HB 7183 Summary

• Repeals sections 394.4595, 402.164-167, 408.18, and 408.185 of Florida Statutes, eliminating the Florida Statewide Advocacy Council and local advocacy councils.

• Removes references to advocacy councils from child protective services, mental health patient rights, and vulnerable adult protection statutes throughout the bill.

• Eliminates the annual report to the Legislature by the Agency for Health Care Administration regarding certificate-of-need exemption requests for open-heart surgery programs.

• Removes advocacy council members from mandatory reporter lists for child abuse and vulnerable adult exploitation and eliminates notification requirements to advocacy councils in protective investigations.

• Amends multiple sections of law to conform references and remove provisions granting advocacy councils access to patient records, facility inspections, and involvement in health care facility governance.