CS/CS/HB 1091 — Substance Abuse and Mental Health Care
by Health & Human Services Committee; Human Services Subcommittee; and Rep. Gonzalez Pittman and others (CS/CS/CS/SB 1240 by Rules Committee; Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee; and Senator Calatayud)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee (CF)
The bill integrates the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Call Center into the state mental health crisis response network and requires the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to authorize, regulate, and oversee Florida’s 988 Lifeline program.
The bill removes the “needs assessment” requirement for licensure of medication-assisted treatment programs for opioid addiction.
The bill establishes enhanced training standards for mental health professionals conducting forensic evaluations, emphasizing competency restoration, evidence-based practices, and placement alternatives to ensure consistent and effective forensic evaluations. The bill requires court-appointed mental health experts performing forensic evaluations to complete DCF-approved forensic training and ongoing education.
The bill clarifies the duties of designated receiving facilities for patients transferred under involuntary examination. If a physician determines the patient still poses a threat, the facility is not required to release them, even if the transfer was delayed or notification was late.
The bill also makes several conforming and technical changes to involuntary outpatient services under the Baker Act to clarify and align statute with multiple changes over the previous two sessions.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2025.
Vote: Senate 37-0; House 112-0