[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6122742,"mediaKeyId","2694338-b09c7dd44dba8653352990ca738399a5","parentId",2694338,"title","Committee advances bill centralizing 988 oversight, easing MAT licensing and requiring annual training for forensic evaluators","audioSeconds",339,"startMs",1051000,"endMs",1390000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694338-b09c7dd44dba8653352990ca738399a5&start=1051&end=1390","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694338-b09c7dd44dba8653352990ca738399a5/thumbnail_1051000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6122742/Florida/Committee-advances-bill-centralizing-988-oversight-easing-MAT-licensing-and-requiring-annual-training-for-forensic-evaluators","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122742-588716a56c61d3532456306511b519b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770644487&Signature=OFrz0s7ZKE3ODrKptm4DgIRvhgrMy5wQo~~h44Eh5bGDwC~5bEJHm~PnuEW6Kd6HrOQ3i0L3UazHV-mpa0q6Ji6ka6lEH5IJgRhL-UOydA6Azxiih-pQAs7topTUZU1OwTo5saDCnSYF3NqrU14s0Tk9weW-PwAJfMz~wslSEBDcVk6xhE3rXHfNMoYVEOi87-HOMTBgnc~QvyTVZuGToYRmVLxOMlNoFTZDc1mMRQt~MHCFR3qtLHogZZ2KBewyMToiVAQk96ACjrIo0W7~Io8ffClc6VhsA1d8nbvcBF9WUvWJkXTrc5z9rOC6xEsHfPkIlzgF246KT1fKY78EVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Florida State Legislature","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Collati explained Senate Bill 12 40 to the committee as a package aimed at increasing access to substance use and mental health services, improving oversight of the 988 crisis hotline and strengthening standards for forensic evaluators.

The sponsor said the bill would designate the state agency responsible for oversight of the 988 Lifeline, change the medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) licensing process by repealing an annual needs assessment that currently constrains provider licensure for methadone maintenance, and require annual continuing education for professionals listed as forensic evaluators so courts receive up‑to‑date recommendations about placement and competency.

An amendment offered and explained by the sponsor aligned the bill with its House companion and made technical conforming changes, clarified discharge procedures for guardian advocates and reinstated language regarding administrative law judge orders that had been mistakenly deleted. Committee members praised the bill as consistent with recommendations from the Behavioral Health Commission; one senator noted the commission had produced 30 recommendations and that this bill addressed one of them.

Supporters at the hearing included Barney Bishop of Florida Smart Justice Alliance, who waived in support. Senators in committee expressed general support, calling the measure a needed improvement to behavioral health oversight and access.

The committee adopted the amendment and reported CS for SB 12 40 favorably. The transcript records adoption of the amendment and a favorable report; a detailed roll call tally was not specified in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs 3/19/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Collati told the committee SB 12 40 would centralize state oversight of the 988 Lifeline, remove an annual MAT needs assessment to expand methadone MAT licensure, and require annual continuing education for forensic evaluators.","taxTitle","Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, Standing Committees, Senate, Legislative, Florida","taxId",26942,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122739,"Committee approves bill allowing direct support professionals and relatives to administer insulin in group homes",45,2399000,2354000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694338-b09c7dd44dba8653352990ca738399a5&start=2399&end=2354","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694338-b09c7dd44dba8653352990ca738399a5/thumbnail_2399000.jpg","/articles/6122739/Florida/Committee-approves-bill-allowing-direct-support-professionals-and-relatives-to-administer-insulin-in-group-homes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122739-4aeac5567d97805cd3a807b441d65a6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770644487&Signature=X4xU8tm8ussAROhPV8C35jbKBWQPHh4pVmUTMZyHC5512AEdlt~j66c18g0200MJQX90yJU3yHL15oDBjhReMSS7ioiFPcyryxThw~-0xM2855Kx-FDu0uPcehh07~HII4QCU~Wc5CQWvdFGjMzsF3CmowPxcjNTj1MelPwog2o2ztem8~h~TuFhAfLr98ntYsSw-PV2AG8e6-8fHnOSsFpkGdSu8P~wXwC0xPqg9165V7VV9q6OkOgiQUelpnOzqLcXaxcwdw9VqXbTclgRfPCI5N8aRtYV1bk7Mlp6eipStg0yPSgiOBliEDMsMgggeShOdrobJBJf9HH~mq0w8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Sherry Graw explained Senate Bill 17 36 to the committee as a measure to permit trained direct support professionals and relatives to administer insulin to individuals with developmental disabilities in group home settings.

An amendment clarifying that sliding‑scale insulin therapy and subcutaneous administration via self‑administration devices (including epinephrine) are included was adopted by the committee. The sponsor said the bill is intended to allow individuals to remain in community group homes rather than be moved to nursing facilities when simple medication administration is a barrier to placement.

Several advocacy witnesses supported the bill. Alan Abramowitz, CEO of The Arc of Florida, said the change would help families and avoid institutionalization. Anthony Mancuso testified about his adult son Adam, who is 35 and requires a small insulin injection; Mancuso said the family nearly lost an opportunity to place him in a group home because the home would not accept residents who needed injections delivered by non‑nursing caregivers. Mancuso said his training to use an auto‑injector took only minutes and described the current rule as arbitrary: “It's very simple, 3 minutes,” he said. He later added, “It's wrong. It's wrong.”

Committee members asked whether Medicaid billing or provider status would be affected; the sponsor and members discussed that direct support professionals in group homes are typically not Medicaid providers and that established home‑health provider billing practices would remain for formal Medicaid providers. The sponsor said each group home would establish procedures appropriate to its residents and services.

The amendment was adopted and CS for SB 17 36 was reported favorably by the committee. The transcript records committee adoption of the amendment and a favorable report; a detailed roll call tally is not given in the transcript.","Senator Sherry Graw told the committee SB 17 36 would allow trained direct support professionals and relatives to administer insulin and related subcutaneous treatments in group home settings for individuals with developmental disabilities.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":81,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122732,"Senate committee moves bill clarifying parents’ discretion over routine unsupervised activities for children",105,2459000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694338-b09c7dd44dba8653352990ca738399a5&start=2354&end=2459","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694338-b09c7dd44dba8653352990ca738399a5/thumbnail_2354000.jpg","/articles/6122732/Florida/Senate-committee-moves-bill-clarifying-parents-discretion-over-routine-unsupervised-activities-for-children","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122732-cc92b6b3453982bf6b979716e3e34ff9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770644487&Signature=SszLO2ymSr9nUQJscFdWDSm~x1u0i-A0EheKWk8qQV-nCxT3jNJZZx-~hxCixL-sO~3pCz9c7sjvyuSJOQ5bw9~pnC1PFWfhcMMf5xrRnSirZYgm0y05A6Htw7fUlsMCLHqijM~EsEbTav~7cOR3l2rCwknET-ifhlvpSzgnjYwcCSK5MWW~B-QpLH-sMOqxzPaYqXIYiagitKHkleI23HapObGcDxBpAwfkiYVyVIbYBYuVVqlCY-H-VbfY87tAP5D3QUgCV7v4YyD4yDch8ty~j0~qrVMISX9d5yrCs1KKP74KQLmHnUNh70lMUTi1FYv2MaibjzSHL4tYUSXWQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Grohl presented SB 12 86 to the Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee, describing it as legislation to protect parents’ discretion to allow routine unsupervised activities for children without triggering a child abuse or neglect investigation.

The sponsor said the bill would codify existing practice by clarifying that routine outdoor activities such as biking, walking or playing near home do not constitute neglect unless parental permission would be reckless and create a danger. The sponsor cited research tying loss of independence to rises in childhood anxiety and depression and said similar laws exist in at least eight other states.

Barney Bishop of the Florida Smart Justice Alliance waived in support. No opposition testimony was recorded in the transcript, and several senators indicated support during debate. The committee reported SB 12 86 favorably; the transcript records the favorable report but does not include a full numeric roll call in the excerpt provided.","SB 12 86, presented in committee, would clarify that parents allowing children to engage in routine unsupervised outdoor activities—biking, walking or playing near home—does not by itself constitute neglect unless the permission is reckless and endangers the child; the committee reported the bill favorably.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122746,"Senate committee advances bill allowing voluntary faith-based content in batterers intervention programs",0,1100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694338-b09c7dd44dba8653352990ca738399a5&start=1100&end=1100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694338-b09c7dd44dba8653352990ca738399a5/thumbnail_1100000.jpg","/articles/6122746/Florida/Senate-committee-advances-bill-allowing-voluntary-faith-based-content-in-batterers-intervention-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122746-bb155e36a712b8791acc42dc83904492/orig.mp4?Expires=1770644487&Signature=cfkYTGe7bSjCOjjykycB3rPcgePvgTFsIj~iCi4vmhFctQaMUMGVjmYdinl2KLUlWnMFaiOcYvTMIckAP3vPMao~hlqZm-auHck79lMkzFAUCmxpmX0Z908~IJ7~aXyfI6g4ktOKeQRsgzbXvQHLrkQe7fd7KwCxNGTsO1vRVa-nrKlVOjqTdUKtWBNGK-5O~Q3axeax64J~Uq4Df12obs8ilxNOW2p2BUTwc8fotOZ4MFrcJAJc128w-L6kmtLV1N-4c2jPIt4~dqg7nMVgeJ~h8OI0D3Z78j1hgXLVto93k1PTV0M0oQQrk6vLkVJBGJjDMOanFj8FZVq~49E01Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Rodriguez, sponsor of SB 894, told the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee that the bill would allow faith‑based content to be included in certified batterers intervention programs as an optional pathway for participants.

The measure as introduced also directed the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to repeal an administrative rule that the sponsor said prohibited faith‑based ideology tied to a particular religion. An amendment later removed the repeal requirement and clarified that any faith‑based activities must be supplemental and may not be required.

Supporters at the committee hearing urged the panel to preserve choice for program participants. Beth Gerhardt, a Christian counselor in Central Florida, said, “This isn't about pushing faith. It's about meeting people where they are.” John Labriola of the Christian Family Coalition of Florida and Anthony Verdugo, who identified himself as executive director and founder of the Christian Family Coalition, also testified in favor of the bill. Aaron DiPietro of Florida Family Voice told the committee DCF’s 2022 directive excluding faith‑based providers “abruptly overturned decades of proven success” and asked senators to restore the option.

Committee members asked how the bill would define “faith” and how participation would be structured. Senator Rodriguez said faith content would be an optional pathway and that programs could decide whether to offer a faith‑based track; participants would select the program they prefer. When pressed about verification and doctrinal accuracy, the sponsor said she expected DCF to have “some kind of a verification process” but did not provide a curriculum or detailed oversight plan at the hearing.

Opposition or reservations came mainly from concerns about content and oversight. One senator recounted visits to faith‑based programs inside prisons as a reason to support options but said he had concerns about content and said he would vote no in committee, treating the measure as a bookmark.

The committee adopted the sponsor’s amendment clarifying voluntariness and adopted CS for SB 894; the committee reported the bill favorably to the next stage of consideration.

Votes at the committee included adoption of an amendment offered by Senator Rodriguez and a final committee report favorable on CS for SB 894. The transcript records the amendment was adopted and that CS for SB 894 was reported favorably; the roll call tally was not specified in the transcript.","The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee on an unspecified date reported favorably CS for SB 894, a bill by Senator Rodriguez that would permit certified batterers intervention programs in Florida to offer voluntary faith‑based components alongside required cognitive‑behavioral and psychoeducational models.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances bill centralizing 988 oversight, easing MAT licensing and requiring annual training for forensic evaluators

Committee approves bill allowing direct support professionals and relatives to administer insulin in group homes

Senate committee moves bill clarifying parents’ discretion over routine unsupervised activities for children

Senate committee advances bill allowing voluntary faith-based content in batterers intervention programs