section 874.05, relating to encouraging or recruiting
  164  another to join a criminal gang.
  165         55. Chapter 893, relating to drug abuse prevention and
  166  control, if the offense is a felony of the second degree or
  167  greater severity.
  168         56. Section 895.03, relating to racketeering and collection
  169  of unlawful debts.
  170         57. Section 896.101, relating to the Florida Money
  171  Laundering Act.
  172         58. Section 916.1075, relating to sexual misconduct with
  173  certain forensic clients and reporting of such sexual
  174  misconduct.
  175         59. Section 944.35(3), relating to inflicting cruel or
  176  inhuman treatment on an inmate, resulting in great bodily harm.
  177         60. Section 944.40, relating to escape.
  178         61. Section 944.46, relating to harboring, concealing, or
  179  aiding an escaped prisoner.
  180         62. Section 944.47, relating to introduction of contraband
  181  into a correctional institution.
  182         63. Section 985.701, relating to sexual misconduct in
  183  juvenile justice programs.
  184         64. Section 985.711, relating to introduction of contraband
  185  into a detention facility.
  186         (5) EXEMPTION REQUESTS.—An applicant who desires to become
  187  a certified person with lived experience but is disqualified
  188  under subsection (4) may apply to the department for an
  189  exemption from disqualification under s. 435.07, as applicable.
  190  The department shall accept or reject an application for
  191  exemption within 90 days after receiving the application from
  192  the applicant.
  193         Section 3. Effective July 1, 2024, subsection (2) of
  194  section 435.04, Florida Statutes, as amended by section 2 of
  195  chapter 2023-220, Laws of Florida, is amended to read:
  196         435.04 Level 2 screening standards.—
  197         (2) The security background investigations under this
  198  section must ensure that persons subject to this section have
  199  not been arrested for and are awaiting final disposition of;,
  200  have not been found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or
  201  entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to;, or have not
  202  been adjudicated delinquent and the record has not been sealed
  203  or expunged for, any offense prohibited under any of the
  204  following provisions of state law or similar law of another
  205  jurisdiction:
  206         (a) Section 39.205, relating to the failure to report child
  207  abuse, abandonment, or neglect.
  208         (b) Section 393.135, relating to sexual misconduct with
  209  certain developmentally disabled clients and reporting of such
  210  sexual misconduct.
  211         (c)(b) Section 394.4593, relating to sexual misconduct with
  212  certain mental health patients and reporting of such sexual
  213  misconduct.
  214         (d) Section 414.39, relating to fraud, if the offense was a
  215  felony.
  216         (e)(c) Section 415.111, relating to adult abuse, neglect,
  217  or exploitation of aged persons or disabled adults.
  218         (f)(d) Section 777.04, relating to attempts, solicitation,
  219  and conspiracy to commit an offense listed in this subsection.
  220         (g)(e) Section 782.04, relating to murder.
  221         (h)(f) Section 782.07, relating to manslaughter, aggravated
  222  manslaughter of an elderly person or disabled adult, or
  223  aggravated manslaughter of a child.
  224         (i)(g) Section 782.071, relating to vehicular homicide.
  225         (j)(h) Section 782.09, relating to killing of an unborn
  226  child by injury to the mother.
  227         (k)(i) Chapter 784, relating to assault, battery, and
  228  culpable negligence, if the offense was a felony.
  229         (l)(j) Section 784.011, relating to assault, if the victim
  230  of the offense was a minor.
  231         (m)(k) Section 784.021, relating to aggravated assault.
  232         (n)(l) Section 784.03, relating to battery, if the victim
  233  of the offense was a minor.
  234         (o)(m) Section 784.045, relating to aggravated battery.
  235         (p)(n) Section 784.075, relating to battery on staff of a
  236  detention or commitment facility or on a juvenile probation
  237  officer.
  238         (q)(o) Section 787.01, relating to kidnapping.
  239         (r)(p) Section 787.02, relating to false imprisonment.
  240         (s)(q) Section 787.025, relating to luring or enticing a
  241  child.
  242         (t)(r) Section 787.04(2), relating to taking, enticing, or
  243  removing a child beyond the state limits with criminal intent
  244  pending custody proceedings.
  245         (u)(s) Section 787.04(3), relating to carrying a child
  246  beyond the state lines with criminal intent to avoid producing a
  247  child at a custody hearing or delivering the child to the
  248  designated person.
  249         (v) Section 787.06, relating to human trafficking.
  250         (w) Section 787.07, relating to human smuggling.
  251         (x)(t) Section 790.115(1), relating to exhibiting firearms
  252  or weapons within 1,000 feet of a school.
  253         (y)(u) Section 790.115(2)(b), relating to possessing an
  254  electric weapon or device, destructive device, or other weapon
  255  on school property.
  256         (z)(v) Section 794.011, relating to sexual battery.
  257         (aa)(w) Former s. 794.041, relating to prohibited acts of
  258  persons in familial or custodial authority.
  259         (bb)(x) Section 794.05, relating to unlawful sexual
  260  activity with certain minors.
  261         (cc)(y) Section 794.08, relating to female genital
  262  mutilation.
  263         (dd)(z) Chapter 796, relating to prostitution.
  264         (ee)(aa) Section 798.02, relating to lewd and lascivious
  265  behavior.
  266         (ff)(bb) Chapter 800, relating to lewdness and indecent
  267  exposure and offenses against students by authority figures.
  268         (gg)(cc) Section 806.01, relating to arson.
  269         (hh)(dd) Section 810.02, relating to burglary.
  270         (ii)(ee) Section 810.14, relating to voyeurism, if the
  271  offense is a felony.
  272         (jj)(ff) Section 810.145, relating to video voyeurism, if
  273  the offense is a felony.
  274         (kk)(gg) Chapter 812, relating to theft, robbery, and
  275  related crimes, if the offense is a felony.
  276         (ll)(hh) Section 817.563, relating to fraudulent sale of
  277  controlled substances, only if the offense was a felony.
  278         (mm)(ii) Section 825.102, relating to abuse, aggravated
  279  abuse, or neglect of an elderly person or disabled adult.
  280         (nn)(jj) Section 825.1025, relating to lewd or lascivious
  281  offenses committed upon or in the presence of an elderly person
  282  or disabled adult.
  283         (oo)(kk) Section 825.103, relating to exploitation of an
  284  elderly person or disabled adult, if the offense was a felony.
  285         (pp)(ll) Section 826.04, relating to incest.
  286         (qq)(mm) Section 827.03, relating to child abuse,
  287  aggravated child abuse, or neglect of a child.
  288         (rr)(nn) Section 827.04, relating to contributing to the
  289  delinquency or dependency of a child.
  290         (ss)(oo) Former s. 827.05, relating to negligent treatment
  291  of children.
  292         (tt)(pp) Section 827.071, relating to sexual performance by
  293  a child.
  294         (uu) Section 831.311, relating to the unlawful sale,
  295  manufacture, alteration, delivery, uttering, or possession of
  296  counterfeit-resistant prescription blanks for controlled
  297  substances.
  298         (vv) Section 836.10, relating to written or electronic
  299  threats to kill, do bodily injury, or conduct a mass shooting or
  300  an act of terrorism.
  301         (ww)(qq) Section 843.01, relating to resisting arrest with
  302  violence.
  303         (xx)(rr) Section 843.025, relating to depriving a law
  304  enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officer
  305  means of protection or communication.
  306         (yy)(ss) Section 843.12, relating to aiding in an escape.
  307         (zz)(tt) Section 843.13, relating to aiding in the escape
  308  of juvenile inmates in correctional institutions.
  309         (aaa)(uu) Chapter 847, relating to obscene literature.
  310         (bbb) Section 859.01, relating to poisoning food or water.
  311         (ccc) Section 873.01, relating to the prohibition on the
  312  purchase or sale of human organs and tissue.
  313         (ddd)(vv) Section 874.05, relating to encouraging or
  314  recruiting another to join a criminal gang.
  315         (eee)(ww) Chapter 893, relating to drug abuse prevention
  316  and control, only if the offense was a felony or if any other
  317  person involved in the offense was a minor.
  318         (fff)(xx) Section 916.1075, relating to sexual misconduct
  319  with certain forensic clients and reporting of such sexual
  320  misconduct.
  321         (ggg)(yy) Section 944.35(3), relating to inflicting cruel
  322  or inhuman treatment on an inmate resulting in great bodily
  323  harm.
  324         (hhh)(zz) Section 944.40, relating to escape.
  325         (iii)(aaa) Section 944.46, relating to harboring,
  326  concealing, or aiding an escaped prisoner.
  327         (jjj)(bbb) Section 944.47, relating to introduction of
  328  contraband into a correctional facility.
  329         (kkk)(ccc) Section 985.701, relating to sexual misconduct
  330  in juvenile justice programs.
  331         (lll)(ddd) Section 985.711, relating to contraband
  332  introduced into detention facilities.
  333         Section 4. Effective July 1, 2024, subsection (1) of
  334  section 435.07, Florida Statutes, as amended by section 3 of
  335  chapter 2023-220, Laws of Florida, is amended to read:
  336         435.07 Exemptions from disqualification.—Unless otherwise
  337  provided by law, the provisions of this section apply to
  338  exemptions from disqualification for disqualifying offenses
  339  revealed pursuant to background screenings required under this
  340  chapter, regardless of whether those disqualifying offenses are
  341  listed in this chapter or other laws.
  342         (1)(a) The head of the appropriate agency or qualified
  343  entity may grant to any employee or person with an affiliation
  344  otherwise disqualified from employment an exemption from
  345  disqualification for:
  346         1. Felonies for which at least 2 3 years have elapsed since
  347  the applicant for the exemption has completed or been lawfully
  348  released from confinement, supervision, or nonmonetary condition
  349  imposed by the court for the disqualifying felony;
  350         2. Misdemeanors prohibited under any of the statutes cited
  351  in this chapter or under similar statutes of other jurisdictions
  352  for which the applicant for the exemption has completed or been
  353  lawfully released from confinement, supervision, or nonmonetary
  354  condition imposed by the court;
  355         3. Offenses that were felonies when committed but that are
  356  now misdemeanors and for which the applicant for the exemption
  357  has completed or been lawfully released from confinement,
  358  supervision, or nonmonetary condition imposed by the court; or
  359         4. Findings of delinquency. For offenses that would be
  360  felonies if committed by an adult and the record has not been
  361  sealed or expunged, the exemption may not be granted until at
  362  least 3 years have elapsed since the applicant for the exemption
  363  has completed or been lawfully released from confinement,
  364  supervision, or nonmonetary condition imposed by the court for
  365  the disqualifying offense.
  366         (b) A person applying for an exemption who was ordered to
  367  pay any amount for any fee, fine, fund, lien, civil judgment,
  368  application, costs of prosecution, trust, or restitution as part
  369  of the judgment and sentence for any disqualifying felony or
  370  misdemeanor must pay the court-ordered amount in full before he
  371  or she is eligible for the exemption.
  372  
  373  For the purposes of this subsection, the term “felonies” means
  374  both felonies prohibited under any of the statutes cited in this
  375  chapter or under similar statutes of other jurisdictions.
  376         Section 5. Effective July 1, 2024, paragraph (a) of
  377  subsection (2) of section 943.0438, Florida Statutes, as amended
  378  by section 5 of chapter 2023-220, Laws of Florida, is amended to
  379  read:
  380         943.0438 Athletic coaches for independent sanctioning
  381  authorities.—
  382         (2) An independent sanctioning authority shall:
  383         (a) Effective January 1, 2025, conduct a level 2 background
  384  screening under s. 435.04 of each current and prospective
  385  athletic coach. The authority may not delegate this
  386  responsibility to an individual team and may not authorize any
  387  person to act as an athletic coach unless a level 2 background
  388  screening is conducted and does not result in disqualification
  389  under paragraph (b).
  390         Section 6. Subsection (1) of section 456.0135, Florida
  391  Statutes, is amended to read:
  392         456.0135 General background screening provisions.—
  393         (1) An application for initial licensure received on or
  394  after January 1, 2013, under chapter 458, chapter 459, chapter
  395  460, chapter 461, chapter 462, chapter 463, chapter 464, s.
  396  465.007, s. 465.0075, chapter 466, chapter 467, part I, part II,
  397  part III, part V, part X s. 465.022, part XIII, or part XIV of
  398  chapter 468, chapter 478, or chapter 480, chapter 483, chapter
  399  484, chapter 486, chapter 490, or chapter 491 must shall include
  400  fingerprints pursuant to procedures established by the
  401  department through a vendor approved by the Department of Law
  402  Enforcement and fees imposed for the initial screening and
  403  retention of fingerprints. Fingerprints must be submitted
  404  electronically to the Department of Law Enforcement for state
  405  processing, and the Department of Law Enforcement shall forward
  406  the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for
  407  national processing. Each board, or the department if there is
  408  no board, must shall screen the results to determine whether if
  409  an applicant meets licensure requirements. For any subsequent
  410  renewal of the applicant’s license which that requires a
  411  national criminal history check, the department shall request
  412  the Department of Law Enforcement to forward the retained
  413  fingerprints of the applicant to the Federal Bureau of
  414  Investigation unless the fingerprints are enrolled in the
  415  national retained print arrest notification program.
  416         Section 7. Beginning July 1, 2025, the amendments made by
  417  this act to s. 456.0135, Florida Statutes, apply to applicants
  418  seeking initial licensure in any of the health care professions
  419  specified in that section. To ensure that all health care
  420  practitioners practicing in the health care professions subject
  421  to the background screening requirements for initial licensure
  422  under s. 456.0135, Florida Statutes, as amended by this act, are
  423  screened, health care practitioners who were already licensed in
  424  such health care professions before July 1, 2025, must submit to
  425  background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135, Florida
  426  Statutes, by their next licensure renewal that takes place on or
  427  after July 1, 2025, notwithstanding the fact that s. 456.0135,
  428  Florida Statutes, applies to initial licensure only. The
  429  Department of Health may not renew the license of such a health
  430  care practitioner after July 1, 2025, until he or she complies
  431  with these background screening requirements.
  432         Section 8. Subsection (2) of section 457.105, Florida
  433  Statutes, as amended by SB 1600, 2024 Regular Session, is
  434  amended to read:
  435         457.105 Licensure qualifications and fees.—
  436         (2) A person may become licensed to practice acupuncture if
  437  the person applies to the department and meets all of the
  438  following criteria:
  439         (a) Is 21 years of age or older, has good moral character,
  440  and has the ability to communicate in English, which is
  441  demonstrated by having passed the national written examination
  442  in English or, if such examination was passed in a foreign
  443  language, by also having passed a nationally recognized English
  444  proficiency examination.;
  445         (b) Has completed 60 college credits from an accredited
  446  postsecondary institution as a prerequisite to enrollment in an
  447  authorized 3-year course of study in acupuncture and oriental
  448  medicine, and has completed a 3-year course of study in
  449  acupuncture and oriental medicine, and effective July 31, 2001,
  450  a 4-year course of study in acupuncture and oriental medicine,
  451  which meets standards established by the board by rule, which
  452  standards include, but are not limited to, successful completion
  453  of academic courses in western anatomy, western physiology,
  454  western pathology, western biomedical terminology, first aid,
  455  and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, any person who
  456  enrolled in an authorized course of study in acupuncture before
  457  August 1, 1997, must have completed only a 2-year course of
  458  study which meets standards established by the board by rule,
  459  which standards must include, but are not limited to, successful
  460  completion of academic courses in western anatomy, western
  461  physiology, and western pathology.;
  462         (c) Has successfully completed a board-approved national
  463  certification process, meets the requirements for licensure by
  464  endorsement under s. 456.0145, or passes an examination
  465  administered by the department, which examination tests the
  466  applicant’s competency and knowledge of the practice of
  467  acupuncture and oriental medicine. At the request of any
  468  applicant, oriental nomenclature for the points must shall be
  469  used in the examination. The examination must shall include a
  470  practical examination of the knowledge and skills required to
  471  practice modern and traditional acupuncture and oriental
  472  medicine, covering diagnostic and treatment techniques and
  473  procedures.; and
  474         (d) Pays the required fees set by the board by rule not to
  475  exceed the following amounts:
  476         1. Examination fee: $500 plus the actual per applicant cost
  477  to the department for purchase of the written and practical
  478  portions of the examination from a national organization
  479  approved by the board.
  480         2. Application fee: $300.
  481         3. Reexamination fee: $500 plus the actual per applicant
  482  cost to the department for purchase of the written and practical
  483  portions of the examination from a national organization
  484  approved by the board.
  485         4. Initial biennial licensure fee: $400, if licensed in the
  486  first half of the biennium, and $200, if licensed in the second
  487  half of the biennium.
  488         (e)Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
  489  456.0135.
  490         Section 9. Subsection (1) of section 463.006, Florida
  491  Statutes, is amended to read:
  492         463.006 Licensure and certification by examination.—
  493         (1) Any person desiring to be a licensed practitioner under
  494  pursuant to this chapter must apply to the department, submit to
  495  background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135, and must
  496  submit proof to the department that she or he meets all of the
  497  following criteria:
  498         (a) Has completed the application forms as required by the
  499  board, remitted an application fee for certification not to
  500  exceed $250, remitted an examination fee for certification not
  501  to exceed $250, and remitted an examination fee for licensure
  502  not to exceed $325, all as set by the board.
  503         (b) Is at least 18 years of age.
  504         (c) Has graduated from an accredited school or college of
  505  optometry approved by rule of the board.
  506         (d) Is of good moral character.
  507         (e) Has successfully completed at least 110 hours of
  508  transcript-quality coursework and clinical training in general
  509  and ocular pharmacology as determined by the board, at an
  510  institution that:
  511         1. Has facilities for both didactic and clinical
  512  instructions in pharmacology; and
  513         2. Is accredited by a regional or professional accrediting
  514  organization that is recognized and approved by the Commission
  515  on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation or the United
  516  States Department of Education.
  517         (f) Has completed at least 1 year of supervised experience
  518  in differential diagnosis of eye disease or disorders as part of
  519  the optometric training or in a clinical setting as part of the
  520  optometric experience.
  521         Section 10. Subsection (1) of section 465.007, Florida
  522  Statutes, is amended to read:
  523         465.007 Licensure by examination.—
  524         (1) Any person desiring to be licensed as a pharmacist
  525  shall apply to the department to take the licensure examination.
  526  The department shall examine each applicant who the board
  527  certifies has met all of the following criteria:
  528         (a) Completed the application form and remitted an
  529  examination fee set by the board not to exceed $100 plus the
  530  actual per applicant cost to the department for purchase of
  531  portions of the examination from the National Association of
  532  Boards of Pharmacy or a similar national organization. The fees
  533  authorized under this section shall be established in sufficient
  534  amounts to cover administrative costs.
  535         (b)Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  536  456.0135.
  537         (c)(b) Submitted satisfactory proof that she or he is not
  538  less than 18 years of age and:
  539         1. Is a recipient of a degree from a school or college of
  540  pharmacy accredited by an accrediting agency recognized and
  541  approved by the United States Office of Education; or
  542         2. Is a graduate of a 4-year undergraduate pharmacy program
  543  of a school or college of pharmacy located outside the United
  544  States, has demonstrated proficiency in English by passing both
  545  the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test
  546  of Spoken English (TSE), has passed the Foreign Pharmacy
  547  Graduate Equivalency Examination that is approved by rule of the
  548  board, and has completed a minimum of 500 hours in a supervised
  549  work activity program within this state under the supervision of
  550  a pharmacist licensed by the department, which program is
  551  approved by the board.
  552         (d)(c) Submitted satisfactory proof that she or he has
  553  completed an internship program approved by the board. No such
  554  board-approved program shall exceed 2,080 hours, all of which
  555  may be obtained prior to graduation.
  556         Section 11. Subsection (1) of section 465.0075, Florida
  557  Statutes, as amended by SB 1600, 2024 Regular Session, is
  558  amended to read:
  559         465.0075 Licensure by endorsement; requirements; fee.—The
  560  department shall issue a license by endorsement to any applicant
  561  who, upon applying to the department, submitting to background
  562  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135, and remitting a
  563  nonrefundable fee set by the board in an amount not to exceed
  564  $100, the board certifies has met the requirements for licensure
  565  by endorsement under s. 456.0145.
  566         Section 12. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
  567  466.006, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  568         466.006 Examination of dentists.—
  569         (1)
  570         (b)1. Any person desiring to be licensed as a dentist shall
  571  apply to the department to take the licensure examinations and
  572  shall verify the information required on the application by
  573  oath. The application must shall include two recent photographs.
  574  There shall be an application fee set by the board not to exceed
  575  $100 which shall be nonrefundable and. There shall also be an
  576  examination fee set by the board, which shall not to exceed $425
  577  plus the actual per applicant cost to the department for
  578  purchase of some or all of the examination from the American
  579  Board of Dental Examiners or its successor entity, if any,
  580  provided the board finds the successor entity’s clinical
  581  examination complies with the provisions of this section. The
  582  examination fee may be refunded refundable if the applicant is
  583  found ineligible to take the examinations.
  584         2. Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
  585  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  586         Section 13. Section 466.0067, Florida Statutes, is amended
  587  to read:
  588         466.0067 Application for health access dental license.—The
  589  Legislature finds that there is an important state interest in
  590  attracting dentists to practice in underserved health access
  591  settings in this state and further, that allowing out-of-state
  592  dentists who meet certain criteria to practice in health access
  593  settings without the supervision of a dentist licensed in this
  594  state is substantially related to achieving this important state
  595  interest. Therefore, notwithstanding the requirements of s.
  596  466.006, the board shall grant a health access dental license to
  597  practice dentistry in this state in health access settings as
  598  defined in s. 466.003 to an applicant who meets all of the
  599  following criteria:
  600         (1) Files an appropriate application approved by the
  601  board.;
  602         (2) Pays an application license fee for a health access
  603  dental license, laws-and-rule exam fee, and an initial licensure
  604  fee. The fees specified in this subsection may not differ from
  605  an applicant seeking licensure pursuant to s. 466.006.;
  606         (3) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
  607  with s. 456.0135 and has not been convicted of or pled nolo
  608  contendere to, regardless of adjudication, any felony or
  609  misdemeanor related to the practice of a health care
  610  profession.;
  611         (4) Submits proof of graduation from a dental school
  612  accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the
  613  American Dental Association or its successor agency.;
  614         (5) Submits documentation that she or he has completed, or
  615  will obtain before licensure, continuing education equivalent to
  616  this state’s requirement for dentists licensed under s. 466.006
  617  for the last full reporting biennium before applying for a
  618  health access dental license.;
  619         (6) Submits proof of her or his successful completion of
  620  parts I and II of the dental examination by the National Board
  621  of Dental Examiners and a state or regional clinical dental
  622  licensing examination that the board has determined effectively
  623  measures the applicant’s ability to practice safely.;
  624         (7) Currently holds a valid, active dental license in good
  625  standing which has not been revoked, suspended, restricted, or
  626  otherwise disciplined from another of the United States, the
  627  District of Columbia, or a United States territory.;
  628         (8) Has never had a license revoked from another of the
  629  United States, the District of Columbia, or a United States
  630  territory.;
  631         (9) Has never failed the examination specified in s.
  632  466.006, unless the applicant was reexamined pursuant to s.
  633  466.006 and received a license to practice dentistry in this
  634  state.;
  635         (10) Has not been reported to the National Practitioner
  636  Data Bank, unless the applicant successfully appealed to have
  637  his or her name removed from the data bank.;
  638         (11) Submits proof that he or she has been engaged in the
  639  active, clinical practice of dentistry providing direct patient
  640  care for 5 years immediately preceding the date of application,
  641  or in instances when the applicant has graduated from an
  642  accredited dental school within the preceding 5 years, submits
  643  proof of continuous clinical practice providing direct patient
  644  care since graduation.; and
  645         (12) Has passed an examination covering the laws and rules
  646  of the practice of dentistry in this state as described in s.
  647  466.006(4)(a).
  648         Section 14. Subsection (1) of section 466.007, Florida
  649  Statutes, is amended to read:
  650         466.007 Examination of dental hygienists.—
  651         (1)(a) Any person desiring to be licensed as a dental
  652  hygienist shall apply to the department to take the licensure
  653  examinations and shall verify the information required on the
  654  application by oath. The application must shall include two
  655  recent photographs of the applicant. There shall be a
  656  nonrefundable application fee set by the board not to exceed
  657  $100 and an examination fee set by the board which shall not to
  658  exceed be more than $225. The examination fee may be refunded if
  659  the applicant is found ineligible to take the examinations.
  660         (b) Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
  661  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  662         Section 15. Subsection (5) is added to section 467.011,
  663  Florida Statutes, to read:
  664         467.011 Licensed midwives; qualifications; examination.—The
  665  department shall issue a license to practice midwifery to an
  666  applicant who meets all of the following criteria:
  667         (5) Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
  668  456.0135.
  669         Section 16. Subsection (2) of section 468.1185, Florida
  670  Statutes, is amended to read:
  671         468.1185 Licensure.—
  672         (2) The board shall certify for licensure any applicant who
  673  has met all of the following criteria:
  674         (a) Satisfied the education and supervised clinical
  675  requirements of s. 468.1155.
  676         (b) Satisfied the professional experience requirement of s.
  677  468.1165.
  678         (c) Passed the licensure examination required by s.
  679  468.1175.
  680         (d) For an applicant for an audiologist license who has
  681  obtained a doctoral degree in audiology, has satisfied the
  682  education and supervised clinical requirements of paragraph (a)
  683  and the professional experience requirements of paragraph (b).
  684         (e) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  685  456.0135.
  686         Section 17. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 468.1215,
  687  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  688         468.1215 Speech-language pathology assistant and audiology
  689  assistant; certification.—
  690         (1) The department shall issue a certificate as a speech
  691  language pathology assistant to each applicant who the board
  692  certifies has met all of the following criteria:
  693         (a) Completed the application form and remitted the
  694  required fees, including a nonrefundable application fee.
  695         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  696  456.0135.
  697         (c)(b) Earned a bachelor’s degree from a college or
  698  university accredited by a regional association of colleges and
  699  schools recognized by the Department of Education which includes
  700  at least 24 semester hours of coursework as approved by the
  701  board at an institution accredited by an accrediting agency
  702  recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
  703         (2) The department shall issue a certificate as an
  704  audiology assistant to each applicant who the board certifies
  705  has met all of the following criteria:
  706         (a) Completed the application form and remitted the
  707  required fees, including a nonrefundable application fee.
  708         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
  709  456.0135.
  710         (c)(b) Earned a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  711         Section 18. Present subsections (2), (3), and (4) of
  712  section 468.1695, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
  713  subsections (3), (4), and (5), respectively, a new subsection
  714  (2) is added to that section, and present subsection (2) of that
  715  section is amended, to read:
  716         468.1695 Licensure by examination.—
  717         (2) Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
  718  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  719         (3)(2) The department shall examine each applicant who the
  720  board certifies has completed the application form, submitted to
  721  background screening, and remitted an examination fee set by the
  722  board not to exceed $250 and who:
  723         (a)1. Holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited
  724  college or university and majored in health care administration,
  725  health services administration, or an equivalent major, or has
  726  credit for at least 60 semester hours in subjects, as prescribed
  727  by rule of the board, which prepare the applicant for total
  728  management of a nursing home; and
  729         2. Has fulfilled the requirements of a college-affiliated
  730  or university-affiliated internship in nursing home
  731  administration or of a 1,000-hour nursing home administrator-in
  732  training program prescribed by the board; or
  733         (b)1. Holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited
  734  college or university; and
  735         2.a. Has fulfilled the requirements of a 2,000-hour nursing
  736  home administrator-in-training program prescribed by the board;
  737  or
  738         b. Has 1 year of management experience allowing for the
  739  application of executive duties and skills, including the
  740  staffing, budgeting, and directing of resident care, dietary,
  741  and bookkeeping departments within a skilled nursing facility,
  742  hospital, hospice, assisted living facility with a minimum of 60
  743  licensed beds, or geriatric residential treatment program and,
  744  if such experience is not in a skilled nursing facility, has
  745  fulfilled the requirements of a 1,000-hour nursing home
  746  administrator-in-training program prescribed by the board.
  747         Section 19. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 468.209,
  748  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  749         468.209 Requirements for licensure.—
  750         (1) An applicant applying for a license as an occupational
  751  therapist or as an occupational therapy assistant shall apply to
  752  the department on forms furnished by the department. The
  753  department shall license each applicant who the board certifies
  754  meets all of the following criteria:
  755         (a) Has completed the file a written application form and
  756  remitted, accompanied by the application for licensure fee
  757  prescribed in s. 468.221.
  758         (b) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
  759  with s. 456.0135., on forms provided by the department, showing
  760  to the satisfaction of the board that she or he:
  761         (c)(a) Is of good moral character.
  762         (d)(b) Has successfully completed the academic requirements
  763  of an educational program in occupational therapy recognized by
  764  the board, with concentration in biologic or physical science,
  765  psychology, and sociology, and with education in selected manual
  766  skills. Such a program shall be accredited by the American
  767  Occupational Therapy Association’s Accreditation Council for
  768  Occupational Therapy Education, or its successor.
  769         (e)(c) Has successfully completed a period of supervised
  770  fieldwork experience at a recognized educational institution or
  771  a training program approved by the educational institution where
  772  she or he met the academic requirements. For an occupational
  773  therapist, a minimum of 6 months of supervised fieldwork
  774  experience is required. For an occupational therapy assistant, a
  775  minimum of 2 months of supervised fieldwork experience is
  776  required.
  777         (f)(d) Has passed an examination conducted or adopted by
  778  the board as provided in s. 468.211.
  779         (2) An applicant who has practiced as a state-licensed or
  780  American Occupational Therapy Association-certified occupational
  781  therapy assistant for 4 years and who, before January 24, 1988,
  782  completed a minimum of 24 weeks of supervised occupational
  783  therapist-level fieldwork experience may take the examination to
  784  be licensed as an occupational therapist without meeting the
  785  educational requirements for occupational therapists made
  786  otherwise applicable under paragraph (1)(d) (1)(b).
  787         Section 20. Subsection (3) is added to section 468.213,
  788  Florida Statutes, to read:
  789         468.213 Licensure by endorsement.—
  790         (3) Applicants for licensure by endorsement under s.
  791  456.0145 must submit to background screening in accordance with
  792  s. 456.0135.
  793         Section 21. Section 468.355, Florida Statutes, is amended
  794  to read:
  795         468.355 Licensure requirements.—To be eligible for
  796  licensure by the board, an applicant must be an active
  797  “certified respiratory therapist” or an active “registered
  798  respiratory therapist” as designated by the National Board for
  799  Respiratory Care, or its successor, and submit to background
  800  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  801         Section 22. Subsection (4) of section 468.358, Florida
  802  Statutes, is amended to read:
  803         468.358 Licensure by endorsement.—
  804         (4) Applicants for licensure shall not be granted by
  805  endorsement under as provided in this section must submit
  806  without the submission of a proper application, remit and the
  807  payment of the requisite application fee, and submit to
  808  background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135 fees
  809  therefor.
  810         Section 23. Present subsections (2), (3), and (4) of
  811  section 468.509, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
  812  subsections (3), (4), and (5), respectively, a new subsection
  813  (2) is added to that section, and present subsection (2) of that
  814  section is amended, to read:
  815         468.509 Dietitian/nutritionist; requirements for
  816  licensure.—
  817         (2) Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
  818  screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  819         (3)(2) The department shall examine any applicant who the
  820  board certifies has completed the application form, submitted to
  821  background screening, and remitted the application and
  822  examination fees specified in s. 468.508 and who:
  823         (a)1. Possesses a baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree
  824  with a major course of study in human nutrition, food and
  825  nutrition, dietetics, or food management, or an equivalent major
  826  course of study, from a school or program accredited, at the
  827  time of the applicant’s graduation, by the appropriate
  828  accrediting agency recognized by the Commission on Recognition
  829  of Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department
  830  of Education; and
  831         2. Has completed a preprofessional experience component of
  832  not less than 900 hours or has education or experience
  833  determined to be equivalent by the board; or
  834         (b)1. Has an academic degree, from a foreign country, that
  835  has been validated by an accrediting agency approved by the
  836  United States Department of Education as equivalent to the
  837  baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree conferred by a
  838  regionally accredited college or university in the United
  839  States;
  840         2. Has completed a major course of study in human
  841  nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or food management;
  842  and
  843         3. Has completed a preprofessional experience component of
  844  not less than 900 hours or has education or experience
  845  determined to be equivalent by the board.
  846         Section 24. Section 468.513, Florida Statutes, as amended
  847  by SB 1600, 2024 Regular Session, is amended to read:
  848         468.513 Dietitian/nutritionist; licensure by endorsement.
  849  The department shall issue a license to practice dietetics and
  850  nutrition by endorsement to any applicant who submits to
  851  background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135 and meets
  852  the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145,
  853  upon receipt of a completed application and the fee specified in
  854  s. 468.508.
  855         Section 25. Subsection (2) of section 468.803, Florida
  856  Statutes, is amended to read:
  857         468.803 License, registration, and examination
  858  requirements.—
  859         (2) An applicant for registration, examination, or
  860  licensure must apply to the department on a form prescribed by
  861  the board for consideration of board approval. Each initial
  862  applicant shall submit fingerprints to the department in
  863  accordance with s. 456.0135 and any other procedures specified
  864  by the department for state and national criminal history checks
  865  of the applicant. The board shall screen the results to
  866  determine if an applicant meets licensure requirements. The
  867  board shall consider for examination, registration, or licensure
  868  each applicant whom the board verifies meets all of the
  869  following criteria:
  870         (a) Has submitted the completed application and completed
  871  the fingerprinting requirements and has paid the applicable
  872  application fee, not to exceed $500. The application fee is
  873  nonrefundable.;
  874         (b) Is of good moral character.;
  875         (c) Is 18 years of age or older.; and
  876         (d) Has completed the appropriate educational preparation.
  877         Section 26. Subsection (1) of section 478.45, Florida
  878  Statutes, is amended to read:
  879         478.45 Requirements for licensure.—
  880         (1) An applicant applying for licensure as an electrologist
  881  shall apply to the department on forms furnished by the
  882  department. The department shall license each applicant who the
  883  board certifies meets all of the following criteria:
  884         (a) Has completed the file a written application form and
  885  remitted, accompanied by the application for licensure fee
  886  prescribed in s. 478.55.
  887         (b) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
  888  with s. 456.0135., on a form provided by the board, showing to
  889  the satisfaction of the board that the applicant:
  890         (c)(a) Is at least 18 years old.
  891         (d)(b) Is of good moral character.
  892         (e)(c) Possesses a high school diploma or a high school
  893  equivalency diploma.
  894         (f)(d) Has not committed an act in any jurisdiction which
  895  would constitute grounds for disciplining an electrologist in
  896  this state.
  897         (g)(e) Has successfully completed the academic requirements
  898  of an electrolysis training program, not to exceed 120 hours,
  899  and the practical application thereof as approved by the board.
  900         Section 27. Section 483.815, Florida Statutes, is amended
  901  to read:
  902         483.815 Application for clinical laboratory personnel
  903  license.—An application for a clinical laboratory personnel
  904  license shall be made under oath on forms provided by the
  905  department and shall be accompanied by payment of fees as
  906  provided by this part. Applicants for licensure must also submit
  907  to background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135. A
  908  license may be issued authorizing the performance of procedures
  909  of one or more categories.
  910         Section 28. Present paragraphs (b) through (k) of
  911  subsection (4) of section 483.901, Florida Statutes, are
  912  redesignated as paragraphs (c) through (l), respectively, a new
  913  paragraph (b) is added to that subsection, and paragraph (a) of
  914  that subsection is amended, to read:
  915         483.901 Medical physicists; definitions; licensure.—
  916         (4) LICENSE REQUIRED.—An individual may not engage in the
  917  practice of medical physics, including the specialties of
  918  diagnostic radiological physics, therapeutic radiological
  919  physics, medical nuclear radiological physics, or medical health
  920  physics, without a license issued by the department for the
  921  appropriate specialty.
  922         (a) The department shall adopt rules to administer this
  923  section which specify license application and renewal fees,
  924  continuing education requirements, background screening
  925  requirements, and standards for practicing medical physics. The
  926  department shall require a minimum of 24 hours per biennium of
  927  continuing education offered by an organization approved by the
  928  department. The department may adopt rules to specify continuing
  929  education requirements for persons who hold a license in more
  930  than one specialty.
  931         (b) Applicants for a medical physicist license must submit
  932  to background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
  933         Section 29. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 483.914,
  934  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  935         483.914 Licensure requirements.—
  936         (2) The department shall issue a license, valid for 2
  937  years, to each applicant who meets all of the following
  938  criteria:
  939         (a) Has completed an application.
  940         (b) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
  941  with s. 456.0135.
  942         (c)(b) Is of good moral character.
  943         (d)(c) Provides satisfactory documentation of having
  944  earned:
  945         1. A master’s degree from a genetic counseling training
  946  program or its equivalent as determined by the Accreditation
  947  Council of Genetic Counseling or its successor or an equivalent
  948  entity; or
  949         2. A doctoral degree from a medical genetics training
  950  program accredited by the American Board of Medical Genetics and
  951  Genomics or the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists.
  952         (e)(d) Has passed the examination for certification as:
  953         1. A genetic counselor by the American Board of Genetic
  954  Counseling, Inc., the American Board of Medical Genetics and
  955  Genomics, or the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors; or
  956         2. A medical or clinical geneticist by the American Board
  957  of Medical Genetics and Genomics or the Canadian College of
  958  Medical Geneticists.
  959         (3) The department may issue a temporary license for up to
  960  2 years to an applicant who meets all requirements for licensure
  961  except for the certification examination requirement imposed
  962  under paragraph (2)(e) (2)(d) and is eligible to sit for that
  963  certification examination.
  964         Section 30. Present paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of
  965  subsection (1) of section 484.007, Florida Statutes, as amended
  966  by SB 1600, 2024 Regular Session, are redesignated as paragraphs
  967  (c), (d), and (e), respectively, and a new paragraph (b) is
  968  added to that subsection, to read:
  969         484.007 Licensure of opticians; permitting of optical
  970  establishments.—
  971         (1) Any person desiring to practice opticianry shall apply
  972  to the department, upon forms prescribed by it, to take a
  973  licensure examination. The department shall examine each
  974  applicant who the board certifies meets all of the following
  975  criteria:
  976         (b) Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
  977  456.0135.
  978         Section 31. Subsection (2) of section 484.045, Florida
  979  Statutes, is amended to read:
  980         484.045 Licensure by examination.—
  981         (2) The department shall license each applicant who the
  982  board certifies meets all of the following criteria:
  983         (a) Has completed the application form and remitted the
  984  required fees.
  985         (b) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
  986  with s. 456.0135.
  987         (c)(b) Is of good moral character.
  988         (d)(c) Is 18 years of age or older.
  989         (e)(d) Is a graduate of an accredited high school or its
  990  equivalent.
  991         (f)1.(e)1. Has met the requirements of the training
  992  program; or
  993         2.a. Has a valid, current license as a hearing aid
  994  specialist or its equivalent from another state and has been
  995  actively practicing in such capacity for at least 12 months; or
  996         b. Is currently certified by the National Board for
  997  Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences and has been
  998  actively practicing for at least 12 months.
  999         (g)(f) Has passed an examination, as prescribed by board
 1000  rule.
 1001         (h)(g) Has demonstrated, in a manner designated by rule of
 1002  the board, knowledge of state laws and rules relating to the
 1003  fitting and dispensing of prescription hearing aids.
 1004         Section 32. Subsection (1) of section 486.031, Florida
 1005  Statutes, as amended by SB 1600 and SB 7016, 2024 Regular
 1006  Session, is amended to read:
 1007         486.031 Physical therapist; licensing requirements;
 1008  exemption.—
 1009         (1) To be eligible for licensing as a physical therapist,
 1010  an applicant must meet all of the following criteria:
 1011         (a) Be at least 18 years old.;
 1012         (b) Be of good moral character.; and
 1013         (c)1. Have graduated from a school of physical therapy
 1014  which has been approved for the educational preparation of
 1015  physical therapists by the appropriate accrediting agency
 1016  recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or
 1017  its successor or the United States Department of Education at
 1018  the time of her or his graduation and have passed, to the
 1019  satisfaction of the board, the American Registry Examination
 1020  before 1971 or a national examination approved by the board to
 1021  determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical
 1022  therapist under this chapter;
 1023         2. Have received a diploma from a program in physical
 1024  therapy in a foreign country and have educational credentials
 1025  deemed equivalent to those required for the educational
 1026  preparation of physical therapists in this country, as
 1027  recognized by the appropriate agency as identified by the board,
 1028  and have passed to the satisfaction of the board an examination
 1029  to determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical
 1030  therapist under this chapter; or
 1031         3. Be entitled to licensure by endorsement or without
 1032  examination as provided in s. 486.081.
 1033         (d) Have submitted to background screening in accordance
 1034  with s. 456.0135.
 1035         Section 33. Subsection (1) of section 486.102, Florida
 1036  Statutes, as amended by SB 1600 and SB 7016, 2024 Regular
 1037  Session, is amended to read:
 1038         486.102 Physical therapist assistant; licensing
 1039  requirements; exemption.—
 1040         (1) To be eligible for licensing by the board as a physical
 1041  therapist assistant, an applicant must meet all of the following
 1042  criteria:
 1043         (a) Be at least 18 years old.;
 1044         (b) Be of good moral character.; and
 1045         (c)1. Have graduated from a school providing a course of at
 1046  least 2 years for physical therapist assistants, which has been
 1047  approved for the educational preparation of physical therapist
 1048  assistants by the appropriate accrediting agency recognized by
 1049  the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor
 1050  or the United States Department of Education, at the time of her
 1051  or his graduation and have passed to the satisfaction of the
 1052  board an examination to determine her or his fitness for
 1053  practice as a physical therapist assistant under this chapter;
 1054         2. Have graduated from a school providing a course for
 1055  physical therapist assistants in a foreign country and have
 1056  educational credentials deemed equivalent to those required for
 1057  the educational preparation of physical therapist assistants in
 1058  this country, as recognized by the appropriate agency as
 1059  identified by the board, and passed to the satisfaction of the
 1060  board an examination to determine her or his fitness for
 1061  practice as a physical therapist assistant under this chapter;
 1062         3. Be entitled to licensure by endorsement as provided in
 1063  s. 486.107; or
 1064         4. Have been enrolled between July 1, 2014, and July 1,
 1065  2016, in a physical therapist assistant school in this state
 1066  which was accredited at the time of enrollment; and
 1067         a. Have graduated or be eligible to graduate from such
 1068  school no later than July 1, 2018; and
 1069         b. Have passed to the satisfaction of the board an
 1070  examination to determine his or her fitness for practice as a
 1071  physical therapist assistant as provided in s. 486.104.
 1072         (d) Have submitted to background screening in accordance
 1073  with s. 456.0135.
 1074         Section 34. Present paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of
 1075  subsection (1) of section 490.005, Florida Statutes, are
 1076  redesignated as paragraphs (c), (d), and (e), respectively, a
 1077  new paragraph (b) is added to that subsection, and subsection
 1078  (2) of that section is amended, to read:
 1079         490.005 Licensure by examination.—
 1080         (1) Any person desiring to be licensed as a psychologist
 1081  shall apply to the department to take the licensure examination.
 1082  The department shall license each applicant whom the board
 1083  certifies has met all of the following requirements:
 1084         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1085  456.0135.
 1086         (2) Any person desiring to be licensed as a school
 1087  psychologist shall apply to the department to take the licensure
 1088  examination. The department shall license each applicant who the
 1089  department certifies has met all of the following requirements:
 1090         (a) Satisfactorily completed the application form and
 1091  submitted a nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $250 and
 1092  an examination fee sufficient to cover the per applicant cost to
 1093  the department for development, purchase, and administration of
 1094  the examination, but not to exceed $250 as set by department
 1095  rule.
 1096         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1097  456.0135.
 1098         (c)(b) Submitted satisfactory proof to the department that
 1099  the applicant:
 1100         1. Has received a doctorate, specialist, or equivalent
 1101  degree from a program primarily psychological in nature and has
 1102  completed 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate
 1103  study, in areas related to school psychology as defined by rule
 1104  of the department, from a college or university which at the
 1105  time the applicant was enrolled and graduated was accredited by
 1106  an accrediting agency recognized and approved by the Council for
 1107  Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or
 1108  from an institution that is a member in good standing with the
 1109  Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.
 1110         2. Has had a minimum of 3 years of experience in school
 1111  psychology, 2 years of which must be supervised by an individual
 1112  who is a licensed school psychologist or who has otherwise
 1113  qualified as a school psychologist supervisor, by education and
 1114  experience, as set forth by rule of the department. A doctoral
 1115  internship may be applied toward the supervision requirement.
 1116         3. Has passed an examination provided by the department.
 1117         Section 35. Present paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection
 1118  (1) of section 490.0051, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
 1119  paragraphs (c) and (d), respectively, and a new paragraph (b) is
 1120  added to that subsection, to read:
 1121         490.0051 Provisional licensure; requirements.—
 1122         (1) The department shall issue a provisional psychology
 1123  license to each applicant whom the board certifies has met all
 1124  of the following criteria:
 1125         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1126  456.0135.
 1127         Section 36. Subsection (1) of section 490.006, Florida
 1128  Statutes, as amended by SB 1600, 2024 Regular Session, is
 1129  amended to read:
 1130         490.006 Licensure by endorsement.—
 1131         (1) The department shall license a person as a psychologist
 1132  or school psychologist who, upon applying to the department,
 1133  submitting to background screening in accordance with s.
 1134  456.0135, and remitting the appropriate fee, demonstrates to the
 1135  department or, in the case of psychologists, to the board that
 1136  the applicant meets the requirements for licensure by
 1137  endorsement under s. 456.0145.
 1138         Section 37. Subsections (1), (2), (4), and (6) of section
 1139  491.0045, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1140         491.0045 Intern registration; requirements.—
 1141         (1) An individual who has not satisfied the postgraduate or
 1142  post-master’s level experience requirements, as specified in s.
 1143  491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), or (4)(d) s. 491.005(1)(c), (3)(c), or
 1144  (4)(c), must register as an intern in the profession for which
 1145  he or she is seeking licensure before commencing the post
 1146  master’s experience requirement or an individual who intends to
 1147  satisfy part of the required graduate-level practicum,
 1148  internship, or field experience, outside the academic arena for
 1149  any profession, and must register as an intern in the profession
 1150  for which he or she is seeking licensure before commencing the
 1151  practicum, internship, or field experience.
 1152         (2) The department shall register as a clinical social
 1153  worker intern, marriage and family therapist intern, or mental
 1154  health counselor intern each applicant who the board certifies
 1155  has met all of the following criteria:
 1156         (a) Completed the application form and remitted a
 1157  nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $200, as set by
 1158  board rule.;
 1159         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1160  456.0135.
 1161         (c)(b)1. Completed the education requirements as specified
 1162  in s. 491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), or (4)(d) s. 491.005(1)(c), (3)(c),
 1163  or (4)(c) for the profession for which he or she is applying for
 1164  licensure, if needed; and
 1165         2. Submitted an acceptable supervision plan, as determined
 1166  by the board, for meeting the practicum, internship, or field
 1167  work required for licensure that was not satisfied in his or her
 1168  graduate program.
 1169         (d)(c) Identified a qualified supervisor.
 1170         (4) An individual who fails to comply with this section may
 1171  not be granted a license under this chapter, and any time spent
 1172  by the individual completing the experience requirement as
 1173  specified in s. 491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), or (4)(d) s.
 1174  491.005(1)(c), (3)(c), or (4)(c) before registering as an intern
 1175  does not count toward completion of the requirement.
 1176         (6) Any registration issued after March 31, 2017, expires
 1177  60 months after the date it is issued. The board may make a one
 1178  time exception to the requirements of this subsection in
 1179  emergency or hardship cases, as defined by board rule, if the
 1180  candidate has passed the theory and practice examination
 1181  described in s. 491.005(1)(e), (3)(e), and (4)(e) s.
 1182  491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), and (4)(d).
 1183         Section 38. Subsection (2) of section 491.0046, Florida
 1184  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1185         491.0046 Provisional license; requirements.—
 1186         (2) The department shall issue a provisional clinical
 1187  social worker license, provisional marriage and family therapist
 1188  license, or provisional mental health counselor license to each
 1189  applicant who the board certifies has met all of the following
 1190  criteria:
 1191         (a) Completed the application form and remitted a
 1192  nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $100, as set by
 1193  board rule.; and
 1194         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1195  456.0135.
 1196         (c)(b) Earned a graduate degree in social work, a graduate
 1197  degree with a major emphasis in marriage and family therapy or a
 1198  closely related field, or a graduate degree in a major related
 1199  to the practice of mental health counseling.; and
 1200         (d)(c) Met the following minimum coursework requirements:
 1201         1. For clinical social work, a minimum of 15 semester hours
 1202  or 22 quarter hours of the coursework required by s.
 1203  491.005(1)(c)2.b. s. 491.005(1)(b)2.b.
 1204         2. For marriage and family therapy, 10 of the courses
 1205  required by s. 491.005(3)(c) s. 491.005(3)(b), as determined by
 1206  the board, and at least 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours of
 1207  the course credits must have been completed in the area of
 1208  marriage and family systems, theories, or techniques.
 1209         3. For mental health counseling, a minimum of seven of the
 1210  courses required under s. 491.005(4)(c)1.a., b., or c. s.
 1211  491.005(4)(b)1.a.-c.
 1212         Section 39. Subsections (1) through (4) of section 491.005,
 1213  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1214         491.005 Licensure by examination.—
 1215         (1) CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK.—Upon verification of
 1216  documentation and payment of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by
 1217  board rule, the department shall issue a license as a clinical
 1218  social worker to an applicant whom the board certifies has met
 1219  all of the following criteria:
 1220         (a) Submitted an application and paid the appropriate fee.
 1221         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1222  456.0135.
 1223         (c)(b)1. Received a doctoral degree in social work from a
 1224  graduate school of social work which at the time the applicant
 1225  graduated was accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by
 1226  the United States Department of Education or received a master’s
 1227  degree in social work from a graduate school of social work
 1228  which at the time the applicant graduated:
 1229         a. Was accredited by the Council on Social Work Education;
 1230         b. Was accredited by the Canadian Association for Social
 1231  Work Education; or
 1232         c. Has been determined to have been a program equivalent to
 1233  programs approved by the Council on Social Work Education by the
 1234  Foreign Equivalency Determination Service of the Council on
 1235  Social Work Education. An applicant who graduated from a program
 1236  at a university or college outside of the United States or
 1237  Canada must present documentation of the equivalency
 1238  determination from the council in order to qualify.
 1239         2. The applicant’s graduate program emphasized direct
 1240  clinical patient or client health care services, including, but
 1241  not limited to, coursework in clinical social work, psychiatric
 1242  social work, medical social work, social casework,
 1243  psychotherapy, or group therapy. The applicant’s graduate
 1244  program must have included all of the following coursework:
 1245         a. A supervised field placement which was part of the
 1246  applicant’s advanced concentration in direct practice, during
 1247  which the applicant provided clinical services directly to
 1248  clients.
 1249         b. Completion of 24 semester hours or 32 quarter hours in
 1250  theory of human behavior and practice methods as courses in
 1251  clinically oriented services, including a minimum of one course
 1252  in psychopathology, and no more than one course in research,
 1253  taken in a school of social work accredited or approved pursuant
 1254  to subparagraph 1.
 1255         3. If the course title which appears on the applicant’s
 1256  transcript does not clearly identify the content of the
 1257  coursework, the applicant provided additional documentation,
 1258  including, but not limited to, a syllabus or catalog description
 1259  published for the course.
 1260         (d)(c) Completed at least 2 years of clinical social work
 1261  experience, which took place subsequent to completion of a
 1262  graduate degree in social work at an institution meeting the
 1263  accreditation requirements of this section, under the
 1264  supervision of a licensed clinical social worker or the
 1265  equivalent who is a qualified supervisor as determined by the
 1266  board. An individual who intends to practice in Florida to
 1267  satisfy clinical experience requirements must register pursuant
 1268  to s. 491.0045 before commencing practice. If the applicant’s
 1269  graduate program was not a program which emphasized direct
 1270  clinical patient or client health care services as described in
 1271  subparagraph (c)2. (b)2., the supervised experience requirement
 1272  must take place after the applicant has completed a minimum of
 1273  15 semester hours or 22 quarter hours of the coursework
 1274  required. A doctoral internship may be applied toward the
 1275  clinical social work experience requirement. A licensed mental
 1276  health professional must be on the premises when clinical
 1277  services are provided by a registered intern in a private
 1278  practice setting.
 1279         (e)(d) Passed a theory and practice examination designated
 1280  by board rule.
 1281         (f)(e) Demonstrated, in a manner designated by board rule,
 1282  knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
 1283  clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
 1284  health counseling.
 1285         (2) CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK.—
 1286         (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1)(c)
 1287  (1)(b), coursework which was taken at a baccalaureate level
 1288  shall not be considered toward completion of education
 1289  requirements for licensure unless an official of the graduate
 1290  program certifies in writing on the graduate school’s stationery
 1291  that a specific course, which students enrolled in the same
 1292  graduate program were ordinarily required to complete at the
 1293  graduate level, was waived or exempted based on completion of a
 1294  similar course at the baccalaureate level. If this condition is
 1295  met, the board shall apply the baccalaureate course named toward
 1296  the education requirements.
 1297         (b) An applicant from a master’s or doctoral program in
 1298  social work which did not emphasize direct patient or client
 1299  services may complete the clinical curriculum content
 1300  requirement by returning to a graduate program accredited by the
 1301  Council on Social Work Education or the Canadian Association of
 1302  Schools of Social Work, or to a clinical social work graduate
 1303  program with comparable standards, in order to complete the
 1304  education requirements for examination. However, a maximum of 6
 1305  semester or 9 quarter hours of the clinical curriculum content
 1306  requirement may be completed by credit awarded for independent
 1307  study coursework as defined by board rule.
 1308         (3) MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY.—Upon verification of
 1309  documentation and payment of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by
 1310  board rule, the department shall issue a license as a marriage
 1311  and family therapist to an applicant whom the board certifies
 1312  has met all of the following criteria:
 1313         (a) Submitted an application and paid the appropriate fee.
 1314         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1315  456.0135.
 1316         (c)1. Attained one of the following:
 1317         a. A minimum of a master’s degree in marriage and family
 1318  therapy from a program accredited by the Commission on
 1319  Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.
 1320         b. A minimum of a master’s degree with a major emphasis in
 1321  marriage and family therapy or a closely related field from a
 1322  university program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of
 1323  Counseling and Related Educational Programs and graduate courses
 1324  approved by the board.
 1325         c. A minimum of a master’s degree with an emphasis in
 1326  marriage and family therapy or a closely related field, with a
 1327  degree conferred before September 1, 2027, from an
 1328  institutionally accredited college or university and graduate
 1329  courses approved by the board.
 1330         2. If the course title that appears on the applicant’s
 1331  transcript does not clearly identify the content of the
 1332  coursework, the applicant provided additional documentation,
 1333  including, but not limited to, a syllabus or catalog description
 1334  published for the course. The required master’s degree must have
 1335  been received in an institution of higher education that, at the
 1336  time the applicant graduated, was fully accredited by an
 1337  institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for
 1338  Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or
 1339  was a member in good standing with Universities Canada, or an
 1340  institution of higher education located outside the United
 1341  States and Canada which, at the time the applicant was enrolled
 1342  and at the time the applicant graduated, maintained a standard
 1343  of training substantially equivalent to the standards of
 1344  training of those institutions in the United States which are
 1345  accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by
 1346  the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor
 1347  organization. Such foreign education and training must have been
 1348  received in an institution or program of higher education
 1349  officially recognized by the government of the country in which
 1350  it is located as an institution or program to train students to
 1351  practice as professional marriage and family therapists or
 1352  psychotherapists. The applicant has the burden of establishing
 1353  that the requirements of this provision have been met, and the
 1354  board shall require documentation, such as an evaluation by a
 1355  foreign equivalency determination service, as evidence that the
 1356  applicant’s graduate degree program and education were
 1357  equivalent to an accredited program in this country. An
 1358  applicant with a master’s degree from a program that did not
 1359  emphasize marriage and family therapy may complete the
 1360  coursework requirement in a training institution fully
 1361  accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and
 1362  Family Therapy Education recognized by the United States
 1363  Department of Education.
 1364         (d)(c) Completed at least 2 years of clinical experience
 1365  during which 50 percent of the applicant’s clients were
 1366  receiving marriage and family therapy services, which must be at
 1367  the post-master’s level under the supervision of a licensed
 1368  marriage and family therapist with at least 5 years of
 1369  experience, or the equivalent, who is a qualified supervisor as
 1370  determined by the board. An individual who intends to practice
 1371  in Florida to satisfy the clinical experience requirements must
 1372  register pursuant to s. 491.0045 before commencing practice. If
 1373  a graduate has a master’s degree with a major emphasis in
 1374  marriage and family therapy or a closely related field which did
 1375  not include all of the coursework required by paragraph (c) (b),
 1376  credit for the post-master’s level clinical experience may not
 1377  commence until the applicant has completed a minimum of 10 of
 1378  the courses required by paragraph (c) (b), as determined by the
 1379  board, and at least 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours of the
 1380  course credits must have been completed in the area of marriage
 1381  and family systems, theories, or techniques. Within the 2 years
 1382  of required experience, the applicant shall provide direct
 1383  individual, group, or family therapy and counseling to cases
 1384  including those involving unmarried dyads, married couples,
 1385  separating and divorcing couples, and family groups that include
 1386  children. A doctoral internship may be applied toward the
 1387  clinical experience requirement. A licensed mental health
 1388  professional must be on the premises when clinical services are
 1389  provided by a registered intern in a private practice setting.
 1390         (e)(d) Passed a theory and practice examination designated
 1391  by board rule.
 1392         (f)(e) Demonstrated, in a manner designated by board rule,
 1393  knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
 1394  clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
 1395  health counseling.
 1396  
 1397  For the purposes of dual licensure, the department shall license
 1398  as a marriage and family therapist any person who meets the
 1399  requirements of s. 491.0057. Fees for dual licensure may not
 1400  exceed those stated in this subsection.
 1401         (4) MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING.—Upon verification of
 1402  documentation and payment of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by
 1403  board rule, the department shall issue a license as a mental
 1404  health counselor to an applicant whom the board certifies has
 1405  met all of the following criteria:
 1406         (a) Submitted an application and paid the appropriate fee.
 1407         (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
 1408  456.0135.
 1409         (c)(b)1. Attained a minimum of an earned master’s degree
 1410  from a mental health counseling program accredited by the
 1411  Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related
 1412  Educational Programs which consists of at least 60 semester
 1413  hours or 80 quarter hours of clinical and didactic instruction,
 1414  including a course in human sexuality and a course in substance
 1415  abuse. If the master’s degree is earned from a program related
 1416  to the practice of mental health counseling which is not
 1417  accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling
 1418  and Related Educational Programs, then the coursework and
 1419  practicum, internship, or fieldwork must consist of at least 60
 1420  semester hours or 80 quarter hours and meet all of the following
 1421  requirements:
 1422         a. Thirty-three semester hours or 44 quarter hours of
 1423  graduate coursework, which must include a minimum of 3 semester
 1424  hours or 4 quarter hours of graduate-level coursework in each of
 1425  the following 11 content areas: counseling theories and
 1426  practice; human growth and development; diagnosis and treatment
 1427  of psychopathology; human sexuality; group theories and
 1428  practice; individual evaluation and assessment; career and
 1429  lifestyle assessment; research and program evaluation; social
 1430  and cultural foundations; substance abuse; and legal, ethical,
 1431  and professional standards issues in the practice of mental
 1432  health counseling. Courses in research, thesis or dissertation
 1433  work, practicums, internships, or fieldwork may not be applied
 1434  toward this requirement.
 1435         b. A minimum of 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours of
 1436  graduate-level coursework addressing diagnostic processes,
 1437  including differential diagnosis and the use of the current
 1438  diagnostic tools, such as the current edition of the American
 1439  Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
 1440  Mental Disorders. The graduate program must have emphasized the
 1441  common core curricular experience.
 1442         c. The equivalent, as determined by the board, of at least
 1443  700 hours of university-sponsored supervised clinical practicum,
 1444  internship, or field experience that includes at least 280 hours
 1445  of direct client services, as required in the accrediting
 1446  standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and
 1447  Related Educational Programs for mental health counseling
 1448  programs. This experience may not be used to satisfy the post
 1449  master’s clinical experience requirement.
 1450         2. Provided additional documentation if a course title that
 1451  appears on the applicant’s transcript does not clearly identify
 1452  the content of the coursework. The documentation must include,
 1453  but is not limited to, a syllabus or catalog description
 1454  published for the course.
 1455  
 1456  Education and training in mental health counseling must have
 1457  been received in an institution of higher education that, at the
 1458  time the applicant graduated, was fully accredited by an
 1459  institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for
 1460  Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or
 1461  was a member in good standing with Universities Canada, or an
 1462  institution of higher education located outside the United
 1463  States and Canada which, at the time the applicant was enrolled
 1464  and at the time the applicant graduated, maintained a standard
 1465  of training substantially equivalent to the standards of
 1466  training of those institutions in the United States which are
 1467  accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by
 1468  the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor
 1469  organization. Such foreign education and training must have been
 1470  received in an institution or program of higher education
 1471  officially recognized by the government of the country in which
 1472  it is located as an institution or program to train students to
 1473  practice as mental health counselors. The applicant has the
 1474  burden of establishing that the requirements of this provision
 1475  have been met, and the board shall require documentation, such
 1476  as an evaluation by a foreign equivalency determination service,
 1477  as evidence that the applicant’s graduate degree program and
 1478  education were equivalent to an accredited program in this
 1479  country. Beginning July 1, 2025, an applicant must have a
 1480  master’s degree from a program that is accredited by the Council
 1481  for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
 1482  Programs, the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation
 1483  Council, or an equivalent accrediting body which consists of at
 1484  least 60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours to apply for
 1485  licensure under this paragraph.
 1486         (d)(c) Completed at least 2 years of clinical experience in
 1487  mental health counseling, which must be at the post-master’s
 1488  level under the supervision of a licensed mental health
 1489  counselor or the equivalent who is a qualified supervisor as
 1490  determined by the board. An individual who intends to practice
 1491  in Florida to satisfy the clinical experience requirements must
 1492  register pursuant to s. 491.0045 before commencing practice. If
 1493  a graduate has a master’s degree with a major related to the
 1494  practice of mental health counseling which did not include all
 1495  the coursework required under sub-subparagraphs (c)1.a and b.
 1496  (b)1.a. and b., credit for the post-master’s level clinical
 1497  experience may not commence until the applicant has completed a
 1498  minimum of seven of the courses required under sub-subparagraphs
 1499  (c)1.a and b. (b)1.a. and b., as determined by the board, one of
 1500  which must be a course in psychopathology or abnormal
 1501  psychology. A doctoral internship may be applied toward the
 1502  clinical experience requirement. A licensed mental health
 1503  professional must be on the premises when clinical services are
 1504  provided by a registered intern in a private practice setting.
 1505         (e)(d) Passed a theory and practice examination designated
 1506  by board rule.
 1507         (f)(e) Demonstrated, in a manner designated by board rule,
 1508  knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
 1509  clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
 1510  health counseling.
 1511         Section 40. Subsection (1) of section 491.006, Florida
 1512  Statutes, as amended by SB 1600, 2024 Regular Session, is
 1513  amended to read:
 1514         491.006 Licensure or certification by endorsement.—
 1515         (1) The department shall license or grant a certificate to
 1516  a person in a profession regulated by this chapter who, upon
 1517  applying to the department, submitting to background screening
 1518  in accordance with s. 456.0135, and remitting the appropriate
 1519  fee, demonstrates to the board that he or she meets the
 1520  requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145.
 1521         Section 41. Paragraphs (d), (f), and (i) of subsection (1)
 1522  of section 468.505, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1523         468.505 Exemptions; exceptions.—
 1524         (1) Nothing in this part may be construed as prohibiting or
 1525  restricting the practice, services, or activities of:
 1526         (d) A person pursuing a course of study leading to a degree
 1527  in dietetics and nutrition from a program or school accredited
 1528  pursuant to s. 468.509(3) s. 468.509(2), if the activities and
 1529  services constitute a part of a supervised course of study and
 1530  if the person is designated by a title that clearly indicates
 1531  the person’s status as a student or trainee.
 1532         (f) Any dietitian or nutritionist from another state
 1533  practicing dietetics or nutrition incidental to a course of
 1534  study when taking or giving a postgraduate course or other
 1535  course of study in this state, provided such dietitian or
 1536  nutritionist is licensed in another jurisdiction or is a
 1537  registered dietitian or holds an appointment on the faculty of a
 1538  school accredited pursuant to s. 468.509(3) s. 468.509(2).
 1539         (i) An educator who is in the employ of a nonprofit
 1540  organization approved by the council; a federal, state, county,
 1541  or municipal agency, or other political subdivision; an
 1542  elementary or secondary school; or an accredited institution of
 1543  higher education the definition of which, as provided in s.
 1544  468.509(3) s. 468.509(2), applies to other sections of this
 1545  part, insofar as the activities and services of the educator are
 1546  part of such employment.
 1547         Section 42. Subsections (15), (16), and (17) of section
 1548  491.003, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1549         491.003 Definitions.—As used in this chapter:
 1550         (15) “Registered clinical social worker intern” means a
 1551  person registered under this chapter who is completing the
 1552  postgraduate clinical social work experience requirement
 1553  specified in s. 491.005(1)(d) s. 491.005(1)(c).
 1554         (16) “Registered marriage and family therapist intern”
 1555  means a person registered under this chapter who is completing
 1556  the post-master’s clinical experience requirement specified in
 1557  s. 491.005(3)(d) s. 491.005(3)(c).
 1558         (17) “Registered mental health counselor intern” means a
 1559  person registered under this chapter who is completing the post
 1560  master’s clinical experience requirement specified in s.
 1561  491.005(4)(d) s. 491.005(4)(c).
 1562         Section 43. Effective July 1, 2024, for the 2024-2025
 1563  fiscal year, the sum of $250,000 in nonrecurring funds from the
 1564  Medical Quality Assurance Trust Fund is appropriated to the
 1565  Department of Health to implement the provisions of this act.
 1566         Section 44. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
 1567  act and except for this section, which shall take effect July 1,
 1568  2024, this act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
 1569  
 1570  ================= T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T ================
 1571  And the title is amended as follows:
 1572         Delete everything before the enacting clause
 1573  and insert:
 1574                        A bill to be entitled                      
 1575         An act relating to background screenings and
 1576         certifications; amending s. 420.621, F.S.; defining
 1577         the term “person with lived experience”; creating s.
 1578         420.6241, F.S.; providing legislative intent;
 1579         providing qualifications for a person seeking
 1580         certification as a person with lived experience;
 1581         requiring continuum of care lead agencies to submit
 1582         certain information to the Department of Children and
 1583         Families for purposes of background screening;
 1584         providing duties of the department; prescribing
 1585         screening requirements; specifying disqualifying
 1586         offenses for a person applying for certification;
 1587         authorizing a person who does not meet background
 1588         screening requirements to apply to the department for
 1589         an exemption from disqualification; requiring the
 1590         department to accept or reject such application within
 1591         a specified time; amending s. 435.04, F.S.; specifying
 1592         additional disqualifying offenses under the background
 1593         screening requirements for certain persons; amending
 1594         s. 435.07, F.S.; revising requirements for exemptions
 1595         from disqualification from employment; amending s.
 1596         943.0438, F.S.; revising the effective date of a
 1597         requirement that independent sanctioning authorities
 1598         conduct level 2 background screenings of current and
 1599         prospective athletic coaches; amending s. 456.0135,
 1600         F.S.; expanding certain background screening
 1601         requirements to apply to additional health care
 1602         practitioners; providing applicability; requiring
 1603         specified health care practitioners licensed before a
 1604         specified date to comply with certain background
 1605         screening requirements upon their next licensure
 1606         renewal that takes place on or after a specified date;
 1607         prohibiting the Department of Health from renewing
 1608         specified health care practitioner licenses under
 1609         certain circumstances beginning on a specified date;
 1610         amending ss. 457.105, 463.006, 465.007, 465.0075,
 1611         466.006, 466.0067, 466.007, 467.011, 468.1185,
 1612         468.1215, 468.1695, 468.209, 468.213, 468.355,
 1613         468.358, 468.509, 468.513, 468.803, 478.45, 483.815,
 1614         483.901, 483.914, 484.007, 484.045, 486.031, 486.102,
 1615         490.005, 490.0051, 490.006, 491.0045, 491.0046,
 1616         491.005, and 491.006, F.S.; revising licensure,
 1617         registration, or certification requirements, as
 1618         applicable, for acupuncturists; optometrists;
 1619         pharmacists; pharmacist licenses by endorsement;
 1620         dentists; health access dental licenses; dental
 1621         hygienists; midwives; speech-language pathologists and
 1622         audiologists; speech-language pathology assistants and
 1623         audiology assistants; nursing home administrators;
 1624         occupational therapists and occupational therapy
 1625         assistants; occupational therapist and occupational
 1626         therapy assistant licenses by endorsement; respiratory
 1627         therapists; respiratory therapist licenses by
 1628         endorsement; dietitian/nutritionists;
 1629         dietitian/nutritionist licenses by endorsement;
 1630         practitioners of orthotics, prosthetics, or
 1631         pedorthics; electrologists; clinical laboratory
 1632         personnel; medical physicists; genetic counselors;
 1633         opticians; hearing aid specialists; physical
 1634         therapists; physical therapist assistants;
 1635         psychologists and school psychologists; provisional
 1636         licenses for psychologists; psychologist and school
 1637         psychologist licenses by endorsement; intern
 1638         registrations for clinical social work, marriage and
 1639         family therapy, and mental health counseling;
 1640         provisional licenses for clinical social workers,
 1641         marriage and family therapists, and mental health
 1642         counselors; clinical social workers, marriage and
 1643         family therapists, and mental health counselors; and
 1644         clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist,
 1645         and mental health counselor licenses by endorsement,
 1646         respectively, to include background screening
 1647         requirements; making conforming and technical changes;
 1648         amending ss. 468.505 and 491.003, F.S.; conforming
 1649         cross-references; providing an appropriation;
 1650         providing effective dates.