The Florida Senate

400.617  Legislative intent; purpose.--

(1)  The Legislature encourages the provision of care for disabled adults and aged persons in family-type living arrangements in private homes.

(2)  The purpose of ss. 400.616-400.629 is to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of residents of adult family-care homes in the state.

(3)  The Legislature recognizes that adult family-care homes are an important part of the continuum of long-term care. The personal services available in these homes, which may be provided directly or through contract or agreement, are intended to help residents remain as independent as possible in order to delay or avoid placement in a nursing home or other institution. Regulations governing adult family-care homes must be sufficiently flexible to allow residents to age in place if resources are available to meet their needs and accommodate their preferences.

(4)  The Legislature further finds and declares that licensure under ss. 400.616-400.629 is a public trust and a privilege, and not an entitlement. This principle must guide the finder of fact or trier of law at any administrative proceeding or circuit court action initiated by the department to enforce ss. 400.616-400.629.

History.--ss. 1, 2, ch. 85-195; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 3, ch. 93-209.